Find “Ins” with Target Companies by Collecting Demographics

LinkedIn and other social networking sites provide valuable demographic information about companies you've targeted during your job search. Craft a value statement that is powerful and effective with this information. When writing marketing copy during your job search, such as your value statement or even profile information, being able to visualize your target audience is often helpful.


On a spreadsheet or a piece of paper, list your ten target companies across the following dimensions:



  • The company’s mission or vision



  • The company’s top three goals



  • The company’s values



  • Industry



  • Location



  • One to three main competitors



  • The position you’re looking for



  • Size (revenue or number of employees)



  • The top three struggles that the company or industry is facing now




If the companies you’re targeting are publicly traded, all the basic information you can possibly need is included in their annual reports. If not, explore the companies’ websites or LinkedIn profiles to find it.


Collecting these companies’ basic information not only can help you write a strong value statement but also may give you new insights on how to position yourself in the market.


Now, you’re going to drill a little bit deeper and try to understand the hiring manager at each of your target companies. Using LinkedIn’s people search, try to find out who the hiring managers may be at your top ten companies. Look at their profiles, Google their names, and then fill out a demographic analysis on the following dimensions.


(Note: Some items in this list require some speculation. That’s okay for now. Just guess or make it up. The point of the exercise is to help you step into the hiring managers’ shoes and see things from their perspective.)



  • How old are they?



  • Are they male or female?



  • What’s their career, rank, job position, or title?



  • How much money do they make a year? (speculate)



  • What’s their education?



  • What do they do in their spare time? (speculate)



  • What websites or portals do they visit for information? (speculate)



  • What are their professional activities outside of work, perhaps volunteering?



  • What problems are they facing?



  • How are they similar to you?




If you can answer these questions for your target hiring managers, then you have a shoo-in on making a huge lasting impression. Why? Because, like it or not, people are more comfortable with people who are like themselves. That’s just basic psychology.


Use your demographic research not only to inform how you define your brand but also to keep track of at least one thing you can relate to about a person or company you’re targeting. Then lead with that common thing when it’s time to reach out.




dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/find-147ins148-with-target-companies-by-collecting.html

No comments:

Post a Comment