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Researching Employers

Throughout your job search learn as much as you can about potential employers in order to stand out in their eyes. That includes doing research while preparing a cover letter or getting ready for interviews. Employers expect you to have done some research on them: what they do, who their clients and products or services are, the organizational structure, and more. Having done this research, you'll be in a better position to make connections between yourself and the organization's needs, and you'll also be better prepared to determine if this is a place you might really like to work. The links below can help you begin the research process.

General Company Information

Researching the Organization pdf
Use this worksheet to help you find and keep track of information you'll want to know about your target employers.

Vault Online Library
Vault provides a research library that includes company profiles, industry information and more career exploration resources right at your fingertips.

Career Search
The UM Library provides the subscription to this database of almost one million U.S. employers, including company profiles and contact information for a wide spectrum of industries. Searchable by product, service, geographic location, and industry size as well as keyword.

Hoover’s First Research
Explore a field or prep for an interview with instant access to more than 200 industry profiles. Check out the industry’s hot trends, current regional and international issues, competitive landscape, and key web sites.

Hoover’s Company Information Database
Hoover's provides comprehensive company and industry information on thousands of employers. Search employers by industry or geography.

Top Entry Level Employers
Based on projected entry level hiring needs, this site provides information on a large number of for profit, non profit and governmental organizations.

Researching Employer Culture and Workplace Values

Transgender at Work
Addresses workplace issues for the transgendered, including a list of companies known to have transgender inclusive language in their policies.

HRC Worknet
A site from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation on workplace policies and laws surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity, including a searchable database of employers with GLBT-related policies.

Diversity and Inclusion at Monster.com
Monster.com has compiled a separate search page to search jobs posted by employers actively seeking a diverse workforce. Also includes career advice articles geared toward diverse populations.

Company Rankings

Best Places to Work in the Federal Government
A ranking of the cabinet, agency and subagency organizations representing the federal government's "employers of choice."

Best Places to Work in IT
Published by Computerworld Magazine online - this is a list of major companies with Information Technology positions and their rankings.

Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For
Annual ranking of companies that rate high with employees.

Forbes 200 Best Small Companies
More information at Forbes Magazine online - see "hotshots".

Working Mother's 100 Best Companies List
Compiled by Working Mother Media, Inc.

Fast Companies Directory of Innovative Companies
Also take a look at Fast Company's "Fast 50." Find information about the world's most interesting and innovative companies.

Business Week's Global 1000 companies
An annual ranking of the world's best-performing companies, including enhanced tables.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation
2006 Best Places to Work
A list of the top companies that support equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender employees.

Gay.com Top 10 Lesbian Places to Work
Included in the finance section of gay.com.

Philanthropy 400
Brought to you by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, a listing of the largest charities and nonprofits in the U.S.