by Angela Copeland | Jan 9, 2017 | Advice, Newsletter, Resume Writing
2017 is set to be a great year. So, let’s start off with a great resume to get us at the front of the job search line. Polishing up your resume is like polishing up your best shoes. First impressions are everything!
Here are a few dos and don’ts to get you started:
DO
- Keep your resume up to date. You never want to be caught off-guard when a potential employer asks you for a resume. Besides, keeping your resume up to date prevents you from having to think back to what you did years ago.
- Include details of your past work experience. Add in quantifiable information that will help an employer to really understand what you did. Here are a few things you can include: How many people you managed, how large your budget was, how many sales you generated, how many clients you had, how much you improved performance, how often you completed a particular task. You get the idea. There are lots of things you can quantify.
- Include your educational information, including courses you may have taken after college or graduate school. Employers want to know who you are, and this is another way to show them.
- Do include the work you’re doing outside of work. Do you run a side consulting business? Have you been volunteering at a local non-profit?
DON’T
- Don’t include your graduation year if you have any concerns about it. You may not want an employer to know your age – whether you are young or old. You also may not want to have to explain why it took ten years to finish undergraduate school due to a family issue of some kind. You don’t have to include your graduation year.
- Don’t include your GPA. Unless you are right out of college and applying for a highly technical job (like engineering), employers rarely care about this. The more senior you are in your career, the odder your GPA looks in your resume.
- Don’t leave typos. I know – you aren’t applying to a spelling bee. But, this is the thing. Many employers (MANY) say that they will toss your resume in the trash (yes, in the trash) when they find a typo. I know it’s dramatic and completely nit-picky, but let’s just play the game by the rules we’re dealt. Run spell check. Ask your most detailed oriented friend to comb through it for you. Don’t leave any stone unturned here.
- Don’t include unneeded information. You don’t need to include your reference list, or even that references are available upon request. And, almost always, you don’t need to include your high school or information dating back to high school (unless you’re right out of college and have something significant to show).
- Don’t include information about controversial views. I know you love your place of worship. I know you feel passionate about your political views. Everyone does, and I totally respect that. But, unless you are applying to a company that specifically aligns to your views, you may be judged negatively for including yours. This is a personal decision, but most people want to be judged on their professional merits when applying for a job – not their personal views.
Don’t wait! Start updating your resume now. And, once you have it in a spot you like, save it as a PDF and send it to yourself in an e-mail. That way, if you’re ever out and about and someone says, “I’d love to get a copy of your resume!” (this does happen), you’ll be prepared. You can say, “Sure, I can do that right now! What’s your email address?” I can personally attest to this: having a resume on the spot can work wonders.
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 | Jan 2, 2017 | Advice, Family, Newsletter
Now that the holidays are officially over, I’ve just got to say this: Stop listening to your loud mouth relatives. Just stop.
Have you ever had a relative pull you aside at a family event (maybe even this holiday season)? Or, perhaps they write you a long letter. They have something they just have share with you. You’re doing your career ALL WRONG.
And, how did they get this valuable information? Is it because they also had a similar career path? Is it because they also made good choices? Is it because they talk to you often and understand your hopes and desires?
NO! It’s none of those things.
I’m going to talk a little out of school here. I can because I’m not related to you. The reason your uncle / brother / cousin / grandma is offering you this invaluable advice about your career isn’t because they know what they’re talking about. It’s because they have big mouths paired with small personal boundaries, and frankly, they’re probably bored.
These are the kinds of family advice I typically hear about:
- “You’re working at the wrong company. You should work for this company.”
- “You’re in the wrong career field. You should quit your job and go back to school for this field.”
- “You live in the wrong city. You should find a job here, near me.”
- “Don’t take a job somewhere else. I know that you hate your job, but it’s stable. Just stay there.”
- “Don’t leave your job to go back to graduate school. Who cares if you want to change your career path. This is the worst decision ever! Do you know how much school costs?”
- “I know that you enjoy your career and all, but seriously – you should be making more money. This isn’t really an adult career anymore.”
- “I know that you enjoy your career and all, but seriously – your job is too high stress. You should quit and take something that would allow you to focus more on what’s really important in life.”
