by Angela Copeland | Mar 14, 2014 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Defining Luck.” With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, I found myself in a long discussion with a friend about what it means to be lucky.
Some people seem to have all the luck. From the outside, they appear to get every promotion, make more money, drive a nicer car and live in a nicer house. It’s like they are surrounded by a ray of sunshine all day. This seems especially true of celebrities, company heads and professional athletes. How do they get so lucky, and when will my luck change?
I would argue that luck isn’t really luck at all. As Roman philosopher Seneca said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Those we perceive as lucky are often working very hard behind the scenes to perfect their craft. They spend hours becoming their very best in hopes of shining in one important moment – whether it’s in a board meeting, on a stage or in a sporting arena.
To read the entire article and learn how to improve your luck, visit the Memphis Daily News site here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 13, 2014 | Advice, Media
Big thank you to Kenneth Kinney for having me on his radio show, “An Education That Works” on KWAM 990 on Tuesday morning.
I appeared along with a host of students and professors from Victory University. It was Kenneth’s last radio program for Victory, as they announced they are closing their school.
Students and professors shared their fond memories of the school. I spoke about steps to take when an unexpected layoff occurs, and how to seek out experience when you’re just starting your career. As you know, it’s hard to find a job when you’ve never had one before.
My heart goes out to all of those impacted by this change. I wish them the very best in their search for new schools, and new jobs.
Listen to the interview below.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 7, 2014 | Advice, Career Fair, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Making the Most of Career Fairs.” In it, I discuss taking advantage of local career fairs – whether you’re just out of college, or have been in the workforce for many years.
As college graduates prepare to enter the working world in May, corporations begin to ramp up their hiring. More jobs are posted, and recruiters increase their search efforts. Even if you graduated from college years or decades ago, this can be a perfect time to look for a new opportunity.
One place big companies look for candidates is at career fairs. Some fairs are standalone events, while others are part of a larger conference. Typically, fairs have a theme. Two common themes are business and engineering. It’s important to note that the same big-name recruiters hiring at an engineering fair are often the same folks hiring for marketing and sales roles at other fairs.
To read the entire article, visit the Memphis Daily News site here.
***Please note: The date of the NSBE career fair is listed in the article as April. The NSBE career fair is March 27-28. I apologize for my typo.***
by Angela Copeland | Mar 4, 2014 | Career Fair, Media
A huge thank you goes out to Kenneth Kinney who included me in his latest “An Education That Works” television show for Victory University. It appeared on Saturday morning on Local 24.
He interviewed me and Alex Matlock from ContigoCreative. We shared information about the upcoming Multicultural Career Fair, and tips for how to best navigate a career fair.
Watch the show below to learn more. For additional tips, read my previous e-newsletter, Working the (career fair) room like a pro. If you need assistance in preparing for your next career fair, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 3, 2014 | Media, Newsletter
You’ve made it. It’s officially March. You’ve been waiting months for the cold weather to move on, and the possibility of warmer weather is starting to become a reality. But, your patience for freezing temperatures is dropping every day.
Similarly, you made it through the long stretch of the holiday season when hiring slows down, as recruiters and companies focus on their families, and wait for the New Year. Job postings are starting to pick up. You’ve been unhappy at your job for a while, and you’re ready to move on.
There’s just one problem: your bonus. Whether your annual performance payout for 2013 was 5% or 50% of your salary, the thought of walking away from it now is just not an option.
For many folks, this leaves them feeling trapped and at a dead end. Going to work each day can feel frustrating and mind numbing. You want to start searching, but you’re not really free to move on just yet. What can you do?
Below are five tips to prepare you for your next job while you’re waiting for your bonus payout.
- Clean up your resume – While you still have access to your current job’s performance data, start updating your resume. Include your accomplishments, especially goals you’ve met or exceeded, and any awards you’ve won. Quantify these achievements with numbers, to give a better understanding of the scope of your responsibilities.
- Update your LinkedIn – Ensure that your latest accomplishments are also reflected on LinkedIn. Review your connections to see who else from your network you can add. Ask trusted contacts to leave written recommendations for your previous work. But, be prepared for your current colleagues to question why you’ve been updating LinkedIn lately. A simple, “I’m always keeping LinkedIn up to date” usually does the trick.
- Go shopping – When was the last time you had to wear a nice suit to work? If it’s been a while, there’s a chance your old suit is too big, too small, or outdated. Stop by a department store when there are sales (and no pressure on you to get a suit quickly). When you do find one, consider taking it to a tailor. Ensuring your pants are hemmed to the correct length and your jacket fits properly can make your relatively inexpensive suit look like ‘a million bucks.’
- Get business cards – Especially if you don’t have a business card at work, this is a great time to get them. The same advice goes for those who are looking to dramatically change career paths. A business card not connected to your current career is helpful. At a minimum, include your name, phone number, and e-mail address. You can order them online from many sites like GotPrint.com, or in person at an office store like FedEx. They typically cost less than $50, and can really make the difference when you’re meeting someone new.
- Attend networking events – The number one way to find a new job is networking. If you’ve been at your current job for more than a few years, you may be a little disconnected from your old network. Now’s the time to get out, see your old connections, and pass out your new business cards.
Whatever you do, remember that you’re not alone. Many folks are in the same boat with you, waiting for the storm to pass. Following these steps will prepare you to find a job when you finally get that 2013 bonus payout. Brighter skies are on their way, so take advantage of this time and prepare yourself.
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 | Feb 28, 2014 | Advice, Media, Networking
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Networking With No Fear.” In it, I discuss how much more successful we would all be at networking if we could leave our fears and worries at the door.
Last week, as I pulled toward my parking space at home, the adorable 3-year-old boy who lives next door ran up to my car. “I haven’t seen you in a while!” he exclaimed in the most excited voice I’d heard all week. “How have you been?” I rolled down my window and chatted with him until his grandmother quickly rushed over to sweep him up.
She was, of course, unhappy with his lack of fear, since I was still in the process of driving into my garage. But this experience made me wonder: How much more career progress would we all make if we lived with a little less fear?
To read the entire article, visit the Memphis Daily News site here.
