Reach out to amp up your job search

Need to amp up your job search? The Business Finder can help you find potential employers. It searches a database of more than 12 million businesses in all 50 states and US territories. You can use the contact information to research businesses and learn about current openings.

What does the Business Finder do?

You can enter the name of an industry to see businesses in your location that do work related to that industry. Or you can enter a job title to see businesses near you that typically hire workers in that field. You can also search using a company’s name.

Once you enter your search terms and location, you’ll see a list of companies including company name, street address, approximate number of employees, and distance from your location. You can find more details such as phone number, website (where available), year established, key contact and their job title, by selecting the company name.

Next, some basic employer research will help you shape your job search to companies that are more likely to fit your preferences.

How can it help my job search?

Although not all of the businesses you identify will be hiring, your list can help you focus your search on the specific types of organizations, and particular companies you want to work for. Use the information to:

• Find employers in your chosen location. Do you use public transportation? Want to find work near your children’s school or day care? Or just prefer a shorter commute? Finding employment in the location you prefer can save time, energy, fuel, and potentially, stress.
  
  On the Business Finder, by using a ZIP code in the location field, you’ll be able to see the distance of each company from that ZIP code location. Then sort your results by Distance, “Low to High,” to show your closest companies first. A thumbnail map also appears on the detailed business description.
  
• Focus on companies of a specific size. Smaller companies tend to offer jobs with greater variety and may be more inclined to value the experience of older workers. Relationships are emphasized more in smaller organizations since there tends to be greater interdependence than at larger organizations.
  
  Larger companies may offer better benefits and salary increases or advancement opportunities than smaller companies. They also tend to value the skills, eagerness for training, and flexibility that younger workers may bring. The Business Finder displays approximate number of employees at each company, and you can filter your list to show just the businesses of the size range you prefer.
   
• Explore company websites. Once you’ve filtered and sorted your list of businesses, you can start checking out company websites for those companies still in your list.
  
  • Look for their current job listings under a heading such as “careers”, “openings”, “join our team”, or similar. You may find active job postings that look like a great fit; but if not, you still have an opportunity to explore whether you want to create a possible future there.
  • Read their “about us” section to learn their mission, history, organizational values, and more. This is where you may start to discern whether the company might be a good fit for you. Can you see yourself thriving in the environment you see there?
  • Their main content will likely feature their key products, services, and major projects, which will give you a clear idea of their current priorities. Do these fit your career goals? Do they generate excitement and enthusiasm or put you to sleep? Does the level of growth and activity inspire your confidence in their leadership or raise questions?
  • Be sure to check out any media references they include and social media sites they maintain, such as blogs or published articles written about them. All of this will be useful background material to refer to if you decide to email or call them to explore working for the company.
    
• Reach out. Using the contact information from your Business Finder results, or from the company website, identify a contact to email or call to discuss job prospects. A good place to start is by writing a targeted job search email. In the email, show your interest in the organization and your knowledge of them. And describe your qualifications that make you a good fit for their needs.
  
  Be sure to attach your resume and describe how you will follow up with them. It can be helpful to set a goal of a specific number of employers you will reach out to, and track the dates you initiate contact so that you can manage your follow up communications effectively.