There are two trends in the job market these days. One is that there is a decrease in traditional jobs that require little to no experience. The other is an increase in roles that need specialist backgrounds and skills—often for limited or specific projects.

Finding a job is already a challenging feat, and it becomes especially difficult when you want to pursue a career in a niche industry. For instance, those who are looking for work in broadcasting face a lot of obstacles in a very competitive market.

What exactly is a niche industry?

Essentially, it’s a way to narrow down what you work on and who you work for. You might be working as a generalist for now because you don’t know what your niche is and that’s fine. Entering a niche means moving on from that.

Among your peers, you’ll notice people who niche and those who don’t. They all have their reasons why they decided to remain a generalist or not. You may feel that you want to focus on particular types of work or clients; that’s already working in a niche.

What are the benefits of working in a niche?

Finding a job in a niche industry means you may enjoy the following advantages:

• Fewer competitors: Virtual workers who specialise in a niche tend to have less competition than those who try to appeal to a broader spectrum of clients.
• Deeper understanding: Focusing on a niche means you develop greater expertise of your chosen field, be it digital marketing or bookkeeping.
• Client loyalty: Employers are more likely to continue being a client when you understand their requirements and preferences.

What are examples of niche markets?

Perhaps you’re wondering what niche markets you may possibly enter so here are some examples:

• Branding
• Healthcare
• Information technology
• Supply chain management
• Financial management
• Statistics
• Construction
• Web development
• Operations research
• Software development
• Blogging
• Dropshipping
• Design consultancy
• Video and audio editing
• Online coaching

How do you find your niche?

There are plenty more options than what we’ve listed above. Follow these steps to identify which one is most suitable for you:

1. Look at your strengths and interests

Pick a niche that reflects your abilities and interests. This requires time to list down the stuff you enjoy doing in your spare time. Find areas where your strengths and interests meet.

2. Narrow down your choices

Among the many areas you’ve listed, choose one the most viable career choice. Bear in mind that shifting to a new career involves a lot of time and effort, so go for something you feel truly passionate about.

3. Check the competition

Research the demand for your intended niche by reading forums and asking your peers. Consider if there are professionals who are already providing the same service as your niche and if there are enough employers.

4. Pick a profitable niche

Take the time to examine your target audience and whether there is enough demand to keep you in business for a few years. Ask yourself if you’re able to alleviate their frustrations and meet their specific needs.

5. Test out your ideas

Think about what gives you an edge over other candidates and how you may communicate it through marketing strategies. Adjust your branding whenever and wherever you can to keep up with the trends.

How can you enter a niche industry?

When you have chosen a niche to enter, you have to be prepared to perform the following:

Write a good cover letter

While there is no consensus about the effectiveness of cover letters, there’s no denying that they do help you impress potential employers. Out of 200 HR specialists, hiring managers, and recruiters, 83% believe that cover letters are important in their recruitment decisions.

Avoid following the same template for all of your cover letters. Instead, tailor each one to the specific industry and employer. Cite examples of how your skills and knowledge may help with their business. As much as possible, address the person in-charge by name rather than say ‘to whom it may concern’.

Keep on honing your skills

To maintain an edge over your competitors, become a lifelong learner. Find ways to better yourself, be it through conferences, workshops, or seminars. Doing so helps you learn more about your industry while expanding your network.

One of the best ways to show your enthusiasm is by attending industry events, especially those that are aligned with your career goals. Not only do they enable you to keep up with the trends but also they teach you the rules when you’re new to the field.

Build your professional network

Apart from skills and knowledge about the industry, you also need a strong professional network. Connections are vital for any job seeker, but they are particularly useful in niche industries. Membership in a professional organisation is useful for supporting your advancement.

Involvement with a society gives you opportunities to network with other workers in the same practice and field. In some cases, this may lead to connections with future clients. There are many organisations for you to choose from, but pick one that you will commit to and be active in.

Boost your online presence

There was a time when only corporations or celebrities had personal brands and got all the attention. Today, it’s possible for professionals to become a brand too. It’s a lot like a corporate brand except that you are marketing yourself rather than a business.

Becoming a brand doesn’t happen overnight though. You have to put in the right time and effort to get customers with greater ease. You’re going to have to write blog posts, make videos, use social media advertising, or create lookalike audiences to achieve success.

Get started with working in a niche

After finding or forming your niche, it’s time to try it. We have provided actionable steps above but you might need further guidance or assistance to actually land a niche job. We at Remote Workmate are here to help you prepare for your desired roles.

Being an offshore staffing firm, we are connected to employers from different parts of the world. Some of them are searching for workers in specific fields of expertise or niches. With our help, you may become the ideal candidate for their job vacancy.