How to Find the Best Employers in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, known for its car culture and Hollywood, is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. L.A. offers a multitude of opportunities in a vast number of industries. Finding the best employer in Los Angles depends on personal goals as well as objective assessments of benefits, salary and advancement opportunities. Small, medium and large companies exist in abundance in L.A., and one may provide the best employer for you.

Instructions

1. Research employers in Los Angeles. Your local library has access to "Reference USA," a database that provides industry-specific profiles for companies located within a defined geographic region. Filter your search to businesses of the size and type that suit your goals.

2. Consider expanding your search for the best employer to the L.A. metro area, which officially includes Long Beach and Santa Ana. Often it refers to an area covering five counties surrounding Los Angeles and is known as the "Greater Los Angeles Area."

3. Seek business publications that focus on L.A. businesses. Look for articles featuring the best places to work in Los Angeles. Lists are published annually and are often segmented according to business size.

4. Compare the opportunities, benefits and financial health of a company when trying to identify the best employer for you. Information on public companies is available on company websites and in annual reports. Company websites also provide overviews and state future plans. Obtaining detailed financial information may require searching L.A. business news articles, reviewing public records and soliciting advice from other professionals in the industry.

5. Determine your personal and family needs when seeking the best employer. Business location, commute time, advancement opportunities and corporate culture are all legitimate concerns of employees seeking employment. Family-friendly businesses are more appealing to employees with families, while singles may have different job needs.

6. Research national publications such as "Fortune" and "Working Woman" magazines for annual "Best Places to Work" lists. Look for firms with offices in L.A.

7. Determine if your personal beliefs need be reflected in the corporate culture of your employer. Corporate responsibility is increasingly important to today's employees. Investigate if potential employers have active community programs, volunteer opportunities and a positive reputation in the environmental community and conduct business in an ethical manner.

Tips & Warnings

• Subscribe to the "Los Angeles Times" for a local perspective on L.A.

• The best source of information on corporate culture is a current employee. Search blogs for information on potential employers.

• Business location may be of concern to job seekers given the vast area comprised by Greater Los Angeles. The prevalent car culture of L.A. may make commute time a central focus in your search for the best employer.

Resources

• Subscription information for the Los Angeles times can be found at latimes.com.
• Numerous research sources are listing on the Job Star website.
• Local L.A. business news is available on the Biz Journals website.
• A youthful look at L.A. is found at snmag.com.
• More information on family friendly employers can be found on the Working Woman website.