Job Search Campaign Strategies: Defining Your Target Market (part 02)

(continued from Job Search Campaign Strategies: Defining Your Target Market Part 01)

Start talking to people

Note: I am assuming that you know at this point what types of jobs/positions you want; and what your value/brand is. In all conversations with targeted audiences, be prepared to articulate this in an elevator speech or 30-second pitch: what you do, what you’re known for, and the value you offer. Then proceed to next steps below.

Talking to people (lots of people; everywhere you go) is the single most effective way of locating appropriate new employment. Statistics show that most people talk to more than 100 different people in the course of their job search campaign! So, what do you say? Telling them you’re unemployed and looking is not enough. Make your target list the core topic of your conversations with people.

You can ask questions like:

  • What organizations do you know that are compatible to my profession?
  • What organizations do you know that have cultures compatible with my values?
  • What organizations do you know that address problems/issues aligned with my interests and skills?

These types of conversations can be productive in two ways. You will supplement information on your targets that you’ve already gained through your own research; AND these conversations can lead to referrals or introductions to new people—expanding your search network.

Ask yourself these questions to get started in defining your target market:

  • What is my geographic preference? Am I willing to work anywhere in the world? Just in particular countries, states, cities or within a certain commuting distance?
  • What industry do I prefer? Which industries are likely to consider me a solid candidate?
  • What size organization do I prefer? How will I measure that? By number of employees, number of locations, revenues or other metrics?
  • What’s most important to me in terms of organizational culture? What factors are important to me?
  • Are jobs open or opening up in my target market? What does my research tell me about viability of hiring at this time?
  • How do I define my target market? If the market has different segments to my target market, can I describe my criteria for each?
  • What resources will I use to build a list consistent with my target market criteria (geography, industry match, size, culture, job realities) in my job strategy and planning? What resources will I use to get the information I need to priorities these targets?

(continued to Job Search Campaign Strategies: Defining Your Target Market Part 03)

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