Unleash the power of a Job Search Project Plan, and tap into the hidden job market.

Image: Job Search Project Plan

When a job market becomes competitive, it demands a strategic approach that requires the job seeker to arm themselves with all available job search tools. Written job search tools such as the resume and cover letter are two of the tools in your toolbox. One way to elevate your job search in order to capture the attention of the Hiring Managers is to apply marketing principles and create a targeted marketing plan. In this blog you will learn how to create and utilize a Job Search Project Plan, a plan that will help you tap into the hidden job market and boost your opportunities for hire. You can download the Job Search Project Plan template here.

First, let’s start off with the categories that comprise your Job Search Project Plan.

State your professional identity 

The Job Search Project Plan should start with a statement reflecting your skills, abilities and expertise. This statement should provide to the reader an understanding of what you offer as a potential employee, and should be placed alongside the first category found within the Job Search Project Plan called: Career Overview.  This is your professional brand that should align with your career/job objective. Sometimes a job seeker will have on their resume a Summary Statement, this Summary Statement can be utilized as the Career Overview; however, if a Summary Statement does not exist on the resume, below is an example of how to write a Career Overview statement for your Project Plan.  

Example:  Communications professional exceptional customers service skills who is experienced in multinational corporate Healthcare environments. Able to translate complex topics into clear, concise, consistent messages to engage and influence diverse employees and stakeholders. Builds teams and creates strong working relationships. Persistent and focused, with strong organizational, project management, and leadership skills.

Know your competencies

Under this category called Competencies, list competencies that align with the skills that employers are seeking within their job postings. Of course, don’t list these skills unless you have them!

Set clear goals

Define the type of roles you are targeting and list the job titles that reflect the roles you are most interested in alongside this category called Professional Objective. Select up to six job titles if need be. Review job sites to ensure that the job titles you list align with the job titles that employers are using. Below are three titles.   

Example:

• Social Media Specialist/Manager 

• Digital Marketing Specialist/Manager 

• Marketing Communications Manager 

Name companies of interest, by industry.

Create a category called Target Market, by Industry (partial list), and under this category list names of companies that align with your career goals and interests. Some companies may be hiring, some may not be; however, the importance of this category is to provide to the reader names of companies so that they may refer you to someone within the company for the purpose of networking. You do not have to have every company of interest listed (that is why we state that this is a “partial list”), but it is recommended that you list up to at least 20 names of companies to engage the reader’s interest.

The best time to share your target list of companies is when you are conducting an exploratory conversation, otherwise known as an informational interview. In exchange, your target list will expand and contract as you learn about companies, and the contacts generated from these conversations will help build your network.    

So, when does this land me a job?  

All savvy job seekers know that to penetrate any job market, you must network.  In other words, get the word out that you are in job transition or exploring a career change. All savvy job seekers also know that when we talk about networking, the power of networking is in conducting exploratory conversation and in obtaining referrals – meaning contacts that can provide ideas, suggestions, advice and information on companies of interest.  It is not about asking for a job when we network!  Asking for a job puts pressure on people, but asking for information, ideas, suggestion and advice does not. Instead, it places them in an advisory role.

Through this process of setting up exploratory conversations you will eventually tap into the hidden job market. Contacts that you are referred to through the process of networking will more than likely be the individuals that will inform you of a job opportunity soon to get posted, or when change is about to occur within a company that will cause a job opening. And when this happens, you will already be at the top of the list for consideration given you are already a known entity to the company through the relationships you developed through networking. Through these relationships, you will have increased your chances for being called in for an interview, and have tapped into the hidden job market!  

80% percent of job opportunities are found through networking, specifically through the process of conducting exploratory conversations. It is then wise to present your Job Search Project Plan during an exploratory conversation so that you can leverage contacts, grow your network and land faster.

Conclusion

The Job Search Project Plan is a valuable tool for the job seeker as it allows the reader to understand exactly what the job seeker offers as a potential candidate and how best they can assist you with a networking referral.  It is your professional road-map to your next career/job opportunity as you begin to meet and grow your contacts through referrals. Once a referral is received, you gain an opportunity to learn about organizations of interest to you, and share your value as a potential employee through these 20-minute networking conversations called exploratory conversations!

By approaching your job search with a marketing mindset, you can unlock new job prospects. By creating a Job Search Project Plan, you not only are strategic in your approach, you build a network that becomes a professional foundation for long term career success.  Good luck with your journey!