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How To Choose Your Target Companies by Spin Strategy

Posted on December 12, 2009 by helpmyresume

Article Source: http://blog.spinstrategy.com/2009/07/how-to-choose-your-target-companies.html

Everyone looking for a job should have a list of 10 target companies. These are companies where you’d like to work if a position came open matching your skills and experience. Not having this list puts you at a distinct disadvantage when networking.

You see, I may not remember everything about you. But I am likely to remember a few of the companies you shared with me. Why? This is a very tangible bit of information. And often when I ask “what are your objectives?” I get:

I’m looking for a sales position in a stable but growing company

What?

If this is your response, I will not remember it and I may not remember you based on this answer alone.

Better answer?

I am looking for a director level position in apparel sales based on the West Coast. My target companies include Nike, Under Armour, Adidas.

Now that I can work with. And you can do a nice job reinforcing those objectives through the use of a few simple tools:

1. Hand me a networking business card. I created a really simple template here that you can download and use starting today. It’s called the Flashcard™.

2. Hand me a one-sheet that highlights your skills, experience and accomplishments. And, yes, here’s another free template. It’s called the SoloSheet™

3. Ask to be added to my Watchlyst™. This is a one page document I keep (and you should too) to help track the job objectives of those in my network looking for a job. You can learn about the Watchlyst here.

So to answer the question about choosing target companies, you have to identify the possibilities first.

Task: Build a list of 100 companies. Selection criteria? (1) in your industry and (2) in your target geography.

Start with the ones you know. Determine whether they have an office/territory in your target geography. Get in your car and drive around key industrial areas and keep your eyes open for companies as you drive down the freeway (sounds funny, but it works). Find others in your network who are targeting the same industry and ask for their list. Use the internet, the local chamber of commerce or a local business journal.

Task: Shrink the list (50 companies) based on a few other factors. Criteria: (1) company size and (2) industry sector

Do you want to work for a really big company with a powerful brand and big budgets? Or would you rather be a part of a younger, more nimble start-up?

Is there a segment of the industry that you like better? Athletic apparel vs. outdoor? Shoes vs. t-shirts?

Once complete, this new list of 25 or so will be your big target list. These are the companies you are really feeling good about and want to share with others. And you are free to share this larger list with your close-in network. But I have one more task for you.

Task: Reduce this new list to 10 target companies. Criteria: (1) Name Recognition and (1) Culture

Why 10? An easy number for people to swallow and a list you can quickly communicate to people.

I say name recognition because I think that helps. If people in your network have never heard of any of these companies (especially the people not in your industry), they will be less likely to make the connection if they see a job advertised.

And culture is important. Make sure that your top 10 represent a place you’d really like to work. If you are really into casual Fridays or company picnics, find out where all that happens and put them in your top 10.

But what if my top 10 target companies have no jobs for me?

That’s OK. Because while these are target companies, they are also examples of the types of companies where you’d like to work. Any suggestions from your network with jobs from similar companies will be welcome, right?

Do you have any secrets to choosing target companies? How did you do it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Tim Tyrell-Smith was gracious enought to share his insight with us. Please visit his site at http://www.spinstrategy.com.

Filed under: Job Search Skills You Need To Have | Tagged: A Great Resume And Cover Letter, companies to target for a job, Dress for Success, help my resume, helpmyresumeorg, helpmyresumeorg offers, http://www.spinstrategy.com, Interview Strategies, Job Search Do's and Don'ts, Job Search Expenses, job search skills, Job Search Strategy, linkedin, Linkedin for Job Search, linkedin.com, networking, Quick Tips for Job Seekers, Strictly For Fun, Surviving Unemployment, target companies, The Psychology of Job Search, Tools for Intelligent Job Search, Twitter for Job Search, unemployment, Using Social Media, Work and Life, work culture, Working with Recruiters | Leave a comment »

6 Reasons Why LinkedIn Is So Critical In A Job Search

Posted on October 4, 2009 by helpmyresume

Article Source: http://tinyurl.com/kvucxa

A candidate recently asked me, “How do I find a hiring manager in a large company like Microsoft?” There are a lot of ways to do this but one of the easiest and best is using LinkedIn. When I recommended this to the candidate he completely agreed, however, the problem was he only had about 60 connections. Too few to be effective.

So often I speak with candidates that just don’t understand the value of LinkedIn as a job search tool. We constantly are sent invitations to join someone’s network only to find after months of searching they are just now starting build a LinkedIn network. You should consider building your LinkedIn networking all the time. NOT JUST WHEN IN A JOB SEARCH.

Some benefits to a large LinkedIn database of contacts:

People can find you. The more people at the second and third degrees of separation the more times you will show up in a search. For example, I have around 500 contacts. However, I am linked to over 5 million people on LinkedIn. When I search for a candidate that is a huge database.
LinkedIn will eliminate the need for resume databases on Ladders, Monster, Careerbuilder and other job boards. This is because it costs on average between 5,000 and 10,000 dollars to have access to these resume databases. LinkedIn is free. Why would a recruiter or any company pay that when we can use LinkedIn for free.
Resumes databases by the job boards are not pick up by Google or any search engine. These are the ones you want to make sure you show up on. LinkedIn is and you can even improve your search results for as little as $25 a month. (See prior blog article SEO Your Search On Google)
It helps you find the people you want an introduction to. This is very powerful. I have helped numerous people with introductions as a result of LinkedIn. On a weekly basis I receive requests indicating they found a person in my connections and would I make an introduction. I always agree.
Even when working this is a great tool for resources, customer contacts and introductions, references, service providers and even potential hires for you or your company.
On a personal basis it is a great way to stay in-touch with friends, colleagues, prior employees and networking contacts. When you update your profile they will get a notice and likewise when they update theirs.

Work hard at building your connections. Make every effort to reach that magic 500+. If you use Outlook download the LinkedIn tool bar. It makes inviting people very easy.

There are many more positives to building your LinkedIn network than there are negatives. Many have resisted. I believe this recession has proven to be good thing for everyone’s network.

If you have other ideas share them by adding a comment. Lets help everyone build a strong network.

A good way to start is building a network is making sure your profile is complete. If it isn’t start there and then begin expanding your contacts. Don’t miss the opportunity to get a high ranking on Google.

You can download for free our “8 Matrix LinkedIn Profile Assessment” tool.

Our complete job search home study course the, “Career Success Factor Methodology” is a comprehensive resource that covers all 5 steps in an effective job search. You can review the complete system for just $14.95. We will even pay the shipping and to ensure your success include in a copy of our job search workbook. To review the Career Success Factor Methodology CLICK HERE.

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