Starting July 1, 2013, Matt Weis, MicroTrain’s Director of Workforce Development, will be serving as the Chicago Jobs Council’s (CJC) newest board member. Voted in by members, Matt has over 8 years of workforce development experience in both public and private sectors. He brings his valuable experience and knowledge in the areas of workforce development programming, program implementation, and funding regulation to the CJC.
Matt said Tuesday, “I’m honored to serve on the CJC board with so many extraordinary community leaders”.
Chicago Jobs Council is a coalition of community-based training organizations, advocacy groups, businesses and individuals working to ensure access to employment and career advancement opportunities for people living in poverty.
Since 1981, CJC’s membership has grown to include over 100 organizations and individuals. Through collaboration, advocacy, applied research, and capacity building, they work with their members to influence the development and reform of public policies and programs designed to move people into the workforce.
Andrés Moreno, Communications Coordinator for CJC, said, “Matt has been involved with us for many years. He is an engaged partner, has been instrumental in our advocacy work, and is a good friend to CJC. We’re excited to have him serve on our Board of Directors.”
MicroTrain is the recognized leader in Information Technology, Project Management and Office Skills training throughout the Chicago-land area and has been so for the past 13 years. Since 2007, MicroTrain has provided technical training and employment-focused services to over 2,500 job seekers. Most recently MicroTrain has partnered with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership to begin Chicago TechWorks, the newest sector center in Cook County focused on the IT sector.
Matt can be reached at mweis@microtrain.net.
From writing cover letters to preparing for an interview, company research is an essential part of any job seeker’s strategy. Thorough research not only shows the hiring manager that you’re serious about the position, it will also help you evaluate a company’s compatibility with your own values and preferences.
Before diving in, create a list of the information you’re looking for. Facts like the company’s size, location, products and services, and clients are important, but be sure to include subjective information like reputation, culture, reviews, and branding to get a more complete picture of the company.
Go to the Source
The best place to start your research is the job listing itself. Pay attention to the job description and company biography. Assess how they fit your own career goals and long term plans. Would you still want to work there in five years? How about ten?
Next, head over to the company’s webpage. You’ll get a feel for their brand and a better idea of their history and corporate culture. Read their Home and About pages carefully. Note specific accomplishments and goals. Citing specifics is an easy way to demonstrate your research to an interviewer.
Read the company’s blog to dig deeper into their corporate culture. Blog posts are usually more candid than traditional marketing content. Consider the topics they write about and the blog's overall tone. Is it lighthearted or serious? Does the blog look professional or amateurish?
Impressions like these will provide a window into the culture and values of a company. Just remember, any information on a company’s webpage is sure to be skewed in their favor.
Blaze Your Own Trail
Do a search or two of your own. This will give you an idea of the company’s reputation and prominence. Does your search return a lot of news articles or mostly scientific papers and press releases? What are people saying on forums and in other corners of the internet?
For specific questions, head to social networks. Most companies cultivate their Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin accounts religiously. Customer service agents should be more than happy to answer questions, and you’ll often get a faster response than you would by email.
Social networks are a great place to connect with employees of a company. This is especially true of Linkedin, which features an employee list right on the company profile. Follow the company and connect with employees to get an idea of the kind of skills and experience the company values.
Tap into Your Network
Some sites, like Glassdoor and Indeed, feature reviews and inside information from current and past employees. While these sites can offer insight into a company’s internal workings and salary structure, they tend to attract extremely satisfied or disgruntled reviewers, and won’t represent an accurate sample of employees.
Reach out to your own professional network. Ask the opinion of someone you trust in your field. Have they ever heard of the company? If so, what are their impressions? Can they connect you with any employees on Linkedin?
Finish Strong
Continue your research through the interview. Use everything you’ve learned in your search to craft questions that demonstrate the depth of your research. Ask your interviewer to clarify any lingering questions and concerns, and take the opportunity to assess the culture of the office.
If you want to be taken seriously in the job market, you have to do your homework before applying or interviewing with a company. This not only proves your interest in the position, but also helps you decide if the company is right for you. That way, when a job offer comes your way, you’ll be ready to make the right decision.
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