Researching Your Marketplace
by Bob Maher Friday, December 04, 2009
Digg It
Tweet This
Stumble It
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Email This
Robert J. Maher, CMF, has been in the career services field since 1980, and mostly as an independent since 1983. Bob has provided services or spoken to audiences in most major metropolitan areas of the US, and several in Canada and the UK. He has served a very broad-based and diverse clientele over the years with a solid reputation for effective group facilitation, one-on-one coaching, marketing support and consultation at all levels, including executive.
Blog
Web Site
Email Bob
One of the most important skills a job-seeker can learn during a job-search is research skills. The quality of your research skills will dramatically impact both short term job search and longer range career continuity. Information is a critical commodity in job-hunting; the more you know and the easier it is for you to find information, the better your chances of success. So, make the commitment to improve your research skills. In fact, hold yourself accountable to research time each and every week. Employers value job-seekers who know key information about the company because that knowledge demonstrates your interest and enthusiasm for the company and for the job.
WHEN to Do Research...
If attaining and maintaining career continuity is your realistic goal, you’ll find four specific times during which researched information will be important to you...
First and foremost should be your commitment to knowing your marketplace for the rest of your career. This implies setting aside a reasonable amount of time on an on-going basis, whether you’re employed or not. Often research leads to "spot media opportunities" that may lead you to your next right work.
Second, and perhaps most common, is when you are just starting a specific job-search and looking to identify key companies in your profession or industry, or even in a specific geographic location. I have always found this single factor to be the most under-utilized way to prepare for an effective job search.
The third possibility is when you are applying to a specific employer; it’s always best to relate yourself to the company and tailor your cover letter and resume to each employer.
The fourth -- and when most job-seekers finally do some research -- is when you have been invited to a job interview; you’ll want to showcase your knowledge of the company.
________________________________________
WHAT Information Fits Your Offer Criteria...
You are usually seeking two sets of information.
The first set of information deals with general company information. The types of information you might gather here include: products and services, history and corporate culture, organizational mission and goals, key financial statistics, organizational structure (divisions, subsidiaries, etc.), and locations. Of course, you may also research the industry, key competitors, and countries where any specific, targeted, companies have offices.
The second set of information deals with personal and employment issues, and includes such things as career paths and advancement opportunities, benefits, diversity initiatives, and other human resources functions.
Remember, both objective (factual) and subjective (word-of-mouth, opinions) information can be of value. The following "OFFER CRITERIA MATRIX" will help you keep this all straight...
You can analyze as many columns of information as is important to your definition of next right work. The Matrix will serve you well in all levels of research mentioned earlier...and when completely "filled in" can put the objectivity back in to the emotional process of accepting your next position, or taking the next step.
As you know well, WHERE TO GO for reliable research is an ever-evolving, huge topic. As a place to start, please visit my website at www.careerpilot.com/MAPS/Research-WHERE
Robert J. Maher, CMF, has been in the career services field since 1980, and mostly as an independent since 1983. Bob has provided services or spoken to audiences in most major metropolitan areas of the US, and several in Canada and the UK. He has served a very broad-based and diverse clientele over the years with a solid reputation for effective group facilitation, one-on-one coaching, marketing support and consultation at all levels, including executive.
Bob served as Vice President of Consulting Operations for OPTIMANCE during the implementation of a large scale, three year project - the largest ever undertaken by a non-national firm. He is on the Founder's Council of The Association of Career Professionals International, currently serving on its US Country Board. Current President of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter, Bob was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the ACP International in 2006.
With the advent of the Internet age, Bob served as President of the E Chapter, first of its kind, virtual Chapter, receiving the Association’s Leadership Award in 1995. He is focused on technology applications as a resource in both career transition and electronic recruitment services, often assisting his clientele with their personal development of technical skills.
Bob served on the Professional Development Committee that conceived of and developed what has become our Profession's credentialing body, the ICC International, now the only international and independent credentialing body for the career services profession. He was one of the first in Texas to be awarded his CMF certification.
For more information, visit www.careerpilot.com.
WHEN to Do Research...
If attaining and maintaining career continuity is your realistic goal, you’ll find four specific times during which researched information will be important to you...
First and foremost should be your commitment to knowing your marketplace for the rest of your career. This implies setting aside a reasonable amount of time on an on-going basis, whether you’re employed or not. Often research leads to "spot media opportunities" that may lead you to your next right work.
Second, and perhaps most common, is when you are just starting a specific job-search and looking to identify key companies in your profession or industry, or even in a specific geographic location. I have always found this single factor to be the most under-utilized way to prepare for an effective job search.
The third possibility is when you are applying to a specific employer; it’s always best to relate yourself to the company and tailor your cover letter and resume to each employer.
The fourth -- and when most job-seekers finally do some research -- is when you have been invited to a job interview; you’ll want to showcase your knowledge of the company.
________________________________________
WHAT Information Fits Your Offer Criteria...
You are usually seeking two sets of information.
The first set of information deals with general company information. The types of information you might gather here include: products and services, history and corporate culture, organizational mission and goals, key financial statistics, organizational structure (divisions, subsidiaries, etc.), and locations. Of course, you may also research the industry, key competitors, and countries where any specific, targeted, companies have offices.
The second set of information deals with personal and employment issues, and includes such things as career paths and advancement opportunities, benefits, diversity initiatives, and other human resources functions.
Remember, both objective (factual) and subjective (word-of-mouth, opinions) information can be of value. The following "OFFER CRITERIA MATRIX" will help you keep this all straight...
You can analyze as many columns of information as is important to your definition of next right work. The Matrix will serve you well in all levels of research mentioned earlier...and when completely "filled in" can put the objectivity back in to the emotional process of accepting your next position, or taking the next step.
As you know well, WHERE TO GO for reliable research is an ever-evolving, huge topic. As a place to start, please visit my website at www.careerpilot.com/MAPS/Research-WHERE
Robert J. Maher, CMF, has been in the career services field since 1980, and mostly as an independent since 1983. Bob has provided services or spoken to audiences in most major metropolitan areas of the US, and several in Canada and the UK. He has served a very broad-based and diverse clientele over the years with a solid reputation for effective group facilitation, one-on-one coaching, marketing support and consultation at all levels, including executive.
Bob served as Vice President of Consulting Operations for OPTIMANCE during the implementation of a large scale, three year project - the largest ever undertaken by a non-national firm. He is on the Founder's Council of The Association of Career Professionals International, currently serving on its US Country Board. Current President of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter, Bob was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the ACP International in 2006.
With the advent of the Internet age, Bob served as President of the E Chapter, first of its kind, virtual Chapter, receiving the Association’s Leadership Award in 1995. He is focused on technology applications as a resource in both career transition and electronic recruitment services, often assisting his clientele with their personal development of technical skills.
Bob served on the Professional Development Committee that conceived of and developed what has become our Profession's credentialing body, the ICC International, now the only international and independent credentialing body for the career services profession. He was one of the first in Texas to be awarded his CMF certification.
For more information, visit www.careerpilot.com.