Angela Copeland, Author at Copeland Coaching

152 | Body Language – Joe Navaro, Author & Body Language Expert

by Angela Copeland | Jan 2, 2018 | Advice, Body Langauge, Podcast

Episode 152 is live! This week, we talk with Joe Navaro. Joe is an international bestselling author and body language expert. He spent 25 years at the FBI, working as both an agent and supervisor in the areas of counterintelligence and counter terrorism. Through his work, he was able to study, refine, and apply the science of non-verbal communications. Joe is the author of numerous books and articles on body language, including: What Every BODY Is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People.

On today’s episode, Joe shares:

What is non-verbal communication
Which parts of the body are most important when it comes to sending the right signals
The body language advice you should ignore
How to tell if the hiring manager likes you during a job interview

Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

To learn more about Joe, find him on Twitter and his website.

Thanks to everyone for listening! And, thank you to those who sent me questions. You can send your questions to Angela@CopelandCoaching.com. You can also send me questions via Twitter. I’m @CopelandCoach. And, on Facebook, I am Copeland Coaching.

Don’t forget to help me out. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave me a review!

Start 2018 Strong

by Angela Copeland | Jan 1, 2018 | Career Coaching, Career Transition, Newsletter

Happy New Year’s Day!

Can you believe it? 2018 is finally here. Regardless of your political leanings or any other views, 2017 was a long year. LLOOONG.

There were times when it felt like it would never be over. Right?

I mean, how many times did you consider defriending that overly opinionated friend on Facebook? How many times did you watch the train wreck of the morning news and think, “How is this happening?” How many times over the holidays around family did you think, “I better just keep my mouth closed about this topic right now.” “And, how many times did you think, “Oh my – I don’t think I can do this job one more day!”

The good news is, we made it. We made it TOGETHER. (Minus a few Facebook friends.)

So, let’s take this opportunity today to turn over a new leaf. It’s January 1^st. It’s a Monday. Let’s start off a great new week to a great new year.

It’s time to refocus on our priorities and establish new goals. After all, that’s what the New Year is good for, right? Setting a few resolutions to help us target our energy.

But, first, let’s work on accepting a few things as they are.

If you did a great job in 2017, but didn’t get the raise you should have, it may be time to find a new job
If you asked for a promotion in 2017 and your boss had no interest, it may be time to find a new job
If you had no work life balance and were working crazy hours with little or no time off, it may be time to find a new company
If your work is boring / unfulfilling / soul sucking, it may be time to find a new job

I know, I know. You may be thinking, “But, Angela – I was planning to stay at this company forever. I want to work my way up to the top of my organization. I want to retire here.” I hear you. And, if you’re happy and things are going according to plan, great! You are in a dream job scenario.

But, if it’s not working… if you are dragged yourself to work every day in 2017… if you’re hoping each and every day that your boss will finally “get you” – it’s time to rethink the plan. Remember too – companies aren’t the same as they once were. Staying with one company forever is becoming the anomaly, not the norm.

People who switch jobs (and companies) more frequently are paid more. They go up the ladder. And, their bosses actually buy into them.

Why is this? Well, when your current boss is the one who recruited you, they did it because they liked you. They saw your potential. They didn’t simply inherit you from someone else. And, they probably fought to get you – so they offered you more to join their company than they would have if you were just getting an annual raise internally.

Moving around also helps to diversify your experience. It helps to expand your network. For many industries, it can help to reduce the risk that you will one day be unemployed.

Okay, so you get the point… With all of this in mind, what are you going to do differently in 2018?

The very first thing is to decide if you want to find a new job. And, if so, when do you want to find a new job? What’s your target and how will you get there?

But, keep in mind that if you’ve been with one company for a while and your pay is high, it will take longer to find your next high paying senior level job. It’s been estimated that for every $10,000 you make, it will take 1 month to find a new job. So, if you make $80,000 now, it may take you 8 months to find something new. EIGHT MONTHS! Wow!

So, if you’re even thinking of finding something new, this is the time to start. Don’t wait. Set your goal. Set your resolution. And, let’s get going!

I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Also, be sure to subscribe to my Copeland Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher where I discuss career advice every Tuesday! If you’ve already heard the podcast and enjoy it, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach

If interviewing were dating

by Angela Copeland | Dec 27, 2017 | Career Corner Column, Interviewing, Job Search

Interviewing for a job is a nerve racking process. When else do we want others to judge us? We spend so much time preparing – finding the perfect clothes, organizing our resume, and sneaking out of our job. We ask for recommendations from our old bosses.

