Research resources
Below are categories of essential information sources on specific industries, companies, decision makers and job opportunities:
The people
People you know now or in your network are excellent sources of information.
The groupings
Professional associations, chambers of commerce, university alumni, community interests, sports and leisure activities use networking and provide opportunities to accumulate a range of information.
Internet and databases
The Internet and the World Wide Web are powerful tools for finding professional opportunities or accessing information on specific business and industry trends. You can obtain information by accessing the company’s website directly, using search engines, company financial databases, and many job opportunity sites. To help you begin your electronic search, we have compiled (in the next section) a sample list of some of the largest job search sites by category.
Lists of industrial districts and chambers of commerce
Your local Chamber of Commerce can provide you with lists of specific business locations.
Job offers
What companies are hiring? A job opening may not be a good fit for your work history, but the company itself can be a potential opportunity. A company that frequently announces job openings can mean growth.
General reading
Newspapers (local, national, and trade), trade journals, professional newsletters, and college alumni publications provide information about companies, employees, products, conventions and meetings, and job opportunities.
The business section of local newspapers are excellent sources of information. Also look for articles on new businesses, new products, reorganizations, advancements and growth.
Make an effort to read professional journals related to your trade or profession to identify key sources of employment, contacts and changes in your field. Any change could become an opportunity for you. If someone gets a promotion or a new product is released, this information may prompt you to call that person to congratulate them or that division to ask if you can offer your expertise; it is also an opportunity to network, communicate and schedule a meeting.
Placement services
Many employer companies advertise their job openings with local universities and community colleges, hoping to attract not only new graduate students, but also alumni with extensive employment experience.
Annual Financial and Disclosure Reports
Public companies whose shares are traded on the stock market are required by law to publish and make available, free of charge, their annual financial and disclosure reports. These are excellent sources of information on capital, corporate philosophy, current priorities, long-term contracts, trading volume and corporate growth.