Week 2 Foundation & Focus: Career Clarity, The 30-Day Job Search Kickstart
The Treasure Map
Job boards are like wandering aimlessly through the forest, hoping to trip over gold. Target company research is like drawing a treasure map. You may not know exactly what “X marks the spot” looks like yet, but you’ll know the direction you’re heading—and avoid wasting energy digging in the wrong places.
Your company list gives your job search focus, language for networking, and a set of organizations you can watch closely for opportunities. It also helps you test your “ideal job description” from Day 11 against real-world possibilities.
Coaching Story: The Random Apply Spiral
Another alum, Raj, was stuck in the “apply everywhere” loop. He sent out 60 applications to random postings. Crickets.
Once we built a target company list—10 organizations he admired for their culture and innovation—everything shifted. His outreach became warmer (he had something specific to say in networking calls). Recruiters took him more seriously (“you clearly know what you’re looking for”). Within two months, he was interviewing at two of those companies—roles he would have missed if he’d kept blindly applying.
Research gives you leverage. Randomness keeps you invisible.
For New Grads & Seasoned Pros
New Grads: Company research helps you see beyond job titles. You’ll learn where alumni like you are working, which organizations invest in growth, and which industries are expanding. It’s how you find doors that aren’t obvious on job boards.
Seasoned Pros: A target list protects you from “panic apply.” It keeps your energy focused on companies aligned with your values and long-term goals. And when you’re in conversations, it signals to decision-makers that you’re intentional—not desperate.
✅ Action Steps for Today: Build Your List
- Start with 10–15 companies that interest you.
- Use the Kelley Alumni Career Services Market Research guide.
- Browse LinkedIn to see where alumni in your field or function are working.
- Note companies mentioned in the news, industry blogs, or podcasts.
- For each company, jot down:
- Why it excites you (culture, mission, growth, reputation).
- How it connects to your Ideal Job Description (Day 11).
- Alumni contacts you might reach out to.
- Keep your list visible. Add to it weekly. Treat it as your personal treasure map.
Here’s a downloadable worksheet to support you in this step (I love worksheets).
Why This Works
When you know who you’re looking at—not just what—your job search sharpens. You’ll craft better outreach messages, prep more confidently for interviews, and spend less time chasing dead ends.
Keep Researching
Head over to the Kelley Alumni Career Services site for company research tools and alumni networking resources to help you grow your list.
Next in the 30-Day Job Search
Read Day 13 → How to Spot a Bad Fit Before You Apply
Because once you’ve built your treasure map, you need to know which X’s to avoid digging under.
