How to Research Any Job Market

by: Joy Akinlolu

A lot of job seekers today just jump on the queue, without prior knowledge about the company or market they are applying to. What happens after? They end up more disappointed and frustrated.

Only those who understand how to stand out can get the job. More so, remember no one will recruit a liability not even to talk of a novice. Never worry you are about to be exploded!

So let roll!

In carrying out your job search, you need to have several kinds of information at your disposal. You will need to research industry trends, details about the particular company you are or will be applying to, even details about the human resources manager. What I am saying is that, assuming you are applying to bank now, which common today, you first like to know about what is happening in industry which is BANKING, ok! Then later you will move to the particular bank you are applying to and the type of HR manager they have.

Cleared? Fine, let's ride on.

While carrying out these research put in mind the following questions so that it can serve as a guide during your search. They are;

What is it about this industry do I need to know so that I can ask and answer questions intelligently?

where can I get information about them?

What type of information am I looking for?

What do I need to know about the HR manager that will help me to write a better application letter and also be able to answer questions more confidently during the interview?

Remember carrying out a research is not like eating your best food, and that is why many job seekers shy away from it. If you consider the rate at which people are employed through a newspaper advert. You will found out that only a few find their job via these means.

Once you can research the market properly, then you will have a better idea of what you going in for. More importantly you will be able to tailor your CV and application letter more effectively due to the level of information you have at your disposal.

Now, How to carry out the research!

As you start off, researching the company trends, what you will be looking for are:

The main growth area.

The main players in the market.

The main challenges and problems facing the industry.

Now you know what you will look for, and then make a visit to the nearest university library or any other well equipped library around you search for their reference guide on your chosen industry trends. If this do not work then you go on-line and make your search on the common search engines, this does not take much time to find out.

Now next step is for you to narrow down your search to some specific companies which you are aiming for in your job search. While doing this, keep in mind these key facts about each of these organizations. These can be categorizing into six, they are;

Strong and weak point.

Major challenges.

Organizational structure.

Organizational culture.

Company size like: number of staff, profit, market share, profit, etc.

Main competitors.

To make the search easier for you, get hold of the companies report, or as I said earlier go online and get your hand on this information.

If this do not work find a means of speaking to their employees about what it is like working for that particular company, ask them about their competitors, strength and weakness, every other thing you deemed fit.

Now we are done with the company, let's move further to your specific job.

In doing this effectively you will need to know the following things;

What will be your task and responsibilities

What is the required qualification?

The typical salary job

What are their human resources like?

Laying your hand on a thing like this will make you better prepared with your CV and most importantly the interview.

WARNING

If you do not do your research so well, the company may say or do something that will as been ignorant of their business, which may ruin your opportunity of been taken. But if you do it will you will increase your chances by 100%.

For you to do it right it is better you have a file for all this research so that you can keep a track of those information it can be of help during your interview.

ACTION PLAN QUESTIONS

1. Why do you need to research your Job market?

2. How do I carry out the search?

3. What do I need to know about my chosen company?

4. What questions do I need answered as regard the Job I am looking for?