Target Companies And Industries

Stop (only) applying for jobs. I'm serious. While everyone will help, here is what actually works: ✅ Spend that time building relationships with people at companies you want to work for. Here's the math no one talks about: 100 applications = 2-3 callbacks (if you're lucky) 10 genuine connections = 5-7 opportunities How do I know? Hiring and getting hired are very similar. So far, all my hires were referrals and introductions. All my clients came through the same. I've placed hundreds of designers. The ones who got hired fastest? They weren't the ones with the most applications. They were the ones who: → DMed designers at target companies about their work (I've hired people who did this at Miro) → Commented thoughtfully on posts from hiring managers → Asked for 15-minute coffee chats, not job talk at first → Built relationships BEFORE they needed them (that's the actual gold here) Real example from last week: The designer spent 3 months engaging with the design lead's content. When a role opened up? She got a DM: "We have something perfect for you." Never even posted publicly. Meanwhile, 847 other designers are fighting over the LinkedIn posting 👹 But here's the part no one teaches you — WHO to reach out to: ✓ Someone I aspire to get to know ✓ Someone's career I aspire to have ✓ Someone who works where I'd like to work ✓ Someone who may be going through similar challenges ✓ Someone I will have lots to talk about And here's how I prioritize companies and roles: First, I map out my network: → Find all my previous colleagues — where do they work now? → Find all open roles — what's relevant and what sounds like the best fit? → What can I see about those environments from JDs and career websites? This gives me a targeted list of: ✨ Companies where I already have warm connections ✨ Roles that actually match my skills ✨ Environments I'd thrive in (not just survive) Smart networking > no applications > successful hires. Every. Single. Time. The best jobs aren't advertised. They go to people already in the conversation. So stop being application #248. Start being the person they think of first. Your time is better spent building one real connection than sending 20 applications into the black hole. Trust me on this one. 💬 How did you get your last role: application or connection? Tell me and let's do some market research together ⬇️

Struggling with the job search? Stop submitting dozens of online apps and crossing your fingers. Try this instead: Start by setting aside 2-3 days. Use that time to research the heck out of companies in your target industry. Learn about their products, customers, finances, people, and culture. You’ll cross a lot of places off your list — that’s a good thing! Work to narrow down the list until you have 15 companies you really love. Now focus 100% of your time and energy on those companies. Invest time creating highly personalized resumes and cover letters, then apply. Begin building relationships with potential referrals. Start with people you know — can anyone in your circle introduce you? Then message decision makers (hiring managers, potential peers) directly. Finally, think about how you can go above and beyond to show how much you want to work there. Can you share potential solutions to a challenge? Can you help identify a new opportunity? Can you perform a competitive analysis? Can you gather feedback on a new initiative? Package that up in a deck and lead with it (I call these Value Validation Projects). Moral of the story? Stop going 100 miles wide and one mile deep. Instead, choose a small set of companies you’re genuinely excited about and invest 100% in them.

I get a lot of DMs from people looking for jobs. I posted this last week, and I don't think enough people saw it. Here's my advice to ALL job seekers. First, don't apply to a job posting. It doesn't work. You are competing against 100s or 1,000s of other resumes. Being the few resumes that make it through recruiters & AI screeners is a long shot. Here's what I recommend instead: Run your job seeking process like a top 1% sales person. 1. Build a target companies list (aka ICP) Identify 30-50 companies / organizations that fit within your skill set, passion, industry, geography, etc. 2. Identify key people at each company Use Linkedin to find 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level connections, especially decision makers (VPs, Directors, C-level). A note from a CEO to a hiring manager like "Take a look at this person" is a huge leg up. 3. Get cell numbers, personal emails, & work emails Use free trials of tools like ZoomInfo, Apollo, Lusha, Rocketreach, Seamless Ai, Kaspr, Lead IQ, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, etc. Pay for a month if needed. 4. Craft killer cold outreach Write 3-5 cold email, DM, and call scripts. Test them outside of your ICP. Once you find a winner, go HAM on your list. Something like this: "Hey {name}, I'm Matt. I'll help 3x your retention if you give me a chance at this customer success director role. I was one of the first employees at SimpleCitizen (YC W16), which was acquired by Fragomen, the largest immigration law firm in the world. I led Customer Success there—we kept a 4.9+ TrustPilot rating the entire way. Here’s how I’ll drive impact at {company}: • {Tailored point 1} • {Tailored point 2} • {Tailored point 3}" Most won’t reply. But 10–20% will. And when they do, you’ll skip the resume pile entirely. Even recruiters won’t have that kind of pull.

