Research the Industry or Company

Researching the industry or company before writing a resume will give you a good idea of what skills and experiences are needed most to succeed or work in a specific environment. For example, a potential employer may be dedicated to customer service. In such a case, candidates for new positions within the company may wish to focus on experiences they may have had in dealing with the public, or skills such as interpersonal communication or mediation.

Where to go:

• Company website
• Business journals and lists (Crain’s Business Cleveland, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, etc)
• College career centers (Chances are they have had students interview with the company before!)
• Inside sources (alumni working at the company, networking contacts, etc.)
• Conversations with professionals in the field.
• Local newspaper articles about the company (Check the online version for archives!)

What to look for:

• What skills appear to be most important to success in this industry?
• Does the company have a tag line, logo or slogan? If so, what does it say about the company?
• How/when was the company started?
• What is the reputation of the company?
• Does the company’s have a mission or philosophy?
• What are the company’s values?
• What have been the company’s biggest achievements?
• What is the work environment like?
• Does the company value creativity or does it follow a long tradition?
• What is the size of the company?
• What is the company’s plan for the future?

How to use the research:

Begin by searching for repeated messages, phrasing or words. For example, a company’s website may mention the word “creative” over and over again. For you, the job seeker, this is a good indication of the company’s value of creativity and innovation. To tailor your resume to the company’s needs, you would want to focus extensively on experiences that showcase your creative talents. In addition, you may wish to choose a resume format that is eye-catching or stands out to the reviewer. Likewise, you may wish to stick to a simple resume format for a traditional, conservative company.

By focusing on the company’s history and future, you may also gain knowledge about company traditions and principles that can be used to shape your resume. For example, if an organization has grown as a result of a great deal of partnerships and collaborative efforts, you may wish to zero in on your own abilities to pool resources and work cooperatively in the workplace. In addition, company standards and policies can tell you a little about the work environment and expectations of employees.

If the company prides itself on a particular project, try to think of how your own experiences relate. Have you worked on something similar? Did you complete a class project based on the same research? Try to find connections between your own experiences and those of the company in order to tailor your resume to the needs of the employer.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

This comprehensive GUIDE will assist you in your research.