Corporate websites and so on will tell what they want to tell. Googling an employer helps find more information.
I googled my current employer when I applied and found a sales presentation online. It told me about their products and how they were positioned and marketed. That made me look very professional during the interview.
You could also find out about the perceptions of the companies products, class action lawsuits , all manner of interesting tidbits are out there waiting to be discovered.
James
Discussion on:
View:
Show:
I always ask to speak with clients and staff of the company. It gives a feel for the atmosphere. It also reminds the interviewer who is actually making the decision.
I will often research the companies CEO, Chairman of the board and key C-level executives. I am essentially looking for anything that turns up, good or bad. I pay attention to papers they written or if they often speak at engagements.
Every source helps.
Ray
Every source helps.
Ray
These are great suggestions, especially for public companies. Keep in mind that private companies in B2B industries may not have a treasure trove of information available. You will likely need to be more of a "hacker" to get the information that you need.
My approch for private companies is to Google, Google, Google! Start with the company then with the executives and managment.
I was resarching a privatly held company with a poor website but after searching I found infromation regarding a recent financing arrangment with a VC firm that gave enough detail to estimate market cap. Then I could get a number of executive names from the same research which lead to a number of public quotes that gave some great insight into the companies strategic directions.
In addtion to the quotes and corporate information I was able to find that the VP of HR is an avid runner based on results of a half marathon in their local area and that the COO and I have attended similar confereance base on a number of "customer reviews" at a conferace site.
You will get a very sketchy picture of the company but they will likely be impressed that you could "mine" any data at all.
My approch for private companies is to Google, Google, Google! Start with the company then with the executives and managment.
I was resarching a privatly held company with a poor website but after searching I found infromation regarding a recent financing arrangment with a VC firm that gave enough detail to estimate market cap. Then I could get a number of executive names from the same research which lead to a number of public quotes that gave some great insight into the companies strategic directions.
In addtion to the quotes and corporate information I was able to find that the VP of HR is an avid runner based on results of a half marathon in their local area and that the COO and I have attended similar confereance base on a number of "customer reviews" at a conferace site.
You will get a very sketchy picture of the company but they will likely be impressed that you could "mine" any data at all.
I found the 7 suggestions only useful if you are looking to form an ambiguous and potentially misleading, qualitative assessment. First and foremost, you need to understand the fiscal health of the firm - if they are in bad financial shape, carefully consider whether you are in a position to risk not being paid or being laid off soon after you are hired.
For public companies, a read of their financial reporting to the SEC (10-K and 8-K) will give you everything you need. For private companies, don't be shy about asking for the latest unaudited financial statements. If there's hesitancy or flat out refusal from a private firm to share this information (under a non-disclosure agreement if necessary), you should ask yourself what are they hiding.
Of course, reviewing financial statements has a prerequisite - you have to know what to look for. If you don't have the training, find a willing accountant, investment counselor or banker to explain how to calculate the key ratios used to quickly determine the fiscal health of a firm (there aren't that many). You should also understand why the ratios are important. Once you've gained this knowledge you can reuse it when making investment decisions.
For public companies, a read of their financial reporting to the SEC (10-K and 8-K) will give you everything you need. For private companies, don't be shy about asking for the latest unaudited financial statements. If there's hesitancy or flat out refusal from a private firm to share this information (under a non-disclosure agreement if necessary), you should ask yourself what are they hiding.
Of course, reviewing financial statements has a prerequisite - you have to know what to look for. If you don't have the training, find a willing accountant, investment counselor or banker to explain how to calculate the key ratios used to quickly determine the fiscal health of a firm (there aren't that many). You should also understand why the ratios are important. Once you've gained this knowledge you can reuse it when making investment decisions.
- Keyboard Shortcuts:
- Prev
- Next
- Toggle
