Applying for jobs can be a daunting task, especially in today’s competitive job market. It’s important to remember that it’s not just about impressing a potential employer, but also about finding the right fit for yourself. 

One critical aspect of a successful job search is doing your research on a company before even submitting an application. This will give you the upper hand by allowing you to tailor your application and responses to their company culture, mission, and values. Additionally, it will give you an idea of what the company is looking for and if you would feel comfortable meeting those expectations.

Identify the Company’s Mission and Values

Before applying for a job, begin by identifying the company’s mission and values. Learning about a company’s mission statement and values can help figure out if their goals align with your own. 

Researching a company’s online resources and following their social media pages will give insight into the company’s culture and their approach to business. It will also allow you to see if the company follows through on their proposed ideals. As an example, if a company professes to be involved in their community, you can check to see if they are involved in any philanthropic activities or are involved in the local businesses.

Research the Company’s Competition

It’s also necessary to research the company’s competitors. Similar to tailoring your resume, you may want to highlight experiences within a particular industry or similar work environment. Knowing about competitors is crucial in understanding a company’s position in the industry. Knowing how this company performs compared to others within its industry will allow you to highlight relevant skill sets and illustrate your strengths more clearly.

Analyze the Job Posting

The job description is more than just a summary of work responsibilities. It is also a critical part of understanding a company’s expectations and culture. Pay attention to their terminology and phrases used in the job description, as this can assist in molding your resume to the position. Additionally, the skills needed for the job might reveal the character of the company. Those skills show what qualities and values the company finds important and prioritize.

Network with Current and Former Employees

Networking is a great way to learn about a company from the inside out. Connect with current or former employees to understand their perspective on the company’s culture and work environment. Conversations about a company’s strengths and weaknesses may give valuable insight, giving you a glimpse of what you could expect if you were to join the organization.

Of course, this comes with a note of caution to check your sources. These could be employees from another branch or division of a company, meaning that the people they are referring to may never cross your path. Additionally, think about the timeline as a lot can change in a couple of years. Try to keep context in mind when looking to current and former employees for insight.

Gain Insight from Third-Party Sources

Doing your research can extend beyond the company’s webpage and may include well-informed third-parties, such as recruiters. Recruiters work as intermediaries for companies and candidates, so they earn nothing by lying to either party, as it will simply create an unhappy partnership that will not last long. Third-parties such as these are one of the best resources as they usually have a lasting relationship and inside knowledge of the companies as well, meaning that their information has context and timeliness that you can depend on.

Putting in the time and effort to gain insight into employers can make your job search more successful, increasing your chances of landing the perfect job. There’s no shortcut to job searching, but teaming up with dedicated recruiters, like those here at Radius Staffing Solutions, is a great way to make it much easier on yourself. If you want to apply to the jobs we currently have open, then click here to check out our job board. If you are looking for something different, then send us an updated resume here and connect with a recruiter today!