Define a niche around a useful problem
Course overview · 4 min reading + 12 min practice, estimated
Principles and method
A specialism combines a buyer, hiring problem and market you can understand. Narrowness alone does not make it viable. Explain why the problem recurs and why external help is useful. Distinguish an industry label from a service proposition: engineering is broad, while leadership hiring for regulated manufacturers describes a more testable need. Consider your experience, credibility and access without treating existing contacts as the whole market. A niche should be specific enough to learn deeply and broad enough to support the intended business.
Worked example
A fictional recruiter moves from all technology roles to maintenance leadership for regional process manufacturers. The thesis identifies recurring succession and reliability needs, then tests whether those buyers use external search support.
Put it into practice
Write three possible niche definitions and compare how clearly each identifies buyer and problem.
Use fictional information and keep your work in your own notes.
Compare your approach: self-review guidance
Avoid choosing solely because a market sounds fashionable. State what you already know, what is assumed and which evidence could disconfirm the thesis.
Sources and further reading
Original Academy teaching and fictional examples. These references provide context, not endorsement. Edition 2026.09; updated 2026-09-24.
- CIPD: Recruitment
Professional context for the recruitment lifecycle.
- GOV.UK: Set up a business
UK starting point. Business structure and obligations depend on the circumstances.