by Angela Copeland | Jul 20, 2016 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Career Fulfillment, Education, Podcast
Last week, I had the good fortune to attend a work conference in Chicago. It wasn’t your average work conference though. Attendees wanted to be there. In fact, their companies didn’t pay for them to go. Attendees paid their own way. And, they went to all of the workshops offered – even at the end, when everyone was tired.
The conference is called Podcast Movement, and its purpose it to help educate podcasters about hosting their own radio-like programs. It’s the second year I’ve attended and what struck me last year was how passionate this group is about their work. People told me how podcasting has changed their lives. A few podcasters even got teary eyed when they were talking about their shows. Have you ever had a job that got you teary eyed with positive emotion? Me either.
This year, the speech that stuck with me the most was given by Kevin Smith. You might remember Kevin from movies like Clerks and Mallrats. He’s the filmmaker who played Silent Bob. Kevin talked about two main topics: the importance of self-expression in your work, and doing what you love. Kevin said that he had the misfortune to get paid for what he loved to do early on in his career. For a time, it caused him to refuse to work on projects he loved, unless he was paid.
His talk brought up an interesting point. As we grow in our careers, we often opt out of anything work related unless we receive a paycheck. Why is that? It could be that our personal time has been more valuable, or maybe we’re just accustomed to our companies paying for things like training, mileage, and cell phones.
But, what would happen if we explored our career interests a bit more – even if we weren’t paid for it? Chances are good that new doors and avenues would open up for us that we had never thought of. We might even enjoy our jobs a bit more.
Perhaps we’d change careers altogether. That’s what many podcasters are hoping for. Most podcast hosts create a show about a hobby or interest they have that’s unrelated to their day job. To put together a show, a host will often spend a large amount of their own money on microphones, educational workshops, and technical equipment. Some people even install sound booths in their homes for recording. They spend many hours each week planning an individual episode, seeking our guests, recording, and editing. Rarely are they paid for their work – at least not initially.
This group learns and invests in themselves and their podcasts because they love it. They aspire to one day be paid to do it full time. Until then, they share stories about how podcasting has truly impacted their own lives for the better.
So, what inspires you, and what kind of work would you do for free? If money were out of the picture, where would you invest your time and resources to grow yourself?
Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.
by Angela Copeland | Jul 13, 2016 | Advice, Career Corner Column
We’ve all been there. Your boss doesn’t appreciate you. Your coworkers are rude. You’re underpaid and getting no respect. The last thing you want to do is spend one more day at that awful place you call work.
You’ve had enough for too long, and you’re finally ready to make a decision. Quitting seems like a great option. It’s the only option. It makes perfect sense. They couldn’t pay you enough to stay.
Quitting will give you more time to look for a new job. Every future employer you interview with will understand. You were working for morons. Moving on was the only decision possible.
In the moment, this sounds right. I’m completely empathetic to this issue, especially when you’re being pushed to the limit on a daily basis. But, is there something more you should consider? For example, how would a future employer know that you really quit, and weren’t actually fired? In reality, they probably wouldn’t know without a bit of investigation.
Think about it. What would you say if you were fired? You might say, “We both decided it would be best if we parted ways.” That’s the same type of language you might use if you quit. This means that a future employer may jump to incorrect conclusions about you. They could easily (and logically) assume you were terminated from your last job. This may cause them to overlook you for opportunities, scrutinize your background, and generally be hesitant to hire you.
Another downside to quitting with no job is you never know how long it will take to find another job. Even if you’re a top performer with very rare skills, a job must be available in order for you to be hired. In some cases, it can take six months or more to find the right opportunity. This length of time can create quite a dent in your emergency savings.
On top of this, your future employer may not buy your story about your current terrible work environment. Despite how crazy things really are, your future employer will be left guessing whether there was a problem, or whether you are the problem. By waiting to quit until you already have a job, you can avoid going into detail about your current negative situation.
If you did quit, you’d also be surprised at how hard is it to job search all day when you have lost all of your structure and the corporate identity you established for yourself. You would likely spend a good bit of time worrying about money and fielding questions from loved ones who don’t understand.
The saying, “it’s easier to find a job when you have a job” is very true. If you can hold out until you find another job to quit, your path will be easier and less stressful. Don’t get me wrong. In a situation that is truly abusive, you shouldn’t stick around for any length of time. But, in every other case, whatever you do, don’t quit!
Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.
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.
by Angela Copeland | Jul 4, 2016 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Media
I hope you’re having a really wonderful 4th of July weekend. Hopefully, you are spending it with loved ones — and have at least three days off of work!
Speaking of work and Independence Day, here are a few tips on how to hang onto your career independence.
- Always be networking – Never take the power of networking for granted. Despite how old you may be or how many contacts you may have, there’s no excuse not to network. Networking is the #1 way job seekers find new jobs.
- Continue to learn – One of the biggest career mistakes people often make is not keeping their skill set up to date. You never know when you may need to move to a new company. In order to be able to do this, keep learning. Always.
- Don’t tell them you’re looking – When you tell your boss you’re looking, you take away your own power. It’s not unheard of for a company to fire an employee because they’ve learned the person is looking for a new job.
- Save – What would happen if you had enough money in an emergency savings account to last you six months or a year? How nice would it be to go in to work every day because you want to, not because you have to?
- Keep fixed expenses low – If you want to retain your independence, one way you can do it is by keeping your fixed expenses at a reasonable level. I’m talking about the amount you may pay for your rent or mortgage, for your car, and any other expense that you are required to pay every single month. If you keep these low, it’s easier to tighten your belt when things get rough.
- Pursue other interests – One of the fastest ways you can get pigeon holed into a particular role is to not pursue anything else. Keep your interests diversified, and you’ll keep your options open.
- Keep your cool – The more you can go with the flow and keep your cool, the more likely you are to be liked at work. And, the more you’re liked, the more control you have over whether or not you’ll be sticking around in the future.
- Follow the rules – Following the rules can ensure your employer doesn’t have a good reason to get rid of you. But, first you’ve got to know the rules. Be sure to review your employee handbook and pay close attention to rules around social media. Following the rules leaves you in control.
- Switch companies from time to time – This can seem counter intuitive, but by finding a new job every three to five years will increase your salary, diversify your network, and will strengthen your skill set. This will give you more choices over time.
Maintaining your career independence will empower you to make the choice of where you work. Even on bad days, you’ll still have hope for the future — because you know you’re in control of your own destiny.
I wish you the very best Independence Day!
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 | 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.
by Angela Copeland | Jun 22, 2016 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Media, Negotiating
One of the worst things that can happen to any employee is to find out they aren’t being treated the same as their coworkers. We’ve all been there. Perhaps you didn’t realize the person who sits next to you gets a week more of vacation. Or, maybe they have special permission to leave early every day. Or, they make more money than you do. Perhaps their mobile phone is paid for.
This grim discovery can make an otherwise pleasant job feel miserable. It’s like a wakeup call. You realize that your company doesn’t value you or your talents in the way you thought they did. It makes you second guess your future there. It makes you angry. It’s like your company has been cheating on you with someone else – someone younger.
Common complaints are that the coworker is less experienced, less knowledgeable, and produces less value for the company. “They don’t know what they’re doing!” you may argue.
Unfortunately, in the corporate world of work, salaries and perks are not always decided in a way that’s considered fair. They’re based on other factors. First and foremost, they’re based on negotiation skills. They may also be based on other details, such as the school you went to or your salary history.
If you’ve discovered your benefits are out of balance, what should you do? One option is to go to your human resources department. You can certainly go through the process of asking for a better compensation package. And, in some cases, this may be a sound idea.
But, for the vast majority of cases, take the time to reflect on the situation. If you make a case and win, then what happens? Will you enjoy working for a company that wasn’t straightforward with you? Do you want to work for a boss who doesn’t believe in your skills enough to compensate you fairly?
It may seem a bit passive, but I’d encourage you to consider focusing on your future rather than on your past. Be happy that you finally know you’re being treated differently. Allow this knowledge to be a catalyst for change.
Take the time to look for a new company who will appreciate what you bring to the table. Find a new boss who will stand behind you and be your advocate. Look for a new place where you can truly grow your career.
Search for just the right opportunity. You want to avoid recreating the negative situation you have today. While you’re looking, don’t quit your current job. It may take time to find something new.
Once you find the perfect job, negotiate for a higher salary and more vacation. By ensuring you’re paid fairly, you will likely see a considerable pay bump on your way into the door of this new organization. Not only will you reap the benefits of more financial stability, but you will also know that your new boss truly values you – and is willing to pay you what you’re worth.
Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.
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