1. RESEARCHING A COMPANY Ian Duckett Careers Adviser

2. Why? To help with application form questions/ interview questions……. Such as: ‘ Why do you want to apply for this firm/ organisation?’ ‘ Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?’

3. Why? To help with a covering letter…….. A covering letter should include at least one or may be two reasons as to why you are interested in the particular firm or organisation to which you are applying

4. Why? To give ideas about questions you might like to ask at the end of an interview…….. Such as: ‘ Is there an opportunity to work overseas with the firm?’ ‘ Is there an opportunity to develop my technical /financial knowledge by being attached to other areas of the business or by being funded to undertake an MBA

5. Why? To raise your commercial awareness……. See www.liv.ac.uk/careers click on ‘students and graduates’, ‘useful downloads’, then ‘How to develop and demonstrate the skills recruiters look for’www.liv.ac.uk/careers More follows………………………………………..

6. Remember... Don’t just find out about the company….. Don’t just concentrate on your role from a professional standpoint…… Find out about your generic role, find out about the company and your role within the company (e.g. Find out about being a marketing executive in the marketing department of Marks & Spencer, not just about being a marketing executive and not just about Marks & Spencer)

7. Homework !!!!! Research a company that you are interested in working for (and don’t forget to research the role and the role in the context of the company). This research could form the basis of your mock job interview that is scheduled for later this week. Use the handout provided to provide pointers as to where to start.