A job search framework
Back to basics
A common line I hear from job seekers is:
“I’ve never had trouble looking for work before but this market is uncharted waters.”
It’s as common immediately after a redundancy as it is 6 months in.
This makes it important to go back to basics, and get your controllables in order, especially as two things will invariably change over time - you and the market.
Starting a job search is much like launching your own product to market, and in many ways, it’s a parallel approach.
While much of the market can feel unknowable, there are a few product marketing principles you can apply, that can either get you off on the right footing or help course correct.
Today’s article is about the 7Ps of product marketing:
Product, Price, Place, Promotion, Positioning, Psychology, Process.
(You can apply the same principles to recruiting a vacancy too, which is effectively a product for potential candidates to buy - check out this article from a couple of years ago, here)
Product –
Know yourself and your unique value.
What are your values, needs and aspirations - how does this career identity align with what’s out there?
Is your CV a true reflection of your strengths and experiences?
What makes you stand out from other candidates with similar backgrounds?
Think of your skills and experience as features and benefits—why should an employer want to hire you?
Read these articles for more:
Price
What are your salary expectations, and how do they compare to market rates?
Think beyond the numbers—what other benefits matter to you?
Would flexibility, training, or annual leave allowances make up for a slightly lower base salary?
Take a broad view of what’s valuable to you.
Read this article for more:
Place
Where can you find your ideal role?
Consider all the main job-hunting channels, including LinkedIn, job boards, professional associations, referrals, and recruiters.
A multi-channel approach can help you reach more opportunities, whether they’re openly advertised or within professional networks.
Read these articles for more:
The Hidden Jobs Market (it’s not what you think)
Promotion
How do you present yourself across all these channels?
Aim for a consistent, professional approach across your CV, LinkedIn profile, cover letters, and any networking messages.
Each element should reflect your personal brand—don’t let an outdated LinkedIn profile, generic CV, or offhand email weaken your presentation.
Read these for more:
LinkedIn profiles that convert
How to Promote Your Availability on LinkedIn
Personal Branding Pt 1 (See archive below for other parts)
Positioning
Segment the job market to identify where your ideal roles are.
Which sectors, companies, regions, and cultures align best with your skills and career goals?
This will help you focus your efforts on opportunities where you’re most likely to succeed and be valued.
Something for me to write about in more detail, in future.
Psychology
Understand both your own needs and the market’s.
Speak to the employer’s priorities in your applications and interviews—how can you address their specific goals?
Consider the psychology of the hiring process, too. Which aspects of your job search approach might need refining?
Try to eliminate anything that doesn’t serve your goals or distracts from your message.
I plan to write about analysing job requirements / descriptions in future.
Read the three part series on Interviewing, which touches on these themes. Part one is here: Interview Preparation. The other two are in the archive below.
Process – Develop a structured approach to your job search.
Familiarise yourself with how different application channels work, from Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to LinkedIn messaging.
Set up a method for each step, from applications and follow-ups to networking, that keeps you organised and efficient without unnecessary effort.
Read these for more:
The 7Ps are something you can always go back to and are the basis of all the articles in Jobseeker Basics. (Don’t forget my domain and expertise is in the UK - there will be cultural, transadaptational and legislative differences wherever you may be.)
While this article is the “back cover of the book”, each article is a detailed chapter on the same.
I’d recommend booking the archive as an index, where you can browse all the articles (always for free): Archive.
Feel free to reply if there are any topics you’d like me to cover in future.
Thanks for reading.
Regards,
Greg
p.s. This substack remains considered as harmful content by LinkedIn, and they aren’t in a rush to change that. I remain grateful if you can share this with fellow job seekers - the sole intent is to demystify recruitment, provide practical advice, and debunk myths.
Ironically certain cynical career coaches (i.e. those that sell ATS-compliant CVs) have no issue promoting their content on LinkedIn.