How to Create a Target Company List (and Why It's a Game-Changer)
How to Create a Target Company List (and Why It's a Game-Changer)
Creating a target company list is a strategic pivot that transforms your job search from a reactive, passive activity into a proactive, focused mission. It allows you to concentrate your energy on organizations that align with your career goals, values, and skills, dramatically increasing your chances of landing a role you'll love.
What Is a Target Company List?
A target company list is a curated collection of organizations you've proactively identified as ideal places to work.
This list is built based on your personal criteria, such as company culture, industry, size, values, and growth opportunities.
It serves as the foundation for a proactive job search, a strategy where you pursue companies of interest regardless of whether they have a currently advertised opening.
Why You Need a Target Company List
Shifting from endlessly scrolling job boards to targeting specific companies gives you a powerful strategic advantage. It puts you in control of your career narrative.
This approach allows you to focus your networking, research, and resume tailoring efforts where they will have the most impact.
By targeting companies, you often uncover opportunities in the "hidden job market"—roles that are never publicly advertised and are filled through networking and direct outreach.
| Reactive Job Search (No List) | Proactive Job Search (With List) |
|---|---|
| Spends hours on job boards | Spends time on strategic research |
| Applies to dozens of random roles | Applies to fewer, better-fit roles |
| Generic resume and cover letter | Highly tailored application materials |
| Waits for opportunities to appear | Creates opportunities through networking |
How to Build Your Target Company List: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Define Your "Ideal Company" Criteria
First, you must understand what you're looking for. Consider factors like company size (startup vs. enterprise), industry, and work culture (e.g., remote-first, collaborative).
Also, think about your non-negotiables. These could be related to company values, commitment to diversity and inclusion, or opportunities for professional development.
Step 2: Brainstorm and Research
Start brainstorming companies you already admire. Look at industry leaders, fast-growing startups, and organizations known for being great places to work.
Use resources like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and "Best Places to Work" lists from publications like Forbes and Fast Company.
Step 3: Organize and Prioritize
Organize your findings in a spreadsheet or a job tracker. Create columns for your key criteria: Company Name, Website, Industry, Size, and a "Why" column.
The "Why" column is crucial. It forces you to articulate exactly why each company is on your list, which will be invaluable for networking and interviews later.
Prioritize the list into tiers. Tier 1 could be your top 10 "dream" companies, with Tiers 2 and 3 for other strong contenders.
FAQ: Building Your Company List
How many companies should be on my target list?
Aim for a manageable number, typically between 20 to 40 companies. This is enough to provide options without becoming overwhelming. Quality over quantity is key.
What if my dream company isn't hiring right now?
This is the perfect scenario for a proactive approach. Use the time to research the company deeply and build connections inside the organization through informational interviews.
Informational Interview: A casual conversation with someone working in a company or industry that interests you, designed to gather information and advice, not to ask for a job.
How do I find companies if I'm changing careers?
Focus on industries where your transferable skills are most valuable. Look for companies that hire for the role you're targeting, even if they are in a different sector than your previous one. Professional associations in your new field are a great resource.
Supercharge Your Strategy with Cruit
Building and acting on a target company list requires strategy and intelligence. Cruit provides the tools to execute this plan with precision.
Career Exploration: If you're unsure where to start, Cruit analyzes your resume to identify your transferable skills and recommends alternative career paths and industries. This provides a data-backed starting point for your list.
Networking: Once you have your list, use Cruit's Networking module to import contacts from LinkedIn who work at your target companies. The AI Networking Guide helps you draft personalized outreach messages to start building connections.
Job Analysis Module: Find a role at a non-target company that is similar to your ideal job. Use Cruit's Job Analysis to see how you stack up. This gives you a roadmap to close skill gaps, making you a stronger candidate when a role does open up at your target company.
Application Pipeline (Job Tracker): Use Cruit's visual job tracker to manage your target list. You can track your outreach, conversations, and applications for each company, turning your list into an actionable project plan.
This guide was created by Cruit, a career growth platform that helps professionals build and execute their career strategy.