1. What is Industry Research
1.1 The Purpose of Industry Research
Industry research is the process of investigating the structure, market size, key players, and prospects of a specific industry. In job hunting, it is a crucial step for finding an industry that aligns with one’s interests and skills, and for gathering information that aids in career development. This article focuses on industry research aimed at increasing the pass rate in job selection processes and explains its specific methodologies.
1.2 Why Industry Research is Important
Industry research is important not only as part of preparation for selection processes but also for the following reasons:
Identifying the Right Industry: Finding an industry that matches one’s values and skills is key to long-term career development. For instance, the infrastructure or financial sector might be suitable for those who prefer stability, while startups or the IT industry may appeal to students eager to try new things.
Clarifying Criteria for Choosing Companies: Understanding the characteristics of each industry helps clarify the criteria for selecting prospective companies. For example, although foreign companies are often considered desirable for those wanting to work in a global environment, many such companies localize their operations, and may not offer as many opportunities to engage globally as expected. Therefore, Japanese companies that are active in international projects and overseas expansion can also be appropriate choices.
Articulating Reasons for Application: Deep knowledge of an industry enables candidates to convey to employers why they are interested in that industry, thereby improving their chances of passing the selection process. For example, one might say, “I am interested in your company’s medical AI venture because it has high social impact and aligns with my research area,” thus providing a compelling reason for application.
2. Before Starting Industry Research
2.1 The Importance of Self-Analysis
Effective industry research begins with a thorough self-analysis, which forms the foundation for understanding oneself deeply. The insights gained from self-analysis play a critical role in selecting the right industry:
Clarifying Interests and Values: It's crucial to identify what interests you and which values you prioritize. For instance, goals like "solving social issues," "wanting to work globally," or "seeking high income" can greatly influence your choice of industry.
Identifying Strengths and Skills: Recognize your strengths, such as "data analysis capability," "team leadership," or "multilingual skills," and find industries where these can be leveraged.
Building a Career Vision: Imagine where you see yourself in 5 or 10 years and consider which industries you should gain experience in to realize that vision. For example, if you aim to work abroad eventually, choosing an industry that operates internationally would be a practical strategy.
2.2 Specific Methodologies for Self-Analysis
A detailed "personal history" from one's upbringing to the present can deepen self-analysis. Creating a personal history helps organize significant life events, educational choices, and career paths chronologically, allowing for an in-depth exploration of pivotal moments and decisions. It's essential to clarify why each decision was made, such as the reasons behind choosing a particular university and faculty, and how these decisions were influenced by personal values and interests. This analysis helps understand how one's interests, values, and strengths were formed and how they will impact future industry choices.
2.3 Preparing for Information Gathering
Once self-analysis is complete, the next step is preparing to gather information for industry research:
Setting Objectives: Be clear about what you want to know during industry research. By narrowing down your focus to areas like "industry growth," "required skills," or "major companies' trends," you can collect information more efficiently.
Choosing Reliable Sources: It's crucial to use trustworthy sources for industry research. Government statistics, industry associations' reports, news media, and corporate websites are valuable. Publications like "Company Seasonal Reports" and "Industry Maps" offer detailed data and analyses, providing invaluable insights into industry structures, inter-company relationships, and financial health.
Utilizing Tools: Enhance your information gathering with tools such as:
Jelper Club: Exchange information with industry professionals and peers aiming for the same industry.
Industry Reports: Utilize documents summarizing industry trends and future prospects.
Social Media: Use platforms to collect posts and opinions from industry insiders.
Generative AI: Use generative AI like ChatGPT to perform trend analysis, future predictions, and market analysis in the industry. While generative AI can quickly process vast amounts of data and summarize complex information into concise reports, it's crucial to use it as a first step to grasp industry overviews and verify the information with more reliable sources afterward.
Identifying and Contacting Industry Experts: Deepening industry research by speaking directly with knowledgeable individuals is highly beneficial. Information obtained through face-to-face interactions often has a freshness and depth not available through other means:
Gaining Insider Information: You can learn unpublished industry inside information and trends directly from active industry figures.
Understanding Nuances: Talking face-to-face allows you to pick up nuances through the other person's expressions, tone, and gestures that might not be captured in written or online information.
