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Here’s a list of excellent online search tools to use when researching companies that you are going to interview with. I use all of them when checking out businesses and business models. I’ll be adding more when I find them.
In the meantime, if I’ve missed any good ones out, or you find a new search engine that brings good targeted results, let me know and I’ll add it to the list. Just email me at:
I expect you all know by now that Google is the best search engine. It brings the most targeted results and you don’t even have to know how to conduct a Boolean search. Google doesn’t use meta tags, and indexes the content of pages. It also rates sites according to how many “respected” sites link to them.
This trusty directory is always worth a look. Either run a search with keywords, or drill down through the categories. Both methods yield results. The good thing about Yahoo is the reviewers don’t list every site that is submitted. Apart from “adult” material, they usually exclude affiliate program sites that offer nothing but a sales pitch. This means most of the sites listed have solid and fairly reliable information.
Trawl this for company statistics, stocks, etc. Valuable.
This is a “work in progress”, but run a search on it as, in some areas, it will beat Yahoo for targeted results. And also remember to drill down through the categories.
There are many specialist directories on the web – too many to list here. The best way to find a specialist directory is to use a directory that focuses on finding specialist directories. Here’s a short list:
WebFerret is a piece of software that searches all the major search engines at once. Click on the link above to download it. The free version is adware – but the ads that come up aren’t obtrusive. If you really hate them, however, you can buy the ad free version.
I always start my searches with a combination of WebFerret and Google. If you want to hunt down targeted info, they make a deadly combination!
eLibrary is a wonderful Internet resource. It houses books, magazines, newspapers, pictures, maps, and TV and Radio transcripts from around the world. You can get the low-down on nearly anything. I use it all the time.
This is a great resource, full of information and useful links. When researching businesses, this is one of the first ports of call.
Another valuable resource.
Well known for its “Fortune 500” list of the most successful companies, Fortune is an essential resource for the business researcher. Like FT.com, the Fortune site is heavyweight and respected. Yes, it’s American, but you’ll pick up lots of knowledge – which, at some point, might serve you in your job searches. Check it regularly
Another heavyweight. Read it weekly.
You can’t afford to be without this. Use the online search for research. Subscribe to the magazine. Even though you might be a programmer or technical writer, a sound knowledge of business and economics will serve you very well during interviews and in your job searches generally.
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