Company
Websites: A tool for the job seeker
by
Kathy Bornheimer
Web sites are like parking
lots these days - most companies have them. In
fact an organization today is probably more apt to
have a Web site than a parking lot.
Whether
it's IBM or "No One's Ever Heard of Us, Inc.",
companies typically develop Web sites to advertise
or educate customers.
For job seekers and
career advancers who can find their way around a
computer mouse, an organization's Web site can
provide a wealth of information to assist in
effective job search. This additional source can
enable job seekers to find material or contacts to
utilize in networking.
It's quite easy to
obtain a company's Web address these days. Often
it's at the bottom of a published want ad or on an
employee's business card or sales literature. If
these are not available, you can try,
www."companyname".com, or if all else fails, you
can just call them up and ask them.
The quality
of the information varies with each organization.
Often, smaller employers have better Web sites
than the bigger companies do. How user-friendly a
site is deemed is determined by how easy it is to
navigate around in order to obtain
information.
Key components
The basic
set-up of most Web sites contains the following
sections: "Home", "Company Information and
History", "Jobs or Careers"," Products and
Services", "Sales", "In the News", "Site Map" and
"Contact Us". The wording varies, but the premise
is fairly consistent. Occasionally some will
include links to complimentary or related Web
sites.
Going to the "Jobs or Careers" section
can be a good start, and you may want to return to
that section again after you've reviewed the rest
of the site. Even if you don't fit any of the jobs
listed it doesn't mean that you don't fit into the
organization. Certain skills or job functions are
applicable to multiple fields or industries.
You will get an idea of the general
requirements needed for specific positions in this
section. So read through the job write-ups
regardless of the job title. These are leads or
idea generators to start your legwork.
The next
section to visit is "Company Information and
History". It may be individual sections or in
composite form. It's always good to know how and
when a company started. Historical markers such as
mergers, acquisitions, product/market
introductions or expansions are listed here.
Frequency or time lines of events can provide
valuable insight to a company's past and possible
future. This is also instrumental in seeing recent
activities, especially frequency over the last
five to 10 years.
What you're keying into is a
company's growth and ability to adapt and
progress. How this is achieved is also vital -
using innovation and creativity or merger and
acquisition. Other bits of information usually
found here are the corporate culture and
philosophy or mission statement.
The "Products
and Services" section provides the most
information as to your matching the organization's
culture. You'll be able to see if your experience
is needed or compatible. This information is used
when approaching people who work there during your
networking phase.
If you have a strong
background in the product, service or industry,
use that strength to talk shop once you've found
the potential hiring manager. If you have related
experience use the commonalties where
applicable.
In the "Sales" section you'll find
out the parameters of their customer base. This
could be geographical, industry-specific or
information about distributors, other divisions
and subsidiaries, or the parent company.
Press
Releases or "In the News" is the best part. Often
this information is dated and is recent - less
than two years old. It can be business related,
product introduction or development, new personnel
or promotions, industry awards/recognition, or
upcoming events (community-related, training or
trade shows). In many Web sites this is where
you'll be able to gather contacts. The information
here often provides you with the perfect excuse to
contact an individual.
What to look out
for
One very important thing to look for is the
age of a job listing on the Web. Some can be as
old as six months to two years if the Web site is
not updated frequently.
And not all Web sites
are user-friendly. Specific categories may not be
directly evident. Very few are developed with
recruitment as a primary goal. The exceptions of
course are search firms or employment agencies. It
is advisable to go into these sites also, since
you may find your next job this way.
There are
no set rules when using Web sites to research
specific companies. Remember that the primary
purpose of the information they're providing is to
obtain customers and increase sales. It's up to
the savvy job seeker to use this material to
obtain applicable information and contacts. You
must be able to present yourself in a
professional, logical manner in order to be
successful with the people that you eventually
talk with.
Your success can be determined by
the quality and thoroughness of a company's Web
site. Ruling out a company as a potential employer
is also possible after reviewing their site.
Don't expect to get that perfect job by simply
submitting your resume online or traditionally to
a posted position. How to follow up on that
submittal is still important. Always make sure
that your resume is received. Don't assume
anything.
Extra effort is still needed in
getting to the person who can determine if you're
a good match for their needs. You have to be able
to find the hiring manager and present your
qualification in a concise manner. The more you
know about the company that he/she works for will
enable you to accomplish this goal. Using the
Internet just speeds up this process.
And don't
become overly focused on just surfing the web.
It's easy and it's fun, but connecting with people
is still where the results are achieved.
Kathy Bornheimer is president of KB
Associates Human Resource Development in
Milwaukee. She can be reached at
414-475-5957.
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