Learn more about the organization
It should go without saying that you should do some research on the organization for which you are interviewing. It's a good start to review their web pages, social media posts and recent news. Here are some steps beyond that using specialized library-licensed research tools.
One SourceUse this business research database to search for the name of a company to find its profile. In the profile you will find:
- Company Executives
- Financial data and recent news
- Subsidaries and parent company information
- Analysis of the company, including a SWOT report
Tip: Check the Fair Disclosure Transcripts for updates on company developments that may not have made it to the news.
Faulkner's Advisory for IT StudiesFaulkner's has company profiles for IT-related organizations. Profiles include information on
- Company history and recent activity
- Network infrastructure
- Financial and regulatory information
Lexis NexisUse the company search in the lower left to find profiles that feature:
- A company hierachy and list of brands
- Legal and financial news
- Intellectual property (patents and trademarks>
Foundation DirectoryFoundation Directory is primarily a tool for those seeking grant funding. But if you are considering applying for a job at a non-profit that awards or receives grant funding, it can give you access to information on those activities. You can also use the tool to see what sort of grants a for-profit company funds and how they rank on various corporate social responsibility indexes.
America's NewspapersUse America's Newspapers to find regional coverage of smaller or locally owned companies. In Ohio, America's Newspapers has the The Columbus Dispatch, the Youngstown Vindicator, The Toledo Blade, The Dayton Daily News, The Gallipolis Daily Tribune, and The Plain Dealer (among other titles).
Know Your Industry and What's Happening in It
In addition to have a strong grasp of on how the organization works, you'll also want to do some background research on the industry news and recent developments, especially if you are interviewing to do communication-related work in an industry you've not previously worked with.
First ResearchEasy to use, brief entries for a wide range of industries which include:
- An industry overview
- Challenges, recent developments and business opportunities
- Relevant websites to explore further
Tip: Don't miss the "Industry Drivers" and "Industry Indicators" and "Web Links" boxes on the bottom right.
IBIS WorldIBIS has overviews of industries. Search for the name of an industry, product or company and choose a relevant profile to see:
- Industry performance and outlook for the future
- Major companies and the competitive landscape
- Related markets and industries
Lexis NexisSearch for industry, product or issue to see recent news reports. You can even focus in on articles from trade and industry press publications.
Industry and Professional Organizations and Reference Sources
Most industries and professions have organizations that advocate and provide resources for their members. If you're not already familiar with these organizations, it may be a good time to check them out. The organizations can give you an idea of what issues the profession or industry is concerned about in terms of public policy and legal advocacy.
This may also be a good way to find information if you're going into a new industry to do communication-related work. Wikipedia offers a list of industry trade groups in the United States that may be a good starting point.
Occupational Outlook HandbookThe Bureau of Labor Statistics compiles the Occupational Outlook Handbook to provide information about the number of people working in particular fields, the expected wages and more.
Know Your New Territory
Would your new position take you to a new city or state? These tools can help give you an idea of the cost of living and other vital information for deciding whether the new location would be a good fit for you.
Simply MapSimplyMap gives you access to data about consumer and social issues by location. You can use SimplyMap to look at data like crime rates, number of vehicles owned by household, income, race, gender and education demographics and more for the location in which your potential new employer is located.
SAGEStatsWhen you search for a location in SAGEStats, you can see factors like:
- Rental rates
- Demographics
- Rates of health insurance coverage
- Field of degree
Tip: Metro areas and cities are different categories and have different types of data affiliated with them. If you're considering moving to a new city, look at the data for the metro area and for the city itself.