by Angela Copeland | Jan 18, 2017 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Interviewing, Media
Interviewing for a job is an incredibly personal process – at least for the job seeker. If you’re looking for a new job, you know the frustration when a company doesn’t call you back. It stings like rejection. It can leave you reeling – wondering what’s wrong with you.
First, let me say that I don’t think companies truly understand what this experience is like. If they did, they would take the time to let you know when they’ve moved on to another candidate. They would thank you for the hours you put into their process. They would treat you like a person worthy of respect.
But, given the reality of things, this often doesn’t happen. So, let’s talk about why you may not have been hired. It may be less personal than you realize.
First, think back to how you applied for the job. Did you apply online? If so, it’s possible the hiring manager doesn’t know your name. That’s right. They may not know you have applied. That sounds counter to what companies are telling us when they say, “Apply online and if you’re a fit, we’ll call you.” But, put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager. If you were looking to hire someone, where would you start? Chances are good you’d think of people you know. Then, you’d look to friends to recommend their friends. You wouldn’t pay attention to online applications unless you didn’t have someone in mind.
If you were selected for an interview, and gave it your very best, you may wonder why you didn’t make it through to the end. Often, when a manager decides to hire a new employee, they have a candidate in mind. That person already works for the company and they can easily move into the new spot. They have experience and insider knowledge. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop the hiring manager from interviewing others. And, you can bet that in no interview will the hiring manager ever say to you, “We appreciate you coming. Unfortunately, this interview is for show. We already know who we’re really going to hire.” You have no way to know when this is happening.
One last reason you might have been hired – the job is not available. Of course, it was available at some point, but there are a number of situations where a job will be put on hold or canceled. For example, if the hiring manager is promoted, or leaves the company, the position may be put on hold. Typically, the company will want to backfill the hiring manager’s position first. Rarely will the company reach out to you to tell you the hiring manager has quit or was fired, so it’s doubtful that you’ll know this either.
As you can see, none of the things listed above are really about you. They aren’t about your experience or whether or not the hiring manager liked you. So, take heart. Keep applying, and keep networking. Eventually, you will hit one out of the park.
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 26, 2016 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Interviewing, Media, Networking
Sometimes, the devil really is in the details. This is especially true when it comes to the questions you ask when you’re looking for a job. Asking the wrong question, or not asking the right question can get you into trouble when you least expect it. And, it can be tricky to know when to ask which questions.
There are a few good rules of thumb to follow. The first applies to networking. When you’re meeting someone new, they want to get to know you first. They (in theory) have no specific ulterior motive, and they hope you don’t either. When you meet someone at a networking event, avoid asking if they’re hiring. Chances are good that they’re not hiring, and if you ask this up front, you may send the message that you’re not interested to get to know them unless they can give you something. But, do ask them if you can stay in touch. Ask for their business card. Ask to connect on LinkedIn. Ask to have coffee. Relationship building may eventually lead you down the path of a new job.
Another situation to be on the lookout for is when you find a job posted. You’ve found the perfect job at the perfect company. And, you’ve either found a great connection there – or you already have one. When you’re reaching out about a specific job, be up front about it. A hiring manager will want to know that you‘d like to be considered, so be sure to ask. Ask them if they have time to meet with you to discuss the position. Don’t hint around and hope they’ll get the drift. Be direct.
The most important place for questions is the job interview. It’s truly amazing how much your questions can influence the outcome of an interview. First, have questions – lots of them. Having a long list of questions doesn’t mean you have to ask all of them, but it does mean you’ll have options to go to when it’s your turn to ask questions. One of the primary complaints I’ve heard from hiring managers is that the candidate didn’t ask questions. The hiring manager assumes the candidate isn’t interested in the position (or worse, is lazy), while the candidate simply feels all their questions were answered during the job interview. Avoid this situation by asking a few questions at the end. But, keep your questions focused on the job. Do not ask questions that reflect an “all about me” attitude. Topics to stay away from include pay, vacation time, whether or not you can work from home, or anything else that isn’t specific to the work itself. And, always ask about the company’s timeline and what their expected next steps are.
As important as qualifications are, so are first impressions. The questions you ask will influence a hiring manager’s decision. Fortunately, there’s time to plan. If you draft your questions in advance and ask a friend for feedback, you’ll be on your way to success.
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 19, 2016 | Interviewing, Podcast
Episode 107 is live! This week, we talk with Kevin Tomczak in Orange County, CA.
Kevin is the Senior Director of Product Strategy and Innovation at APT Metrics, where he manages the sales and business development efforts. APT provides evidence-based talent management solutions. They devise practical solutions to help clients connect, assess, select, develop, and retail their top talent. Kevin also holds a MBA from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA.
On today’s episode, Kevin demystifies job search assessments, shares common mistakes, and talks about big data’s role in job searching.
Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it for free on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. If you enjoy the program, subscribe today to the Copeland Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher to ensure you don’t miss an episode!
To learn more about Kevin’s company, visit their website at APTMetrics.com. You can also find Kevin on LinkedIn, or send him an e-mail at ktomczak@aptmetrics.com.
