Preparation

Researching companies and getting information

"Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it."

Buddha
It is imperative that you research the sector and organisation that you want to work for. You need to know with certainty that you are going to be aligned with the culture of the organisation and not hate them from day one! Secondly you are very unlikely to get past the initial interview stages unless you definitely know and can explain what attracts you to them and what you expect to get from working for them. Saying ‘because you are a strong brand’ isn’t enough any more. A good place to start your research is the ‘mission and values’ of the company identified. Mission Statements are ‘one-liners', supported by a set of values that set the performance standards and direct the implementation of the mission.

Consider the widely different cultures of these organisations as expressed by their mission statements.

“To solve unsolved problems innovatively” - 3M
“Inform educate and entertain” - BBC
“To give ordinary folk the chance to buy the same thing as rich people.” - Wal-Mart
“To make people happy” - Walt Disney
“To preserve and improve human life” - Merck

    The difference becomes more stark when you look at the values of these companies i.e. Walt Disney

    • No cynicism
    • Nurturing and promulgation of “wholesome American values”
    • Creativity, dreams and imagination
    • Fanatical attention to consistency and detail
    • Preservation and control of the Disney “magic”

    Merck produces pharmaceutical products and provides insurance for pharmacy benefits. It publicly states the following values.

    • Corporate social responsibility
    • Unequivocal excellence in all aspects of the company
    • Science-based innovation
    • Honesty & integrity
    • Profit, but profit from work that benefits humanity

    Our research team will provide detailed research on your target company which could include:

    • Mission statements & values
    • Key market summary
    • Size, locations
    • Key financial indicators
    • Key recruitment research