Why Do You Need to Research?
- To help you write an effective resume and cover letter that is tailored to each employer’s wishes and needs
- To assist you in preparing for an interview
- To stand out from your competition
What do you need to know?
- What are the organization’s mission, values and goals?
- Who are their clients?
- What are their strengths?
- What is it like to work there? What types of employees succeed?
- What are the biggest challenges that the organization faces?
- What labour market and industry trends are affecting them?
Reviewing Company Websites
Company websites have a wealth of information. Useful sections:
- Careers – Review the types of positions and any employment policies. Some companies have separate pages for recruiting post-secondary students
- About Us – Does the company have a mission statement? Do they discuss corporate values? Are there profiles of senior management?
- News – Has the company eng aged in new projects? Are they expanding to new markets?
Resources
- On-Campus Events – The best way to learn about an organization is to speak with someone who works there. Information sessions and job fairs are advertised on the Career Learning Network (CLN)
- CLN Resources – Access an online collection of employer and industry directories via cln.utoronto.ca (under Resources)
- Industry Canada –
- Search Engines – Use your favourite search engine to find articles about potential employers
- University of Toronto Libraries -
Using LinkedIn to Research Companies and Industries
LinkedIn can be a great source of information for you to research employers.
- Follow organizations of interest – If the organization has a LinkedIn page, you can review job listings, company information, and recent news.
- Use the Advanced Search Function – Some of your contacts may be working at the organization or have worked there before. They can be a great source of information for you.
- Join LinkedIn groups – There are groups in virtually every industry where you can learn about industry trends and network with professionals. Job openings are often posted in groups.
How do I use this company information?
- Look for matches in skills and qualities they hire for, and you! Use these words and concepts in your applications and interviews
- Connect the company’s recent projects with your interests from school, work, or volunteering in your cover letter and resume
Questions?
Visit the AA&CC for further assistance.
Last update: Septmeber 2014