The document provides guidance on researching careers, including why research is important, how to conduct effective searches using Boolean operators, and resources for researching job functions, industries, companies, and people. It emphasizes the importance of networking and informational interviews in the research process and provides tips on maintaining professional connections.

1. Research for Careers
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2. Why Research?
• Choosing a major
• Target companies
– Expanding list
• Don’t apply for the same jobs as everyone else
– Networking
• ―Can you help me find anything in finance?‖ vs.
• ―I’m interested in alternative investments at Citi,
Highbridge, or Silver Point Capital.‖
• Interview prep research
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3. Research Basics: Boolean
• Exact phrase: use quotation marks
• Combination of exact phrases: quotation marks and space or
AND:
– ―Fordham University‖ AND ―market research‖ will find
items with both phrases
• Expanded search, use OR:
– ―recruiter‖ OR ―talent manager‖ OR ―executive search‖
• Combination of OR and AND, use parenthesis:
– (―recruiter‖ OR ―talent manager‖) (―publishing‖ OR
magazines‖)
• To remove a phrase, use ―-‖
• Xray search of specific sites: intitle: inurl: site:
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4. Job Function Research
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• O*Net (onetonline.org)
• LinkedIn
• Books and articles
• Specialty websites:
– Efinancialcareers.com
• Networking
• Reading job descriptions
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5. Finding Job Boards
• http://airstraining.com/training/directories_j
obboards.guid
• Vetting job boards:
– www.alexa.com
– www.quantcast.com
• Yahoo Directory: search.yahoo.com/dir
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6. Keywords Research
• Get job descriptions from CareerLink,
GabelliConnect Now Hiring, Indeed,
Simplyhired
• Copy/paste into Wordle.net to get a word
cloud
• Use keywords in resume, LinkedIn, and
search terms
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7. Industry Research
• Professional associations
– Websites
• List at GabelliConnect.com under Careers—Career Search
Handbook—Research
• Examples: American Assn of Advertising Agencies;
Chartered Alternative Investments Assn
– Meetings and events
• LinkedIn groups
• Industry publications, journals, blogs
• Industry-specific research sites
• Example: National Center for Charitable
Statistics
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8. Industry Research: Current Events
• Wall Street Journal
• Financial Times
• Industry Publications
• Marketplace on NPR
• Nightly Business Report on PBS
• Google Alerts
• Understanding changes in industry, news,
government regulations
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9. Where are the Jobs?
• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• National Association of Colleges and
Employers
• Collegiate Employment Research Institute
• NYS Department of Labor
• O*Net
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10. Where are the jobs?
• Oil and gas
• Accounting
• Information services
• Consulting
• Pharmaceuticals
• Utilities
• Retail
• Marketing research
• Arts & Entertainment
• Healthcare
• Transportation
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11. Where are the jobs?
• sales representatives,
• accountants/auditors,
• general and operations managers,
• cost estimators,
• database administrators,
• marketing research/specialists,
• meeting planners,
• personal financial advisors,
• software developers.
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12. Company Research:
What to Research?
• Size of company (number of employees)
• Products, services
• CEO and leadership
• History
• Culture
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13. Company Research: Essentials
• Company website
• Annual reports
• ―About us‖
• Financials, 10Q or 990
• On-campus presentations and job fairs
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14. Company Research: Going Further
• Hoovers.com (through Fordham library)
• LexisNexis, ThomasNet (through Fordham library)
• Vault.com (free access via GabelliConnect)
• Wall Street Journal etc.
• Industry research websites
– Examples: National Center for Charitable Statistics,
Guidestar.org
– Tax returns
• Glassdoor.com
• LinkedIn
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15. International Company Research
• LinkedIn search under ―country‖
• Hoovers
• Chambers of Commerce
• Office of the Mayor Commission for the
United Nations directory of international
businesses:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/unccp/html/busine
ss_directory/business_directory.shtml
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16. Researching People
• LinkedIn
– Advanced search
– X-Ray Search:
Google site:linkedin.com
– Boolean search
• Alumni directory
– On 4th floor of Hughes, in Career Services and in Library
(soon going online)
• Bloomberg terminal
• Blogs (commenting)
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17. Networking “Rules”
• It’s not about you.
– It’s about those who came before you and
those who will come after you.
• Be a ―go-giver‖
– Be grateful
– How can you help the other person?
– Show up on time, be prepared, say thanks
• It’s not about getting a job.
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18. Why do networking?
• ―Insider‖ research on
– company culture
– industry trends
– Professions/ job functions
• Insight into your job search strategy
• Motivation/mentoring
• Referral
– To new people
– To jobs Gabelli School of Business

19. Expanding Network: LinkedIn
• Advanced search
• Outreach message
• Follow-up message
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20. Informational Interview
• Research
• Referrals
• Read/Revise Resume
• Referrals
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21. Thank-you message
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22. Staying in touch
• Frequency
• Message
– Updates on your professional life
– Thanks/updates on referrals
– Current events
– Relevant articles and resources
– Introductions
– Requests for new referrals
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23. Using contacts for job search
• Reach out to inner circle
• Inform of your search
– Specifics matter:
―Looking for anything in finance, I’m flexible‖
vs.
―Seeking a commodities trading role in NYC at
one of the following firms: …., though I am
flexible and also open to sales…‖
• Make the ask; THANK YOU’S
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24. Prioritizing Your List
• What is most important to you?
– Number of jobs of relevance; is the company
and industry expanding or shrinking?
– How competitive is it to get the job?
– Culture
– Connections
– Values
– Industry
– Job Function
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