Build primary and adjacent search lanes
Course overview · 4 min reading + 12 min practice, estimated
Principles and method
Primary lanes closely match the operating context; adjacent lanes may contain transferable capabilities. Describe the mechanism of transfer, such as leading safety-critical maintenance, rather than grouping companies because they look similar. Start with employer types and role variants, then inspect evidence. Record excluded lanes and the reason for exclusion so the search can be revisited when assumptions change. A market map is a navigable model, not a static list of famous employers. Ask whether small organisations, different career routes or less visible professional communities are being missed.
Worked example
A food-production maintenance role draws from food, packaging and process manufacturing. Each lane is assessed for equipment complexity, shift patterns and regulatory context. A software-company engineering title is excluded because the underlying work is different.
Put it into practice
Define three lanes, two title variants per lane and a transferability test.
Use fictional information and keep your work in your own notes.
Compare your approach: self-review guidance
Explain why each lane could supply the required capability and what evidence would disconfirm it. Do not use employer prestige as the transferability test. Keep uncertain lanes visible until a sample resolves them.
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.
- ICO: Recruitment and selection
UK guidance. Check its current status and updates before implementation.