1- Visit company’s website: read past obvious introductory pieces. Pay special attention to layout and design- they should give clues as to type of company it is. If possible, familiarize yourself with key players in company.

2- Go beyond company site: Google company name, and read some of recent news articles, annual reports or any other relevant information you can find.

3- Seek out competitors: talk to anyone you know who works for one of competitors to find out how your potential employer is viewed in their industry.

4- Inquire around water cooler: ask your friends and co-workers what they know about company.

5- Pick up phone: call company, and ask receptionist their views on company, including dress code, organization, leadership style, and overall office atmosphere.

Jessica Klein is a member of the 'Mount Real Research Team', whose aim is to seek out and distribute business information to the virtual public. She is a freelance writer based in Montreal, Canada who loves writing about anything from accounting to zebras.

For more info about Mount Real, visit http://www.mountreal.com.

That's right. Everyone tells you how busy and how little time they have, yet most people do nothing to learn skills that will have a dramatic impact on their work and personal lives.

You have to plan time to get things done. Do you want to spend more time with your family? Do you know how to plan for it? How much time do you spend working? How much time do you invest in yourself to learn how to be more effective? Are you hoping that one day, work will ease off and then you can spend more time with your family? Do you really need a bigger house, nicer car or overseas holiday? Will that improve your relationships? Do you think that you'll (hopefully) stumble on secrets to getting more time back in your life? If that's way you live your life, your kids will probably be all grown up and not really need you.

Cats in Cradle For those of you old enough to remember, Cat Stevens recorded a song called "Cats in Cradle". It was about a young boy whose Dad was always busy working. He never seemed to be available when his son wanted to be with him. Over years this continued until boy became an adult. By then his Dad had retired and had time on his hands, however his son had now become too busy to see his Dad. He too was working and had kids. The tables had turned. All of a sudden Dad realised what he had done. He was too busy caught up in his work and missed out on his son growing up.

The Final Word For those of you who have managed to maintain a good balance in your life, congratulations. No doubt you are happier, healthier and more fulfilled. For rest of you who are unhappy, unhealthy and unfulfilled, then you need to take action if you are serious about wanting to make changes. Do it, because nothing changes if nothing changes!