Research
Using AI to Research Job Markets and Industries
Before you apply anywhere, research. AI makes industry research 10x faster, helping you target the right companies, understand market trends, and position yourself as the ideal candidate.
Why Job Market Research Matters
Informed candidates:
- →Apply to companies actually hiring
- →Know salary ranges before negotiating
- →Understand industry trends interviewers care about
- →Position themselves as solutions to real problems
AI turns hours of research into minutes.
Research Framework: The 4 Layers
Layer 1: Industry Overview
PROMPT
Give me a comprehensive overview of the [industry] job market in 2026: 1. Overall growth trajectory 2. Most in-demand roles 3. Emerging skills employers want 4. Average salary ranges by experience level 5. Top 10 companies hiring
Follow-up questions: “What's driving growth?” “Which companies have good culture?” “What certifications matter?”
Layer 2: Company Deep Dive
PROMPT
Research [Company Name] as a potential employer: 1. Recent news (last 6 months) 2. Funding/financial health 3. Employee reviews sentiment 4. Current job openings 5. Key executives and their backgrounds 6. Company culture signals 7. Challenges they're publicly facing
Red flags to look for:
- • Recent layoffs
- • High turnover in your target role
- • Negative Glassdoor trends
- • Leadership instability
Layer 3: Role-Specific Intelligence
PROMPT
For a [Job Title] role at companies like [Company 1, 2, 3]: 1. What does day-to-day work look like? 2. What tools/technologies are standard? 3. Typical career progression 4. Interview process and common questions 5. What separates good from great candidates?
Layer 4: Competitive Positioning
PROMPT
I'm applying for [Role] at [Company]. My background is [brief summary]. Based on typical requirements for this role: 1. What are my strongest selling points? 2. What gaps should I address proactively? 3. How should I position my experience? 4. What would make me stand out from other candidates?
AI Research Tools
ChatGPT/Claude (Free/Paid)
Best for: General research, analysis, strategy
Perplexity AI (Free)
Best for: Real-time information with sources
Example: “What companies in [city] are hiring [role] in 2026? Include company size and recent funding.”
LinkedIn Sales Navigator (Paid)
Best for: Finding decision-makers, company insights
Use AI to analyze who's hiring, career paths of people in your target role, and growth trends.
Company Research Template
Create a structured research doc for each target company:
# [Company Name] ## Quick Facts - Industry: - Size: - Funding: - Headquarters: ## Why I'm Interested [Your notes] ## Key People to Know - Hiring Manager: - Recruiter: - Potential team members: ## Recent News [AI-generated summary] ## Challenges I Can Solve [Based on research] ## Questions to Ask [AI-generated] ## Red Flags [Any concerns] ## Application Status [Track progress]
Salary Research Strategy
Never go into negotiations blind.
SALARY RESEARCH PROMPT
Research salary for [Job Title] in [City]: 1. Base salary range (25th, 50th, 75th percentile) 2. Common bonus structures 3. Equity expectations at different company stages 4. Benefits that vary significantly 5. What factors increase compensation? Sources to consider: Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, Payscale
Identifying Hidden Job Markets
AI can help find opportunities before they're posted:
HIDDEN OPPORTUNITIES PROMPT
I'm looking for [Role] opportunities. Help me identify: 1. Growing startups in [industry] likely to hire soon 2. Companies that recently raised funding 3. Industries with skill shortages in my area 4. Companies expanding to my city 5. Networking events or communities where hiring happens
Research-to-Action Pipeline
Don't just research—use it:
Before Applying
- • Customize resume with company-specific keywords
- • Reference company challenges in cover letter
- • Identify mutual connections for referrals
Before Interviewing
- • Prepare company-specific questions
- • Plan stories that address their challenges
- • Know recent news to reference
During Negotiation
- • Use salary data confidently
- • Know competitor compensation
- • Understand total comp structure
Weekly Research Routine
Tools Summary
- • ChatGPT/Claude - Analysis, strategy (Free tier)
- • Perplexity - Real-time research (Free)
- • Glassdoor - Salary, reviews (Free)
- • LinkedIn - People, companies (Free/Premium)
- • Levels.fyi - Tech salaries (Free)