Jump Start: Job and Market Research
Career Options, Opportunities and Resources
What: Consider jobs you are interested in. Then research the market of employers who have those kinds of jobs.
Why: The more you know about targeted jobs and employers, the better you'll be positioned to search for suitable jobs.
How: Begin by reviewing websites and other sources of job and employer information. Then identify potential employers.
Job Considerations
As you ponder your job search, take a some time to consider the types of jobs that interest you. Now is a good time to think about your career aspirations. Do you want to pursue the same kind of job you have had in the past or is this an opportunity take a new direction? Are there jobs that you have observed or heard about that appeal to you? Would additional training or education be required? Once you have decided on a the kind of job you want to pursue, you are ready to do a some job market research.
Understanding Your Job Market
You will be perceived as more valuable to an employer if you can demonstrate you are well versed in the issues and trends that are important in your industry. Think about what others might think are important issues within your job or industry sector. Use these ideas as a basis for additional research. They will also help you as you prepare for upcoming interviews.
Start by understanding the trends and issues impacting the overall market and your particular industry segment. Take the time to do a little research so you can talk about issues or concerns impacting the employers you will be targeting in your job search. Use the Environmental Inventory worksheet to help you get started.
You can find a lot of information via Internet searches, professional or trade associations, the Department of Labor (state and federal), libraries, and various other sources. Some of the top websites for company and industry information are:
There are many more websites that specialize in market and company research. To get you started, we've listed a variety of company research websites; some of which boast information on over 14 million U.S. businesses.
As you evaluate your job market, examine the overall job situation. Are open positions plentiful or are they few and far between? Is the job market or economy growing or shrinking? Are companies in your market outsourcing jobs offshore where labor is cheaper? What are people saying about your particular job market? Answers to these questions may influence you to adjust your job search strategy or impact the relative urgency of your job search.
Within your job market, consider the specific kinds of jobs for which you'll be applying. Then put yourself in the shoes of current jobholders. Think about and describe the day-to-day problems, challenges, opportunities, and issues they face. This will help you position yourself within your job market.
Below are some things you should think about and be prepared to discuss with a prospective employer.
- Trends currently affecting your job or industry segment
- Emerging issues that are likely to impact future job activities or strategic direction
- Competition or competitive forces that may cause change
- Work, process, or productivity issues affecting people in similar jobs
- Any job or industry factors affecting cost or productivity