Not only are we judged during the interview process. But, if we’re rejected, the company doesn’t even owe us any explanation. And, very often, they don’t give any additional information about why we weren’t picked.

That leaves our brain to wonder what happened. We spent so many hours preparing. Where did we go wrong? Did the hiring manager not like us? Did we fail a test? Were they looking for someone with more experience or a better education? Trying to sort through these possibilities is stressful. It can take days, and have no answer.

In reality, it’s possible we weren’t selected for reasons that had little to do with us. Really, this can happen. For example, the hiring manager may have already had a candidate preselected. Or, perhaps the job has been put on hold — and nobody was hired. Rarely will the company fess up to these details.

But, an equally important (but less considered) question is — what did you think about the company? Did you feel that you were a good fit with the hiring manager? Are you excited about the job? Do you want to work for the company?

Think of interviewing a little more like dating, and a little less like taking a test. Sure, you’re not looking for someone to marry, but you are looking for people you’ll spend a considerable amount of time with. You may even see them more than your spouse.

We would never go on a first date hoping the person might marry us – without knowing much about them. Then, why would we ever approach a job interview this way?

If you already have a bad job, why would you want to potentially find another bad job? The best job is always one where there’s a mutual match. The company likes you, and you like the company.

So, rather than spend all of your time worrying about whether the company likes you, shift your focus to whether or not you like them. Decide if you really do want to spend more than eight hours a day with these folks.

And, if you do get rejected, don’t assume it’s the end of the line. The company probably doesn’t really dislike you. Maybe the timing wasn’t right. Or, perhaps they see you in a slightly different role than the one that was available when you applied.

In fact, because they have met you and know you now, they may be even more likely to talk to you again when a future opportunity rolls around. Keep your eyes open for other jobs that may be a better fit. But, if you are called back in, be sure to find out if the company is a good fit for you.

Angela Copeland is a Career Coach and Founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.

Laid off just in time for the holidays

by Angela Copeland | Dec 20, 2017 | Career Corner Column, Holiday, Layoff, Unemployment

I hate to admit this. I have seen more people let go this holiday season than in years past. It’s a sad and stressful situation. As employers approach the end of the year, they reevaluated their priorities and made business decisions to reorganize. The shift in structure left many people without a job.

If this has happens to you, please know you’re not alone. Honestly, this trend disappoints me quite a bit. The holidays can be an especially difficult and uncertain time to be without a job. Expenses go up with travel and gifts. And, let’s face it. Job seeking over the holidays can be slow and discouraging, even in a good situation.

The first lesson is this. When it comes to your career, think of yourself as your own small business. Be honest. Have integrity. And, don’t forget – make choices that put you first. Very often, we make sacrifices for our company that we later regret. We stay too long, or we allow ourselves to slowly become outdated – for the sake of the team. Do what’s right, but don’t forget that the company will do what they need to do to survive – whether it impacts your job or not. With that in mind, you must also do what’s right for you.

Second, don’t wait to start searching. I know that it’s emotionally exhausting and you may want to take a break. But, when you’re first laid off can be the perfect time to reach out to others for help. A few years ago, my hometown in Oklahoma was hit by a massive tornado. Amazingly, people were extremely interested to help in the weeks right after it happened – giving money, time, and other helpful donations. A few months later, my hometown was still picking up the pieces from this devastation. But, naturally, most people had moved on to the next tragic news story. In other words, folks are more likely to help very soon after any difficult incident. If you can, push yourself to start quickly.

The holidays are a time when you will have a chance to see friends and colleagues at annual parties. It can be a time of renewal and reconnection. Take advantage of these free events. But, before attending, prepare yourself. You may be surprised at how many direct and sometimes inappropriate questions you may be asked about your former employer. Practice what you will say if someone asks why you were let go. Be brief, be concise, and do your best not to knock your former employer.

Beginning your job search now will leave you prepared to start strong in January. Update your LinkedIn profile, revise your resume, and have a draft cover letter ready to go. Be prepared to react quickly when someone lends you a hand.

I hope you don’t experience this type of loss during this season. But, if you do, know that there are many people who will step in to help. Be ready, so you can take full advantage.

Angela Copeland is a Career Coach and Founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.