Too often job seekers think ‘background research’ means
doing some internet surfing the night before an interview,
but there is much more to it than that. Doing your homework
is an essential part of effective job seeking.
Information gathering
Background research is about gathering the latest facts and
figures related to your future career. Equipping yourself with
this valuable information will improve your application and
interview performance and enable you to make better career
choices. Areas to research include:
c
P Recent history and likely direction of relevant industry/
sectors
c
P Major players in the industry and how they compare
c
P Graduate recruitment details of potential employers (such
as, how many graduates do they take on, how do they
recruit etc)
c
P High-demand or growth areas in the graduate job market
c
P Leaders in the field and people you could contact for
advice and mentoring
c
P Industry or professional events and conferences
c
P Career path options
Sources
Part of the research process is finding the right information
resources. Below are some commonly used sources:
ToP 3 Ways GRaduaTEs Who FouNd
c
P Newspapers (many have pages devoted to specific
EMPloyMENT FIRsT hEaRd abouT ThEIR
industries/sectors on particular days of the week)
EMPloyMENT
c
P Reputable journals/magazines in your industry or
-- Graduate Destinations 2007, GCA
profession
c
P University departments, faculties and alumni offices
18
%
16
%
c
P Professional associations and industry bodies
InTERnET UnIvERSITY SoURCES