Researching employers is a critical component of your job search. Research assists you:

• In learning more about an organization
• Contributes to your preparation for each interview
• Helps you prepare stronger cover letters and more focused resumes and ultimately make informed decisions.

Many resources are available to assist you with your research through the UCS Career Information Center, NU library and the Internet.

What Should I Know About Employers?

• History, philosophy and goals of the organization
• Geographical location of headquarters, branches, subsidiaries
• Organizational size, number of offices/plants and potential growth
• Organizational culture and structure
• Annual production and performance growth
• Current and potential products and/or services
• Training and promotional opportunities
• Competitors
• Descriptions of operating divisions
• Organizational chart (including names of top executives)
• Financial review
• Contributions to the industry or field
• Recent news/press releases

Where Do I Find Employer information?
PRINT RESOURCES
UCS maintains a collection of directories of major US and international firms, nonprofit agencies,  geographic job banks and the NACE Salary Survey. In addition, UCS also has employer literature and files.

• Directories-Include listings of organizations sorted by geographic, business, occupational, professional, industry and financial status directories. Provides information about products, services, number of employees, principal executives and location.

• Trade Associations/Professional Organizations-Provide information regarding career fairs, hiring trends, salaries, membership directories, position openings, conferences and networking opportunities.

• Newspapers/Journals-Provide information about current events for specific companies, industries and organizations.

• Campus Employer Literature/Files- Available at University Career Services.

• NACE Salary Survey – A report compiled quarterly by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. It list salary information by industry, job title and major.

ELECTRONIC & INTERNET RESOURCES
In addition to the multitude of databases available on the Internet, NU and UCS Career Information Center also provide access to several electronic databases, journals, occupational web sites and CD ROM's to assist with your employer research.

• Career Search is an online employer database that lists nearly one million employers in a wide range of industries. The database allows you to develop a targeted list of specific industries and cities. CareerSearch is available can be accessed remotely for registered NU students and alumni. Please contact UCS for the user name and password.

• Occupational Information & Resources - Contains hundreds of links to various career fields, employer links, professional organizations and publications, salary information and job openings. Search web sites by industry or geographic location.

• Computerized Databases such as Dow Jones Interactive, Hoover's, Dun & Bradstreet, EDGAR database, Thomas Registrar, Lexis-Nexis, Standard & Poor, ABI Inform are available through the NU library electronic resources to search industry news and current events, company profiles and more.
• NU Library Guide to Internet Resources by Topic (includes information on Business, International, Federal and Regional Government, Multimedia, Film and Broadcasting, Religion, Science and Engineering Transportation, Law Enforcement, Environment, etc.)

• Electronic Journals - Search NU library's alphabetical index to locate a professional journal.
• The Internet - While online research provides quick access to current information, it is not necessarily the most thorough or accurate medium for acquiring information. For instance, you may not find much information on small companies on the web. Keep in mind that the Internet is only one source for research.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Alumni Network (CareerNet) is a career advisory network of Northwestern University graduates who are willing to advise students and other alumni about career and employment issues. This program is a joint venture of University Career Services and the Northwestern University Alumni Association. It is designed to connect students and alumni with established professionals from whom they can obtain general career information. It is not a job placement service.
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