Usually I write for the B2B professional who is conducting lead generation programs.
Today's post is for the professional who is the program.
As an out-of-work B2B practioner, you may be looking for innovative ways to search for your next position. If you are the proverbial cobbler, you may have neglected the marketing of you.
The next generation of web applications (aka 2.0) should be very appealing to you (as it is to the resource-constrained B2B marketer): free or nearly free applications, easy and fast to get up and running and rich with interactivity and online tracking information.
Let's step through a plan to get you that job:
Goal Setting
To help you manage the roller-coaster ride of a job search, it's much easier if you can objectively look at the job search like a sales pipeline. For example, the more activity at the top of the funnel (e.g. applications and interviews with appropriate target companies) should lead to more offers.
By setting top of funnel goals it can help keep you focused even if the offers are not forthcoming. Talk to your peers and set reasonable goals for yourself. Celebrate the achievement of positive metrics.
CRM System
You will need a system to manage your job search metrics and to keep track of your progression with contacts.
A CRM or customer relationship management system will keep you organized and disciplined. An added bonus is that the use and configuration of a CRM system will give you the insight and experience of being a sales rep (where you are the product).
FREE CRM - Yes that's right - the entry level version of Salesforce.com (Personal Edition) is free.
Email Marketing
Some email marketing systems allow 1to1 emails, where an individual can send a trackable email to a prospect.
In Job Search 2.0, a trackable email will allow you to find out how many times the email has been opened.
This intelligence is invaluable as it indicates that your recipient has forwarded your email or resume to colleagues.
$99 per year - The Salesforce.com Group Edition provides trackable email.
SEO
Search engine optimization is ranked #1 by B2B marketers for generating quality leads.
Your application of SEO to your job search is similarly important.
For example, should you upload your resume to a job board or directly to an employer, keywords in your resume will drive traffic to you and in turn, will help rank your resume higher (Shall we call this JB - SEO or Job Board - Search Engine Optimization?)
For a B2B marketer, it can be challenging to determine what keywords the target audience is using to search.
Not so on job boards - you can easily tap into current job postings by employers to assess keywords.
FREE Keyword Tool - Interested in visualizing the keywords in multiple job ads? I used a free tag cloud tool Wordle to create the tag cloud (to the left) by combining the copy from three job ads on Monster.
List Procurement
The next generation of online lists favors the job searcher. No longer do you need to pay a hefty premium for minimum order sizes.
Now many lists do not require either a subscription or a minimum order. Take a look at lists such as: Jigsaw, NetProspex, SalesGenie, Zapdata and ZoomInfo.. For a recent study on online data sources, click here.
Social Networks
And of course, social networks like LinkedIn provide free contacts. However the records do not include contact information and the number of available contacts depends on the size of your network.
One of the key benefits of 2.0 tools is to track online behavior.
Did you know that in LinkedIn you can find out who is viewing your LinkedIn profile?
On the sidebar of your profile, you will find this handy widget.
With LinkedIn, you can inform your network of your job search status, ask questions of your network and the LinkedIn community and ask your network for introductions.
Blogs
As a job seeker, you are severely constrained by the amount of space on a resume.
A personal blog is a much more expressive medium to expand upon your capabilities and in a much more personable tone than a resume.
It's also a great way to demonstrate your written communication skills - essential for the marketing profession.
Video
If you a good public speaker looking to standout from the crowd, a video biography may be the tool for you.
Of all the social media tools available to marketers, blogs and video are ranked most highly by B2B marketers for lead generation.
$299 & up - Create a video biography with Market Yourself Smarter
Further Assistance
If I can be of any assistance in your job search (my focus is B2B marketing), please feel free to contact me at: robert (at) OnDemandInsideSales (dot) com
If you are a marketer that would like to help out your peer group, please leave a comment.
Additional Reading
Job Search 2.0 by Rachel Happe, The Social Organization Blog
Career Toolbox: 100+ Places to Find Jobs by Sean P. Aune, Mashable
30+ Websites to Visit When You're Laid Off by Ben Parr, Mashable
7 Secrets to Getting Your Next Job Using Social Media by Dan Schawbel, Personal Branding Blog
Job Searching 2.0: Looking for Work 'New School' by Monica Hamburg, Me Like the Interweb Blog
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