How to Build a Target Employer List (with Excel Spreadsheet)

The following post explores How to Build a Target Employer List.

Building a list of companies you’d like to work for is a proactive strategy. Instead of visiting large job boards like Indeed with lots of traffic (i.e. competition) – why not skip the middlemen and go directly to the source?

Read: Larry David Celebrity Resume

Related: Companies Headquartered in My City

Take control of your job search by reducing your reliance on large job boards! Tailor your approach by identifying specific companies while uncovering unique opportunities in the process.

Here are some of the best ways to explore new companies and build your target employer list.

Glassdoor

Glassdoor is one of the most popular resources for exploring new companies. The site offers a behind-the-scenes look at organizations through firsthand accounts from current and former employees. For a deeper look, check out this article I wrote on the Reasons for Using Glassdoor as a Job Seeker.

Google Maps

Google Maps is not just for navigation; it’s a powerful tool to discover potential employers in your area. By exploring local businesses, you can identify companies that are hiring and gather valuable information to expand your target employer list. Using Google Maps helps you uncover local companies.

Here’s a post I shared on LinkedIn about using Google Maps to find local companies that are hiring.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn isn’t just about individuals; companies have their own dedicated “company pages.” Get curious about what’s out there and leverage LinkedIn’s company pages to discover new companies you never knew existed. Exploring these pages gives you insights that can help you refine your list.

Industry Reports and Publications

Tapping into industry reports and publications is a great way to discover new potential employers with aligning values and goals. By immersing yourself in industry knowledge, you’ll gain a better understanding of potential employers and their positions within the market.

Chamber of Commerce

Your local Chamber of Commerce is one of the most effective tools for identifying legitimate employers in your area. Most Chambers maintain an online business directory that allows you to browse companies by industry, size, and location. These directories often include direct links to company websites.

To find yours, simply search Google using this format: “[Your City] Chamber of Commerce business directory.”

Look Around Town

Hop in the car and drive around town to spark your curiosity of potential local employers. Then, simply visit the careers page on each company’s website to find their latest job openings. This hands-on approach can reveal opportunities that aren’t widely advertised and help you connect with employers in your community.

Do Industry Research

Following investment activity helps you identify companies that are growing before their jobs hit the major job boards. A smart way to spot these growth-stage companies is by tracking funding rounds, acquisitions, and venture capital activity. You can find this information through business news and investor press releases.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, I hope this post encourages you to skip the middlemen (large job boards) and go straight to the source by finding companies in your area. Rather than passively using large job boards, curating a list of companies you’d like to work for is an effective way to approach the job search process.

Download the Job Search Tracker (MS Excel)