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• 1. Self Assessment
• 2. Research
• 3. Decision-Making
• 4. Networks & Contacts
  • 4.1 Work Search
    • 4.1.1 Traditional Methods of Finding Openings
    • 4.1.2 Internet Sites Listing Job Advertisements
    • 4.1.3 Creative Methods for Finding Work
    • 4.1.4 Researching Employers
    • 4.1.5 Networking, Developing Leads and Making Contacts
    • 4.1.6 Networking Contacts
    • 4.1.7 Networking Diagrams
    • 4.1.8 Create a Job Seeker's Calling Card
  • 4.2 Resumes
    • 4.2.1 Preparing to Write Your Resume
    • 4.2.2 Major Sections of a Resume
    • 4.2.3 Types of Resumes
    • 4.2.4 Functional Resume
    • 4.2.5 Additional Resume Tips
    • 4.2.6 Action Verbs that Describe Skills
    • 4.2.7 Preparing an Electronic Version of Your Resume
    • 4.2.8 Resume Templates
    • 4.2.9 Resources on Resume Writing
  • 4.3 Letters
    • 4.3.1 Cover and Broadcast Letters
    • 4.3.2 Comparison of Cover and Broadcast Letters
    • 4.3.3 A Process to Develop Letters
    • 4.3.4 Creating Thank You Letters
    • 4.3.5 Sample Letter Format
    • 4.3.6 Resources on Letter Writing
  • 4.4 Interviews
    • 4.4.1 The Core of the Interview Process
    • 4.4.2 Selling Your Benefits
    • 4.4.3 Understanding Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication
    • 4.4.4 Approaches to Interviewing
    • 4.4.5 The Employer's Evaluation
    • 4.4.6 Tips for Effective Interviewing
    • 4.4.7 Your Rights in the Interview
    • 4.4.8 Resources on Interviewing
• 5. Work
• 6. Life/Work Planning

Step 4.1.4: Researching Employers

You will want to do some employer research to: (1) see if you are interested in working for a particular company or organization, (2) find out about different types of jobs or work that you may be hired to do, and (3) prepare for an interview.

What Type of Information?

• History and potential growth for employer and industry

• Restructuring, downsizing, re-engineering activities

• Products and services

• Location(s)

• Annual sales for past year(s) compared to industry trends

• Employer’s major competitors

• Ownership of organization, impact of family ownership on advancement potential

• For a non-profit organization, its purpose, funding, clientele and functions/activities

• Management style, corporate culture

• Number of employees

• Organizational structure, working climate/atmosphere, workload

• Amount of subordinates' participation in decision-making activities

• Training and development programs

• Typical career path

• Promotion policy

• Use of technology, amount and type of equipment

Where Can You Find It?

The Internet sites listed previously in this Section on page 62 provide information for conducting career research, including specific information on the companies you are interested in. For example, the Workopolis site mentioned earlier provides links to companies and articles written about them.

	There are numerous sources of printed information available to help with employer research. The following are samples of print resources available in Career Services:
Annual Reports	Business and financial information published by publicly owned corporations
Blue Book of Canadian Business	An information resource on Canadian companies including profiles and rankings
Blue Books	Directories of Community Services published by each city/region
Canadian Almanac & Directory	A directory covering a wide range of topics including: TV, magazines, newspapers, libraries, meetings, exhibits, organizations, education and government, etc.
Directories In Print	A directory of available directories published by Gale Research including Canadian and other international directories
Financial Post Survey of Industrials	A guide to all industrial companies that are publicly traded in Canada
Scott’s Directories	List of manufacturing companies in Canada by region, key managers, products, divisions and number of employees
Who’s Who	Directories providing information on people such as: Who’s Who in Canadian Business Who’s Who in Canadian Finance Who’s Who of Canadian Women Who’s Who in Toronto

There are also extensive business directories and research sources on the Internet that can help with employer research:

http://www.yellowpages.ca/	Canadian Yellow Pages
http://www.canada411.ca/	Canadian Telephone Directory
http://canadatollfree.sympatico.ca/Search	Toll Free Number Search
http://www.smartpages.com/	US Yellow Pages
http://www.mapquest.com/	Online Maps
http://www.thomasregister.com/	US Business Search
http://www.tipcoeurope.com/	European Manufacturers Search
http://www.ctidirectory.com/	Canadian Manufacturing Index
http://www.frasers.com/	Canadian Trade Directory

To continue with Step 4.1.5, click here.