How to research potential employers during a job search

Have you been doing a potential job search, lining up several possible positions to apply for? Remember, you might be missing an important step: researching your ideal employer!

The last thing you want is to waste time going to an interview, only to realise the company where you are being interviewed is not a good fit at all!

It isn’t that big of an ask to do some “digging” about a company: Researching potential employers and using technology to get the right information is now easier than ever – and it will allow you to determine whether a company will work for your future career goals!

In today’s blog, we unpack how to do research doing a job search, and what some of the key information points are that you should consider.

Let’s start with the first port of call that you should consider.

1. Review your potential employer’s online platforms

There is a lot that you can learn from a company’s website, LinkedIn profiles or even social media channels. Certainly one of the biggest considerations is reviewing their “About Us” content – whether on their website or in their post contents.

When you put in an active effort to find out what is at the core of what a company values and is inspired by, you can determine whether they are a good fit - and if they are, your research can help you highlight key connection points.

2. Research news that was recently published about your potential employe 

Exploring the latest news regarding a company and collating your information will help you to draw up a profile of what a business’s profile looks like to the outside world. These summarised content pieces will help you to create a brief profile, or more profiles, of the companies that you would love to work at – whether they have an eco-friendly profile, are some of the leaders in their field or are disrupting the business world with their services or products.

Do bear in mind to only consider reliable information sources, and steer clear of publications that are more sensation-driven than fact-based.

3. Find information – if possible – on the team that you would potentially be working with

If you know which department at a company you would like to become part of, such as sales, marketing or even website design, it can be a good idea to research who your closest colleagues would be and what their qualifications/backgrounds are.

Remember, if they have been at a company for a long time, their skills are likely highly valued by management, and if you can bring something similar to the table, you could be set for success.

Sources such as LinkedIn or even Medium (in the case of more creative teams) or good starting points to research potential team members, and will allow you to know what to expect when you come to a job interview – one of your research subjects might even be sitting across from you!

Make research part of your job hunt – you will feel more confident when the time comes for interviews

When you’ve done your research and know everything you need to know about a business, you will be more confident in your job search and how to position yourself as an ideal candidate.

So, put in that effort: you are sure to make a great first impression when the time comes to discuss a future role with a potential employer!

Did you enjoy reading our blog? Be sure to watch this space, as we will be sharing more information on this platform!