The critical first step my executive job seeking clients and I collaborate on is job search targeting and research.
We determine what qualifications and qualities their target companies are looking for in candidates vying for the kinds of positions my clients are seeking.
Without knowing what their target employers want and need, we can’t possibly define my clients’ personal brand and ROI, and create resumes, bios, online profiles and other career marketing communications that will attract and resonate with their target audience, and clearly distinguish my clients as good fit candidates.
For a successful executive job search campaign, plan to spend some time researching – unless you already have plenty of in depth company and industry information.
Things to look for when you research your target companies:
- Company overviews and history
- Products and services
- Historical financials
- Competitors
- Challenges they’re facing right now
- Corporate culture
- Company leaders and key decision-makers
- Latest industry trends
- Recent press releases and relevant news articles
Why you need company and industry market intelligence:
→ To gain access to the goldmine of “hidden” or unadvertised executive jobs.
→ To determine how you’re uniquely qualified to help your target companies overcome current challenges.
→ To learn how to define your personal brand and ROI around your potential value to them.
→ To identify those all-important relevant keywords and phrases to use across your career marketing.
→ To know how to craft your resume, biography, LinkedIn profile and other brand communications around what will resonate with your target companies.
→ To identify the people at your target companies to connect with for insider information, introductions and leads.
→ To circumvent the gatekeepers, avoiding the HR-driven search process, by positioning yourself in front of and connecting directly with key decision makers.
→ To help you with due diligence when assessing potential employers.
→ To prepare you to speak intelligently about your target companies and industry when networking.
→ To help you nail interviews by being an informed, knowledgeable candidate.
Where to find company, industry, and people information:
Set up Google Alerts for the following, so that Google will email you the latest published information about these items:
- Names of your target companies
- Names of key decision makers in your target companies
- Key word phrases relevant to your niche
- Names of your target companies’ relevant products and services
Search company names, people, products, services.
Check each Company Profile and personal profiles of company leaders and key decision makers. Join the LinkedIn Groups that key decision makers belong to, listen to their conversations and contribute when you can help others and position yourself as a subject matter expert.
Search your target companies and key decision makers. Follow them, listen to them and retweet them regularly.
Lots of valuable info such as each company’s CEO (with contact info), revenues, profits, assets, market value.
Includes job listings, salaries and reviews by employees.
Up-to-the-minute financial news, key stats, company summaries, related company financials, market summaries and quotes, a stock screener, and so much other market information.
Job aggregators like Simplyhired and Indeed
Find job descriptions that look like a mutual good fit. Use this information to align your qualities and qualifications with the requirements for your career target, and source relevant keywords and phrases.
Libraries
Often overlooked, libraries are all about research and librarians are trained research experts. Tell them what you want to find out and they’ll lead you to the resources . . . possibly information you can’t find online.
More About Executive Job Search:
Are You Executive Job Search-Ready?
How Do I Find a Job in the “Hidden” Job Market?
The New 10-Step Executive Personal Branding Worksheet
How to Write An Irresistible C-suite Executive Resume in 10 Steps
Essential Checklist to Optimize LinkedIn For Executive Job Search
How to Land, Brand and Ace Executive Job Interviews
