How can you create a targeted job search strategy?

?? Repeat after me: "I am not my title." This applies to the value you provide to where you are and when looking for your next adventure. Titles aren't the holy grail. They don't tell you everything about the position or company. To really identify ideal matches, start making a list and checking it twice of what matters to you, categories could include: Impact of your work Activities you want to do Audience you'll serve Industry Company size/history Team composition Culture Growth opportunities Tenure/trajectory of existing staff Community contributions Compensation/benefits Remote/hybrid/in person Make your wish list then be a detective and dig around LinkedIn, your network, and your industry to see who fits YOUR criteria first.

You can identify your target by following specific companies like automotive, chemicals, Pharma etc. More than targeting you should also focus the position or role in the particular company rather than just trying some positions. Example if you are working in small sized company you can target mid sized similar business, same as from mid to large. On the contrary from large size from Managerial role to functional head in mid or leadership role in small organization as well. So while targeting companies and job target role as well.

As a career development advise, I work with my client to create a targeted job search strategy that has significantly increased their chances of finding the right job. We always carry out a Self-Assessment; This helps Identify your skills, strengths, values, and career goals to define what you're looking for in a job. My assignment to the client is to research: Research industries, companies, and roles then I see and review what aligns with your skills and goals. Actives we do as a team are Professional Networking: Build and leverage your professional network to access hidden job opportunities. Document review is key and comes last when we have identified the role to apply we Tailor the resume and cover letter.

I'm a big proponent of lists, so I always recommend clients start by getting ideas out of their brain and down on paper (or on their phone/computer). The first list I recommend has 2 columns: "absolutely" and "absolutely not" – outlining things you either require or won't allow, ranging from salary and benefits to corporate culture, remote or hybrid work, commute time, and management style. Another list I think is important is comprised of any job title you think you might want to hold (even if you haven't found an employer hiring for that role) and any employer where you might want to work (organizations that align with your values, even if they aren't hiring). Getting organized this way really helps shape your job search strategy!

Do some deep reflection on three things: 1) what do you want to be doing day-to-day, what is your ideal pie chart of your week, what style of work do you enjoy and align with most? 2) what problems, causes, missions, ultimate impact do you want to have? 3) what work environment is ideal/suitable for you? where do you thrive?, then you can translate #1 into target roles, #2 into target industries, and #3 will determine company culture/company size that you're looking for. Remember, if you have options for your direction, aim to understand each option deeply, so you can compare, contrast, prioritize, and build certainty in which path is the best fit for you, before you job search at all.

Two major misconceptions I see people use as a guide when creating/tailoring their resume: 1 The WHOLE thing has to be redone every time. 2 Meeting the ATS (computer scanner) is the top priority. Here's a better approach: ?? Before applying to anything, write your resume for the decision-maker, they are your #1 priority ?? Prove your value with examples (Achieved VALUE by doing WHAT, HOW) ?? Clear beats clever ?? Tell your story, not your job description. The value you bring to the table isn't going to change. This means when you're ready to apply, you'll only need to tweak a bit to include their keywords. No need to reinvent the wheel every time. A targeted fine-tune for each opportunity and you're ready to go!

There is a reason why generic resumes aren't achieving the desired success. ?? It's important that your resume matches the job advert. Here are some key areas to consider: - Job title (use the same title as in the job ad, if applicable) - Use relevant keywords from the job ad (e.g., specific software skills, sector experience, leadership skills, etc.) - Include your location/city - Use bullet points - Avoid using graphs and pie charts to represent your experience level (Applicant Tracking Systems, (ATS's), can't read them and will likely disregard them, instead, list the software you are proficient in) Regarding cover letters, only submit one if it's requested. Keep it under one page, ideally half a page. Avoid writing lengthy essays.

Crafting a tailored resume and cover letter may initially seem time-consuming, but it's straightforward when done strategically. Our tip for job seekers is to create a targeted resume, aligning it with their industry and desired role. Include relevant keywords from industry job descriptions to match your experience, skills, and education. When applying for a specific position, tailor your resume using keywords from that job's description. Recap: Start with a focused resume that incorporates universal industry keywords, then tailor it for each role to make your application more appealing and relevant to employers.

Aside from working with a professional – someone who has a recognized industry certification like the Certified Professional Résumé Writer credential – you can enhance your résumé and cover letter by adopting phrasing from the job posting. You'll be more likely to pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and appeal to hiring managers who read your résumé. You don't have to rely on your own expertise for résumé tailoring. Use tools like ChatGPT to make this process faster and easier. Input a job description into a generative AI tool, then ask it what top skills you need to demonstrate on your résumé to land an interview. AI tools aren't good at writing résumé content, but they can give you ideas and synthesize information for you.

Once you have clarity on your path forward and best-fit direction, then you can tailor your materials accordingly. Balance your ability to work in common keywords while also being clear, specific, and authentic to describe what you did, how, and outcomes/results that you drove.

Maintain a detailed record of positions applied for, application dates, and key contacts. Use spreadsheets or apps to organize this information. Regularly review your progress, follow up on pending applications, and assess which strategies are yielding results. This ensures you stay focused, avoid duplication, and can adjust your approach as needed to increase your chances of landing the right job in a competitive market.

Alway keep track of your applications. ?? Write down: - Company name - Date (when you applied) - Position - How you applied to the role (companies website, via a job board, recruiter etc.) - Save a copy of the job advert That way you can keep track of all your applications and it will be easier to do follow up emails. You can also mark if you been invited to an interview, rejected or waiting for an offer ?? Please note: If you are working with an agency recruiter, always check where they send your details. You want to know the name of the company.

