Breaking the Rules

by Angela Copeland | Jul 6, 2016 | Advice, Career Corner Column

Life lessons seem hard to grasp onto at first, yet so obvious once you get them. I recently spoke with a former client who completely transformed his career. He went from working in a university in administration to working in corporate strategy at a Fortune 500 company. I asked, “Looking back, how have you changed the most in the last few years?”

He said something I wasn’t expecting. He said, “I learned not to pay so much attention to the rules.” This philosophy has not only changed the way he looks at work, but also the way he makes choices in his personal life.

In life, and in our job search, we often pay attention to the constraints put on us by others. They’re rules that seem so clear and concrete when we’re obeying them. They’re there to protect us and to guide us.

For example, how many times have you skipped over a job posting you could do because you didn’t meet the minimum requirements? You could easily apply, but you know it would be a big waste of time.

What would you think if you knew that many employers don’t really care about minimum job requirements? It’s true! Ask a hiring manager what they would prefer: an experienced employee with a bad attitude, or an inexperienced employee who they really like. Most of the time, they’ll pick the inexperienced person. After all, most job functions are fairly common sense and can be taught. What can’t be taught is work ethic and a positive attitude.

Have you ever thought of applying for graduate school, but you didn’t because your test scores are too low, or you’ve already missed the application deadline?

What would you say if you knew that universities don’t always hold to their application deadlines and test score recommendations? It depends on the school, of course. But, if there’s something special about your background and the university has an open spot or two in their incoming class of students, there’s a good bet they will entertain your application – especially if you call or make an in person visit.

Have you ever stayed at a job you hated because it seemed like the right thing to do?

We’re often taught that staying at one company for years is the only way to go. It’s the responsible thing to do. But, in today’s workplace, a diverse work history is valued.

Reflecting on “breaking the rules,” I can see examples of how I broke the rules in my own career. I moved cross country (twice) to study. I switched my career path three times. I have quit on more than one occasion with no new job lined up. Every time, I was told that I shouldn’t or couldn’t do it. But, I did, and it worked out.

In life, and in our careers, we’re often the biggest barrier to our own success. Once you decide that the rules don’t matter so much, you’ll find that things become much, much easier.

Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.

Career Independence Day

by Angela Copeland | Jun 29, 2016 | Advice, Career Corner Column

The fourth of July is just around the corner. It’s so close that you can almost smell the fireworks and taste the barbecue. But, before Independence Day was a family holiday, it was a commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. It’s a celebration of the independence of the United States from Britain.

Today, independence comes in many forms, including career independence. But, how do you create independence for yourself and what does it really mean?

Many people consider it to be the choice to work (or to not work) for a particular company each day. There’s power in knowing you don’t have to allow yourself to be treated badly for a paycheck. Independence is also created when you’re able to select the type of work you do, rather to remain stuck in a job you hate.

Tackling the first issue can be quite a challenge. After all, you may find yourself in an uncomfortable situation at a time when you have big financial responsibilities, such as dependent children or an ailing loved one.

There are two main ways you can protect your independence. First, never stop networking. Even when you have a wonderful job at a company you love, continue to reach out to new contacts. Make new friends, and help them along the way. You never know when you might need a little help in return.

Second, be diligent about stocking your emergency fund every month. The more you build your financial safety net, the less you will require today’s paycheck from your company to survive. If possible, keep your fixed expenses low. It’s easier to walk away from a negative work situation if you are able to quickly dial back your spending.

The independence to select the type of work you do often sounds harder than it is in practice. If you have worked in a particular field for some time, it may feel as if you have no other options. This is especially true if your education is specific to your job.

Interestingly, many jobs are performed by people who don’t meet the minimum requirements. They’re hard workers who put in extra time to learn a new role – whether inside or outside the office. There’s so much you can do on your own to expand your career. And, I’m not talking about going back to school for another degree.

Without much thought, you can expand your knowledge by developing a new hobby. You can volunteer to work somewhere for free. You can watch instructional videos online or read books. You can start a side project at home. All of these ideas can help you to reach outside of your current job function to develop new, more interesting skills.

By creating career independence for yourself, you can change your entire perspective on the job you currently have. It’s much easier to go into work every day (even in an imperfect situation) if you know you have a choice. Mental freedom is a wonderful thing.

Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.