From the course: Writing a Resume

Identifying companies

From the course: Writing a Resume

Identifying companies

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- If you're in the market for a new job and you've merely been reviewing what's available online, submitting a job application and hoping, you, like millions of other professionals, are in the middle of a reactive job search. You're waiting for someone else to act on your behalf. It's time for you to take back control of your job search. There is absolutely no point to spending time creating and customizing your resume only to sit and wait for someone else to recognize your brilliance. Confucius said, "Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life." Everyone remembers the part about the job you love but no one really pays attention to the first word in that sentence. He said choose not wait for someone else to offer you a job in a company they think you should work for. The word choose implies you have a choice and you do. A proactive job search is not for the faint of heart. It won't work quickly unless you already have an excellent network and if you are unemployed, you probably don't have the time to do this right. A proactive job search works really well when you are gainfully employed and have the time to pick and choose. Oh look. There's that word again. So let's get to choosing. Start by identifying the type of company you want to work for. Make a list of the kinds of industries you would like to work in. Projects you'd like to work on, job responsibilities that appeal to you. Do you want to make a difference in the world? Are you seeking to earn a lot of money? Are benefits important? Then get a little more specific. You're going to progress from a general company type to specific company names. Target your ideal company. Where would you love to work? What is your dream job? If you're going to expend the energy in searching for a job, you may as well include companies you really want to work for. Do you know their corporate culture, their products and services, their mission, their financial outlook? research each company on your list. Enter each company into your search engine and review what comes up. Are there online reviews about the company's product? Do they have pages of complaints? Has the company won any industry awards? What new stories have been written about them? See what their reputation is in the marketplace. Are they working on new product launches? Is a merger or acquisition pending? Don't overlook the company's website. Take a look at their financials if listed, read the press releases, and watch any recruitment videos. Can you picture yourself working there? Taking the time to research the companies you've chosen is a major step in a proactive job search. In order to choose a job you'll love, you're going to have to put in the work. But don't worry. It will be so worth it.

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