Market Research: Look Into The Company First, part II

FIRST STEPS- I recommend that you begin your market research efforts with these initial steps:

Review the Rankings– Find out the company’s ratings. Do a little web research (Google, CNNmoney); buy yourself the Wall Street Journal, or if you’re in Southern California, the LA Business Journal; is the company filing for bankruptcy? Find out as much as you can about the company including their strengths and weaknesses. Is it a secure place to work? Will it be around for the next 5 years? If the company has been around for the last 20 years with steady returns, it’s probably a safe bet.

Interview Them– The best way to get a feel for the company you want to work for is to find someone in the inside. Find someone that currently works there and do an informational interview. Everyone eats lunch and most contact information is on-line. Send out an email where you tell them you are a new professional and are interested in what they do as a career choice. You would like to schedule an informational interview over lunch (offer to buy them lunch so that they are more inclined to say yes). Everyone loves to talk about themselves and what they do. If you don’t hear back from them after a week or two, I would give them a follow up call. They might of thought you were spam that got through the filters or there was a catch with the lunch. Once you meet for lunch, that’s a valuable opportunity to get the info you want about the company. Some people will even tell you about positions available and the type of person they are looking for. You’ve hit gold!

Research the Job Ad– Often times, positions new professionals apply for are above their qualifications. Make sure you meet the minimum quals when applying. Ideally, you would meet the desired qualifications when applying, but many times that doesn’t happen. Don’t be affraid to throw your name into the pool if it’s a step up from what you do now. Companies are always looking for new talent. But before you do, make sure you do your research!

Rich Dad Says: “Make sure you practice ‘due diligence.’”

Career Ramblings

View Comments

  • Jane- I have been looking to get out of Sportmart for a while now and I know with my college degree I can do it! I am fixing up my resume now and will contact you for help once I’m close to finishing. Thanks much!

  • Joey,
    Thank you for your comment. Yes, with a college degree you can look for bigger and better opportunities. Don’t undermine your work experience, especially if you have supervised, managed, created relationships, implemented sales strategies, etc. Once you have your resume complete, send it to me and I’ll give you feedback on it. If you don’t mind, I’d like to show a before and after of it on this site.
    Best of luck,
    Jane

Recent Posts

Top Online Sports Games to Play with Friends

Online sports games have become one of the most enjoyable ways to connect with friends…

2 weeks ago

When Intent Isn’t Enough: How Written Plans and Lived Reality Collide in Estate Interpretation

When families consult a California estate lawyer, the issue is often not the absence of…

3 weeks ago

Rebecca Grossman Case: A Narrow Investigation or a Complete Picture? What the Record Actually Shows

On the evening of September 29, 2020, a devastating tragedy unfolded on Triunfo Canyon Road…

1 month ago

Why Businesses Are Investing in Energy Storage for Greater Power Reliability

Energy resilience has become a priority for organizations seeking stability in an increasingly unpredictable energy…

2 months ago

Why Hands-On Animal Programs Help Teens Reconnect With Confidence and Emotional Awareness

Adolescence often brings emotional challenges that can be difficult for teens to articulate. Equine therapy…

2 months ago

Evostock.com Review 2026: Multi-Asset CFD Trading

In this Evostock.com review, we explore how the platform approaches multi-asset CFD trading and what…

3 months ago