If you are in the market for a new job, there is good news. Times have never been better for easy access to information on available jobs. Regardless of whether you are looking for jobs in Orlando, Florida, Los Angeles, New York or anywhere else in America, you can quickly find job listings online, or in traditional job sources such as newspapers and drop-in employment centers. It is even possible to set up auto alerts to be notified when opportunities matching your skills become available.

One area that often is neglected in a job search is the research on a prospective employer that we can do of our own initiative. Often, through media reports, magazines and trade journals, we can find specific information about upcoming mergers, and new market possibilities. There might be a ‘niche’ that we could fill, either short or long term for a specific company. We may even be able to create our own position within a company by contacting them directly to suggest how our expertise might be used to their advantage. This type of job search is often referred to as the ‘hidden market’, because although opportunities might exist, they are not advertised to the general public. Tapping into the hidden job market often gives you the advantage being an exclusive candidate.

Perhaps you have already been contacted for an interview. In order to present yourself with confidence as a candidate for employment within a company, finding out as much as you can prior to your interview is fundamental. Knowing the names of the company directors, the reputation of the business, product line information and service standards shows that you value the opportunity to be considered for employment with a company. For example, at an interview with Walt Disney jobs or Universal careers, questions specific to their standards of customer care might be asked. Familiarizing yourself with the main products, or services of any job that you are interviewing for, will always show that you are serious in your interest in having them as an employer.

Before your interview, you may want to prepare a few questions for the employer as well, specific to the company. Remember, although it may seem that the employer ‘holds the cards’, you need to find out if they are a good fit for what you look for in an employer as well.  By finding out how close the company is to a match for your career objectives, your advancement expectations, and your lifestyle - you can really see if this is the best job for you.

The more you know and understand about a business, whether you are contacting them to find out if they have job opportunities in your field, or if you are already at the point of arranging for an interview, the better equipped you will be to make a solid presentation of how your skills and experience could benefit their company. For example, Florida hospital jobs in Orlando, and all across the nation, have a broad variety of skills that are required, however, some are very specific to the area of medicine practiced at a clinic or hospital. Depending on your training, the types of treatment provided at a medical care facility can have a big impact on whether you would qualify as an employee at that hospital or clinic. Research the areas of study that would best fit with the skills needed at that medical facility, and highlight any studies or experience you have that directly related to their treatment center.

Another area you can research about a company is their history, and the transitions that have happened since their inception. Investigate whether they are a new business with rapid advancement, or one with a long time, slow growing, and stable history. Seeing their ‘roots’ often can be a good gauge of the type of future growth you can expect to see. Analyze your own goals, such as whether you are looking to be located in one spot, such as jobs in Orlando, Florida, or at another specific American city location. Perhaps, you prefer employment that requires regular travel within America, or even abroad. You may prefer to apply for jobs that promote quickly, or offer training opportunities to further develop your on-the-job skills. Perhaps a better fit is a business that is more established and hires well trained, highly skilled employees, perhaps with higher compensation prospects.

If you are in a position where you are out of work and need to find employment immediately, or, you are considering making a change from your existing employer, don’t neglect the importance of research. Knowing the most you can about a prospective employer demonstrates your sincere interest in their company, and in finding out whether the skills and experience we have are a good fit as an employee. You will feel less nervous at an interview when you are prepared to answer questions they make ask about your knowledge of their products and services, and when you are ready with a few questions of your own.

So remember, you may be rewarded for the extra effort you put into researching an employer, with your next best job!