Touring an Employer's Website

• Start on the home page. Based on the look and feel of the home page, how would you describe the organization? Is it down to business? People oriented? Fun and exciting? Steady and calm?
• Look for activity on the site. Does it contain current information? When was the information last updated? An inactive site may mean that the business could use some IT support or it could be a sign of problems in the organization.
• Use the site map, if there is one (usually a link at the top or bottom of each page). A site map can help you understand a company’s structure.
• Use the site map to identify departments, products, services and roles in the organization.
• Read the entire site map to make sure you don’t miss any important pages that might not be linked to the home page.
• See an example of a site map…more
• Learn about the company’s products and services. If you’re interested in a particular position, what product or service is it related to?
• Check out the company’s customers. Who are the customers in the area you’re interested in? Follow links to customers’ websites and explore them if available.
• Find out where the company is located and where it does business (these are not always the same place). Is the organization active in your area? Would you consider moving to take a job?
• If they’re available on the site, read recent news releases, backgrounders, presentations and so on. Subscribe to the company’s newsletter. This online information may be a good source for questions to ask in an interview, e.g. How will the company be meeting the demands of its newly expanded market?
• View an example of a company newsletter… more
• Look for financial information. If it’s a public company (owned by shareholders), this information will likely be on the website. Use this information to assess a job offer or your opportunity for promotion, e.g. Does the company appear stable? Will a dip in stock prices mean layoffs or downsizing?
• Check out this example of financial information…more
• Visit the Careers, Jobs or Working For Us pages to learn about company values and culture. What’s expected of employees? What are the rewards, financial and otherwise, of working for the company? How do you apply for work? Is there an online application process?
• See an example of a Careers page…more
• Find out about applying online…more