Yesterday I talked about shifting from false productivity to true agency in your job search. Today, let's get tactical. Here's how to build your target company list in under an hour. 𝟭. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗜 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 Try this prompt: "Give me a list of 20 [industry] companies in [city/region] that are growing, recently received funding, or are actively hiring for [role type] positions." You'll get a curated list in seconds instead of scrolling job boards for hours. 𝟮. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗼'𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 Go to google.com/jobs and search for your target role + location. Here's the key: Google Jobs pulls listings directly from company websites, not just job boards. If a company is actively hiring in your field, they belong on your list—even if the exact role isn't perfect yet. 𝟯. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻'𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲 This one is underused and incredibly powerful. Go to your university's LinkedIn page → click "Alumni." You can filter by: → Where they work (companies hiring your fellow alumni) → What they do (roles and industries) → What they studied (instant common ground) This is huge because Alumni are 3x more likely to respond and help in your job search. You already have a built-in reason to connect. These three steps give you a targeted list of companies where you have a real shot; not a list of 500 random postings where you're one of thousands. Save this post to refer back to later. Check the comments for a script you can send Alumni when reaching out to connect.

Sales folks, take note! Spamming a target company's employees with your services and requests for meetings will result in your company making its way onto a buyer's blocklist. As a buyer in the localization industry, I receive dozens of emails and LinkedIn requests every single day from vendors looking to showcase translation, AI, QA services, and more. It's not humanly possible to give personal replies to every outreach. When vendors can't get through to me, they often reach out to everyone on my team... and sometimes to many others across my company. I'd love for this practice to stop. It wastes valuable company time and makes a vendor appear desperate and non-strategic. Here's what to do instead: 1. Appeal to ego! Invite a target company’s decision-maker to a panel, or start a vlog series and ask buyers to appear and discuss industry topics. It’s also a great opportunity to reposition your company as a thought leader. 2. Offer genuine insight, not just services. Share a case study, white paper, or benchmarking data that’s actually useful to the buyer’s role, and do it without a sales pitch. 3. Build a reputation before you build a pipeline. Comment thoughtfully on posts. Contribute to community conversations. If you consistently show up with value, you’re far more likely to get noticed. 4. Target smarter, not broader. Don’t shotgun your message to an entire company. Learn the org. Understand the buyer’s scope. Then send one well-researched, personalized note that shows you actually did your homework. 5. Focus on mutual value. Can you help solve a known pain point or offer perspective on something changing in the market? Frame your outreach around collaboration, not consumption. 6. Use timing to your advantage. Keep tabs on when companies are hiring for roles associated with your offerings, launching in new markets, or attending conferences. That’s when buyers are more receptive to new solutions. 7. Lead with generosity. Offer a no-strings-attached resource, intro, or suggestion that doesn’t benefit you directly. Reciprocity is a powerful trust builder. And please! Don't ever ever call me on the phone! ;)

How to find companies that are hiring [even before they post any jobs]: Job boards [LinkedIn, Naukri, or Indeed] show opportunities after they go public. If you want to be early in the queue, here’s how to spot companies that are about to hire: 1️⃣ Get specific first: Decide the exact role, domain, and location you’re targeting, e.g., “SDR in SaaS companies in Bangalore” or “PM in a payment fintech co in Mumbai.” The more specific you are, the easier it becomes to track the right signals. 2️⃣ Track business signals: These are small signs that usually come before hiring starts: > Press releases: Check sites like The Economic Times, Business Standard, or the company's newsroom pages. > Funding announcements: Track Entrackr, Inc42 Media, YourStory Media, or TechCrunch India. Example: Bengaluru-based quick commerce company FirstClub recently raised $23M. This means you can expect them to hire for new sales, data, and marketing roles soon. > New office openings or partnerships: Watch LinkedIn company pages or local business news portals for updates. 3️⃣ Use warm introductions. They work better than you think. Reach out to: > College alumni - They'll always have a soft spot for their college junior. > Ex-colleagues or mutual connections - People are usually open to helping when approached respectfully and specifically. A short message like, “Hi, I saw your company is expanding in Pune. I’ve worked in this space for 3 years. Could you guide me on how to best approach your team?” works far better than a cold resume. 4️⃣ Add a bit of value before you ask. If you can show initiative, you’ll instantly stand out. Examples: > Sales role: “I noticed your expansion into Hyderabad. Here are 5 leads that could help you increase outreach.” > Product design role: “Your app just got a new UI update. Here are 3 small fixes that could improve user flow.” > Marketing role: “Congrats on your funding! Here’s an idea for how you could announce it across channels to attract inbound leads.” > Data role: “Your recent product launch got good traction. I built a quick dashboard idea that could help monitor engagement.” 5️⃣ Keep your resume ready. Because when these companies do start hiring, you won’t need to chase opportunities. They’ll already know who you are. #JobSearch #CareerGrowth #Referrals

