The document outlines how to utilize library resources for job searching and interview preparation, featuring key databases like Fame, Factiva, Mintel, and Passport. Each resource provides methods for researching prospective employers, including accessing financial data, company snapshots, and industry insights. Users are encouraged to register for accounts and use these tools effectively to gain a competitive edge in their job search.

1. Using library sources for job searching and interview research
Ellie Murphy (e.murphy@westminster.ac.uk)
Sara Goddard (s.goddard@westminster.ac.uk)
@UniWestLib

2. Before we begin….
– Introduce yourself to the person next to you
– Tell them what industry you’re hoping to go into
– Discuss:
Imagine you have an interview this Friday, what
information on the company would you search for
and where?
@UniWestLib

3. Today’s session….
– Show you how to use company databases to
research prospective employers before that all
important interview
– 5 main resources to help you find that valuable
information to get the edge over competitors
@UniWestLib

4. 1. In Library Search
http://www.westminster.ac.uk/librarysearch
2. Click on the e-resources link (top
right)
3. Select company
information from
‘e-resources by
type’ & click Go
To see the main databases to find company
information….
@UniWestLib

5. FAME: Financial Analysis Made Easy
• Identify UK companies by size / industry / location
• Find contact addresses and information on directors
• See a company’s financial data and peer analysis
1. Search FAME in Library Search ‘books,
journals & more’ and click on the link to open’

6. FAME: Financial Analysis Made Easy
Simple search to find a UK company & view its company report
1. Type the company name in the
search box near the top left of the
screen
2. From the results click on your company
3. Scroll through the company report or choose a
section from the contents on the right
4. Useful sections may be: Key financials (find
out how the company is doing financially);
Directors (links to their LinkedIN if they have
it); Peer report (find out its competitors).

7. FAME: Financial Analysis Made Easy
Identify UK companies by size/ industry/ location
1. Use the search options on the home screen to narrow
down your set of companies by size/industry etc

8. FAME: Financial Analysis Made Easy
Identify UK companies by size/ industry/ location cont….
2. Once you have built up your search using the criteria chosen
you should see all the steps at the bottom of the homepage and
the number of results you will get.
3. Click ‘view list of results’.

9. FAME: Financial Analysis Made Easy
1. Using the previous steps
on the last 2 slides create
a set of companies and
view the results of your
search
2. On the results page from
the contents on the right
hand side click mailing->
new mailing.
3. Follow the mailing wizard
to get an Excel
spreadsheet of the contact
details
Get contact addresses for a set of companies

10. Factiva
1. Access Factiva by typing the name into Library Search and clicking on the
link to open
Be up to date by reading newspaper articles from around the world
2. The default search for newspaper
articles is to search in the top UK
newspapers but you can click on the blue
arrow next to source to change this to
business publications (for example), or
search for a specific publication. Click on
the arrow next to Newspapers: UK (top) to
remove this and so search the whole of
Factiva.
3. Now type search terms
into the big white search box

11. Factiva
Find international company information
1. From the tabs along the top of the page click
companies/markets->company (note you can
also get to industry pages here)
2. Search for your
company & choose it
from the results list
3. This will give you a
company snapshot. Down
the left hand side you
have options to see
financial reports, key
developments and latest
news

12. Mintel
1. Access Mintel by typing the name
into Library Search and clicking on
the link to open
2. Use the ‘category overview’ to
browse by sector or theme.
3. Infographics, analyst insight & latest
news will all provide you with key bits
of useful information quickly
4. Or to explore in depth go to one of
the latest reports
Research the market/industry in the UK, find out issues, strengths,
weaknesses, market shares, who’s innovating etc.

13. Mintel
5. Once on a report
page you can download
summaries of the report
6. Or navigate the whole
report by using the content
tabs
7. You may find the ‘what you
need to know’ sections at the
start of each chapter the
most useful for getting key
information quickly
Note: You can also search Mintel by
company or industry

14. Passport
Research the market/industry globally, find out issues, strengths,
weaknesses, market shares, consumer research etc.
1. Access Passport by typing the name
into Library Search and clicking on
the link to open
2. Browse by industry using the tab
along the top
3. Or do a search by industry or
company to find relevant reports

15. 10 minutes with….
1. Access 10 minutes with by typing the name into Library Search and
clicking on the link to open
2. Register for an account using your Westminster email address
3. Click on interviews to browse the video clips by industry/region etc
View short clips with business leaders to understand different
job roles and the skills they require

16. Any questions….
…get in touch!
Ellie Murphy (e.murphy@westminster.ac.uk)
Sara Goddard (s.goddard@westminster.ac.uk)
@UniWestLib
Remember to use these resources while at
university and you still have access!