The way to get hired by an organization or school district is to prove to them that you’re the right "fit."  You won't be able to do this unless you know something about the organization or at least their field of endeavor. 

If you’re looking for a teaching position, think: do you know the school's philosophical approach to the teaching of language, or math? 

If you are looking for a position in manufacturing, do you know anything about the company's research and development efforts? 

If you want to work in marketing, who are the organization's major competitors? 

Do your research!  Here are a couple of suggestions for keeping on top of what is happening in the world of work.

A.    If you’re looking for a teaching position, keep alphabetized files from the local papers on school districts in which you’re interested (e.g., Acton, Bow, Concord, Derry, etc.).  Know your district before applying!

B.    Databases maintained in the Danforth Library at NEC, and your local public library, can be used to find articles related to the labor market.  Ask a librarian to help you – that’s their job!  Libraries will also keep hardcopy magazines related to the local economy (for New Hampshire, Business New Hampshire magazine comes to mind.)

C.    Websites covering career issues in general, as well as websites of professional organizations in any given field can be used to gather the most current information.  CLP has compiled a list of helpful websites on the NEC page that will get you started:

http://www.nec.edu/academics/pathways/career-services/weblinks-to-career-resources 

D.      Use your informational network (see tips below) to find out about career issues in the field.  Ask people in your network for contacts in your career area of interest in order to find out more about what is really going on there.   

You don’t have to write a doctoral dissertation on a particular career field.  But the point is this: if you’re going to write and talk to people in order to get a job, you have to know about the subject.  You have to know about the career field you plan to enter.  You have to be able to think and talk about it.  Get interested!  Do your research!