When job seekers blast resumes across desired industries, adjacent sectors, their current location, and even far-flung areas, they operate under the belief that casting a wide net will increase their chances of landing a job.
In one Discovery call, an individual said they had sent out 1200 applications!
It seems logical—more applications should lead to more opportunities.
The problem? No results.
Why?
Because when you do this, your overall campaign is diluted - a watered-down message, and reduced quality of each application.
Instead, the secret to a successful job search is the opposite. The goal is to adopt a more focused job search strategy. This will definitely yield better results.
Here’s why narrowing your focus is more effective:
Strengthens Your Message: When you target a specific industry or role, you can tailor your pitch to showcase exactly why you're the perfect fit for these positions. You practice your message over and over again. This becomes second nature to you.
Improves Engagement Quality: You research the company and industry thoroughly, customize your materials, and even reach out to current employees for insights or networking opportunities. You get rich and deep experiences which you can then talk about during any contact with the hiring team.
Enhances Networking Opportunities: By focusing on one industry or function, you build a stronger network within that field. Regular interaction with industry professionals through LinkedIn, industry forums, or professional groups helps establish your name in the field, making you a known entity rather than just another faceless applicant.
To adopt this approach, start by defining your value proposition.
What unique skills and experiences do you bring to potential employers?
Can you communicate this effectively in 90 seconds?
In my coaching practice, we focus heavily on crafting each client's value proposition.
Starting with a structured template, clients pinpoint and articulate their unique value. We then refine this draft, adjusting the language to suit specific industries and roles, ensuring it captures their strengths and career goals accurately.
The next step is practice. The goal is making the value proposition feel natural and confident in any setting. We practice in various scenarios to ensure it becomes second nature, allowing clients to present themselves compellingly in networking events and interviews.
Next, focus on building connections. Concentrate on one industry or function.
Remember, focus drives results!
In this process, my clients use a strategic "laddering" technique. They start by requesting informational sessions with individuals at lower levels within a company. These initial contacts are valuable for obtaining candid insights about the company’s culture, employee engagement, and operational results. This foundational knowledge provides a real sense of the internal workings of the company.
Using the information and connections gained from these sessions, clients gradually work their way up the organizational ladder. Each interaction is a step towards higher-level executives. The strategy involves leveraging each contact to facilitate introductions to more senior individuals, building towards a pivotal meeting with decisions makers or top executives like the SVP or CEO.
By the time they reach this level, my clients are fully armed with comprehensive intelligence about the company. They can effectively present themselves as the solution to the company's most pressing challenges.
This highly focused and methodical plan enables my clients to:
Bypass gatekeepers - Directly accesses key company leaders.
Engage decision makers - Positions clients to demonstrate their expertise.
Demonstrate initiative - Showcases clients' proactive approach and persistence.
Emphasize company insight - Highlights deep knowledge of company culture and challenges.
Ask yourself this, would you hire this candidate?
Anyone would! That is the goal. To be an irresistible candidate to someone who can offer you the job! And the compensation package that you deserve!
In conclusion, start with a narrow focus. By honing in on a specific industry or role, you actively refine every aspect of your professional presentation. This approach sharpens your candidate brand, ensuring it strongly resonates with the targeted market. Likewise, your pitch—how you articulate your skills and experience—becomes more compelling when tailored specifically to certain opportunities.
Additionally, strategically building your network within a chosen field ensures that the connections you make are more relevant and potentially more influential. This targeted networking likely results in stronger relationships and more meaningful opportunities.
Once you've established a solid foundation in your initial focus area, consider gradually broadening your reach. This might involve exploring adjacent industries or roles that align with your skills and past experiences.
If you need help with your job search, register for the free workshop , Break the Glass Box - Expert Job Searching Techniques for Women Leaders;
You will learn:
Advanced job search techniques
Understanding ATS
Utilizing professional forums and communities
Leveraging social media to create a personal brand that will land you your next job quickly
Replays will be sent afterwards.