Career Coach Dana offers the following advice when deciding who you want to target in your job search: 

Do your "due diligence" on companies that inspire you by going to their website, researching their CEO, their mission, the Leadership Team, their videos, the FAQs and then decide if you really like what they're doing; the products and services they offer, their culture, location, and so on. Know why you like them. Then create a "Top 10" or "Top 5" list of those organizations you've determined are for you! Don't worry if there isn't a job opening.

 

Next, go to LinkedIn (assuming your profile is knock-out good!), and search for the HR Directors and Talent Acquisition Managers within those companies, there may be several, then invite them to "connect". Do this for each company you've selected. Make sure your LinkedIn headline communicates that you are ready and available, and what you bring. 

 

Once several accept your invitation to connect, send them a message sharing your excitement to get to know the company further, and send a message similar to this: "it would be great to have five minutes of your time by phone to learn more." See if this generates a phone conversation. Remember, you're on a "learning spree" about the companies you really like, so this is the time to ask about things you want to know, that weren't answered in your research. If you don't have questions, that may be a sign the company may not really be for you. Also, the more you invite HR Directors and Talent Acquisition Managers to "connect" with you on LinkedIn, the more recruiters see that you are active and they may contact YOU!

 

If you exhaust your Top 10 list, create another one! There are hundreds of companies that may excite you, within the commuting distance you want.

 

Above all, have fun. YOU are on the hunt for your next DREAM JOB!

 

Best regards, Career Coach Dana 

New Start Career Network Members--does your LinkedIn profile need a makeover? Join us for this one-hour webinar on the key features of a great LinkedIn profile on  Tuesday, September 6 at 10 a.m. You'll get lots of tips, plus we'll be taking your live questions. 

New Start Career Network Members are invited to our next Employer Career Event--an interactive virtual session with Prudential on Monday, September 12 at 1:00 p.m.

Join Benjamin Del Mauro, Talent Acquisition Manager, and Karen Donofrio, Financial Advisor, both from Prudential's Northern NJ Financial Group, to learn about career opportunities as a Financial Associate (FPA). 

You know that networking is one of the best ways to find a new job, but you HATE networking! In this one-hour webinar we'll outline tips and strategies for making new connections and rekindling connections that have died out in ways that feel better than just "networking." Please join us on Tuesday, September 13 at 1:00 p.m.