3. Evaluate and Compare
This is done in several ways.

• Calculate the talent density for each critical occupation. Talent density is the total number of people working in an occupation in a location, divided by the total workforce for that location, multiplied by 100. This is used to understand how difficult it would be to recruit talent in one location compared to another.
• Compare a national job search index to a local job search index for each occupation. The job search index is the total number of job searches by occupation and location, divided by the total for that location, multiplied by 100. It is a direct measure of job-seeking activity, an indicator of how likely a person with a particular occupation in a specific location is to apply for a job opening.
• Prepare a talent profile for each critical occupation. In the course of evaluating a local market, it is important to understand the profile of the people company might be recruiting. In some cases, Factors to profile include:  Mobility of talent, Full-time versus part-time workers, Career level, Education level, Pay demands.

4. The Demand for Talent
In the same way that it is important to evaluate the supply of talent, it is equally important to evaluation the demand for talent. The demand for talent represents the amount of competition your company will experience should it choose to enter the local market. Therefore, knowing the demand trend is critical to understanding how successful a major recruiting initiative will be in each market.

To do this:

•  Evaluate posting trends over time for each critical occupation
•  Calculate the talent demand index for each occupation. The talent demand Index is a calculation of the number of job postings over the total number in the occupation workforce, multiplied by 100. 
•  Consider supply versus demand. Look at the labor conditions for each of the markets by plotting the markets in a graph showing a simple talent-market plot. This will help you identify the relative competition for talent in each market.

5. The Economic Situation
It is helpful to summarize the economic conditions for each market as an aid in understanding the economic backdrop for each proposed site.

Include the following in each market summary:

• Unemployment and payroll trends
• Major industries and employers of the region
• Rate of economic growth or decline in the market
• Basic demographics of the workforce
• Economic incentives for companies to locate in the region
• Cost of facilities/office space in the market