Job Search From Behind The Wheel

One of the common recommendations is to have a complete list of target companies at the ready in case you have an opportunity to share your elevator speech. But how do you build that list? You can certainly use the internet here as well as local business journals or the local chamber of commerce. You can ask a friend who works in the industry or community, of course.

I did all those things and came up with a pretty good list and then I took it one step further – I got in the car.

Sounds a bit old fashioned, I guess, but I especially wanted to make sure that a great company in my targeted industry wasn’t sitting right under my nose. Who wouldn’t want a nice, short commute right?

So I grabbed a notepad, a cup of coffee and headed out after the traffic died down. In about three hours of driving around the county, I saw more than 25 different companies that looked big enough and interesting enough to investigate further. When I got home I headed up to the computer and looked up each one. Some got crossed off the list because they were in a non-targeted industry and others were deleted due to their size (too small).

I ended up with about 10 new companies to target. This is where your network comes into play (recruiters, friends, Linkedin, etc). Who does my network know at company X and can I get a warm introduction?

So, even if you think you know all the companies in your target geography, you may never know for sure unless you hop in the car and check it out for yourself.

What do you think? Is it time for some good old fashioned detective work?

http://www.dearjanedialogues.com Rebecca Martin

Tim I love this article. I always suggest to my clients that they do this. Another great way to build a target list is on http://www.linkedin.com. Just go the company tab and scroll down a little bit and at the bottom right corner you will see a link that says “browse industries.” Click on that link and pick an industry of your choice and then you can type in a list by zip code.
Being a former recruiter and headhunter, it’s important to survey your own backyard/neighborhood because recruiters and hiring managers want to hire people with less than a 30-40 minute commute most of the time.
http://www.dearjanedialogues.com Rebecca Martin

Tim I love this article. I always suggest to my clients that they do this. Another great way to build a target list is on http://www.linkedin.com. Just go the company tab and scroll down a little bit and at the bottom right corner you will see a link that says “browse industries.” Click on that link and pick an industry of your choice and then you can type in a list by zip code.
Being a former recruiter and headhunter, it’s important to survey your own backyard/neighborhood because recruiters and hiring managers want to hire people with less than a 30-40 minute commute most of the time.
http://profile.typekey.com/1220292248s14607/ TTS

Hi Rebecca – Great suggestion on the use of Linkedin to help fill out a target company list. Also appreciate the recruiter/hiring manager perspective. I encourage everyone to visit http://www.dearjanedialogues.com. A great resource.
http://profile.typekey.com/1220292248s14607/ TTS

Hi Rebecca – Great suggestion on the use of Linkedin to help fill out a target company list. Also appreciate the recruiter/hiring manager perspective. I encourage everyone to visit http://www.dearjanedialogues.com. A great resource.
http://www.jobsearchdebugged.com Rita Ashley

What I like about this approach is it requires an open mind. You are exposed to options you may not have considered when doing your on-line searches. You are forced to evaluate if company A, one you would not have thought to look at, is actually a company to include in the mix.
On the “Green” side, I’d suggest being extra observant any time you hop in the car as passenger or driver to go to the grocer or visit the dentist…
The Job Coach
http://www.jobsearchdebugged.com
http://www.jobsearchdebugged.com Rita Ashley

What I like about this approach is it requires an open mind. You are exposed to options you may not have considered when doing your on-line searches. You are forced to evaluate if company A, one you would not have thought to look at, is actually a company to include in the mix.
On the “Green” side, I’d suggest being extra observant any time you hop in the car as passenger or driver to go to the grocer or visit the dentist…
The Job Coach
http://www.jobsearchdebugged.com
http://profile.typekey.com/1220292248s14607/ TTS

Hi Rita – Thanks for the “green” reminder. I could just as easily have hopped on my bike – at least for part of the trip. Good exercise too!
It is also, as you say, that until you see a company, the building, their location, etc you may never think to apply there . . .
http://profile.typekey.com/1220292248s14607/ TTS

Hi Rita – Thanks for the “green” reminder. I could just as easily have hopped on my bike – at least for part of the trip. Good exercise too!
It is also, as you say, that until you see a company, the building, their location, etc you may never think to apply there . . .
Blaine

Great suggestion Tim. Just getting away from the computer can give a job seeker new perspective on what they are looking for. I love the blog. Keep up the good work.
Blaine

Great suggestion Tim. Just getting away from the computer can give a job seeker new perspective on what they are looking for. I love the blog. Keep up the good work.
http://profile.typekey.com/1220292248s14607/ TTS

Thanks Blaine. Great point that sometimes just a change of scenery can help!
http://profile.typekey.com/1220292248s14607/ TTS

Thanks Blaine. Great point that sometimes just a change of scenery can help!
http://www.pongoresume.com/blogs/1/pongo.cfm Julie O’Malley, CPRW

Tim, I thought I was the only one who did this! Five years ago, when I was a transitioning back into the workforce after working from home for several years, my #1 criterion was to work “close to home.” Any time I passed a local industrial park or office complex, I did exactly what you say — took names and went home and Googled them. I also kept my online searches within a 10-mile radius. It limits the employer pool, but ensures you don’t rationalize yourself into an untenable commute. (And by the way, it worked!)
http://www.pongoresume.com/blogs/1/pongo.cfm Julie O’Malley, CPRW

Tim, I thought I was the only one who did this! Five years ago, when I was a transitioning back into the workforce after working from home for several years, my #1 criterion was to work “close to home.” Any time I passed a local industrial park or office complex, I did exactly what you say — took names and went home and Googled them. I also kept my online searches within a 10-mile radius. It limits the employer pool, but ensures you don’t rationalize yourself into an untenable commute. (And by the way, it worked!)
http://quixoting.typepad.com/spin_strategy TTS

Hi Julie – Thanks for your comment. I like the idea of the 10-mile radius. Wouldn’t that be nice!
http://quixoting.typepad.com/spin_strategy TTS

Hi Julie – Thanks for your comment. I like the idea of the 10-mile radius. Wouldn’t that be nice!

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