Many executive job seekers resist targeting select employers, because they don’t want to limit their search. They want to be open to any opportunities that may even remotely be a good fit for them.
The problem with this approach is that, when you’re writing your personal marketing content for your executive resume, biography, LinkedIn profile, etc. – you won’t know who you’re writing it for, and which specific strengths, qualities and qualifications to zero in on.
Being generic, to cover as many bases (or job opportunities) as possible, will probably lead to a very prolonged job search.
Understand the first rule of marketing.
These job search materials are marketing communications. One of the main principles of marketing is to know your target audience and understand their “pain points”, so that you can position yourself as their problem solver.
It may seem counterintuitive, but the more you niche your marketing and job search efforts towards specific employers, the more appealing you’ll be as a candidate.
As much as possible, you want to focus your personal marketing materials, and present yourself, as the best hiring choice for specific employers.
Targeting also helps you with due diligence, so that you don’t get yourself into a company that’s all wrong for you.
. . . And without first knowing who you’re targeting, it’s nearly impossible to define and communicate your personal brand. Your brand will be unfocused and won’t clearly resonate with anyone.
But what if you don’t have a target list of employers and don’t know how to start?
This is a dilemma some of my clients face.
Your game plan – Choose employers or organizations that will be a mutual good fit, and then deeply research them to uncover their current pressing needs and determine how you will help them overcome these challenges.
Depending upon your target industry(s) and other variables, compiling your list of target companies may be a cinch, or a headache.
Tips To Pin Down a Target List of Companies for Executive Job Search
- Narrow your options by location(s) first.
- Brainstorm with friends, family and those in your closest professional network. People you can trust, especially if you need to keep your search under cover.
- Check out Forbes, Fortune and other reputable publishers’ various lists of “best” companies to work for.
Get My Full Proprietary Worksheet for Job Search Targeting and Research
The suggestions above represent just a portion of the important job search targeting work you need to do, as the first steps in successful job search. The full worksheet covers it all — how to identify target companies or organizations and build your target list. It also includes how and where to research your target companies.
I’m now offering my full job search targeting and research worksheet. This is the actual proprietary worksheet I use with my clients to help them land jobs they covet and deserve.
But that’s not all. You’ll also get my Career History Worksheet to help you dig deep for metrics and benefits you’ve brought to past employers. That’s the kind of information that helps employers see what you’ll be able to do for them.
In all, you’ll get more than 15 pages, with dozens of DIY tips and advice to help you identify target employers and determine what makes you unique and valuable to them. The work you do using my worksheets will also help you network and interview better.
Along with the 2 worksheets, here’s some of the other information included:
- How today’s job search is different than before
- Why you must begin your job search with targeting and research
- The problems with job boards, including the resume Applicant Tracking System (ATS) conundrum
- How to use job boards for research and market intelligence
Grab my full job search targeting and research worksheet (with all the extras noted above) now for $22.00*
Once you make the purchase, you’ll automatically be sent an email with a link to the download(s). PLEASE NOTE: Check your email spam folder if you don’t see the email in your inbox.
* By purchasing the worksheet, your email address may be added to the Executive Career Brand newsletter emailing list.
Or, get the complete package of my 4 proprietary executive job search worksheets.
Along with the Targeting & Research and Career History Worksheets, the complete worksheet package includes my 2 other proprietary worksheets and so much more:
- Personal Branding Worksheet
- Biography Worksheet
- Numerous resources and DIY tips and strategies to help you land the job you want.
Read about and purchase the worksheets package here.
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