Researching the Compan

When doing research on a company, you want to focus on company missions, ethics, areas of recent growth, and weak spots. According to librarian Mary-Ellen Mort in Oakland, California, the best sources for information on local organizations are local newspaper articles, local directories, and area trade journals. Some libraries have clipping files of articles on area companies, CEOs, and industries. Ask a reference librarian for ranked lists of local companies in your field. Depending on the library's size, you may even lay your hands on annual reports and various promotional literature, too. If the library doesn't carry copies of these materials, request them from the organization itself.

If the organization is a small, privately owned company, this type of information may not be available at all. In that case, explore comparable companies and apply what you find. Don't forget-it's never a mistake to pick up the phone and talk with the organization's suppliers, customers, and current employees.

Tip: Offer to drop by and pick up the organization's material in person rather than have it mailed to you.
This action fosters several positives. It allows you to meet with the receptionist and make a positive impression with an insider (good news travels fast, especially when it concerns a future employee). It also strengthens an impression that you are well-organized and very interested. Finally, it forces you to travel the route in advance of an interview and scout out potentially slowing traffic patterns, confusing addresses, and so on.

Online Resources for Company Research

This section provides some general sites for researching employers online (from Best Career and Education Web Sites by Rachel Singer Gordon and Anne Wolfinger). Remember that one of the best sources of information on a company can be its own Web site. Search for employer Web sites by using your favorite search engines.

• CorporateInformation.com (www·corporateinformation·com): You have to register to use this company research site, but basic registration is free. Type a company's name into the search box on the front page to find information on specific companies, which includes a brief analysis from this site as well as links to articles and company profiles from other Web sites. Although much information is targeted to investors, you'll find useful background material for your job hunt as well. You can also pick a state to find information on every company the site covers in that state or use an alphabetical list to browse corporations. This site is best for information on large companies.


• Google News (news·google·com): Search and browse 4,000 news sources from leading search engine Google. Find the most up-to-date news stories on specific companies, or simply pick the Business section to read current articles. This site is a great way to keep current on industries and specific companies. You can find out what's going on before applying or in preparation for an interview. Articles stay in the index for 30 days.


• SuperPages (www·superpages·com): Verizon's SuperPages is an electronic Yellow Pages with a twist. Search for U.S. businesses by name and location, or browse by category. Each listing contains contact information as well as a Web site link when available, plus a map and driving directions. Register to create your own directory of saved listings. You can also search for businesses by geographic location if you're looking for potential places to apply in your area.


• Thomas Register (www·thomasregister·com): Thomas Register takes its print manuals online, allowing registered users to search for manufacturers and companies and view their catalogs and Web sites. Check out the demo to see how searching works and what information is included in manufacturer listings. Although the site is meant largely for locating suppliers, it's a useful way for job seekers to locate companies in their industry as well.