It's vital that you save job descriptions as you apply. If the company removes the job description when the job posting closes, you miss out on a great opportunity to prepare for the interview. One free tool I've found to effectively track applications is huntr.co – the site offers an easy way to follow job applications every step of the way, from initial interest through the application and interview process all the way to the job offer.

Be wary of only applying online, and be sure to also set up informational chats with professionals who are in your target roles, teams, companies, and industries. Focus these calls on what you can learn from the person, and then see how it leads you to uncover openings more naturally.

I once met with a candidate who said 'I don't even know why I'm here'... Don't be that candidate! Keeping track of all your applications, etc allows you to be much better prepared for the interview. You should also make sure to save the job ads you have applied for, in case they are unpublished between the time you apply and the interview. That way you will be able to review the role details before the interview and make sure you are addressing the requirements of the ad.

Use the job description to prepare for the interview by coming up with stories you can tell about experiences similar to the responsibilities you see in each bullet point. Come up with STAR stories that have measurable outcomes to effectively communicate your value. Explain the {S}ituation, {T}ask, {A}ction, and {R}esult to relate your past professional contributions to the way you'll contribute in the new role. Don't over-rehearse – you want to sound authentic during the interview – but feel free to practice (especially if you're nervous) using tools like yoodli.ai and Google Interview Warmup. Remember: hiring managers won't waste their time meeting with you if you're not qualified, so walk into the room confident in your abilities!

The follow up after the interview is a big opportunity. Thank you notes are a great touch. You can make them even more impactful by reminder a recruiter of a key moment from the interview or addressing an interview question that you feel didn't go so well. For example, 'I really enjoyed our discussion about the importance of SEO when it comes to blog writing. On further reflection, I recalled a piece of work I am particularly proud of because it increased pageviews by 2xs'. Here is a link (then link to the article). Keep it brief and specific but don't be shy to share something that will help you to stand out!

Practicing out loud is key! You want to get comfortable with how it feels to interview, so that when it comes time for the actual thing, its not feeling so alien to you, but rather, you can focus solely on what you really want to say.

When preparing for interviews, I have come to learn the importance of having mock interviews. This helps you clearly understand your personality and mindset before the actual interview. The common mistakes I have seen my clients have challenges on that we have navigated together are confidence,courage to talk about one's achievement and when asked if you have any question.

Your knowledge about the company and the role will reflect your enthusiasm and your fit. Practicing common interview questions is good, but being able to adeptly discuss your experiences and how they align with the role at hand is better.

Its important to reflect, measure, and pivot regularly. Get another pair of eyes involved (someone qualified) so you can figure out where you can adjust or improve to move through the job search funnel as efficiently as possible. Think about how you're feeling, and where you feel stuck, as well as what the numbers are telling you (i.e. are you doing outreach but not hearing responses back? are you doing interviews but not landing offers?). Depending on what you're doing or not doing, and what is happening as a result, the right person can determine how you can improve.

I agree on maintaining your network as it is your networth. Remember what you keep bringing to the table will enable you to grow and be recognized for your expert space. Your network can be long-term connection whom you have helped grow through your support most important is when you have an opportunity to volunteer ensure you take it up like in professional membership body or board opportunities these tended to be floated with networks and not not an advert.

Your connections are not just stepping stones to opportunities, but a community that helps in professional and personal growth. Offer value, share insights and keep the channels of communication open.

The lack of networking, to me, is one of the most overlooked factors because people forget that they navigate through many companies, and the relationships we build and maintain (the most important aspect) are what can open doors. Therefore, list 10 people with whom you want to reconnect for a virtual and in-person coffee.

I utilize the ICE Model for decision-making (Industry>Company>Employee) ??ndustry: Prioritize sectors poised for major growth in the next 3-5 years. If not promising, don't proceed. ??ompany: Evaluate the company's position. A potential market leader offers ample growth and learning opportunities. ??mployee: Focus on personal factors – Role, Culture, Salary, Designation, and unique preferences (e.g., remote work). I personally give very less focus to this aspect if the others don’t check out. With updated skills, this model is nearly foolproof for job transitions. If in a growing industry and a dynamic company, even after layoffs, there's always another opportunity in that sector. Best careers do need strategy and focused planning!

Looking for a job is a job in itself, as it requires dedication and time. It's a consistent process because there are daily opportunities for applications on various platforms. The key is not to give up in the face of the inevitable rejections. Therefore, the competence of determination is crucial for the ongoing process until your "yes" appears.

One of my clients landed a new role within 10 days and entered a new tax bracket. She had built a strong personal brand with her stellar work performance and genial personality. Some of her clients followed her wherever she went. When her APAC role was suddenly made redundant, she let the word out to her network that she was on the lookout for suitable roles (she was not begging for a new role). A CEO interview arrived in less than 10 days, they loved her so much, that they wanted to buy her out of her gardening leave. Takeaway - focus on doing a great job whilst building a strong personal brand and attracting the right job opportunities becomes easy.

We have a formula we use that generates great results: - Make sure you have clear target jobs - Create a resume template(s) that best highlights your qualifications for those jobs - Tailor your resume and apply for 4-8 target roles for at least 2 months Building your strategy out in this way helps you build clarity, create assets that will move the needle in your search and help you manage your time and your expectations.