Researching an Employer


Why Research?
An employer or a networking contact will know if you have researched the organization by the way you act. Researching an organization is an important factor in an employer's evaluation of an applicant—it displays your interest and enthusiasm in the job opening. If you don’t show that you have taken the time to learn about a company, a recruiter will loose interest in you very quickly.

How to Research
Using the Internet as a research source can get you the most up-to-date information available. Company home pages have information on company news, events, etc. These sites often provide financial information, employee job descriptions, and job listings, as well as consumer information. Make sure to read the company’s mission statement!

Each of the job search pages on this website has suggestions for websites to use when researching employers. Bio.com, for example, publishes extensive profiles of biotechnology employers. Read everything the business press has been saying about the organization.

Annual Reports
Compare the annual reports of the past several years on the following:

  • Balance Sheet. The difference between current assets and current liabilities is net working capital. Dividing the long-term liabilities by stock holders' equity will give you the debt-to-equity ratio.
  • Certified public accountant report. Watch for the phrase "subject to..."; this could mean the accountant is not happy about that area. Footnotes which may contain insightful information should always be read.
  • Are earnings down? Determine if they are and why from the report.
  • Are earnings up? Determine why—it may be just a fluke.
  • Read the organization's letter to stockholders. This will tell you how the company fared; use of words like "Except for..." and "Despite the..." could indicate problems.
  • Check the stockholders' equity and the long term debt of the organization.
  • Check the income statement for consistency of net sales.
  • Net earnings per share—check the footnotes

Other Sources of Information

  • Visit the organization and request information. Talk to key employees in person or by phone and get to know them. Call the organization and request materials.
  • Ask acquaintances in the industry for information. If you haven't tapped into the network of your field of interest, start working on it now.
  • Check with professors who are involved in that organization's area of interest.
  • All people you visit and/or talk with are potentially network contacts. Impress them; ask their advice on how to find employment, and keep in touch with them.