🎯 Spraying your resume across job boards isn’t a strategy—it’s a guessing game. The best job seekers? They build a targeted company list—and use it to unlock the hidden job market. Here’s why this works: ✅ It keeps your job search focused ✅ It helps you network intentionally ✅ It gives you clarity and momentum ✅ It increases your chances of getting referred So how do you build a great target list? Try this simple, 4-step process 👇 1️⃣ Start with what matters to you Don’t just chase logos. Ask yourself: • What industries energize me? • Do I want remote, hybrid, or in-office? • What company culture or values are non-negotiable? • What size of company feels like a good fit? This will give your list more meaning—and help you spot the right roles faster. 2️⃣ Reverse-engineer your dream job Use LinkedIn to: 🔎 Look at profiles of people in roles you want 🔗 See where they work now—and where they came from 📌 Note companies that show up more than once You’ll start to spot patterns—and companies you hadn’t even considered yet. 3️⃣ Build a “Tiered” List Not all target companies are equal—and that’s okay. ✨ Tier 1: Your dream companies 👍 Tier 2: Solid fit, interesting opportunities 👀 Tier 3: Backup or exploratory options A good target list includes ~20–40 companies across all tiers. 4️⃣ Use Your List to Network Smarter Don’t just apply—connect. ✔ Find people in your target roles or teams ✔ Reach out with genuine curiosity, not desperation ✔ Share your interest in the company (not just the job) 💡 Example: “Hi [Name], I’ve been following [Company] for a while—I’m really drawn to your [product/culture/mission]. I’d love to hear a bit about your experience there if you're open to a quick chat.” That’s not a pitch—it’s a conversation starter. 🔥 Final Thought: A targeted company list is more than a spreadsheet. It’s a compass for your job search—and a powerful tool to build real connections. 🔁 Found this helpful? Repost to help other job seekers stop guessing—and start targeting. #jobsearchstrategy #targetcompanylist #hiddenjobmarket #networkingtips #careerclarity #jobhunt #careercoach

A friend of mine was recently laid off, and he reached out to ask for some advice on how to approach his job hunt. One thing I told him was that this is actually the perfect moment to pause and reassess. A layoff is painful, but it also forces you to confront an important question. What do you really want to do next? Not what is available today. Not what a recruiter happens to send you. What you actually want to do. The type of company you want to be part of. The kind of work that energises you. The teams you enjoy working with. The parts of your previous roles you loved, and the parts you never want to repeat again. Once you have that clarity, the next steps become an exercise in intentional searching instead of just taking the first job that comes along. One thing I have noticed is that many people approach their job hunt in a very passive way. They wait for opportunities that appear on job portals or from recruiters, and they choose from whatever happens to show up in front of them, instead of what they actually want. There is a better and far more intentional way to approach your career. Instead of browsing endlessly on job sites, start with clarity. Here is the approach I would challenge you to try. 1 / 🎯 List five companies you genuinely want to work for Not fantasy dream companies, but realistic ones that excite you. Companies that would hire someone with your skills today. Companies you would be proud to join. 2 / 🧩 Identify the roles that suit you best Look at your skill set, strengths, and experience, and write down the roles in each of these companies that you would be qualified for. Focus on roles you can realistically get now, not ten years from now. 3 / 🤖 Use AI to expand your list of roles Use ChatGPT or any AI tool to help uncover roles in these companies that you may not know exist. Sometimes the best fitting roles are the ones you never thought to search for. 4 / 🔍 Search LinkedIn to check availability Look for these roles on LinkedIn. If they are not open, look for people who currently hold these positions or for hiring managers who oversee these teams. These contacts can give you clarity on timing and requirements. 5 / ☕ Reach out and make your own luck Send a message, ask for a coffee, or ask if their team might be hiring soon. Many opportunities never make it to the job boards, and many people are willing people are to share information or offer guidance. Far too many people jump straight into panic mode and take the first role that appears in front of them. But your next job shapes the next few years of your life. It deserves more thought than that. If you are in a similar situation or considering a change, give yourself the space to be deliberate. Think about the companies that excite you. Think about the roles that fit your strengths. Take ownership of the process and reach out to people. Make your own luck. Build a career you actually want, rather than one that happens by accident.

