Hey there, job seekers! đź‘‹ Looking for ways to help you land your dream job? Before moving on to the next step in your job hunt, make sure you do your research on the companies you are interested in. Knowing more about the company can help you gain insights about their culture, values, and even their hiring process.

Here are some tips on why and how you can go about researching your prospective employer.

Why is researching the company important?

Companies have their unique goals, values, culture, and ethics. You will want to find out if your values align with the company’s culture. Researching the company can also help you to tailor your application, cover letter, and resume. You can highlight your transferable skills and identify specific examples of how you can contribute to the company’s mission.

By researching the company, you can also understand their customer base, products, and services. This knowledge can help you prepare for the interview, as well as enabling you to ask insightful questions. Additionally, having knowledge of the company’s competitors, industry trends, and challenges will demonstrate to the recruiter that you are serious about your application.

Illustration of a person holding a clipboard and reading about a company while sitting on top of a pile of books.

Finding information about the company

Finding information about a company is easier than ever with the internet. Here are some of the ways you can research a company:

1. Company website and social media

Visit the company’s website and read about their mission, values, and products. Check their social media pages, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram, to get a feel for their company culture, social interactions, and recent updates.

2. Glassdoor

Glassdoor is a popular website where employees can anonymously share their experiences working for a company. Here, you can read the company reviews and even view job listings. You can gain valuable insights about company culture, salary ranges, and see what other employees think about the company overall.

3. News Articles

Search through reliable news sources to find any developments or headlines about the company. Find the company’s press releases and any other noteworthy news articles to stay up to date with the latest happenings in the company.

A person scrolling through the company's website, social media, and Glassdoor simultaneously to gather information.

Analyze and synthesize research data

After reading through as many sources as possible, it’s important to analyze the information into a comprehensive overview of the company. Think about the company’s culture, mission, and values. What do they do? What are their goals? How does the company help its employees develop? Most importantly, how do your values align with theirs?

Be sure to also highlight any questions that show you’ve taken the time to learn about the company. This shows the recruiter that you value the opportunity and are serious about landing the job.

Illustration of a person thinking about the information they've gathered from researching the company to synthesize it meaningfully.

Putting your research into action

So, you did your research, and now it’s time to put it into action! Here are a few tips you can use when applying to companies.

1. Customize your resume and cover letter

Mention how your skills match the company’s mission, goals, and values. Use appropriate keywords from the job description or company website to grab the recruiter’s attention.

2. Prepare for the interview

Prepare insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in the company. Review their products, services, competitors, and recent news to show that you’ve done your homework.

3. Follow up

After the interview, send a polite follow-up email thanking the recruiter for their time. This shows respect and reinforces your interest in the company.

A person sitting at a table with a laptop, surrounded by papers and pens, presumably customizing their resume and cover letter after researching the company.

In conclusion, researching the company is a crucial part of the job application process. By researching the company, you can tailor your application to emphasize your transferable skills, showcase your knowledge of the company’s mission and values, and ask insightful questions during the interview. So, take some time out of your job search to research the companies you’re interested in, and you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job!💼

Illustration of a person standing on top of a mountain, holding a briefcase with a big smile, representing the feeling of landing your dream job.