by Angela Copeland | Mar 27, 2015 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Personally Impersonal.”
It’s not an uncommon experience for an interview to go incredibly well, and then to receive a very impersonal “thanks, but no thanks” e-mail from the hiring manager. Even worse, you could receive an automated e-mail from the company’s application system that provides virtually no information. This experience can be frustrating at best and anger inducing at worst.
Many people wonder, “The interview went so well! How could I have not gotten the job?” It’s discouraging and can make a candidate second guess the entire job search process. They may begin to wonder what the point is of even trying.
Growing up, we’re taught in school that if you work hard, good things will come to you. And, if you do your best, you’ll fairly be awarded the prize you worked for. Unfortunately, things don’t always play out in the way we’d define as fair. Learning this lesson can be a painful one.
To learn all of the potential reasons you were rejected (that aren’t you), check out my entire Memphis Daily News column here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 6, 2015 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “The Value of Honesty.”
I’m not going to lie; recently, I’ve been on the receiving end of dishonesty in a business setting. The person could have easily told the truth or apologized, and it would have been no big deal. But, they didn’t. In order to save face, they stepped right up and said something that was clearly and definitely not the truth.
Maybe I’m naïve, but it always surprises me when people aren’t honest, especially about little things or things that are well-documented through email. I guess if they don’t get called out on their lie, they assume they’ve gotten away with it. But, as someone who pays attention to these things, I notice the inconsistencies and take note of them – as do many other people.
And, when the person does get caught, brushing off the error as a “miscommunication” just doesn’t repair the damage.
To read my entire column, and tips on remaining honest in your job search, visit the Memphis Daily News site here.
by Angela Copeland | Feb 27, 2015 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Right Your Resume.”
Occasionally, I’ll meet with a new client who apologizes profusely in our first meeting. They apologize their resume isn’t well done, and that many of the facts in it are incorrect.
There’s one common thread to these situations. The person has always used a resume writer.
Given that I’m not a resume writer and have never hired one, I don’t want to disparage an entire industry. It very possible these people didn’t give enough information to the writer. Or, maybe there was a proofreading step they didn’t spend enough time in.
Whatever the case, one thing is for sure. Having someone else build a resume for you has major pitfalls.
Yesterday, I received a question from a reader who found an interesting-looking service on popular website Fiverr.com. Fiverr is an online marketplace that offers tasks and services with a beginning cost of $5 per job performed.
The service the reader found advertises a custom resume complete in 24 hours for $5. The sample resume shown contains small charts and a picture of the applicant. The reader asks, “Do these cool, hip resumes look awesome to prospective employers, or are they absurd noise that will get my resume sent to the shredder?”
To hear my response, and advice on “righting” your resume, read my entire column here.
by Angela Copeland | Feb 20, 2015 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Personal Brand Building.”
When’s the last time you thought of yourself as a brand? If you were a car, would you be a Ford or a Mercedes? Would you be a SUV or a convertible?
When you’re job seeking, it’s strange to think of yourself as a brand or a product. It would make the most sense if all hiring decisions were based on your abilities and whether or not you could do the job.
Unfortunately, you’re typically not the only one who can do a particular job. So, you need to look for a way to differentiate yourself. Your personal brand can help you do just that.
To learn more about how to build your personal brand, read my entire Memphis Daily News column here.
In preparation for the upcoming Multicultural Career Expo, I will be presenting a free “Building Your Personal Brand” workshop that is open to the community. It will be held at Christian Brothers University in Buckman Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.CareerExpoMemphis.com.
by Angela Copeland | Feb 13, 2015 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Relocating for Work.”
Moving for a new career, or the potential of a new career, can be daunting. You’ll have to sell your home. Your children will need new schools. Your belongings will have to be boxed, moved and unboxed. You’ll need to find new service providers, including doctors, hairstylists and childcare.
I recently received a question from a reader on the topic of relocation. Whenever she applies for an out-of-state job, the company says, “After you relocate, give us a call.” The reader asked if this was how other people are finding jobs, as it seems to be an unstable approach.
I empathize with this situation. Relocating can be a tricky topic. And, moving with no job is unstable.
To learn what I recommend in this situation and for more information on how to get relocation, check out my entire Memphis Daily News column here.
by Angela Copeland | Feb 6, 2015 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Using Creativity in Your Job Search.” In it, I share a story of my own creative job seeking and hope to inspire you to think outside the box.
It goes without saying. Applying online can be a long, difficult process. You’re often left wondering if anyone has read your resume, or if they even know you exist at all.
Earlier this week, I read a story of a creative job seeker who found work passing out resumes at a train station. This inspirational tale reminded me of my own job search years ago.
While attending graduate school, I lived in Los Angeles. I was interested in the apparel industry and wanted to work at the Gap’s headquarters in San Francisco. I checked with my school’s career resources department to learn the Gap’s recruiters weren’t on the schedule for a campus visit.
Although this was disappointing, I didn’t give up. Instead, I started researching. It took some digging on the Internet, but I found an alternative.
To learn what the alternative was, and how you can be more creative in your search, check out my entire Memphis Daily News column here.
You must be logged in to post a comment.