A common dilemma that companies face is
whether to focus their products and services as broadly as possible, and
thereby target the largest possible addressable market, or focus narrowly to
target a win-able beachhead.
So too, is the dilemma that people face when positioning themselves from a
career marketing perspective. Focus broadly or position
narrowly? Conventional wisdom is to look at the myriad of opportunities in
the marketplace, your breadth of skills and target the largest bucket. Why
close the door on potential opportunities that you could be a fit for?
Does the approach work? Absolutely, and I
make this assertion from two different points of reference. One is having
guided many job seekers across industries as diverse as technology, real estate
and retail, I have seen how aligning specific skills and/or a specific passion
with a specific "hire me" message tilted towards the narrow net
target has translated to a great outcome for the seeker and a great hire for
the company.
Not only is such a strategy great for getting hired but it is great for thinking about what your unfair advantage is, what career path you aspire to and equally important, what does not fit into this bucket. It's the distinction between marketing yourself as a finely tailored suit and shopping yourself as "off the rack."
Related Posts:
- Are You Working with Chickens or Pigs? On finding workers and co-workers who have real 'skin in the game.'
- The Five Keys to Business Success: Simple truths learned in doing eight startups.