A crash course: What to look for when researching a company

It’s getting late and your interview at ABC Corporation is at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Trouble is, all you know about ABC Corporation is – well – they are called ABC Corporation.

Ideally, you’d know a bit more, but knowing what to look for when researching a company can be harder than it sounds. The good news is that a crash course on a prospective employer can still go a long way, even if you only have an hour.

So if you don’t know how to research an employer – here are some great places to start.

The organization’s web and social presence

Take a good look at the company’s home page and social media accounts. Pay attention to how they present themselves to the world. Do they highlight a recent achievement or a value you relate to? Are they fun and edgy, or all business? Also check out the “About Us” section on their website. That’s where you’re likely to find more on the organization’s mission, purpose and values. Also, don’t skip the seemingly boring stuff, like executive biographies, recent press releases, and links to the investor relations site.

As you’re reading, write down what values and information resonate with you or relate to past work experience you have.

Google News

This is an easy step to skip, but make sure you do a quick Google News search. It’ll serve up the latest headlines about the organization, and you’ll learn a couple of key things. First, if the company recently scored a big business win or celebrated a milestone achievement, you can casually mention that success in your interview. Second, if there is some negative coverage, you’ll be a little more informed about possible career drawbacks, and you won’t accidentally mention it during the interview.

For example: If you’re interviewing with a cruise line and yesterday’s headlines were about one of their ships sinking, mentioning to the hiring manager that you’re impressed with their safety and reliable reputation will…not look great.

Your contact list

You can get unique insight and perspective from someone inside an organization. If you know people who work where you’re interviewing, give them a call and explain that you’re a candidate for a job there. Or hop on your LinkedIn profile to see if you have any connections to the company. Keep it conversational and start by asking about their favorite part of working there and if they have any inside advice for you.

If they seem open to having a longer conversation, ask about the culture, the management style, workplace flexibility, and whether they recommend working at the company.

Annual reports

Many organizations, including nonprofits, release what’s called an annual report. This document provides a look back at what they accomplished the prior year and is usually easily available on the organization’s website. The majority of annual reports begin with a “Letter to Shareholders” in which a company leader offers insight on the year, as well as the outlook for the one ahead. If you’re short on time, read the letter and then skim the rest of the report.

These can be good fodder for when it’s your turn to ask questions during the interview. Prepare something like, “When I was looking over your annual report, I saw that you were planning on embracing more AI tools, what would that mean for this role?”

Adecco can help

Another great resource for getting a crash course on an employer? A recruiter!

When you work with Adecco to find your next job, we can help you perfect your resume and find the perfect job that matches your skill sets. Reach out to your local branch today, or browse our current job openings today.