Thank you to those who sent me questions! You can send your questions to Angela(at)CopelandCoaching.com. You can also send me questions via Twitter. I’m at @CopelandCoach. And, on Facebook, I’m Copeland Coaching. Don’t forget to help me out. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave me a review.
by Angela Copeland | Jul 22, 2014 | Advice, Change, Informational Interviewing, Interviewing, Podcast
Episode 9 of the Copeland Coaching Podcast is live! I’m so excited to share this great episode with you!
This week we talk with Julianne Watt, Project Coordinator at RedRover Sales and Marketing. Julianne shares her secrets to changing career fields, and how to find your perfect next job.
Listen and learn more! (You can play the podcast below, and you can also download it on Apple Podcasts.)
If you’re not familiar with RedRover Sales & Marketing already, it’s an advertising agency that integrates sales training and coaching with marketing and public relations, combining traditional and guerrilla strategies.
by Angela Copeland | Feb 24, 2014 | Interviewing, Newsletter
With the wrap up of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it takes to be a top competitor. Athletes spend decades training to be the best at one single sport. They have just a few minutes once every four years to show off their skills and compete to be the best in the world. But with so many talented athletes, what does it take to really stand out? I’d argue it’s grit: being a courageous person who refuses to give up under any circumstances. Natural ability is great, but it won’t always get you to the finish line.
Having a good day is easy. You feel great and everything falls into place. The real question is, how do you handle things when the world around you seems to be crumbling? US figure skater Gracie Gold fell during one of her most important Olympic performances. But, she didn’t let her mistake keep her from completing the rest of her routine beautifully. Despite falling, Gracie received a high score. She came in fourth overall, and although she didn’t receive a medal, she provided she’s a true Olympian.
Have you ever been on a job interview and had something go terribly wrong? How did you handle it? Did you cancel the interview, stumble through answers, or apologize for yourself?
My worst ever interview disaster came about seven years ago. I had flown to the east coast for an important in person interview at a large, traditional corporation. The flight was in the evening, so I arrived late the night before and took a cab from the airport to my hotel. Upon unpacking my suitcase, I realized I had forgotten the pants to my suit. Yes, of all the things that could go wrong, I forgot my pants! I’d worn sweat pants on the plane, so I had no appropriate clothing for the interview. What could I do? This was a real pickle I’d gotten myself into!
First, I looked for nearby stores. There were none open this late, and I had no transportation to get anywhere. Not even taxis were running.
Rather than give up, I started to brainstorm. I wondered if I could get my pants from Memphis to me in time for the 8 AM interview the next day. Although it was too late to drop off a package at FedEx Office, I found that packages could be dropped off at the airport until midnight. First, I found a friend who agreed to drive my pants to FedEx. Then, two other people helped me get a key to my apartment to that friend. When my friend entered my apartment, I walked them through my closet over the phone, to ensure they found the right pair of pants. The friend made it to the airport on time, and the pants arrived at 6 AM, two hours before my interview! I alerted the hotel staff of the situation, to ensure they notified me the moment the pants arrived.
During the interview, I was asked to describe a difficult situation I had encountered and the steps I’d taken to overcome it. I used the example of my pants, and the interviewers were blown away. They were impressed at the story, and couldn’t have imagined the trouble I’d taken to ensure I was properly suited for our meeting. I was able to turn what was otherwise a train wreck of a situation into a great story that won me major points during the interview.
As you’re looking for your next job, you will no doubt face adversity. You will come across situations that seem impossible to fix or overcome. I encourage you to stay focused on your ultimate goal of finding a fulfilling career. Stay the course. Be gritty. Reach out to your support network for strength. Even on your worst days, do your best to let your talents shine through and in the end, your perseverance will pay off in dividends.
I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
by Angela Copeland | Aug 11, 2013 | Cover Letter Writing, Interviewing, Negotiating, Resume Writing
Welcome to Copeland Coaching. I’m Angela Copeland, and this site is dedicated to helping you find the right job faster. I’ve been helping job seekers informally with their search for over 9 years. After a recent string of requests for help, I decided it was time to officially offer my career coaching services to you.
What makes me a good interview coach? It’s simple. When I was younger, I thought of interviewing as a sport, and I wanted to make the big leagues. I have years of experience interviewing for (and negotiating offers in) all sorts of positions in various industries and I’m here to share what I’ve learned with you.
Let me explain. After starting my career in engineering, I wanted a career change. In addition to engineering interviews, I interviewed jobs in other areas including sales, marketing, and operations.
I have experience interviewing with and working for many different types of organizations, including:
- For-profit and non-profit
- Small companies and Fortune companies
- B2B and B2C companies
- Different industries, including automotive, home services, logistics, financial services, and travel
I was once so determined to work for a particular big name clothing company that I snuck onto a rival graduate school campus just to meet their recruiter. And guess what? It worked. I was invited to the company’s headquarters where I met with employees, toured the building, and had lunch with the staff. On top of that, my graduate program, Pepperdine University, wrote an article on my experience that was mailed to 18,000 alumni. Talk about exposure!
If you’ve found yourself feeling stuck, or are just not sure where to start and you want to start getting real results, reach out to me here. I’m happy to help! I will help to polish up your resume, develop creative ways to find your next perfect job, and negotiate your best offer ever.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Angela
Angela Copeland Career Coaching
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