So you are ready to embark on your job search. Do you have a written plan, a strategy? How will you stay on course?
When people find themselves in transition the next emotion after shock is usually panic. While this may be understandable, plunging into a job search without a plan can be disastrous. One key tool that will help insure a successful search is a Marketing Plan.
Yes, marketing plans are most often associated with the business world and there is a reason. They help define a project, lay out and organize the work to be done and serve as a framework to support and guide the entire process.
A personal job search should be viewed in much the same way. It is, or should be, a project with a specific purpose and anticipated result. It should be the means to identifying the right job in the least amount of time. This will take soul searching and research. It is important to determine the type of job and environment you are looking for based upon your experience, training and capabilities. You are looking for the right “fit”, not just any job.
Once the target is clearly defined, it is important to frame a statement that captures your background and clearly expresses your professional strengths and skill sets. This statement should be similar to the Career Summary that introduces your resume (discussed in my previous blogs). The importance of this step cannot be overemphasized. A well thought out statement will not only tie to your resume but will provide essential material that will be useful in future interviews.
The next step in developing a marketing plan is to define the market you are targeting. This includes the geographic location you plan to work in, type and size organization and industry as well as organizational culture.
Last, but not least, list at least fifty prospective employers that you have researched who offer the kind of work environment you need to thrive. There are web sites that can provide names and descriptions of companies and can help you in your search for organizations that meet your most essential requirements.
Once you have completed this exercise, you will have a Marketing Plan that will guide your search efforts and keep you on track as you seek out a job that will be the right fit as well as one that will be exciting and rewarding. Developing a well thought out marketing plan is worth the time and effort and the payoff is great.
Have you identified fifty employers that you will target in your job search? Why did you choose them? Do you have a marketing plan? If not, why not? Let’s talk. Norma Sweeny
