3. Research the Market

Finding a job needs a strategy. When you are competing in a difficult market, this is what will set you apart. 

Now that your career assets are in order, the next step is understanding the market. Good research keeps you focused and saves hours of scattershot applications.

It also arms you with data for smarter salary talks later.

This guide shows you how to explore industries, companies, and roles before you apply.

Track Industry and Role Trends

Start with the big picture.

Check where demand is growing and where it’s shrinking.

• Scan professional reports, industry newsletters, and LinkedIn insights.
• Watch job boards for patterns in hiring volume and key skills.
• Note technologies or practices that keep showing up.

Aim to find areas with steady or rising demand.

This helps you target roles that will still be relevant in a few years.

Identify Your Target Roles

Use your skills and goals to narrow the field.

• List the job titles that match your strengths and interests.
• Compare their descriptions to confirm fit.
• Look for common requirements: education, certifications, or years of experience.

A focused list of roles stops you chasing every opportunity and sharpens your CV.

Pinpoint Companies That Fit Your Values

If you don’t know your personal values, here’s an exercise that will help you think about them. 

The right company matters as much as the right role.

• Research company culture on sites like Glassdoor and Indeed reviews.
• Check financial health and growth plans in press releases or annual reports.
• Read employee stories on LinkedIn or other networks.

Think about size, structure, and culture. A high-growth start-up feels very different from a long-established multinational.

Build a Target List

Pull everything into a simple spreadsheet or notes app:

• List 20–30 companies you’d like to work for
• Links to career pages and hiring contacts
• Quick notes on culture, growth, and locations

Prioritise them by choosing the top five for immediate action, the rest as a warm pipeline.

Research Pay and Benefits

Salary talks go better when you know the market rate.

• Use resources like Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, or local salary surveys.
• Look at total compensation, including bonuses, stock options, and perks.
• Factor in cost of living if relocation is possible.

Keep a private record of pay ranges for each target role.

This will guide your negotiation later.

Understand Hiring Patterns

Some companies hire in cycles or align with fiscal years.

Notice when your target firms post more roles.

• Tech companies may ramp up after budget approval in Q1.
• Retail often hires ahead of seasonal peaks.
• Universities and NGOs may recruit in line with academic years.

Timing applications to these cycles can speed up responses.

Use Your Network for Inside Insight

Friends, ex-colleagues, and professional groups can provide context no website shows.

• Ask about real working conditions and unwritten expectations.
• Learn how the company handles promotions, reviews, and pay.
• Check if there’s an internal referral programme.

Even one insider chat can reveal deal-breakers or hidden opportunities.

Monitor News and Signals

Stay alert for changes that might create openings.

• Funding announcements or new product launches
• Executive hires or leadership changes
• Expansion into new regions or services

These events often mean fresh hiring needs before roles appear online.

Organise What You Find

Keep research easy to update.

• A spreadsheet with tabs for companies, roles, and salary data
• A simple project board in tools like Trello or Notion (if you use them)
• Short notes in a phone app if you prefer minimal/portable systems

The key is quick access when you start tailoring applications.

Set aside one focused hour for this:

1. Pick your top three industries or role types.
2. Find five target companies in each.
3. Add links, contacts, and salary notes to your tracker.

You now have a working market map to guide every next step.

• Market research prevents wasted applications and improves negotiation power.
• A well-organised target list keeps your search focused and repeatable.
• Network insights reveal what job ads don’t show.
• Ongoing monitoring catches opportunities early.

With your market research done, you’ll move into applications with direction and confidence.