Information Brokers

It is difficult to land a job or start a business as an information broker right out of college. If you've completed a few internships or worked as a research assistant or librarian while in college you have a better chance of becoming employed. The first step in this career is usually working as an assistant to a more experienced researcher or information professional. After working a minimum of two to five years and gaining valuable experience, you are more likely to advance in your career or be successful launching your own information business.

In addition to having excellent research skills, information brokers must also have very strong analytical, communication, organizational, and presentation skills. They must be able to pore over a set of data and be able to see relevant and important patterns. Information brokers must also be able to communicate their findings in writing or orally in a presentation. Excellent writing skills come in handy for these workers.

Information brokers must have patience and an eye for detail. Searching for information isn't always as easy as typing terms into a database. Finding very specific information can be like finding a needle in a haystack, and the research and information professional must learn where to go for certain information and be willing to spend many hours in search of it.

Independent brokers must also be self-disciplined, be comfortable marketing themselves to prospective clients, and prepared to spend extra time meeting with clients and attending industry and networking events.