RESEARCHING Your
Marketplace
One of the most important skills a job-seeker can learn during a job-search is research skills. The quality of your research skills will dramatically impact both short term job search and longer range career continuity. Information is a critical commodity in job-hunting; the more you know and the easier it is for you to find information, the better your chances of success.
So, make the commitment to improve your research skills. In fact, hold yourself accountable to research time each and every week. Employers value job-seekers who know key information about the company because that knowledge demonstrates your interest and enthusiasm for the company and for the job.WHEN to Do Research…
If attaining and maintaining career continuity is your realistic goal, you’ll find four specific times during which researched information will be important to you…
First and foremost should be your commitment to knowing your marketplace for the rest of your career. This implies setting aside a reasonable amount of time on an on-going basis, whether you’re employed or not. Often research leads to "spot media opportunities" that may lead you to your next right work.
Second, and perhaps most common, is when you are just starting a specific job-search and looking to identify key companies in your profession or industry, or even in a specific geographic location. I have always found this single factor to be the most under-utilized way to prepare for an effective job search.
The third possibility is when you are applying to a specific employer; it’s always best to relate yourself to the company and tailor your cover letter and resume to each employer.
The fourth -- and when most job-seekers finally do some research -- is when you have been invited to a job interview; you’ll want to showcase your knowledge of the company.
WHAT Information Fits Your Offer Criteria…
You are usually seeking two sets of information.
The first set of information deals with general company information. The types of information you might gather here include: products and services, history and corporate culture, organizational mission and goals, key financial statistics, organizational structure (divisions, subsidiaries, etc.), and locations. Of course, you may also research the industry, key competitors, and countries where any specific, targeted, companies have offices.
The second set of information deals with personal and employment issues, and includes such things as career paths and advancement opportunities, benefits, diversity initiatives, and other human resources functions.
The sooner you get started, the better off you’ll be. Next in the series: WHAT to research.
Research OVERVIEW | WHAT To Research | WHERE To Research
For MORE INFO e-mail your thoughts and questions to the careerpilot.
Bob Maher, CMF... The Careerpilot
Bob created his online presence, www.careerpilot.com, in 1994. He has over twenty years of successful experience in Corporate Recruitment, performance management and Career Management Services. He is an entrepreneur and innovator in the use of information technology in the recruitment and employment process. On the Founder's Council of the Association of Career Professionals - International and quite active in their Professional Development, Technology and Chapter Growth initiatives--a frequent speaker at industry conferences and seminars. Awarded the prestigious LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD in 2006.