Gary Will's WORKSEARCH:
Selling Yourself To An Employer
Chapter 6: (continued)
THE COMPANY:
The information you'll want and where to look for it
From the book How to Prepare for an Employment Interview.
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This book shows you how to sell yourself in an employment interview.
[Chapter 6: continued from here
] ...When you're doing library research, the easiest and best way to begin is to walk up to the reference librarian, tell them that you're trying to find information on Company X, and ask for their assistance and advice. You might be amazed at the resources they have, and you'll often be able to get access to on-line services that can help you find articles faster and easier than traditional methods.
Many public libraries will have some information on major local employers. One of the largest employers in my area is Toyota. Thousands and thousands of people apply for work there every year, and I'm sure most of them would never think to look in the local library for issues of the employee newsletter from the Toyota plant, but they're there. Again, you're far more likely to find worthwhile sources of information on large local employers than on small businesses.
Nearly every general library in Canada has The Canadian Business Index (CBI) in their reference section. Many will have it on a CD. This is where you can look to see if any articles about the company have been published in major Canadian newspapers and magazines. Updates are published monthly, so you should be able to find anything more than a couple of months old. Articles are indexed by company name, subject, and personal name for anyone who's been profiled in an article.
If you locate an article you want to read, ask a librarian if the particular magazine or newspaper is available in the library or where you can get a copy.
Most libraries will have a collection of business directories in the reference section. Directories are usually more useful for finding companies and people to contact-names, titles, addresses, phone numbers-than for getting any information you'd find helpful in preparing for your interview. Ask the reference or business librarian about what directories are available-the best ones are sometimes not on the shelves but at the reference desk.
If you live near a university or college, don't overlook ... [continued here]
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