by Angela Copeland | Oct 24, 2016 | Advice, Networking, Newsletter
I keep running into the same issue, over and over. Today, it’s weighing heavy on my mind, so I wanted to take a moment to share my thoughts with you.
All the time, I see job seekers who are working really, really hard. They’re at home, perfecting their resume and cover letter. And, they’re spending countless hours applying for jobs online. And, I mean HOURS. It could literally be their full time job.
After months of going through this exercise with no results, they’ll come to me. By this time, the job seeker is completely demoralized. They’ve lost hope. They’ve decided that they don’t have enough skills to procure any kind of job. They clearly are not a desirable candidate. And, they’re frankly not sure how they made it this far in life WITH a job. Clearly, they aren’t cut out for today’s new job market (…or so they think.)
It’s a terrible situation. The job seeker is giving up on themselves. And, why?
Because we are being conditioned (I hate to sound so dramatic, but frankly, it’s true) to think that ALL we need is our computer to find a job. As long as we have an internet connection and a LinkedIn account, we should be all set, right? Wrong.
I know that times have changed. I know that job seeking has evolved in the past twenty years. I get it. I’ve been here the entire time.
But, what hasn’t changed is this: PEOPLE. And, people make hiring decisions. When is the last time you hired someone from a blind ad on Indeed? It’s probably been a while. Instead, you reach out to your friends to see if they’d be interested. Then, you reach out to their network to see if someone they know might be interested.
I get it. Companies have been telling us all, “Submit your application on our website. If you’re a fit, we’ll call you.” Heck, the computer engineer in me wishes this were true.
But, it’s not! The online application systems are flawed. And, even if they weren’t flawed, there is no substitute for a personal connection.
The next time you get an automated rejection e-mail that says you weren’t a good fit for the job, don’t take it so personally. It’s not a reflection of your skills. It’s a reflection of the medium you chose to apply.
Instead of relying on technology to get a job, use it as a tool. Use websites like LinkedIn to find the hiring manager. Then, reach out to them directly and network with them — the old fashioned way. As much as technology has changed, one thing stays the same — people hire people. If you know the ones who are hiring, you’re more likely to be hired. It’s as simple as that.
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.
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
by Angela Copeland | Oct 19, 2016 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Informational Interviewing, Media, Networking
Inevitably when I meet a job seeker, I ask a question that makes them pretty uncomfortable. Most of the time, the question is along the lines of, “Why don’t you send that hiring manager an email on LinkedIn?”
The person has very often found a job posting for their perfect job at a great company. But, they don’t have any connections at the company. So, I will suggest that they introduce themselves to the hiring manager – via LinkedIn or in an e-mail.
The most common objection is that the job seeker doesn’t want to bother the hiring manager. They feel that contacting the hiring manager directly would be breaking the rules. It would be going around the online system the company has designed. On top of that, they assume they’d be a bother to the hiring manager.
The thing to remember is this. It’s a great idea to apply online. But, online application systems aren’t perfect and there’s a chance your resume will never be seen by human eyes if you only apply online. In all likelihood, the hiring manager knows this. If you’re a qualified candidate, they will be more than happy to hear from you. They’re probably dying to find the right candidate to fill their opening.
On top of that, most hiring managers are themselves networkers. The higher you go up the food chain at most companies, the more your own networking abilities help to promote you. So, there’s a good chance that the hiring manager you email has done the very same thing before too.
And, the risk is pretty small. In a worst case scenario, the hiring manager will ignore your message. The chance that they will send you an angry response is very low. And, if you don’t contact them via e-mail, they may never know you exist in the first place.
You may be reading this and wondering how in the world you would find the name of the hiring manager if you don’t know them already. It can be tricky, but it’s often more possible than you think.
I’ll give you an example. Years ago, I was searching for a job when I came across a perfect digital marketing opportunity at a large company. I didn’t know anyone there, so I used LinkedIn to research who the hiring manager might be. I looked at the company’s page on LinkedIn. Then, I looked at all of the employees who worked there. I scanned each employee’s title until I found the vice president of digital marketing. I used LinkedIn to send him a message asking for a networking lunch, and the rest is history. Granted – I didn’t get hired right away, but after the company got to know me, my email paid off and I got the job.
The next time you’re hesitant to break the rules, ask yourself why. What’s the worst that will happen? And, if the worst isn’t too terrible, bend them a bit. It just might pay off.
Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.
by Angela Copeland | Oct 12, 2016 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Media
As strange as I know it sounds, I think of looking for a job a little bit like dating. Unless you are a reality TV show contestant, you’ve probably never gone on a first date hoping the other person would marry you. You’re there to get to know them, and to decide whether or not to have a second date.
The same holds true with interviewing for a job. Just because a company looks attractive on the outside doesn’t automatically mean it’s a place you want to spend your time. You could end up with eight hours a day of stress, followed by unpleasant evenings trying to recover.
