When you decide to look for a new job it can be daunting trying to figure out where to focus your search for the perfect job. Sending out your resume to any company and assuming you’ll find a job immediately is probably pretty unrealistic. Researching the industry and companies you are interested in will help you find the right company to work for, the right position, and prepare you for interviews and other employment meetings. The information can also be used to build stronger and more specific resumes and cover letters and even assist with salary negotiation with the right type of research.
                  

Initially, you must decide on the industry to look into, for some there is no question but for others the position they seek can be utilized in many industries. Reading about opportunities in several different industries will help you to discover which industries are growing, which pay the highest salaries, and which are expected to continue growing. Reviewing several industries will also make you more aware of the type of work you are interested in such as manufacturing industries or service related industries, and whether it is in healthcare, technologies, human resources or many other possibilities. A high-quality behavioral assessment is often a great tool to help you realize what type of environment and industry best suites your natural preferences.  

Once you have narrowed down the industry you can begin to target one or more company to set your sites on. Within your industry review your local and regional business magazines and find out which companies are doing well. Look for other ways to search the industry through internet searches, industry directories, journals, and newspapers. Don’t forget your local library; they often have a wealth of reference materials that are current and available to the public. Your alumni college will have information available and some of the larger universities provide information for the public as well. Several large sites worth checking into include Hoovers.com, OneSource.com, Vault.com and InDeed.com. Many sites have top lists for Fastest Growing Companies, Best to Work For, Largest Revenue and more. These are great ways to find favorable companies worth checking into. 

Once you have spent some time reading about potential companies from several different sources, the same companies should keep resurfacing. It is these companies which you should begin individual searches on. Many of the earlier mentioned resource sites will also provide detailed information on specific companies. Another valuable site is CorporationInformation.com which currently offers information on more than 31,000 public companies in 59 countries. 

Particulars to take notice of when researching companies include; the size of the company, where it’s headquarters is located, if there are subsidiaries, or branches and their locations. You should also look into the companies history, its’ goals, mission statement, current industry standings and future plans. Find out what the size of the company is, whether it is still growing or if its growth has leveled off. Research its main products and services and where their product-lines or services are headed. Conduct an internet search on the company looking for press releases and any current articles on what objective writers have to say about the company. It is also a great way to discover worthy competitors.  

Again, by this time, you should be getting a better understanding of which companies are most appealing to you. When you have narrowed your search down to a few companies look for ways put out the word through your network that you are interested in finding people to talk with who are working at the selected companies. There is a good chance someone will be able to connect you with a current employee. Another alternative to look into are establishing connections through LinkedIn.com. Searching for a contact through your connections is a great way to meet someone working where you want to be. Get connected! Talk with the contacts over the phone, meet them for coffee or lunch and let them know your strengths, skills and experience. Knowing the right people at the right company is a productive way to find out about job openings before they get out to the public. Having an internal reference is an effective way to get noticed.  

Your search may be labor intensive but the outcome will be a job that you are certain is the right fit because you have done the work to make sure. Along the way you’ll learn more about the industry and its’ main players and that can be a real advantage during an interview as well.