What is Employer Research?
Employer research is a process of location and analysis that helps you learn about potential employers. It consists of finding information about the organization you are applying to, analyzing what you found, and making informed employment decisions. Whether you are interested in working for a company, school system, hospital, non-profit organization, or government agency, you should take the time to find out about the organization and industry you will be entering.
Why Research Employers?
Taking the time to conduct employer research is an integral part of the job search. Your research could be a critical factor in helping you find the best job for you. Conducting employer research can help you:
- Make an informed employment decision.
- Discover if the company is a good match for you.
- Identify the company's needs so you can market yourself appropriately.
- Show potential employers your initiative and enthusiasm.
- Answer questions in your interview confidently.
- Know what questions to ask of the prospective employer.
What Do I Look For?
While conducting your research you should gather information about the specific position you are applying for, the company/organization, and the industry in general. For example, if you are interviewing with General Motors you would research the specific job opportunities available, the company and what it does, as well as the automotive field and the role GM plays in the marketplace.
You can start your research by locating information about the organization's:
| Age | Services/Products | Mission Statement |
| Growth Pattern | Reputation | Competitors |
| Strategies and goals | Location(s) | History/background |
| Size | Number of employees | Sales |
| Assets and earnings | Personnel | New products or projects |
| Foreign operations | Divisions/subsidiaries | Type of facilities |
How Do I Research?
Your approach to employer research should be the same as your methods for researching a paper or project. Put together a comprehensive list of resources that have the information you need, study the information and start making judgments about what you find.
Where Do I Start Looking?
The real key to conducting employer research is knowing where to find the information you need. You can find information on companies and organizations in the Career Resource Lab, McIntyre Library, the World Wide Web, the employer itself, and your own network.
Career Development Center
A good place to start searching for information about prospective employers is in the Career Resource Lab of Career Services. The Lab has information on companies from all over the United States. You can find annual reports, brochures, leaflets and videos on many top companies.
The Career Resource Lab also has directories and reference books that can help you find information about your prospective employer. You can start your research with these directories:
| Career America: Federal Career Information | Finding a Job in the Non-Profit Sector |
| Greater Madison Area Directory of High-Tech Companies | Hoover's Handbook of Emerging Companies |
| Hospital Blue Book | Job Seeker's Guide to Private & Public Companies |
| Million Dollar Directory | Minnesota Nonprofit Directory |
| Patterson's American Education | Public Welfare Directory |
| Select Guide to Human Resource Executives | Wisconsin/Minnesota Manufacturers Register |
| Wisconsin Services Directory | World Chamber of Commerce Directory |
Do not limit yourself to the resources available in the Career Resource Lab, though. Extend your research to find as many sources as possible.
McIntyre Library
The next stop in your research could be the reference desk of McIntyre Library. Here you can find a wealth of information about companies from all over the world. You can start your search by looking in:
| Ward's Business Directory | Standard and Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors, and Executives |
| Standard and Poor's Corporation Descriptions | Moody's Manuals |
| Value Line Investment Survey | RMA Annual Statement Studies |
| World Scope Industrial Company Profile | Business Periodicals Index |
| Standard and Poor's Industry Surveys | U.S. Industrial Outlook |
| Wall Street Journal Index | United and Babson Investment Report |
| Survey of Current Business | Ward's Private Company Profiles |
| ABI-Inform | Statistical Abstract of the United States |
In addition to the book references, McIntyre Library has a variety of electronic information sources. You can find more employer information through searching the on-line database and the CD-Roms. One of the library's newer additions is a CD-Rom called Compact Disclosure. This system includes a directory as well as descriptive and financial data for over 10,000 companies. For more information ask for help at the library's reference desk.
World Wide Web
The internet can be your gateway to a world of information. For starters, you can take a look at our list of Company Homepages. For additional information, here are a few Web sites that have links to information on companies and organizations all over the world:
| SEC Company Information | Fedworld |
| Hoover's On-Line | Hospital Web |
| Investors Edge | Internet Non-Profit Center (INC) |
| Monster Board |
The Employer
For direct information about the company you're interested in, a good idea is to go directly to the company. Call your prospective employer's Human Resources Office and request information like annual reports, sales and marketing brochures, the employee handbook, and a description of the position you are applying for.
Annual Reports can be useful for information about:
- The company's mission and philosophy.
- What types of people they employ.
- How much the organization values its employees.
- The health of the company's industry.
- The company's outlook and future growth prospects.
Sales and marketing brochures will tell you about the company's products/services. This information can help you develop questions to ask during your interview.
The employee handbook will give you information about salary, vacation time, sick leave, policies, etc. This information will help you see the entire package the company offers to its employees.
If possible, also request a position description of the job you are applying for. This could give you insight into the specific duties, responsibilities, and expectations the company places on the position.
Your Network
One of the best ways to find out about a prospective employer is from its employees. Use your contacts to gain access to people who have a tie to the organization in which you are interested. If possible, conduct an informational interview(s) to find out more about the organization. Talking with people one on one about the company can give you invaluable information.