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ESTABLISH YOUR FIT WITH A
POTENTIAL EMPLOYER
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THE CAREER PLAYBOOK GUIDE
TO SUCCESS
3. ESTABLISH YOUR FIT: Seek out
introductions to those individuals who are doing
the work you desire. These "insiders"
are familiar with the type of work you want
and can provide you with excellent sources of
information and additional contacts, ultimately
leading to the job and career you've been
looking for. Narrow down your list of employers
to those who have the job you really want, plus
the management and people you find most comfortable
to work with.
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Develop Your Own Insider Information
Using the information gathered earlier, you should have
a fairly clear idea of what industries and types of organizations
are of most interest to you in a job search. Now you need
to identify specific companies as your target market.
To be a "high priority" target, a company must
meet these criteria:
- It needs your particular skills, talents, or experience.
- It "fits" your work values, work environment
and occupational personality.
- It is projected for growth at a rate compatible with
your long-range professional goals.
It is not necessary that an organization have an existing
job opening in order to be on your list of high priority
targets. In a proactive job search, you are sometimes able
to "create" a job in an organization that is a
perfect match for your strengths.
Learn all you can about your targeted organizations. Begin
to keep files of facts and clippings on the organizations
you have targeted.
What do you need to know?
- All about organizational changes --reorganizations,
mergers, acquisitions, downsizings
- All about product developments --new products, changes
in marketing strategy, expansion into new territories
- All about employee changes -- new senior management,
promotions, additions of new people
- All about facilities -- signing new lease, moving to
new location, remodeling or purchase of new equipment
- All about trade show/convention plans -- which shows/conventions
will the organization attend
What are you going to do with this information?
- Look for possible problems you can solve
- Look for gaps in the organization's base of knowledge,
skills, or
experience that you can fill
- Look for "hooks" or "bridges" you
can use to connect with a decision-maker
- Look for specific, factual material you can mention
in cover letters, conversations, or interviews that demonstrate
your familiarity with the organization
The more you can learn about an industry or a particular
company, the more you will be able to judge its potential
as your next employer and find sources within your network
who will help introduce you to key players.
Your goal is to stand out from the crowd with the competitive
edge you can gain with thorough research and "inside
information" that comes from knowing more about the
decision-makers of a potential employer than your competitor's
in the job search marketplace.
The competitive advantage will go to the job applicant
who has taken extra care in researching the organization
and its needs.
Like any sales/marketing campaign, the job search process
is a numbers game. The more contacts you make, the more
job leads you uncover. The more job leads you pursue, the
more interviews you get scheduled. The more interviews you
have, the more likely you are to get a job offer.
Yes, it is possible you will stumble on a job early in
your job search campaign and which may quickly turn into
a bona fide offer, but the likelihood of this occurring
is similar to your chances of winning the lottery. It's
possible, but not probable.
You are in control of your job search marketing campaign
and you can make things happen. How? By following this formula
to job search success: Contacts = Job leads = Research
= Interviews = Job Offers
There is no secret on how jobs happen. Your contacts will
help you uncover solid job leads. Some of those leads will
convert into actual interviews. And, some of those interviews
will produce job offers for you to consider.
 
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