IDEA: Use job search engine databases to find more than job openings.

Use job search databases to find more than just jobs.  There are a number of job search websites that one can use to find open positions. Indeed, Career-builder and Monster are just a few. These databases have a wealth of information not only for job seekers but for managers also.  Try a few of these ideas to look for more than just open jobs.

Search for more than jobs:

• Machine Types: Enter the brand of machines that your firm has and find out which companies own these brands. Many job descriptions list the equipment for which they are looking for experienced operators. Once you locate companies with the same equipment you have, call their maintenance departments to see where they buy parts and labor or if you are a maintenance company, see if they need someone to repair their machines (brands you know).
• Combined Service Calls: Once you know other equipment owners, negotiate lower, out of town service, call costs (combined calls).
• Competitors: Enter keywords for the type of products, processes and services your firm offers and find out who else offers those services.  This helps your firm research the competition to see why they are succeeding or not.
• Zip Code Searches: Enter any search term you wish in zip codes in other areas of the country in order to find out market research, potential competitors, potential acquisitions, etc.
• Industry Hiring Trends: Enter your competitors’ names and see who they are hiring, possibly how much they pay their staff, where they are located, job descriptions of their openings, the types of equipment they own, repair and operate.
• Automatic Notifications: Set up various searches to be automatically emailed to your marketing department in order to be notified of new openings at competitors, new machine owners, hiring trends.   Enter your company email any number of times with numerous variations to be notified daily on changes in the job search database, (i.e. Indeed.com).