The key to job search success
I am often asked for my number one tip for finding your next job and people are surprised when I say it is to research your potential employer. You were expecting me to say the perfect CV or the best interview technique right? Read on to find out why research is the key to job search success.
What makes you stand out?
If you are really lucky, you will have a unique skill or experience that will set you apart from the rest of the pack. You don’t? Don’t worry as this would make you one in a million. So how do you stand out? You put in the effort to get to know their company.
Too many job seekers do little or no research on their potential new employer and it shows. I often use the term ‘shallow research’. The best example of shallow research is reading the first few pages of the company web site. There is nothing worse than sitting though several interviews and hearing the same information regurgitated over and over. Even worse is when they don’t go deep enough into the site to find out specifics that show they understand the part of the business where the job sits.
Target your CV
Understanding the company allows you to customise your CV in a way that will grab the reader’s attention. The more you know about them, the more you will be able to look at your CV through their eyes. What achievements will appeal to them? What skills should you emphasise? Knowing your audience will enable you to target your CV in a way that will make you stand out from others.
Employers want to know you want to work for them
Every person you interview wants a job. That is why they are there. But as an employer, they want someone who wants to work for their company and become a successful part of their team.
So how do you demonstrate this? You ask good questions about the job and the company. The more you know and understand about the company, the better the questions you will be able to ask. If other candidates have done very shallow research, you will automatically stand out as someone who has done their homework. Curiosity demonstrates initiative and an ability to think outside the box, two attributes that potential employer’s love.
So the point is it is never too early to start to research a potential employer. Keep an eye out for our next article where we will focus on how to do your research.
