When we purchase a car or a house, we typically undertake extensive research. We read reviews, understand prices and markets so we can make an educated purchase. The same should be a key part of the job-hunting process.
Before you start your hunt, you should have clarified your goals and objectives; more information on that in my previous article.
Research helps you understand whether they are accurate and empowers you to be a more effective and targeted jobseeker.
The value of research includes:
What roles are available? What skills and competencies are recruiters focusing on? What is the market paying?
How do I target those roles and stand out as an applicant?
Who are the desirable employers in the market?
What might be the next best career step to achieve strategic goals?
Who are the good recruiters?
Some ideas of how you can leverage research include:
Researching to prepare for the job-hunt
Search Seek, LinkedIn and Indeed – or other relevant job boards and look for job adverts in your chosen sector, read the adverts and see what jobs appeal.
Make a note of the language they are using to describe your job, different job titles and competencies. List these words and phrases and ensure you are using the same language in your CV and LinkedIn Profile. This makes your information SEO optimised so you come up on searches and get through recruitment software screening systems. When you prepare all your marketing information, ensure that you are also highlighting the competencies recruiters are requesting.
Identify which job-boards have the best selection of opportunities so you can focus your search and set up job alerts.
Filter by salaries to get an idea of what the market is paying (these figures can be widely ranging but it will give you an idea).
Desirable Employers
Search profiles on LinkedIn working in your target role and click into the companies they are and have worked for.
Read the company profiles and follow ones you like; you can also sign up to their career pages. Connect with key people working for them within operations and HR.
Read company reviews on https://www.glassdoor.com.au and https://www.seek.com.au and https://au.indeed.com/. Just remember, people are far more likely to talk about a bad experience than a good one.
Researching to achieve strategic career goals
If you want to take a step forward in your career, research your target role and list the experience and competencies recruiters are asking for in job adverts, so you can do a gap analysis of your skillset.
You can then identify areas you need to gain experience or get additional training to take you towards your goal.
Search LinkedIn profiles of professionals working in your target role and make a note of their career path as it can show you the best way to achieve your goal. Use this information to research job adverts that can be a stepping-stone to your goal.
Researching Recruiters
When you see a recruiter advertising roles of interest, give them a call, have a chat with them, suss them out. If you get a good feel and they sound like someone who is knowledgeable and might be able to help, see if you can organise a coffee. Ask your friends for recommendations of good recruiters and call them to have a chat.
A good recruiter will provide you with tips and market intel, as well as get you interviews.
Search LinkedIn for recruiters in your sector and connect with ones that look professional, it’s good to be on their radar.
Outcomes from research include:
Clarifying target roles and defining job titles to search for
An idea of market rate salaries
Key words listed to include in your CV and LinkedIn Profile
A list of competencies you will need to communicate
Career path steps and action plan (job pathways and training) if you are ambitious
Key job-boards identified with job-alerts set up
Key companies noted as employers of choice (or to stay away from)
Referrals to good recruiters
Next time, I will talk about preparing your marketing material and sales pitch to hit the market.
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