CDC RESOURCE GUIDES
Company & Industry
Research Guide
Career Development Centre
Schulich School of Business
Richard E. Waugh Suite, N202
York University, 4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M3J 1P3
Tel: 416 736 5080
Fax: 416 650 4915
Email: recruit@schulich.yorku.ca
Web: www.schulich.yorku.ca/careerportal
Career Development Centre – Resource Guides
WHY RESEARCH?
Knowing how to effectively identify and research your career interests, potential employers, industries and markets,
economic and technological trends, company insiders and executives - is essential for networking, tailoring your resume,
preparing for interviews, and excelling in your job and career.
WHAT TO RESEARCH?
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Companies
Industry, market/s, regulatory & political climate >
Competitors/ threats/ rankings
Activities - products &/or services
Size - sales, capitalization, no. of employees
Geographic reach - local/national/global
Mission statement, slogan/s, marketing strategies
Short & long term, specific & general goals
History, achievements, unique distinctions
Stakeholders - customers, suppliers, other
Business structure, subsidiaries, holdings
Financials - value, current health & forecasts
Culture, social involvement, sustainability programs
Departments/service units/processes/flow >
Existing positions, opportunities and expectations >
Remuneration, benefits, hours/work-life balance
Executives, decision makers, insiders
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Industries & Markets
Data/ Statistics
Economic forecasts
Technology
Competitiveness
Regulations
Political climate
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Job Functions
Description
Education
Skills
Experience
Department/Unit info
(see ‘Companies’)
WHERE TO RESEARCH?
Schulich
 CDC Career Portal - access to upcoming corporate information & networking events;industry/function links to
associations, regulations, top employers, job boards, and more; and VAULT & WetFeet guides.
 The Peter F. Bronfman Business Library (S237) - business databases, reference collections and periodicals; collections
of Canadian federal, provincial, municipal and foreign government documents as well as publications from
international organizations. See Research Resources section below.
Online
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Company Websites - corporate history, news releases, annual reports, and career information.
Internet Search - including social utilities/groups/forums with updated content from customers, employees, insiders,
etc., which you can join to make additional enquiries, network, and obtain leads.
Business Databases/Directories - geographic, industry, market, financial information and data/statics, as well as
products or services, number of employees, principal executives, and location(s).
Annual Reports - outline the organization's successes, growth, history, goals, and financial status.
Publications - articles and reports in business and trade publications and business sections of local and national
papers and magazines. Online versions often contain searchable archives.
Public Documents - Government and quasi-government organizations records accessible to the public.
Job Boards - on corporate as well as public websites (i.e. www.monster.ca and www.workopolis.com).
Networking
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Alumni - The Schulich Mentorship Program matches Schulich alumni and current students according to industry
and/or function interest. Contact Schulich Development & Alumni Relations (W362) to register.
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Career Development Centre – Resource Guides
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Fellow Professionals - provide "word-of-mouth" and “insider” information, and make referrals.
Trade & Industry Associations - membership directories, publications, regulatory information, networking and
professional development events. Most offer low cost, full service student memberships.
Competitors - offer insight about the inner workings, strengths and weaknesses of their rivals.
Online - LinkedIn - leading business networking site globally. Others exist by industry/location/function.
Research Resources
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Peter F. Bronfman Business Library (S237), Schulich School of Business
Resources are available in hard copy and/or via the web (including remote access).
Help with Research (http://www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/BG/guides/researchhelp.htm)
o Begin here to familiarize yourself with the library’s resources and procedures
Key Business Databases (http://www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/BG/guides/keybusiness.htm)
o Canadian-specific, U.S., and International
o Company, Industry, and Market Information sections
o Economic Forecasts and Country Information
o Start with: Mergent and Factiva
Company Research (http://www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/BG/guides/companyresearch.htm)
o Canadian Regional, Canada, U.S., and International
o Directories, Rankings, and Career Resources
o Business Articles and Competitive Environment
o Start with: Dun & Bradstreet Canadian Key Business Directory
Industry Research (http://www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/BG/guides/industryresearch.htm)
o Industrial Classification Codes
o Industry Trends and Analysis, Financial Performance, Statistics, and Regulatory Environment
o Start with: Associations Canada (also great for networking)
Market Share and Rankings (http://www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/BG/assignments/marketshare.htm)
o Start with: Global Market Information Database (GMID)
Public Online Resources
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Service Canada Labour Market Information - job descriptions, company searches, and industry profiles.
Human Resources and Social Development Canada - employment outlook for industries and careers.
Job Futures - overviews of the Canadian labour market and general economic trends, occupational groups and
post-secondary fields of study; current and future labour market conditions; and prospects for finding work.
Statistics Canada Market Research Handbook - population, labour, income, business, industry and trade statistics.
Industry Canada
Industry and Trade Statistics - Canadian industry sectors, ecommerce, and international trade.
Industrial Sectors - analysis, statistics, contacts, news, events, financing, and regulatory information.
Canadian Company Capabilities (CCC) - comprehensive information on 60 000 companies.
Canadian Importers Database (CID) - by product, city, and country.
International Market Research Reports (IMRR) - market insights and potential opportunities in export markets.
Canadian Information Centre for Int’l Credentials - lists Canadian and regional professional organizations.
Chamber Navigator - links to over 1300 chambers of commerce worldwide.
Monster.ca Employer Profiles - links to career sections of some of Monster.ca’s most active employers.
Canadian Business, Financial Post Magazine, and Report on Business annual Canadian rankings.
Financial Times, Forbes, Fortune, and Far East Economic Review annual
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