One of the most important skills a job-seeker can learn during a job-search is research skills. The quality of your research skills will dramatically impact both short term job search and longer range career continuity.

WHAT Information Fits Your Offer Criteria…
You are usually seeking two sets of information.

The first set of information deals with general company information. The types of information you might gather here include: products and services, history and corporate culture, organizational mission and goals, key financial statistics, organizational structure (divisions, subsidiaries, etc.), and locations. Of course, you may also research the industry, key competitors, and countries where any specific, targeted, companies have offices.

The second set of information deals with personal and employment issues, and includes such things as career paths and advancement opportunities, benefits, diversity initiatives, and other human resources functions.

Remember, both objective (factual) and subjective (word-of-mouth, opinions) information can be of value. The following "OFFER CRITERIA MATRIX" will help you keep this all straight…

You can analyze as many columns of information as is important to your definition of next right work. The Matrix will serve you well in all four levels of research mentioned previously… and when completely "filled in" can put the objectivity back in to the emotional process of accepting your next position, or taking the next step.

Remember, the sooner you get started, the better off you’ll be.  Next in the series: WHERE to go for efficient research.