Whether you’re getting ready for an interview or developing a prospect list, prepare well
and learn about the organizations you’re considering. Below is a list of items that you
should look into as you research your target list of employers. If you haven’t created your
list of target companies yet, there's no better time than the present to get started.

General Company Information:

 What is the company’s mission statement, core values, and strategy? This can typically be found on the ‘About Us’ page and/or investor relations.
Who are the key members of their leadership team (e.g. C-suite, Board, Founders, Minister/Deputy Minister, head of the group you’re applying to, etc.)?
What sector is the company in (public, private, government, non-profit, other)?
Where is this organization located? Where are their headquarters and satellite office?
Research the latest news of relevance/importance (e.g. are they going public?) – search online and check out the company’s media or newsroom page, if available.

Company’s Business Model:

What are the key products/services the organization delivers?
Who are their key competitors and how does the company differentiate?
Who are their key partners and how do they collaborate?

Industry Trends:

Which industry is this organization in?
What are the general trends in this industry? Is it growing or declining, and by how much?

Company Culture:

How do they define their workplace culture?
What might this work environment be like? Consider scanning Glassdoor.com for information and employee feedback on the company.

Now that you know more about the company, take some time to reflect on whether this aligns with your desired career path. Questions to ask yourself include:

On a scale of 1-5, does the company’s mission and core values align with your career plan?
How do you think the role(s) you’re interested in enable the core business strategy/goals of the organization?
Does the location(s) of the company align with your personal plans?
On a scale of 1-5, how motivated are you to work for this organization?

If you’re very motivated to work at a company, check your network and see if you know anyone who works there, using your connections from your 10KC program too! You can also scan your alumni from your school who work there. Reach out to your connections for coffee chats and ask them about their experience with the company.