Being well-informed about employers in your field of interest is an important part of preparing for your career! You can research to discover:
- Company information, history, mission, culture, products, locations, etc.
- Position titles, responsibilities, average salaries and typical career paths.
- Industry trends.
Face-to-Face Research Methods
- Conduct informational interviews to learn more about a job title, a career field, an employment sector or an employer.
- Meet employer representatives at career fairs, information meetings, and other Career Center events.
- Review internship and job postings and participate in an internship.
- Join a career-related student organization.
Online Research Methods
- Meet with a Career Center advisor.
- Use Handshake to learn which employers are coming to campus for events and interviews.
- Develop a list of employers you find interesting, then visit their websites. Pay attention to the sections that describe the company's history, values, mission and services.
- Using a specific job title, you can use sites such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, O*NET Online and CA Career Zone to learn more about that job and similar jobs.
- Contact the Chamber of Commerce in your city for information about local and privately owned employers.
- Use LinkedIn and other informational sites to explore job postings and company reviews. Some other sites include:
- Check out professional associations in your field. These organizations often have email lists, job posting sites and publications that are tailored to professionals in their industry.
- Explore which employers have the highest number of entry-level jobs for college graduates.
Research by Employment Sector
- Nonprofit/social impact sector: Visit Idealist for national listings and Impact Foundry for northern California listings.
- Government sector: Visit USAJOBS or CalCareers to review current job postings, attend a “How to Apply” workshop, and learn more about the government hiring process.
- Freelance and independent contracting: Explore freelance sites to see examples of how others market their skills, products and services. Some freelance sites are industry-specific, so do some research to consider which site is best for you.
- The organization Immigrants Rising offers a guide to income options regardless of immigration status.
Remember, an effective job search requires more than just Google. Networking, informational interviewing, in-person visits, and using our on-campus resources can help your job search.