HOMEWORK DETAIL

LESSON #6 - RESEARCH OF EMPLOYERS & CONTRACTS

Once again the instructions for this assignment will vary slightly, depending on whether your goal is to work for a company or to be self employed. Make sure you answer all of the research questions. Instructions for Students working for a company Pick a company that you either intend to, or think you might like to, work for and research it online. Do the following: Write up a review of your research by answering the research questions listed below. Create a web page to display your review and upload it to your homework page. Label the link on your homework page "company research". Use a heading named "Career Track: Employment" at the top of this review page. Company Research Questions What is the name, location and size (number of employees and/or other measurements, like annual income, gross sales, etc.) of the company? What is the general 'mission' or purpose of the company? (additional information to look for and include if you find it ... what does it produce, who is the target clientele, who are the owners, what types of people work there, etc) What about this company interests you, and why did you choose it? What were you able to learn about working conditions, employee benefits, management/employee relations, etc. If you were able to speak with someone who works at the company, how did the information you learned from your other research compare to what you learned from this employee? What information about this company do you think others in the class might also find useful and interesting? Instructions for Freelance Students Do some research about the variety of work contracts used by freelancers when taking on a job or client. Do the following: Write up a review of your research. Create a web page to display your review and upload it to your homework page. Label the link on your homework page "contract research". Use a heading named "Career Track: Freelance" at the top of this review page. If you are already in business for yourself, and have worked with clients in formal situations, you may already have a contract that you use before starting a job. If so, include a sample so other 'freelance' students can learn from it. If you don't have a contract, look for examples that might be adapted to your needs, as you do the online research, and include one of them that you, or another student might use as a template, or as a starting point. Also include any experiences you've had regarding having or not having a contract, and what you learned from them. For most of you this will probably be new territory, but since you aspire to work for yourself, it's an important issue you will need to prepare for and get familiar with. Start with a web search for 'freelance contracts' and begin browsing. Select a site (or sites) that will be a useful resource for you. Freelance Research Questions What is the name and url of the site (make sure you make the url a link) and what industries/job categories is it focused on? How many sample contracts are presented, and how recent are the samples and other info about freelance contracts, if you can tell? What advice about contracts and legal issues, tips, and things to beware of does the site offer? What other resources or site features are offered for the freelancer? Why did you choose this site to review, and what did you learn about freelance contracts that you weren't aware of before? Include a sample contract (or a link to one) that you might use, or one that you are already using.   return to homework page