Want less stress in your job search? REALLY – focus your search!
“One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular.” ~ Tony Robbins
Once you discover the power of your brand and the secret of niche marketing you will wonder why you pushed back at this idea at all. The truth is your value increases when you focus on a specific niche.
You have many skills and a wealth of experience, so you could do many jobs and do them well. Instead of “being open” or looking at every job you could do examine your niche.
What is on brand for you? Where do your strengths fit and serve best? What experience do you have that is in demand? What interest or experience do you have that you want to use? What industry or company do you want to work in and why?
If you are a comptroller or a manager you could work almost anywhere. If you have experience in three different channels of trade or industries your possible market is very big and general. Instead of marketing yourself to all three industries and all the companies within those industries who could use the services of a comptroller or manager – STOP. Ask the questions above. These will help you narrow your niche.
Within an industry there are many companies, large, small, old new, socially active or not so much – get specific as you answer the questions. Then ask again, “why do I want to work for this industry and company?”
Suppose your spouse is cardiac nurse and your father-in law in a cardiologist, you have experience in the medical device manufacturing industry. Your passions are software and gadgets. You understand and relate to those who work in cardiac care, cardiac services and you have an interest in companies that provide products and services to cardiac patients, and those who serve those patients.
As you answered the questions you discover you want to work for a company that provides services to that are specific to providing products or services related to cardiac care or connected to that segment of the medical industry. You have defined your niche – companies that serve or provide products or services connected to cardiac care. That is still a large segment so you can narrow it more as needed.
When you niche to a specific segment of the population, business or industry you gain focus. You can quickly learn more about the companies in that segment. You can locate people in that segment to talk to and learn from. You can find professional organizations to join. You can focus the marketing of your skills and experience to the needs and wants of that segment.
Focus like this reduces stress, saves time and resources as you market yourself.
It has been said that in marketing you always want to enter the conversation that is already going on the prospects head. In a job search you want to enter the conversation that is going on the hiring manager’s head. To do that you must know who the possible hiring managers are, where to find them and how to connect and have a conversation.
The result of this type of focus is you are able to have conversations and to join the conversations that are going on about the business, the future, opportunities, and the needs. It allows you opening to connect with hiring managers who say “this is the candidate for my next open spot”.
They buy you. The tables turn and your role is not that of a candidate looking a job, but a professional with skills, interest, knowledge, experience to help the hiring manager achieve the his/her goals and the goals of the organization.
Second benefit of focus, you are who you are and although you are marketing yourself to a specific segment, what you offer is the same. When you find yourself talking to a hiring manager in a different segment or industry, he will connect the dots, see your value, how you could solve his problems and how you could be successful in the role his has “open”. Do not be surprised when someone asks you if you would consider XYZ company or changing industries.
Why focus?
Less work, less stress, and higher perceived value to the marketplace.
Let me know how focus works for you.
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