Wendy Taylor outlinees eight sources of information that can help you identify employers and industries enjoying a growth spurt.
Most job seekers don't do enough research, says James Darling, the managing director of human resources firm DBM.
"They see research as a chore rather than seeing it as creating opportunities," Darling says.
By researching organisations, job seekers can find employers that are experiencing high growth and, therefore, staff shortages, he says. Such organisations are reluctant to advertise because they are too busy or too daunted at the prospect of spending hours fielding phone calls and sifting through hundreds of resumes.
Darling advises job seekers undertaking their own research to start by gathering industry information. "Look broadly at what's happening in your industry, and this will point you to opportunities," he says. "There are lots of clues that people miss."
Regardless of the industry, if it's experiencing growth or a boom, there will be many associated industries that will also benefit from this growth, he says. And annual reports, which often provide lists of main suppliers, can be a good starting point when looking for companies to target.
Here are eight more sources that will kick-start your research and uncover potential employers.
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (acci.asn.au)The peak council of Australian business associations is a good starting point. Links to industry associations and state industry bodies can be found here.
The Business Channel (business .channel.vic.gov.au)Brief overviews of 496 industries, from meat processing to money market dealings, mattress manufacturing to nursing homes, can be found at this site. The number of people employed in the industry, the number of enterprises in the sector, the biggest supplier and customer industries and whether it is in "growth" or "decline" or "mature" mode is also provided. Includes links to detailed reports by business intelligence firm IbisWorld, which can be downloaded for $49. Also see www.ibisworld.com.au
AusIndustry (ausindustry.gov.au)Along with outlining government assistance available to Australian business, this site lists Australian businesses that have received grants and have achieved success as a result of such support. Click on "success stories" for business profiles.
International business rankings, 2003
This guide, published this year by Express Information at the State Library of Victoria, lists articles on the biggest, fastest-growing, most profitable or most productive companies or brands in a diverse range of industries. The publication contains brief extracts of articles published in more than 50 business and trade magazines that rank businesses and services in Australia and overseas. It can be viewed at the State Library of NSW and is also available in some university and local libraries.
Trademark and TradewatchAustrade, the government body charged with supporting Australian businesses to export more products and services, has a target of doubling the number of Australian exporters by 2006. As a result, it's actively promoting success stories to inspire other companies. Almost 300 success stories businesses likely to be enjoying a growth spurt are profiled in its e-newsletter Trademark at www.austrade.gov.au (click on "media centre", then "success stories"). Similarly, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's website lists Australian companies that have won overseas contracts or have expanded into overseas markets, at tradewatch.dfat.gov.au
Professional and trade publicationsStories, profiles and advertisements in industry, trade and professional association newsletters and magazines can also provide leads, and it's often possible to subscribe without taking out membership. Check the Yellow Pages under "Organisations business and professional".
Directories Most professions produce a directory of members that specify interest areas and contact details. The Australian edition of Kompass, a directory of products and services, provides details on thousands of Australian companies, including address, type of products and services, website details, and number of employees. Kompass also provides product and contact information for 1.8 million companies worldwide. Reports can be downloaded for a fee at www.kompass.com . Hard copies can be found at some libraries.
Newspaper and magazine archives onlineMost newspapers and magazines archive articles on websites and allow readers to search, view, download and print articles for a small fee.
