When starting job hunting, ``industry research’’ is as important as self-analysis. There are countless industries in the world that you don’t know about, and by broadening your horizons, you increase your chances of finding an unexpected calling. However, many job hunters are worried that they don’t know where to start their research. In this article, we will introduce efficient and in-depth industry research methods and recommended sources of information.
Three steps of industry research
It is no good to suddenly investigate a single company deeply. Let’s increase the resolution step by step, like looking at the forest first and then looking at the trees.
Step 1: Grasp the “big picture” broadly and shallowly
Understand what kinds of industries exist in the world (manufacturers, trading companies, finance, IT, services, etc.) and roughly understand their business models (what they sell to whom to make profits).
Step 2: Know the “present and future” of the industry you are interested in
Pick up a few industries that interest you, and research trends in market size, future challenges, and the latest trends (AI implementation status, overseas expansion, etc.). This is an important step in determining whether an industry is growing or in decline.
Step 3: Compare “position (share)” within the industry
Even within the same industry, companies have completely different strengths and corporate cultures. The working styles and the human resources required are different between the No. 1 Gulliver company in the industry'' and the top niche company that is growing its market share with unique technology.''
Recommended information sources (tools)
Use the following tools to efficiently conduct your industry research.
1. “Company quarterly report industry map” (Toyo Keizai Inc.)
It is the bible of industry research. The main players in each industry, their correlation diagrams (capital relationships, alliances, etc.), market size, and future forecasts are illustrated in a spread, making it ideal for steps 1 and 2. You can browse through it first, so let’s take a quick look at the whole picture.
2. Industry explanation page of employment information site (Mynavi, Rikunavi, etc.)
Each site has content that summarizes the current situation and topics of each industry in an easy-to-understand manner for job hunters. Very useful for adding basic knowledge.
3. Nihon Keizai Shimbun/NewsPicks (news media)
The best way to know what’s going on in the industry is to be exposed to daily news. Once you have decided on your desired industry, register keywords related to that industry and follow the latest trends. It can also be used to prepare for the question ``What news have you been interested in recently?’’ in an interview.
4. Company IR information (information for investors)
This will be useful when comparing companies in step 3. The ``Financial Results Briefing Materials’’ on the company’s website contain illustrated and easy-to-understand explanations of future business strategies and issues, and are actually the best company research tool for job hunters.
Summary
Industry research is more than just memorization work; it is a compass for determining which arena you want to compete in. By combining not only information on the internet but also “primary information” such as visits to alumni and internships, you should be able to get a deeper and more realistic picture of the industry. Don’t be picky or picky, try looking at various industries with as broad a perspective as possible at first.