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A
successful job search requires that you
research companies and industries to identify
the companies to which you wish to apply,
and to present yourself as a knowledgeable,
interested candidate.
Since
most job openings are not advertised, you
need to apply to targeted companies, regardless
of whether the firms are advertising open
positions. In addition, you need to learn
enough about the companies to ask informed
questions at the interview and relate your
qualifications to the needs of the organization.
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Type of information
to research includes:
- Size
and structure of the organization
- Headquarters
and branch locations
- Products/Services
- Major
executives in the firm and their
backgrounds
- Management
philosophy and style
- Financial
health of organization
- Trends
and issues in the industry
- Relationship
of the organization to its competition
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The
following resources will help you gather
information:
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The
Internet is an important tool
for researching companies and industries.
Many employers expect candidates to
be familiar with their websites.
-
Annual
reports and other company literature,
if read critically, can provide a wealth
of information. You can request this
free literature directly from the organizations.
Be sure to allow a week to receive information
via U.S. mail. Fenwick Library also
has annual reports for some 7,000 publicly
held companies available through Compustat
Corporate Text.
-
Articles
in business periodicals, including newspapers
and trade journals, are available
in university libraries and major regional
public libraries. Several business
databases are available online
through George Mason University Libraries
that can be used to research companies.
-
Directories
and employer databases differ widely
in the quantity and type of information
provided. Some give minimal information
and are primarily useful for generating
lists of organizations to contact for
more in-depth information. The major
directories are available in most libraries.
-
People
resources provide the most up-to-date
information on companies and industries.
Interviewing
Professionals for Career and Job Hunting
Information has more advice on obtaining
information from professionals in your
field.
- Trade
and professional associations, government
agencies and stockbrokers can provide
information such as membership directories,
journals on current trends and issues
in the field, and general information
brochures. The database, Associations
Unlimited, is available through the
University Libraries website.
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For specific resources about the following
topics, use the A
to Z index to reference Researching
Companies and Industries.
- Researching
Small Companies
- Resources
for Company Rankings
- Finding
Employers Related to Specific Fields
- Finding
Employers in the Washington, D.C.,
Metropolitan Area
- Selected
Employer Databases and Printed Directories
- Resources
about International Employers
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