Why research

• To develop a thorough understanding of the career options available and ensure that you make an informed choice about your career path.
• To find out what skills and experience employers are looking for. What are the entry requirements? Do they expect you to have relevant work experience? Is further study needed?
• To understand the mode of recruitment. Do they operate graduate schemes, internships or do they recruit for direct entry?
• To help you refine your job search. Firing off hundreds of applications across numerous sectors is not a recommended approach to job search. Try sending a few well researched targeted applications instead.

How to research

Employers expect you to understand the role, their business and the environment in which they operate. They will ask you specific questions about these, so make sure you are prepared.

Research the employer - organisational structure, values and vision, strategies and goals. Read annual reports, investor reports, news articles not just information available on the company website.

• Attend job sector events, careers fairs and presentations
• MarketLine Advantage - is a easy to use database to search for company or job sector information
• Business databases eg Factiva, Fame, Mintel and more
• Employer visit reports - written by Warwick careers consultants after visiting employers
• Graduate employer directories eg The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers , Inside Careers and Prospects
• List of companies that may accept a 2.2 degree
• Careers & Skills library (Learning Grid) - has reference books about employers and job sectors, 3 day loans are available in the main library.To search for books use the library catalogue

Research the environment - competitors, economic conditions, political issues and regulatory issues that may affect the business.

• Follow the news on sector related websites, blogs, magazines. You can search for past news items through Factiva and MarketLine Advantage
• Use professional bodies, trading unions and magazines for specific sectors - check job sectors

Research the role - typical activities, skills required, training, team size, related roles, realistic progression. Read the website but also:

• Read the job sector pages.
• View filmed career stories on iCould; Career player.
• Network with Warwick graduates at careers events - what's on (eg fairs, employer presentations, job sector events).
• Join professional networks eg LinkedIN

External links

• Debut - mobile student graduate careers platform with vacancies, games & information
• Inside Buzz - inside look at jobs, companies and interviews
• Glassdoor - company information, jobs and interview feedback
• Prospects: job sectors
• Rocketnews: jobs - current news and jobs digest
• TARGETJobs GET jobs directory
• TheJobCrowd - graduate careers advice, job reviews
• The Gateway - easy to understand information on commercial awareness
• The Sunday Times 100 best companies to work for - includes 100 best companies, 100 best small companies, 25 best big companies and 100 best not for profit organisations
• The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers