Building Your Dream Job Board

Here at Talent Stacker HQ, we are committed to helping you work smarter, not harder when it comes to the job search. 

Sometimes we hear of people submitting hundreds of job applications a day and not making much headway – despite an immense effort. While this tactic might occasionally be successful, as someone who has done hiring in the past and talked with many hiring managers/recruiters, I question the efficiency of this method. 

One tactic I often recommend is for job seekers to instead take a step back and spend a day compiling their Dream Job Board first, before submitting another application. 

The Dream Job Board is a self-reflection and research tool that can help you to become more strategic in your job search versus taking a buckshot approach. 

Download Your Dream Job Board Template Here. 

Talent Stacker Template – Once open, please download a copy to your computer (File > Download). Sharing requests will not be granted. 

The purpose of this tool is to help you identify and thoroughly research the top 5 companies and/or roles that you would be interested in and define “your why” and the value you think you can bring to the table. You are welcome to add more companies, but I don’t recommend any more than 10 to start for a more customized approach. 

For each company, you will fill out these 5 critical sections: 

• The Why: Why do you want to work for this company specifically? Research the company and provide 3-5 well thought out reasons. This could range in anything from the job itself, things you like about the company, their values, the sectors/verticals they work in, etc.  
• The Value You Bring: Looking at the roles you are interested in within the company – what value can you bring to this company and/or this role? Being specific here can go a long way. For example: Maybe one of the sectors this company works in is Healthcare and you come from a background as a registered nurse. This would be a great point to add in this column. If the company is not currently hiring for a specific role, that’s okay – the exercise of thinking about how you might still being value to this company broadly is important. 
• Networking: From your research, list 4-5 key contacts you might connect with. These might be the recruiter, they might be people in the company, or they might be other Talent Stackers who are currently working there or have worked there in the past. Be considerate and courteous when you start to build these bridges. Don’t just ask if they are hiring. Think about where you can build relationships, where you can start adding value now and lead with this. 
• Growth Goals: There might be gaps between where you are now and the position descriptions or the company needs. This is okay. What are 2-3 areas you can identify that you can grow into and how do you plan to do it? This might be a specific certification or other relevant development goal. 
• Notes: General notes to consider in your research of this company. Make sure for the sake of both your time and that of the hiring teams, that you are doing good research prior to submitting your application package. 

Once you have this document, continue to refine it as you come across additional information. 

Why would I spend the time to do this? There are several reasons: 

• The Salesforce ecosystem is a huge place – though you might not know the direction you want to take right off the bat, it can be good to have at least explored where you might fit best and add value. 
• Knowing the type of job/company you are looking for can help you hone in your job search and your story.
• Doing your due diligence and understanding more about each company you are applying for and why will help you tailor your resume, cover letter, and interviews. 
• Authentically building these networking bridges around the companies and roles you are interested in might help you land a role without even applying (aka The Hidden Job Market).
• Sharing your Dream Job Board with your Study Group or Mentors can give them a better idea on where you are looking to go – so when a job comes up that aligns with your interests, you might have others looking out for you. 

View the Talent Stacker Dream Job Board Workshop Here.

>> Workshop Slide Deck Here. 

>> Have you started your Dream Job Board? Feel free to drop the link in the comments – would love to see what you have come up with! 

>>> Idea on how to refine the Dream Job Board? Ideations in the comments also welcome!