Job Search Skills Workshop Series:Researching Employers

Bentley Library (Fall 2008)

Library online resources

All Library online resources mentioned in this presentation can be accessed from the Databases A - Z button at http://library.bentley.edu

Library resources can be accessed off-campus with your network (active directory) username & password.

Finding Target Companies.What kind of company do you want to work

for?Examples of Criteria you can search by to compile lists

IndustryGeographic LocationPublic/Private/Nonprofit Status (Fortune 1000) Established Firm/Start up Local, National or International in scope, etc.

Identify your industry using the SIC or NAICS Codes

Some of the library’s databases will allow you to use SIC or NAICS codes to create listings of companies operating in your industry

SIC Codes NAICS Codes Coding system originally developed in the 1930's. Used to gather and classify information on U.S. businesses. SIC codes are 4 digits.

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) replaced SIC in 1997 Developed in response to the growth of the service sector and new technologies. Added 358 new industries. Developed with Canada and Mexico and provides for comparable statistics among the North American countries. NAICS Codes are 6 digitsW

hat a

re th

ey?

How to find them.Start at the economic Census’ site

http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html Search using keywords to find the NAICS (2002)

codes for your industry(ies). 541211 -- Offices of Certified Public Accountants 541200 -- Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping,

and Payroll ServicesBusiness directories & company profiles usually

provide the primary and secondary codes for each company.

Target Company ListYou can use SIC/NAICS codes or industry

keywords in combination with other criteria to compile listings of potential targets in all of the following Library databases:Dun & Bradstreet’s Million $ directory.ReferenceUSAInternational Businesses (OneSource)

Researching a CompanyResearching prospective employers is a vital

step in the job search process.Being able to converse intelligently about the

company you are interviewing with will create a favorable impression in the interview situation.

Types of Information to ResearchCompetitive landscapePotential new and

already existing products and services

Trends and issues in the industry

Current news storiesFinancial health of the

organization

Company’s status (public, private or non profit)

Size and structure of the organization

Headquarters and branch locations

Career opportunitiesType of training

programs

Places to find informationInternet

Company’s WebsiteLibrary Resources

Company profiles/reportsAnalysts’ reportsIndustry reportsCurrent news

Start with the Company’s WebsiteUse the information found on the

company’s website to benchmark data found elsewhere.

Take note of:Press releases/company fact

sheet/backgrounderCorporate biosWhite Papers (Industry or product overviews)Customers, customer case studies and advisory

boardNonprofit initiatives (Charitable giving and/or

foundation)Industry awards and recognitionIndependent Analyst ReportsIf your company is public and the annual report is not on

posted on its website, check the Library’s Thomson Research database or search Edgar from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov)

Continue your research in the…Library’s online databases:Company histories & company profilesCurrent news Annual reports, SEC filings, financial

statementsIndustry overviews, trends & projections

Company Profiles/ReportsBusiness & Company Resource Center

(Infotrac)Business Source Premier (EBSCO)

Datamonitor Industry Profiles

Standard & Poors Net AdvantageFactivaPlunkett’s Research Online

Industry ReportsBusiness & Company Resource Center

(InfoTrac)Business Source Premier (EBSCO)

Datamonitor Industry Profiles

Plunkett’s Research OnlineStandard & Poor’s Net AdvantageValue Line Investment Survey

Standard & Poor’s Net Advantage

Standard & Poor’s doesn’t have an industry survey for accountancy, so I switched industries just to show an outline of what these reports contain.

Searching the Business & Trade Press for current news articles is “The Finishing Touch”

Magazines, Journals, Trade Publications and Newspapers are additional sources that should be consulted when researching an employer.

Places to search are…ABI Inform Global & the Wall Street Journal

(ProQuest)Business & Company Resource Center

(Infotrac) Business Source Premier (EBSCO)FactivaLexis Nexis

Searching in Proquest

ProQuest search results

All Library online resources are available by clicking on the “Databases A-Z” button at http://library.bentley.edu

Library resources can be accessed off-campus with your network (active directory) username & password.

Clicking “Research Help” above will get you

to the online and professional research help

below.

Remember!Reference Librarians are available to

help you with your research.

Visit us at the Reference Desk

Call us at 781-891-2300

E-mail us at RefDesk@bentley.edu

Chat with us at bentleyrefdesk