One of the key aspects of creating a good impression with a recruiter, an interviewer, or a network contact is your knowledge of his/her company and even the contact as an individual. Without the knowledge provided by research, you risk looking lazy and/or clueless - not characteristics sought by any employer.

More on Company Research: Company Research Home The 20 Minute Company Research Guide Research Like a Stakeholder Learning From Industry Observers Understanding the Financial Reports 5 Landmines to Avoid When Interviewing at Competitors Collecting Company Intelligence Think "Research" to Boost Networking Using Social Media for Company Research: Using Facebook for Company Research Using LinkedIn for More than Networking Company Research Using LinkedIn Company Pages Advanced LinkedIn Strategies for Company Research Tapping into LinkedIn's Data Other Online Sources for Company Research: Exploring the Company Website Researching Lists of "Top" Jobs, Companies, Cities Using Yelp for Company Research Off-Line Sources of Company Research: Researching Employers at Industry Expos Researching Potential Employers at Trade Shows Researching Small Businesses Finding Specific Information: Finding the Hiring Manager Identifying Hiring Manager Contact Information Finding Unadvertised Jobs Researching for Internal Job Opportunities Researching Early-Stage Start-Ups Researching Employer Diversity Researching Possible Company Lawsuits Company Research Experts: Debra Wheatman, Company Research Expert Parmelee Eastman, Company Research Contributor Additional Resources: Directory of Employers by State Directory of FORTUNE 500 Employers by State Directory of FORTUNE 500 Employers by Sales Rank

Know BEFORE You Go (or Apply) - Be Prepared to Be Impressive!

Researching before you go means that you will be well prepared to understand the company’s issues and atmosphere, engage in a more meaningful dialogue, and demonstrate your level of interest to the interviewer.

Advantages of Taking the Time to Research:

1. Your best offense -

The knowledge gained from research will provide a solid foundation for each networking meeting or interview, demonstrating your level of interest and allowing you more time to explore key issues. 

2. Your best defense -

The knowledge gained from research will also hopefully help you avoid taking a short-term job. People often grab the first job offer they receive, particularly in a tough economy. That instinct, which seems like self-preservation, may lead you to accept a job that is not a good fit for you or which may be at an employer which is not a good fit. In either case, you are either miserable in your job, or you find yourself job hunting again too soon.

Both of these advantages will more than make up for the time invested. They may, in fact, result in a shorter job search than if you just jumped into your job search, without sufficient information or direction.

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