Career Research: Research a Potential Employer

Before you interview, or even apply for a position with a potential employer, it is helpful to research the company, organization, or individual to acquire insights into that entity's priorities, its reputation, opportunities for advancement, and how you can set yourself apart from competing candidates for the job.

There are many places you can find information about a company and its history:

• Company's website
  • Websites often include an "about us" section that sometimes detail their history. Remember, the company will explain its history the way it wants to be seen.
• Annual report
  • Public companies are required to file an annual report to the U.S. government, known as a 10-K. These reports will often include a section on the company's history. Again, remember this is a self-reported history.
• Search for articles
  • Newspaper, trade/magazine, and scholarly articles that mention or are about specific companies might provide some historical information.

Here are a few more tools to help you gather information: