Research Roles and Companies
Eighteen easy tips to research roles and companies, so you apply where you will truly fit.
Know before you go. Research is kindness to yourself.
27 tips that really help
These ideas come from What Color Is Your Parachute? (Richard Bolles), Designing Your Life (Bill Burnett and Dave Evans), The 2-Hour Job Search (Steve Dalton), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.
Why research
Good research saves months of wasted effort. It helps you choose places where you can grow and be happy.
Research.
Read the company website
Look at their mission, products and news. It shows what they care about.
Read it.
Check recent news
Search the company name with news. You will see growth, trouble or new plans.
Search news.
Read employee reviews
Sites with reviews give hints about culture. Read many and look for patterns.
Read ten.
Look at the people
Check profiles of people in the team. See their paths and skills.
Look at five.
Read the job description well
Highlight skills and tasks. Match them with your strengths.
Highlight it.
Talk to someone who works there
Ask for a short chat. People are often kind to curious learners.
Ask for a chat.
Compare with your ideal job list
Check how well the role matches your must-haves. Be honest.
Compare.
Script: asking
Could I ask you a few questions about working at your company? Say it warmly.
Use it.
Script: curiosity
I read about your new project and I loved it. Say it kindly.
Use it.
Script: thanks
Thank you for your time, it was very helpful. Say it sincerely.
Use it.
Mistake: relying on one source
One review can mislead, so use many.
Use many.
Mistake: ignoring the culture
A job you dislike every day is costly, so check culture.
Check culture.
Mistake: skipping research to apply fast
Fast apps without fit waste time, so research first.
Research first.
Troubleshoot: when you cannot find information
Ask people on LinkedIn or call the company. Be polite.
Ask kindly.
Troubleshoot: when reviews are mixed
Look for patterns and ask people directly. One story is not all.
Look for patterns.
Drill: research three companies
Research three companies and write three notes each.
Research three.
Drill: write five questions
Write five questions you would like to ask someone at the company.
Write five.
Read the last three job posts the company wrote
Patterns show what they truly need. Notice repeated words.
Read three posts.
Follow the company on social media
Posts show culture and news. Follow for a week before applying.
Follow them.
Search for the company on a review site
Look for patterns in pay, culture and management. One story is not a rule.
Read ten reviews.
Check how long people stay
If most people leave in a year, ask why. Long stays can mean a good place.
Check job lengths.
Example: the kind culture
Mia noticed staff photos with smiling teams and long service. She applied and fit in well.
Look at photos.
Example: the warning sign
Ben saw many reviews about unpaid overtime. He skipped the job and found a better one.
Read reviews.
Mistake: judging by the website alone
Websites show the best side. Talk to people too.
Ask an employee.
Troubleshoot: when it is a small company with little information
Ask the owner questions in the interview. Small firms are open to curiosity.
Prepare questions.
Drill: write a one-page company profile
Write what they do, who they serve, what you like and what worries you.
Write a profile.
Easy things to say
When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many networking and career moments.
“Let me look at this company.”
“I read their values.”
“Can I talk to someone there?”
“What do reviews say?”
“How does it fit me?”
“I know enough to apply.”
Your first week
One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.
Search the company
Read their site
Read reviews
Talk to employees
Check the role
Compare with your list
Decide
Further reading
- What Color Is Your Parachute? (Richard Bolles)
- Designing Your Life (Bill Burnett and Dave Evans)
- The 2-Hour Job Search (Steve Dalton)
The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
More lessons in “Finding the Job You Want”
Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.
← Previous: Describe Your Ideal JobNext: Write a Clear CV →
- Find Your Strengths and Interests
- Describe Your Ideal Job
- Research Roles and Companies
- Write a Clear CV
- Write a Cover Letter That Gets Read
- Polish Your Online Profile
- Use Your Network to Find Jobs
- Talk to People in Jobs You Like
- Apply to Fewer Jobs, Better
- Handle Rejection in a Job Search
- Keep a Weekly Job-Search Plan
- Look After Your Energy
