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Employer Research

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⇒Employer Research

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What is employer research?

The gathering, evaluation, and integration of information about an employer for career planning or job search purposes.

Why do it?

Career Planning

To learn about a particular industry or field to decide if it is something that you want to pursue
To help you decide on possible career paths within your major

Job Search

To write a good cover letter and resume for a particular position or tailored to a particular organization
To prepare for an interview
To see if you would be interested in working for a particular organization
To show enthusiasm for the organization or position

What are you looking for?

Mission , History, Values
Position Information (including division, reporting structure,etc.)
Size
Location or Locations
Services or Products
Competition
New Initiatives / Future Plans
Divisions
Structure

How do you do it?

Look at the organization's website. Try to find their annual report. Look at the About Us or History Section. Look for their mission.
Use other online resources such as Hoovers and Vault.
Use the resources available at the U-M Career Center.
Call the marketing department of the organization and ask for information to be sent to you.
Use U of M and Ann Arbor library resources.
Look at magazines and newspapers.
Ask your network.
Look for rankings such as those in Business Week and Fortune.

How do you use it?

To sell yourself, your skills and qualifications to the employer. If you know their mission, values, etc. you can more easily make a strong case for why you would be a good candidate for their organization.
To predict questions you may be asked and prepare questions to ask yourself. With a little background information, you can better prepare for answering questions that you are asked intelligently and for asking intelligent questions
To be sure that, if you accept a position, you would be a good match for the organization and be comfortable working for them.

Remember that the further you get in the interview process the more research you should be doing! Be sure to integrate what you learn to make an informed, intelligent life decision!