3. How to Conduct Industry Research
3.1 Steps for Collecting Information
Efficient industry research should be conducted in stages. Here are the steps to follow:
Overviewing the Industry:
Research basic information such as industry size, growth, and trends.
Examples of resources to use include government and industry association data, news articles, and industry research articles from Jelper Club.
Utilize generative AI to search for the latest industry news, and create reports on trend analysis and growth forecasts. This approach allows for a quick grasp of extensive information.
Listing Key Companies:
Identify influential companies within the industry and understand their characteristics and strengths.
Checking official websites and press releases can reveal the latest developments.
Use generative AI to summarize public information on each company and create content that provides strategic insights. This makes it efficient to compare and analyze company information.
Understanding the Competitive Environment:
Investigate the competitive landscape and barriers to entry in the industry.
The Five Forces analysis, proposed by American economist Michael Porter, is a useful framework for competitive analysis.
Using generative AI can provide deep analysis of competitors' strategies and market barriers, integrating real-time information to generate detailed competitive analysis reports.
Finding the Right Sector for Yourself:
Based on the research, narrow down the fields and job types that match your interests and skills.
Generative AI can be used to align your career profile with industry demands, suggesting suitable job types and career paths.
3.2 Talking to People
Beyond just textual information, talking to people is an essential step in deepening industry research. Especially in face-to-face interactions, you can grasp subtle nuances of industry culture and on-site atmosphere that are not captured in text or online information. This raw information is very useful when effectively presenting your suitability in interviews or group discussions. After having these conversations, you can base your interview discussions on these experiences to concretely demonstrate your industry knowledge to interviewers, which can contribute to an increased pass rate. It is recommended to pursue face-to-face information gathering alongside online and textual information gathering.
Visiting Alumni (Coffee Chats):
Talking directly to industry practitioners can provide insights into the real voice of the field.
Preparing specific questions based on previously researched information and concisely conveying your interests and aspirations can be effective.
Tools like Jelper Club and LinkedIn can be used to find current employees and peers who aspire to the same industry.
Refer to "OB Visit Explained: A Key to Career Success in Japan."
Attending Events and Seminars:
Participating in industry-specific career events and company briefings allows you to learn about the latest industry trends and company initiatives. These events provide opportunities to hear from industry experts and company representatives about the latest information and future outlooks.
Additionally, participating in networking events enables direct interaction with colleagues and industry professionals. As mentioned, interacting face-to-face with industry professionals has the significant advantage of capturing nuances not available through text or online information alone. For example, many working adults from various industries attend Jelper Club's Soirée Tokyo events. It is highly recommended to participate in such events organized by Jelper Club to actively engage in communication through common ties as a member of Jelper Club.
3.3 Creating an Industry Research Notebook
Compile and compare the information gathered in a structured notebook.
Key Points for Recording:
Research targets include industries, companies, and job types, with main sources being reports, interviews, and events.
Observations and notes should record your impressions and any items that require further investigation.
Benefits of Creating a Notebook:
Information is organized, which is helpful during interview preparation and when crafting your motivation statement.
It clarifies your interests and priorities.
Example Format for an Industry Research Notebook:
Industry Overview:
Industry Name: Consumer Electronics
Market Size: Approximately 15 trillion yen
Growth Rate: Average 3% per year
Key Trends: IoT adoption, shift towards eco-friendly products
Key Companies:
Company A:
Characteristic: Leading manufacturer of smart home devices
Latest Trends: Launch of the latest smart speakers, enhanced AI features
Strengths: Advanced AI technology and extensive market share
Weaknesses: High price range limiting market reach
Notes from Alumni Visit:
Company B:
Characteristic: Known for developing high-performance personal electronics
Latest Trends: Introduction of next-generation wearable devices
Strengths: Innovative product design and quick market introduction
Weaknesses: High costs of new technologies reflected in selling prices
Notes from Alumni Visit:
Company C:
Characteristic: Pioneer in environmentally friendly technology
Latest Trends: Expansion of product lines using recycled materials
Strengths: Leadership in sustainable product development
Weaknesses: Unstable supply of recycled materials
Notes from Alumni Visit:
Company D:
Characteristic: Giant corporation with a global supply network
Latest Trends: Accelerating product launches for emerging markets
Strengths: Strong global supply chain and mass production capabilities
Weaknesses: Slow decision-making due to large organizational size
Notes from Alumni Visit:
Competitive Environment:
Intensity of Competition: High
Opportunities: New markets emerging from advancements in IoT technology
Threats: Rapid technological advancements leading to product obsolescence
Barriers to Entry: Speed of technological innovation, brand strength
Reflections and Notes:
Areas of Interest: Security technologies for smart devices
Points Needing Further Research: Sustainability strategies of companies and their effectiveness
This format to meticulously organize accurate and up-to-date information will help accumulate detailed industry knowledge necessary for passing selections and can be utilized in self-promotion and interviews.