Sending 200 applications isn't the red flag. Needing 200 applications is. After helping 50,000+ candidates get placed, I've noticed something interesting: The candidates getting interview calls aren't necessarily applying more. They're usually finding opportunities earlier. A role posted today can become saturated within days, yet hiring lists continue circulating for weeks because almost nobody verifies them before sharing. That's why I tell my students to stop chasing lists and start building a simple job-search intelligence system. Here's the exact framework I recommend: 👉🏻 Use "Past 24 Hours" and "Past Week" filters religiously. A role posted yesterday with 30 applicants is often worth far more than a role posted three weeks ago with 500 applicants. 👉🏻 Use AI to identify who's actually hiring. Instead of manually searching company after company, ask ChatGPT, Claude or Perplexity: "Which Indian GCCs, product companies, and startups have announced hiring, expansion, new offices, funding rounds, or capability centre growth in the last 90 days?" This instantly gives you a shortlist of companies showing real hiring momentum. 👉🏻 Follow recruiters, not just company pages. Most candidates follow company pages. Very few follow Talent Acquisition Managers, Recruiters, Campus Hiring Leads, and Engineering Managers. Those are often the people announcing openings before they become crowded. 👉🏻 Watch who is joining the company. Open LinkedIn's People tab and look at recent joins. If dozens of professionals have joined a team over the last few months, chances are hiring is still active. Most candidates never check this. The best candidates do. 👉🏻 Stop manually checking every job description. Use tools like Teal or Jobscan to compare your resume against job requirements and identify missing keywords before applying. 👉🏻 Track off-campus drives beyond traditional job boards. Many hiring drives are announced through Superset, Unstop, HirePro, HackerEarth, and company career portals long before they gain visibility on major job sites. Candidates who rely only on Naukri and LinkedIn often see opportunities after everyone else. 👉🏻 Create a Monday hiring routine. Every Monday morning: ✓ Check your target company career pages ✓ Review recruiter posts ✓ Ask AI tools to surface new hiring announcements ✓ Apply only to roles posted recently This takes less than 30 minutes and is often more effective than spending hours scrolling job portals every day. What's one company you're actively tracking right now? Tell me below 👇 #jobsearchindia #careergrowth #jobsearchtips #hiringnow #interviewtips

Still applying to hundreds of jobs and hearing nothing back? Here’s a quiet shift that makes a big impact: Create a Target Company List. Instead of chasing every job post, this approach helps you focus on organizations that match your values, career goals, and work style.  ✔️ It puts you in control of your job search ✔️ It makes networking less awkward and more intentional ✔️ It increases your chances of being noticed—before a job even opens In this article, I walk you through: How to create a list of 20–30 aligned companies -- Where to find them using LinkedIn -- What to do once you’ve built your list -- Gentle networking strategies (especially if you’re an introvert) -- How to keep your list fresh and strategic over time If you're tired of mass applying and ready to job search with clarity and intention, this is for you. Have you ever created a target company list? Have we met? 👋 Hi, I’m Ana, a 3x certified career coach, LinkedIn & job search strategist. I help introverts optimize their LinkedIn profile to become visible to recruiters so they can land job interviews faster. Is that you? Then, follow along for job search, career advice, and interview help! #JobSearchTips #JobSearch