Research Employers

Explore Job Market

Before you apply for a job, you will appear more knowledgeable if you can speak in an informed way about the company. Employer research will also help you decide whether it is an employer you want to work for.

What to look for

Here is a list of questions that you can use to get started with your research:

What products/services does the employer provide?
How many employees does the employer have?
How long have they been in business?
Where is the employer located? Does it have more than one location?
What is the employer's mission statement or philosophy?
What is the employer's financial situation? Is it making money?
Has the employer undergone any downsizing in the last 5 years?
Is the employer involved in community service projects?

Where to look

There are many sources that have information about employers. For example:

ISEEK's Find Businesses
Employer websites. These will often include information such as a mission statement, product descriptions, hiring policies, and job openings. Often companies will post their latest press releases online with the most current company news.
National publications in printed format. Most libraries have copies in their business sections.
- National Trade & Professional Associations
- Standard and Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors & Executives
- The Macmillan Directory of Leading Private Companies
- Ward's Business Directory of Major U.S. Private Companies

The titles above are just a few examples. Almost every type of field or industry has its own trade association affiliation.

Regional or state publications such as:
- Chamber of Commerce directories
- Manufacturers' directories by state
- Minnesota Directory of Manufacturers

Annual reports, employer newsletters, brochures, advertisements. You can obtain these by contacting the employer's public relations office or personnel department or by checking annual reports online. Annual reports usually present an outline of the organization's successes, growth, history, and financial status.

Current newspapers, trade journals, and business magazines. The business section of most papers contains numerous articles about local companies and their executives. You can find back copies in library archives. For businesses in the Twin Cities consult Finance and Commerce and the Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal. Consult BusinessWeek for company and industry news nationwide.
People who are working for the employer. To learn more about networking visit Job Search Tips.
College and university placement offices.

When viewing websites, consider the source and relevance of the information. If the research will have a significant impact on an important decision, look for ways to verify the information. For example, consider who authored it and its timeliness, or ask somebody with experience in the field to evaluate the information for you.

After you are done researching potential employers you can review Key Questions that will help you demonstrate your knowledge during a job interview.

Source: Creative Job Search , Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development .
Page last updated in July 2008.