Employer Case Study Project Expectations
Back to Employer Case Study Overview
Part 1: Find the Opportunity and Research the Role and Company
Finding the target role
- Students identify a job opportunity that aligns with their career goals and interests.
- Search for roles on job boards, company websites, and through networking.
- Consider first narrowing your search to a few specific companies that you are interested in. It can be helpful to target based on things like:
- Company location - physical proximity opens you up to hybrid and in-person roles, which often have fewer applicants
- Previous industry - Example: if you have a background in education, you may want to consider companies in the edutech space
- Non-tech companies that use technology to solve a problem - Example: a port-a-potty company likely uses software to manage their operations and schedules. No for real. We have an alum who got this job.
Answering the “Three Whys”
You will research the company of your chosen job opportunity from Part 1. You will articulate your genuine interest in the company (“Why this Company?”), understand the company’s needs for the specific role (“Why this Role?”), and demonstrate why you are the right fit for the position (“Why You?”).
First Why: Why this Company?
- Demonstrate a genuine interest in the organization.
- Research and provide insights into the company’s business model or competitive advantage that sets it apart in its industry.
- Explore the company’s tech stack, addressing its technological aspects.
- Investigate the cultural fit by describing the company’s impact and mission.
Second Why: Why this Role?
- Understanding Hiring Manager Needs
- Apply from the hiring manager’s viewpoint, explaining why the role is crucial for the company.
- Perform a SWOT analysis of the role, considering its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
- Example answer to Why this Role?
- “This company needs an associate who has foundational experience in Rails and is an advocate for TDD because they are overhauling their test strategy and would like developers with experience analyzing test coverage and championing TDD”
Important
The purpose of this question is NOT to answer why YOU want this role, but to consider why the role is being filled by the company. Your should aim to understand the needs of the role and the company to tailor your interview preparation and personal experiences accordingly.
Third Why: Why You?
- Identify what genuinely motivates you in the role.
- Explain how your skills and experiences align with the role.
- Address potential skills gaps and discuss how you plan to bridge them.
Part 1 Deliverables
- A copy of the job description: The job description should be copied into a google doc. If the original job posting is removed, you will have no way of finding it again which is why we require this method.
- SWOT analysis
- Answers to the “Three Whys”
- Resume tailored to the role and company
- A strong resume will identify and extract relevant keywords, qualifications, responsibilities, and industry-specific details from the job description and use these extracted details to tailor the resume, ensuring it highlights your skills and experiences that match the requirements of the role.
- Cover letter tailored to the role and company
- A strong cover letter will include your answers to the the “why” questions above.
Use this form to submit your deliverables at least 24 hours before your interview. Please ensure the links you submit are accessible to your instructor.
Part 2: The Job Application
The next step of the employer case study is to apply to your chosen job opportunity.
IMPORTANT: You do NOT need to wait until after your interview simulation to apply to the job. If you’d like feedback on your materials sooner than the interview simulation, you can schedule a check-in with your instructor.
Application Process
1. Outreach to Someone at the Company
- Draft effective outreach messages, which could be emails, LinkedIn messages, or other suitable platforms.
- Apply strategies to capture the recipient’s attention, showcase their genuine interest in the company, and encourage a positive response.
2. Prepare for the Meeting
- If the outreach leads to a response and a meeting is scheduled, prepare for it by doing things like:
- Developing a list of questions and topics to discuss
- Researching the person you’ll meet with
- Considering your own value proposition.
3. Complete Application
- After networking and meeting with someone from the company, complete the job application process. You can further tailor your resume and cover letter to reflect the insights gained during your research and discussions.
- NOTE: If you were unable to connect with someone at the company, you should still tailor your resume and cover letter with the details you learned during the Employer Persona Research Phase.
- Follow through with the application, considering any additional materials or follow-up steps as needed.
This comprehensive job search process allows you to take the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired through the employer persona research and apply them to real-world job applications. It ensures that you approach their job search strategically and professionally, increasing your chances of success in securing roles that align with your career goals and values.
Part 2 Deliverables
- Create a document outlining your application process, network efforts, and the outcomes for each step and submit it to your instructor during your interview simulation time. The document should include the following:
- Share Networking Efforts:
- Explain how you’ve networked within the company, whether through LinkedIn, professional events, or other platforms.
- Describe your interactions and connections within the organization.
- Discuss Outreach Strategies:
- Share your outreach messages and strategies for contacting professionals at the company.
- Discuss the methods you used to capture their attention and encourage a response.
- Explain Meeting Preparation:
- Detail how you prepared for meetings with company representatives, including the questions and topics you planned to discuss.
- Address any research conducted on the individuals you interacted with.
- Even if a meeting hasn’t yet occurred, you should still have some notes prepped so you’re ready to go if/when someone gets back to you.
- Interview Simulation Preparation
- Discuss steps you took to prepare for your interview simulation as a result of your research and networking.
- Outcome and Reflection:
- Discuss the outcomes of your outreach, networking, and meetings.
- Share key learnings, including what went well and what challenges you faced.
- Address how you plan to deal with these challenges in future job search efforts.
- Share Networking Efforts:
Part 3: Interview Simulation
The primary goal of the interview simulation, based on your selected job description, is to provide you with realistic and practical experience of a job interview process. Before your interview, you should create an interview preparation document. Some ideas of what to include:
- A list of common interview questions and space for your answers with a focus on the tech stack listed in your chosen role.
- A section for questions you intend to ask during the interview. Research the company and the role to formulate insightful questions that demonstrate your genuine interest.
- Use this document to practice your responses, ensuring you are well-prepared for the interview and able to showcase your qualifications effectively.
- Take a look at the resources below to use or get ideas for creating your own prep document.
