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Research an Organisation, Industry or Role
Why should you research an organisation?
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Employers consider applicants research of a company as one
of the critical factors in the hiring decision.
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Employers consider knowledge of the company as a reflection of
the applicant's interest and enthusiasm for the company.
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Knowledge of the organisation is critical if you are to
write a good application.
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Research demonstrates your ability to research effectively
and your initiative.
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Research allows you to make the following informed
decisions about the company:
- Is there a good fit between you and the company?
- Do your values match?
- Do your professional interests match?
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Does your career direction match that of the organisation
and the opportunities on offer?
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Research allows you to identify the needs of the organisation
and market yourself appropriately.
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Research gives you confidence in answering interview
questions as you will know what they are looking for and
it will give you ideas for questions to ask the interviewer.
What information is important?
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Company culture: this includes company values, expectations of
behaviour, dress codes, hours of work, work standards
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Performance management, how performance is assessed and recognised
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Mission and goals
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Products and services
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Demographic of clients
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History
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Size
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Competitors
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Financial position
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Plans, directions
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Current topical matters, such as key initiatives, senior staff members etc
Additional information you could find out about the organisation
- Recent changes in the organisation
- Your potential boss
- Your potential workmates
- Your potential customers/clients
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SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats it faces) analysis
based on your research of the organisation
Sources of information:
- Organisation's web site
- Annual reports also from the company website or hard copy from the company
- Advertising material
- Publications
- Contacts who work for the organisation
- Information from the press
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Other Company Resources
from the UNSW Company Subject Guide
Researching The Industry
The following websites are good sources of information on what jobs
are available in different industries and what the outlook is for
different industries.
Researching a role
Research the following information to get a clear
understanding of the role that you are applying for.
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Job descriptions for that role - read job descriptions either for
the exact position you are applying to, or if there is no job
description available, look at similar job descriptions with
other organisations. These are often available on company web
sites in the Opportunities or Human Resources section. For example,
UNSW Human Resources
has a page listing available positions, where you can link to
selection criteria and contact officer for each job.
In most public sector organisations the contact officer will supply
you with a detailed job description/duty statement.
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Private sector organisations often have information about general
requirements and role descriptions.
- Research similar roles in the press
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Publications from
Professional Organisations
often describe what different professionals do in that industry.
- Look up job descriptions on Australian Careers under Job Explorer
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Arrange information interviews
with people you know, or know of, who work in a similar role. At an
information interview it is important not to ask the person you are
interviewing for a job. Prepare your questions before hand and
remember to ask for anyone else they could recommend who could provide
further assistance.
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