by Angela Copeland | Aug 22, 2014 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Minimizing Jargon.” In it, I discuss the importance of being able to explain what you do to many different types of people who may not work in the same field as you.
Recently, my doctor explained a topic so complicated that even my two advanced degrees weren’t helping to decipher what she was talking about.
“If we were talking about marketing, I’d completely understand,” I said. “But, unfortunately I don’t. Can you explain this to me again in a more simple way?” My doctor paused, laughed, and said, “You know, this is how I feel when my pest guy comes to tell me about my lawn. I have no idea what he’s talking about!”
We’re all experts in something. And hopefully, your experience and expertise are relatively unique. Your specialty gives you something to tout on your resume and talk about in interviews. You can share your latest accomplishments at networking events and among friends and family.
To learn why your ability to communicate simply about your complex job is so important in your search, read my entire Memphis Daily News column here.
by Angela Copeland | Aug 15, 2014 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Keeping Your Search Secret.” In it, I discuss the importance of keeping your job search a secret from your employer, and anyone else who doesn’t need to know.
Can you keep a secret? Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead.” Keeping private information private, especially about your job search, can be a tall order.
Getting an interview can be exciting and exhilarating, especially if it goes well. If you’ve wanted to leave your company for some time, the hope that a new job presents can leave you feeling on top of the world. And, the more interviews with one company, the surer you are you’ll get the job, right?
Some of the reasons I’ve heard for sharing this secret include, “I know this person is my friend, so it’s OK.” “My boss and I are close friends; they won’t mind.” “My company needs to know I’m looking, so they’ll be prepared if I do leave. I feel obligated.” “I want to see if my company will give me a higher salary to stay.”
To learn all of the reasons not to share, and how to keep your search a secret, read my entire Memphis Daily News column here.
by Angela Copeland | Aug 8, 2014 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Lessons Learned From Millennials.” In it, I discuss the lessons we can all learn from Millennials that will help to improve your job search.
Much of the research about employment suggests older workers are waiting longer to retire. This means many seasoned professionals are also still job searching. And, many of those are struggling to find their way.
The experience could be compared to someone who finds themselves online dating for the first time after a divorce. Dating is an entirely different ballgame since the last time they were looking. It requires different skills, and a new approach.
In the same way, job searching has evolved significantly in the last two decades. With the growth of the Internet, the job search process takes place almost entirely online. And, not only do you need a resume and a cover letter. Now you also need a LinkedIn profile, a social media presence and a personal brand.
The millennial generation can’t remember a time without the Internet. I’m often surprised at just how much they’re comfortable to share online and how much time they spend crafting their online presence. Although it’s wise to limit just how much you share, millennials often understand personal branding in a way other generations could learn from.
To learn how you can update your job search learning from Millennials, read my entire Memphis Daily News column here.
by Angela Copeland | Aug 6, 2014 | Advice, Media, Relocation
I have exciting news to share today! Career advice website Careerealism.com has shared a guest post I wrote today.
The article, “5 Tips for Transitioning to a New City” gives advice on how to tackle the unusual task of relocating to a new city mid-career.
It can happen to anyone. You’ve been living and working in one city for years. Things were going along fine until you decided you wanted to move to a new city. You might be looking for different career opportunities. Or, maybe you want to live close to a mountain so you can ski. Your parents may be getting older and you may want to be within driving distance of them in case of emergencies.
Whatever your reason, the challenge is the same. Relocating to another city mid-career can present unique obstacles, especially if you’ve never lived there before. In large cities, there may be enough local talent to fill existing jobs. In small cities, companies may not have the budget to relocate external candidates, so they may overlook you.
To get my 5 tips and to learn how you can relocate to a new city, check out my entire article on Careerealism here.
by Angela Copeland | Aug 1, 2014 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “To Stay or to Go.” In it, I discuss how to make the tough decision of staying or leaving your job.
Job seeking can be a long, difficult process. If you’re currently looking for a job, there’s a good chance it’s because something at your current job isn’t right. Whether it’s your boss, the pay, or the job itself, you just aren’t happy. And, you probably haven’t been happy for a while. Most people have to reach a certain breaking point before they are willing to volunteer to experience the discomfort of job searching.
One question I get from job seekers is whether or not to wait until they have a new job to resign from their current position – or whether to quit today. On one hand, traditional wisdom says that it’s easier to find a job when you have a job. On the other, if you leave now, you will have eight hours more each day to search. This feeling is especially relevant for those who want to move to a new city. In theory, it’s easier to visit another city when you’re not working.
This week, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Sam Sanders from the University of Phoenix for my podcast. He recently completed a survey on employment. He found that near half of working adults in the United States have equal or greater feelings of self-worth from their careers as they do from their personal lives. He also found that more than 60 percent of working adults would quit their job if their feelings of self-worth decreased, with the youngest and oldest workers being most likely to quit.
For help deciding if you should stay or go, read my entire Memphis Daily News column here.
by Angela Copeland | Jul 25, 2014 | Education, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “When Education Falls Short.” In it, I discuss what to do if you feel your college degree is holding you back.
One of the chief complaints I hear from job seekers is that their lousy college education is to blame for their poor career success. Whether they went to the wrong school or got the wrong degree, the person wishes they could turn back time. They consider going back to school as a road to success.
Although I empathize with a college degree you may never use in your full time job (I once studied to be a computer programmer), the answer does not lie at the feet of your university. There are exceptions to this rule, of course. Professions like law, medicine and engineering require years of training and specialized advanced degrees.
But, if you’re not in one of these highly specialized jobs, there’s hope! First, know that most people aren’t using their expensive degrees in the way they thought they would when they were 20. It’s not just you. Think of a friend whose career you admire and ask them what they studied. At least half of the time, you’ll be surprised.
To learn what to do to deal with your less than perfect college degree, read my entire Memphis Daily News column here.
