4 Ways to Find the Best Employers (guest post)

4 Ways to Find the Best Employers (guest post) This is a guest post from my friend Kevin Donlin, in Minnesota.   More on him after the post. How can I find the best companies to work for? Thats a question I hear almost daily from job seekers. Its hard to answer because its the wrong question. Heres the real issue beneath that question: I dont want to have to think hard about finding the best companies to work for. Admit it. You like me and all humans hate to think. It takes time. You have to pick and choose. You might make a mistake. And it can give you a headache. But unthinking behavior is a sure way to stay unemployed. So, lets re-phrase the query, because a well-phrased question is half-answered. If youve been job hunting for more than 4 weeks, ask this question instead: What have I NOT been willing to do to find the best companies to work for? Thats better. And easier to answer. In fact, I can think of 4 things you can do TODAY to find the best employers to work for 1) Look at your connections on LinkedIn. I mean really look. Pick 5 people you admire, view their profiles, and look for the following: Where do they work now? (Could you work there?) Where did they work before? (Could you work there?) Who are their clients? (Could you work there?) Who are their competitors? (Could you work there?) Who are their vendors? (Could you work there?) Do this for 5, 10, or more people, and youll surely find 5-20 prospective employers. 2) Make connections at your last employers. Specifically, think about everyplace youve worked before. Now ask yourself the following questions: Could you work there again? (Could you work there again? Dont snicker getting re-hired happens every day.) Could you work for your former clients? Could you work for your former competitors? Could you work for your former vendors? 3) Find companies in the news. Spend 15-20 minutes researching the Business section of your local newspaper, looking for fast, smart, growing companies. Cant find any? Consider moving (or looking harder). 4) Ask 5 people you admire. I saved this for last, but it really ought to come first. Because, the more conversations you have, the more people will know about your job search and the faster youll get hired. So, ask the 5 most-connected people you know for advice. Tip: Take them all out for coffee, bring a legal pad, take notes. In 30-45 minutes, youll surely come away with answers that will shorten your job search. Total cost: Less than $30. Resource: If youre in the job market and want to try something new, you can see Guerilla Job Search secrets caught on video and learn more here. Kevin Donlin has partnered with Dave Perry, one of my all-time favorites in the job search world.   I had dinner with Kevin last year in Minneapolis, and got to know him pretty well hes a very cool guy, and quite passionate about helping people get results in their job search.   Kevin and Dave have a Guerilla Job Search Boot Camp and I hear great things about it from people who have finished it. Also, heres a P.S. from Kevins email: If you know anyone looking for a job in the Detroit area, please tell them to come meet David  Perry and  me in person on Sept. 17 http://www.PutMichiganBackToWork.com. Doesnt that look cool? (some of the links in this post are affiliate links) 4 Ways to Find the Best Employers (guest post) This is a guest post from my friend Kevin Donlin, in Minnesota.   More on him after the post. How can I find the best companies to work for? Thats a question I hear almost daily from job seekers. Its hard to answer because its the wrong question. Heres the real issue beneath that question: I dont want to have to think hard about finding the best companies to work for. Admit it. You like me and all humans hate to think. It takes time. You have to pick and choose. You might make a mistake. And it can give you a headache. But unthinking behavior is a sure way to stay unemployed. So, lets re-phrase the query, because a well-phrased question is half-answered. If youve been job hunting for more than 4 weeks, ask this question instead: What have I NOT been willing to do to find the best companies to work for? Thats better. And easier to answer. In fact, I can think of 4 things you can do TODAY to find the best employers to work for 1) Look at your connections on LinkedIn. I mean really look. Pick 5 people you admire, view their profiles, and look for the following: Where do they work now? (Could you work there?) Where did they work before? (Could you work there?) Who are their clients? (Could you work there?) Who are their competitors? (Could you work there?) Who are their vendors? (Could you work there?) Do this for 5, 10, or more people, and youll surely find 5-20 prospective employers. 2) Make connections at your last employers. Specifically, think about everyplace youve worked before. Now ask yourself the following questions: Could you work there again? (Could you work there again? Dont snicker getting re-hired happens every day.) Could you work for your former clients? Could you work for your former competitors? Could you work for your former vendors? 3) Find companies in the news. Spend 15-20 minutes researching the Business section of your local newspaper, looking for fast, smart, growing companies. Cant find any? Consider moving (or looking harder). 4) Ask 5 people you admire. I saved this for last, but it really ought to come first. Because, the more conversations you have, the more people will know about your job search and the faster youll get hired. So, ask the 5 most-connected people you know for advice. Tip: Take them all out for coffee, bring a legal pad, take notes. In 30-45 minutes, youll surely come away with answers that will shorten your job search. Total cost: Less than $30. Resource: If youre in the job market and want to try something new, you can see Guerilla Job Search secrets caught on video and learn more here. Kevin Donlin has partnered with Dave Perry, one of my all-time favorites in the job search world.   I had dinner with Kevin last year in Minneapolis, and got to know him pretty well hes a very cool guy, and quite passionate about helping people get results in their job search.   Kevin and Dave have a Guerilla Job Search Boot Camp and I hear great things about it from people who have finished it. Also, heres a P.S. from Kevins email: If you know anyone looking for a job in the Detroit area, please tell them to come meet David  Perry and  me in person on Sept. 17 http://www.PutMichiganBackToWork.com. Doesnt that look cool? (some of the links in this post are affiliate links)