Looking for the Right Company? Then Do Your Research!

The internet has grown overwhelmingly as a result of our curiosity and our insatiable need to learn new things and remain informed. However, despite the volumes of available information, recruiters continue to be surprised when candidates demonstrate their lack of research in the interview.

The following are some of the questions you might want to consider in your search for more information about a company.

1. Is the company financially sound? What were their revenues last year and who are the major competitors? Without a subscription, you can find basic information about company size, products, management team and competitors at Hoovers on-line. Using some of this information in conversation at an interview, will impress hiring managers who will see you as a candidate that understands their business.

2. Is the company in an industry that has growing or shrinking opportunities? Some industries have experienced growth in recent years and will continue to do so while others have experienced significant declines over recent years and will continue to do so. Visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) to see projections on growing and declining industries from 2004 to 2014. This information will give you insight on long term opportunities with the company.

3. What is the culture of this organization? Taking a look at the organization's website, can give you some idea about the culture of the organization. Something as simple as whether or not a company shows diverse employees in photos or images on their web site can help. Also, companies will feature employees who speak of their own experiences at a company. and this is a great place to learn about inside of the organization. Keep in mind, however, that what you might hear and read will reflect the biases of some employees. If possible, take a quick lunch time drive by an organization might also give you information on the relationships among the people who work for the company. Learn about fundamentals also such as benefits available, so that you can avoid bringing that up before you have an offer.