|
Untitled Document
Knowledge is power - having knowledge about a potential employer gives you a
competitive edge over other job seekers. When you're job hunting you'll want to
learn as much about potential employers as possible. As well as giving you an
edge, this knowledge will also help you when evaluating a job offer.
All the big companies know that and pour lots of money into research to gain
the knowledge they need to be competitive. Companies commit extensive resources
to conducting market research before selling their products. Many large
companies have huge information centers where they employ staffs of professional
librarians who are able to access information on clients, competitors, and
customers. The amount of knowledge you have about a potential employer, and on
the industry in which you hope to work, can assist you in your job search. This
pertains both to making initial contact with employers and before going on
interviews.
Research before making initial contact
When you begin to make initial contacts with potential employers, through
resumes or any other method you use, it is a good idea to have some basic facts
about the company. For example, you should know the company's industry, what
they do, who some major clients are, and the names of some of the company's
higher-ups, i.e. CEO, President, etc. You should also know who is in charge of
hiring for the position you are seeking.
Research before the interview
Before going on an interview is the time to do extensive research. Being
armed with an arsenal of information can give you an edge over your competition,
as you will be able to answer questions about the employer should you be asked
any on the interview. It is not unusual to be asked the question, "What do
you know about us?" It will also enable you to ask intelligent questions
when you are given the opportunity, as job candidates usually are toward the end
of the interview. Just as researching clients gives corporations the ability to
individually target sales presentations, knowing your potential employer will
help you target your "presentation" to them.
Research before accepting a job offer
Knowing the financial standing of a company can help you decide whether to
make a commitment to that company. If a company is on shaky financial ground,
you must evaluate whether you want to stake your future there. By keeping up
with business news, you can learn in which direction a company is headed.Also, keep in mind that directories, corporate web sites, the media (press
releases, newspapers, journals) are some ways of locating information on
companies.
The following web sites will assist you in managing your
career:
About.com - http://careerplanning.about.com/careers/careerplanning/
CareerIntelligence.com - http://www.career-intelligence.com/
University of Waterloo - http://www.careerservices.uwaterloo.ca/links/UsefulWebSub1.asp
Government of Canada - http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/pe/regional/employment_web_sites.shtml&hs=pe0
Careers without Borders - http://www.careerswithoutborders.com/incl/careermanagement.asp?Lang=5
|