JOBSHOP
Researching employers Introduction Researching employers and their job sector is an important part of the job hunting and application process.
This allows you to learn about an
organisation for your own benefit, and helps you to demonstrate to the employer that you know about their organisation and their job sector and helps you explain why you want to work for them.
Questions to try to answer when researching When researching an organisation try to find out the following information: Organisation’s details:§
Head office address: Email: Telephone: Organisation web address: Office(s) locations:
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Office where the job will be located (if different) address: Email: Telephone:
About the organisation §
Is it an SME (small medium enterprise)?
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Local, national or international organisation?
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Associated with professional organisations, local government, central government?
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What are the company’s key products and services?
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Are there any associated companies?
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Who are the major customers?
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Who are the company’s major competitors?
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Are there any testimonies about the organisation?
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What is the company culture?
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Has the company been in the news? Why?
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AND IMPORTANTLY why do I want to work for them?
P age |2 About the industry sector of the organisation You should research the industry sector you hope to work in as this will show you are commercially aware. You should consider: §
What has been happening in the industry during the last six months?
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What are the trends and developments within the industry or sector?
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How has the organisation responded to these changes?
About the job §
What is the recruitment procedure?
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Where will the job be based?
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Are training and development opportunities available?
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What career options will be available 2-3 years into the job?
Where to find the answers Resource Centre § Directories The Resource Centre holds the following directories:- Equality Britain, Prospects Directory, Guardian UK 300 § Job Sector folders This section includes employer information. § Factsheets ‘Using the internet’ - For tips on finding and checking online information Online Most employers provide information about their organisation on their company website, however, to gain an unbiased view you should combine information found on their website, if possible, with other sources of information. http://bishopg.prospects.ac.uk
Search the Employers Directory on the Online
Jobs
Board www.prospects.ac.uk/graduate_employers.htm Search the Employers directory www.targetjobs.co.uk
Select employer insights
www.companieshouse.co.uk
You can view to check that a UK company legally exists and to check its registered address. (Select WebCheck information, type in the company name and then select
www.thejobcrowd.com
the appropriate company name) Read reviews, search for employers and jobs
www.thejobcrowd.com/employer
Link to company directory
www.thejobcrowd.com/careers
Link to careers directory
Other §
Industry Journals/websites (see Job Sector factsheets for links)
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Read quality newspapers