EMPLOYER RESEARCH

 

Why Should I Research an Employer?

  • Find the most suitable position for yourself.
  • Help gain some idea of the career potential that exists with a specific employer.
  • Locate employers in your targeted career field(s).
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to a particular position and/or company.
  • Prepare effectively for an interview with an employer.
  • Increase your competitive edge by demonstrating your interest, enthusiasm and knowledge of the company.

What Do I Need to Know About an Employer?

At a minimum, make sure that you are familiar with the following aspects of an employer:

  • Name, age and location(s) of company
  • Size and number of employees
  • Product lines and/or services
  • Parent company, divisions and/or subsidiaries
  • Financial picture of organization, assets, earnings, stock picture, recent mergers, etc
  • Major competitors within the industry
  • Growth pattern and reputation
  • Career possibilities

Where Can I Find Information About Employers?

Internet Research Sites
The first step in researching an employer is to utilize the Internet to learn more about the company's history, mission, structure, products and services. The following websites provide information on identifying companies in your field of interest and links to their webpages:

Business.com - Find detailed information on 10,000 US public companies, 14,000 international companies and 23,000 recently added private companies: profiles, executive biographies, financials, news and more!
Hoovers- Provides you with basic directory and financial information about 15,000 large companies, including links to their web pages.
Michigan Mall - The Michigan Search Directory for both online and offline businesses and stores in Michigan. 
Thomas Net- Connects to a comprehensive directory of American manufacturers, arranged by product.
Vault - Well known for its insider reports on thousands of companies.
WetFeet - More than 1,600 snapshots of companies: history, business, profitability, and jobs!

Chamber of Commerce
Your local Chamber of Commerce may be able to provide you with information specific to the company you are interested in.

For a complete list of chambers found within the United States click here!

Directories

  • Directory of Corporate Affiliations
  • Dunn & Bradstreet Business Information Reports
  • Manufacturing Directory
  • Million Dollar Directory
  • Moody's Manual
  • Standard & Poor Register of Corporations
  • Thomas Register of American Manufactures
  • Local and National Newspapers

The business section of most newspapers contain numerous articles about local companies and their executives. Again, the College or public library is a good place to find current newspapers and indexes of newspapers.

Trade and Professional Associations
These organizations produce membership directories, journals and industry briefs. Find associations that match your career interest and then explore the information that they provide. Remember, almost every type of field or industry that exists has a trade association affiliation.