So, what are the red flags you should be on the lookout for? One of the biggest signs you should run the other way is an incomplete interview process. Perhaps the employer wasn’t terribly interested to interview you. Rather than ask you questions about your experience, they were trying to convince you they were a great place to work. This could be a sign that they’re having a hard time finding candidates. Alternatively, perhaps the hiring manager was not the one to interview you or to make the final hiring decision. Their boss loved you and made the decision for them. This may set you up for an uncomfortable relationship with your direct boss in the future.
Another red flag can be how many times the role you’re interviewing for has turned over in recent years. If more than two people have held a role in a four year period, you should wonder what’s going on.
A number of other red flags can show up at the very end of the interview process – after you’ve received an offer and are negotiating. Take note of the following: The employer refuses to provide the offer to you in writing. The employer forces you to make a decision in less than twenty-four hours. The employer requires you to start working in less than two weeks. You are interviewing for a senior role and the employer is not open to any negotiation around increased salary or vacation.
The most important red flag of all is when you get a bad feeling about a company. You aren’t sure why, but something isn’t adding up. Maybe the employees seem unhappy, the boss seems squirrely, or something else just seems off. Even if you can’t pinpoint the exact cause of your discomfort, don’t ignore it. There’s a reason you are unsure.
While you’re sorting through red flags, it can be helpful to learn what others are saying about the company. If you don’t have a personal contact you can turn to, check out sites like Glassdoor.com. Employees rate companies on the website much like diners rate restaurants on popular review websites.
Whatever you do, don’t be fooled. These red flags won’t go away just because you love the company. They often become worse. Know when to walk away from a company just like you would from a bad date.
Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.
by Angela Copeland | Oct 11, 2016 | Advice, Podcast, Technology Jobs
Episode 116 is live! This week, we talk with Laurence Bradford in New York, NY.
Laurence is the Founder of Learn to Code With Me. She’s also a contributor to Forbes. Her specialties include technical content creation, online education, and front-end web development.
On today’s episode, Laurence shares her secrets for learning to code, switching to a technology field, and how to avoid the high price tag of going back to college to get a second degree.
Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.
To learn more about Laurence, check out her website at learntocodewith.me.
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!
by Angela Copeland | Oct 10, 2016 | Advice, Newsletter
Very often, people ask me how I’ve been able to do it. Lately, they’ve asked how I was able to start my business – and stay in business. Before that, I was asked how I was able to be successful in my own career – or go to a faraway college and graduate school.
Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying, “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” I really like this quote. It reminds me a lot of my own journey. Those who know me well know that throughout my life, I have rarely encountered things that came easy.
School, for example, was never an easy task. Because I knew this, I always planned accordingly. I studied more than those around me. I worked hard. And, often, I prepared for the unknown. In the off chance that something went wrong along the way, I was prepared to handle it. I had a backup plan. Sometimes, I even had a backup, backup plan.
Succeeding at work is very much the same. Even though you love your job, and may want to retire there, unforeseen things could happen. The company could go out of business, your boss could be replaced, or something else. If the worst were to happen to you, what would you do?
First and foremost, set aside an emergency fund, and start investing in your retirement early. When you have an emergency fund, you have options. You have a safety net. An emergency fund can allow you to get over a bump in the road without a major impact to your everyday life. It ensures you can pay your rent and put food on the table.
But, beyond the financial piece, there’s something equally important. When you surround yourself with only those from your current job, what happens if your workplace goes out of business? Who will you reach out to? Networking with people at different companies and in different industries helps to diversify your risk. It’s a bit like diversifying your financial investments. If one industry goes under, another may grow. In the same way that having money gives you choices, so does having an extended network.
And, when you are out there searching for a job – don’t fall into the trap of only interviewing with one company. Very often, we are so interested in one particular job that we can’t be bothered to apply anywhere else. We’re certain this is the job we want and we’re going to spend every spare moment trying to turn this job into a reality. But, what happens when the job is put on hold? Or what happens when someone else is hired? Or even worse – what happens when they give you a lowball offer? If you are unhappy with your current job, these scenarios can take away all your power. They may put you in a situation to take a job you don’t really want, for less money than you’re worth.
I hate to be too negative, but I often think about the question, “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” Then, I plan for what I’d do in the worst case scenario. Rarely does it get that bad, but because I’ve already planned for it, things turn out much better than they would have otherwise.
As the title of my newsletter this week says, plan for the worst, but work toward the best!
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.
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
by Angela Copeland | Oct 4, 2016 | Advice, Consulting, Podcast
Episode 115 is live! This week, we talk with Pete Mockaitis in Chicago, IL.
Pete is an award-winning trainer who has served clients in over 50 countries. His work has enhanced Fortune 100 corporations, high-growth startups, and major nonprofits. He’s conducted coaching sessions for over 700 thinkers from every Ivy League university and world-class organizations including Apple, Goldman Sachs, Google, and the United Nations. He is also the host of the How to Be Awesome at Your Job Podcast — and CEO of Optimality.
On today’s episode, Pete shares his secrets to getting hired at — and succeeding at a top consulting firm.
Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.
To learn more about Pete and his podcast, check out his website at www.awesomeatyourjob.com. You can also find him on Twitter at @PeteAwe, and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/petefans.
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!
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