4. Characteristics and Research Points by Industry
When conducting industry research, understanding the unique characteristics of each industry is crucial. This section explains the distinctive features and key research points for typical industries.
4.1 Manufacturing Industry
Characteristics
The manufacturing industry is a cornerstone of the Japanese economy, encompassing a wide range of sectors such as automotive, electronics, and chemicals.
High technological expertise and quality control are demanded, while environmental considerations and digitalization are increasingly important.
Research Points
Check the products and market share of each company.
Strategies in supply chain management and global expansion.
The status of environmental responsiveness and digital technology implementation.
Refer to "Pioneering Career Paths in Japanese Electronics Industry: Leading Opportunities for Future Professionals."
4.2 Financial Industry
Characteristics
Offers diverse services including banking, insurance, and securities.
Heavily influenced by regulations, thus changes in laws and market trends have significant impacts.
Research Points
Examine the revenue structure and uniqueness of services of each company.
Status of digital transformation (DX).
The position of Japanese companies in the global financial market.
4.3 IT & AI Industry
Characteristics
A rapidly growing field with a diverse array of players from startups to large corporations.
Innovation is key, with a focus on technological trends and user experience.
Research Points
The technological strengths and market share of major players.
Utilization of cutting-edge technologies like AI and cloud computing.
The domestic and international competitive environment and growth potential.
Refer to "Shaping the Future in Japan: Career Opportunities and Growth Strategies in Data Science and AI."
4.4 Trading Industry
Characteristics
Operates multiple businesses with a global perspective in trading.
Requires strong project management and comprehensive decision-making skills.
Research Points
Expertise areas of each trading company (resources, consumer goods, infrastructure, etc.).
Trends in project examples and new business development.
Expansion of overseas bases and human resource strategies.
Refer to "Career Guide for Japan's Sogo Shosha 2024: Overview and Essential Job Application Insights."
4.5 Consulting Industry
Characteristics
A professional services industry that supports client companies in solving problems.
Requires knowledge across diverse industries and advanced analytical skills.
Research Points
Main service lines of each company (strategy, IT, operations, etc.).
Analysis of project scale and client demographics.
Required skill sets and working styles.
Refer to "The Evolving Japanese Consulting Market and the Impact of Digital Transformation: Latest Job Market Trends."
4.6 Pharmaceutical Industry
Characteristics
A socially significant industry that supports people's health.
Extensive investment in research and development (R&D).
Research Points
Development status of new drugs and patent expiries.
Competitiveness in the global market and regulatory compliance.
Examples of digital technology use in the pharmaceutical industry.
Refer to "Career Paths and Insights in Japan's Pharmaceutical Industry: A Comprehensive Employment Guide."
4.7 Advertising Industry
Characteristics
An industry that demands creativity and strategic thinking.
With the rise of digital media, there is a shift from traditional advertising methods to digital advertising.
Research Points
Success stories of advertising campaigns and their impacts.
Advances in digital marketing technology and adoption status.
Marketing strategies that respond to changes in consumer behavior.
Refer to "Career Development in the Advertising Industry: Wisdom for Successful Job Search."
5. Conclusion
As explained in this article, the key to advancing industry research is to gather information from a broad perspective, including industry trends, major companies, and competitive environments. Particularly, using reliable online resources while actively collecting unique information available offline can provide a competitive edge over other candidates.
Since industry research is a long-term commitment, it requires planning and flexibility. If new interests or opportunities emerge during the research, it's important not to stick rigidly to the initial plan but to adapt flexibly. Industry research is not only about gathering information but also closely relates to self-analysis and career planning. Engaging with interest can lead to more effective outcomes.
(Editor: Jelper Club Editorial Team)
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