How to Identify and Select Target Employers to Land a New Challenge Faster

The Executive Update often accepts guest posts from career experts. Here is a contributed post from executive talent agent Debra Feldman from JobWhiz.com.

 

Yes, Virginia there is something like Santa Claus for choosing companies that belong on a candidate’s target employer list. Specific circumstances, conditions, observations and trends are often strong indicators that a particular company may need new talent, will soon be posting openings or be receptive to having potential employees initiate contact and demonstrate interest in discussing how to address and solve their challenges. Therefore, those who recognize these opportunities first gain a competitive advantage in the job market and can increase their ability to Network Purposefully and start a meaningful dialogue with appropriate hiring decision-makers, getting their foot in the door and a chance to present their qualifications.

 

By setting up Google Alerts, monitoring Twitter for news, following the Facebook fan page, browsing employee blogs, and staying in close touch with contacts and company connections who have inside company knowledge, it’s possible to find out about which decision-makers may be hiring or looking to talk with experts who can help them increase profits, reduce expenses, or improve processes.

 

Here are a dozen of the most common signs that harken potential opportunities for the astute, attentive, and aggressive candidate who’s on the watch.  These are indicators signifying unadvertised jobs, coveted opportunities in the hidden job market, and positions that most of your competitors will only learn about "too late."

 

1. Announcements of promotions, re-organizations, consolidations, expansions, relocations, etc.
2. Corporate M & A activity
3. New products or services
4. Regulatory or changes in other mandated requirements
5. New funding sources
6. Changes in outsourcing policies
7. New technology
8. Adoption of new policies or procedures
9. Hiring a consultant
10. Switching partners or consultants
11. Taking on a new partner or establishing a new alliance or change of terms of an existing relationship
12. Cluster of job board postings (in one area can have ripple effect and produce needs elsewhere)