Often job seekers hit a roadblock in the process of searching for their ideal career. “I’ve written my resume and my cover letter is coming along, but now what do I do?” is a common dilemma for many. If you have completed the self-assessment stage carefully, you will have prioritized your: 1) geographic areas of preference 2) three to five career fields of preference. Now it’s time to target all the employers in those geographic areas who hire for those types of jobs. Here are some tips to get you started in this vital step in the process:

1. Determine the information you need.
Some key points that you will want to discover might include: the mission and corporate philosophy, the size of the firm, potential growth of industry/field, company short and long-term outlook, type of people they employ, training, products/services, major competitors, types of jobs, turnover, salary ranges, and current news events.

2. Organize your prospecting.
As you begin to uncover people and places to send your resume, develop a checklist chart to keep track of your progress. Create a spreadsheet, database or index cards with headings including: Name of Employer, Contact Person, Address/Phone, Date Sent Resume, Follow-up Call Date, Interview Date, Thank You Note, and finally, Offer. This way you have a written record of the action you have taken with each contact. I then recommend that you set up file folders for each company and arrange them alphabetically. As you gather information on each employer, this system will come in handy. Staying organized also will give you a better sense of the number of resumes you have sent out. The more resumes you send out on regular basis only increases your chances for more interview and finally offers.

3. Research the career field, the employer and the job.
Companies perceive your research into these three areas as critical in evaluating an applicant’s interest, initiative and savvy. The purpose is to gather information to determine if the career field, employer and job are a good match, and to identify the needs of the firm for better marketing of your background. This will also give you increased confidence when answering questions in the interview.

4. Think in terms of 3 types of potential employers.
You will want to consider your job search in terms of: 1) reach/ideal employers – hard to get into companies 2) middle companies - where you will probably get an interview, and 3) employers that you would consider as safeties.

5. Approach job prospecting as a project.
Since searching for places to send your resume will not come to you overnight, be sure you commit time to this project. You will need to put together a regular reading program of relevant books, newspapers, industry or trade publications, annual reports, employers’ sales/marketing brochures, magazines and periodicals. You’ll get out of this project exactly what you put into it.

6. Identify places to find job leads.
No single source will have everything you need. Your first stop should be your city library. For example, The Bethlehem Public Library in Delmar, New York, has a Career Resource Center. This type of library within a library has directories, reference books, professional association information, job binders and someone on staff to answer some of your quick questions. The Career Center at your alma mater or local community college is another resource. They may be able to advise you of the recruiters they are working with.

7. Utilize electronic resources to acquire new prospects.
Since the vast majority of employers have a presence on the Internet, websites are an important tool in investigating companies and can help you to apply for the various career opportunities available. I suggest using Google.com and Hoovers.com for your search. Some employers have even put promotional videos on YouTube.

8. Use media resources to provide additional targets.
Listening to the nightly news or other television programs can inform you about what’s hot in your area. WAMC’s news reports, NPR’s Marketplace or PBS’s Wall Street Week can keep you abreast of trends. Also, be sure to do an Internet search on your local newspaper and business journal to research if the company has been in the news recently.

9. Network for possibilities in the “hidden job market”.
As you are developing your list, be sure to contact your family, friends, fellow alumni, colleagues, and others in your personal and professional network. Start by developing your “Dream Team.” These are the top ten people in your inner circle that will help you first if you request their assistance. Take them out to lunch and ask them if they know three people that you could speak to for help. Often they can provide leads that are not available in any written source. Remember: networking beats NOTworking.

10. Overestimate your list.
You will need to determine the size of your list and rank them by hiring potential. Probably, you will need to send your resume to more places that fit your profile than first expected. You may need to send out three to five resumes a week or more for several weeks in order to generate the right number of interviews and offers. Develop a time frame that works for you.

Once you have developed your “prospect list” then you will be ready to implement the various strategies for an organized job search campaign. By successfully researching employers, you will be investing your time wisely.