Research? It's a good start when job hunting...

When you’re searching for a job, research is a crucial part of the process. While that can seem time-consuming, it puts you in a better position later on. As part of your search for a job in the care sector, it’s a good idea to learn about the organisations in your area. 

During your search, you’ll find out if they’re hiring, but you also get to know which names to look out for when looking at job boards. With that in mind, let's look at the benefits of doing your research. Additionally, we focus on where to look and which details to pay attention to.

Why You Need to Do Your Research

Researching care organisations as part of your job search has multiple benefits. On the one hand, it tells you about the workplace. It’s important to find a role that matches you. That means your values, abilities and circumstances. Your research will give you insight into the kinds of duties you’ll undertake and the work environment.

Finding out more about the organisation will also put you in a better position when it comes to applying for a job. You can tailor your application to the kind of skills they need in that work environment. You can also show that you’ve imagined working there and demonstrate your understanding in interview answers.

Starting Points in Your Research

When it’s time to do your research, there are a few places to head to when you want to gather more information. You can start by generally finding out about organisations in your area or the area where you want to work. If you have some specific organisations in mind due to seeing a job listing, it’s best to read that and then follow the steps below.

Check the Company Website

The care organisation’s website should be the first check on your list. You can find out all sorts of information from their homepage and by exploring the different areas. Head to the website footer to look for information like contact details. Make a note of their email address. It’s also a good opportunity to see where they operate, which could be multiple locations and if there is a main office.

From the website, you can also explore what kinds of people the care organisation supports. Another detail to note is how long they’ve been operating. You might also see useful information about the team or staff structure.

View External Listings

Sometimes, you’ll want to find out a bit more about an organisation and the details won’t be on their website. Another useful source of information is an external listing site, such as Indeed or Glassdoor. These sites have job listings, but they also have company profiles.

You can usually check company reviews, with information about the organisation’s culture. If the organisation has listed jobs on those sites, you can also find out more about the staffing structure, growth opportunities and salaries.

Social Media

Some care organisations will also have social media accounts. In some cases, that might only be LinkedIn. Others might have a Facebook page or a profile on another platform. Checking those can give you more insight into the work environment, the organisation’s priorities and the kinds of activities they arrange.

Where Should You Focus Your Attention?

There’s a lot of information to be found on the websites, external listings and social media platforms. You don’t need to memorise or note down all of it. Some key points are useful, including:

• Contact details

• Number of years the care organisation has been operating

• Locations

• Types of settings and people they support

• Team structure - including job titles and salaries

The rest of the information is something that you should take in to understand what it’s like to work there and whether it feels like a good fit for you. Here are two ways to focus on that.

Look for Values

Most care organisations use their websites to share their priorities and their approach. Look out for an 'About Us' page or a longer piece of text that introduces the organisation and its ethos. From that text, you can pick out words to get a better understanding of their values. 

Some examples could include compassion, collaboration, appreciation, respect, dignity, authenticity and fairness. There isn’t a right and wrong answer. However, it’s an opportunity to see if the organisation’s values match yours. You can also think about that more and add those similarities to your cover letter or interview answers.

Explore Photos and Videos

Reading about a care organisation can tell you a lot. However, seeing it is even better. Explore the website and keep your focus on the images. Ideally, you’ll find real examples of the care setting where you could be working. There might be photos of activities and the people supported, which will show you what it’s like.

Videos are another great resource for getting a feel for an organisation. They’ll show you more of the space, how people are interacting and what’s going on. Look out for videos that show the staff and the people being supported to get a good idea of what it feels like in that environment.

What Next?

Now, it’s time to use the information you’ve found. First, use the insights you’ve gained to see if the organisation is a good match for you. If not, keep looking. If it aligns with your values and the photos and videos give a good impression, then you can take the next step.

Use the contact details you found to reach out to the organisation. You can share your interest in working there and ask some questions to get more information. The rest of the details you’ve noted can help you tailor your application and interview answers to that care organisation.

We're recruiters and what impresses us most is when a candidate is truly motivated and aligned to the organisations purpose and values. So don't be afraid to show confidence in making your interest in them, truly heard.

Good luck!