The list could go on, and on, and on…
Now, don’t get me wrong. I understand that their advice is probably coming from a place of love and concern (probably). But, just because advice comes from love doesn’t mean it’s good advice. Let’s be real.
As a respectable working adult, you are the only one who truly, truly knows what’s right for you, not your mom / dad / grandma / grandpa / brother / sister / cousin / aunt / uncle. You know when it’s time to quit. You know when it’s time to stay. And, you know how much stress you and your spouse can take.
Without going too far overboard, there are a few times when it makes sense to listen to a relative. For example, perhaps the relative is a successful business person who has worked in the field you are interested in. Or, maybe the relative has inside knowledge of a particular company you’re interested in.
But, the most important thing – if you’re going to listen to a relative – is that the relative RESPECTS YOUR OWN OPINION and is OKAY with the idea of you rejecting their advice if it doesn’t work for you.
Does that make sense? If the relative only wants to give advice if you’ll take it (whether or not you think it makes sense for YOU), then you shouldn’t be listening to them – no matter how smart or well-connected they might be. Their advice is biased, and it’s not coming from the best place.
At the end of the day, YOU are the only one who truly knows what works for you: not your dad, not your sister, not your grandmother, not your cousin. YOU.
So, with all that said, listen to the advice that works for you, and pay attention when advice doesn’t work for you. Pay attention so you can be sure not to use the advice that doesn’t work for you. Listen to yourself, not your loud mouth relative. Have confidence that you know what’s right, and that you are going to figure things out, in your own way.
Let me end this passionate email with a personal story. While still in college for engineering, I decided that I wanted to earn a MBA. I wasn’t sure whether I should go straight to graduate school from college, or whether I should work first. So, I talked to MBA schools and other MBA graduates about their experiences. After gathering enough information, I decided that for me, it would be best to work for three years in industry before quitting my job to go to graduate school full time. This allowed me to bring more to the classroom, and to get more out.
So, I took a corporate job out of college, and each month, I put $1,000 per month in a bank account to help pay for my graduate school. MBA school rarely has scholarships, and I knew the price tag would be big for what I wanted to do. And, since I planned to study for my MBA full time, I knew I’d need money to survive.
At the end of the three years, I had enough money ($36,000 – not bad for a 21 year old) to get started. I applied to school, was accepted, quit my job, and moved cross-country to Los Angeles. I was able to complete my MBA in 15-months. And, guess what happened? I received job offers that were twice what I was making before getting that MBA. You heard me right. I was able to double my salary in 15 months by these choices.
But, do you know what I heard before all of this happened? Multiple people pulled me aside. They told me how crazy I was, and how I’d lost my mind. They said, “You have a good corporate job. What’s your problem? Why do you need to do this? You’re going to ruin your life.” They also said, “Why do you need to quit and move to LA? There’s a perfectly good school where you are. Why are you doing this?”
I’m pretty sure that all of these people who attempted to stop me from my goals would stand up today and say that they knew I was going to succeed. They could just see it in my eyes (or some other similar B.S.).
So again, please – listen to yourself. Only you can truly know what’s right for you.
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 | Dec 26, 2016 | Advice, Newsletter
2016 has been a big year for Copeland Coaching. If you blinked, you might have missed something. Below is a recap of my favorite things from 2016. I hope you enjoy!
Press Highlights:
- Recruiter.com picked Angela’s book Breaking The Rules & Getting The Job as the #1 book to drive your professional success. “If you’re tired of being at the mercy of job boards and unresponsive hiring managers, start here.”
- Personal Income.org selected Copeland Coaching as one of the top 25 Resume Building & Career Blogs.
- Forbes quoted Angela in their piece 5 Ways to Pull Off a Successful Career Switch. “If you’re looking to switch because you want a quick fix to a problem at work — for example, you have a boss you’re desperate to escape from — you might want to rethink making an entire career switch.”
- MarketWatch quoted Angela in their piece Half of the high-paying jobs in America now require this skill.
- Monster quoted Angela in their piece 9 qualities recruiters want to see in every single candidate. “Reliability is important because it shows your future boss what they can expect of you going forward. Show you are reliable by [being on time] for interviews or meetings, and sending your resume, and any other piece of documentation requested, when you promised.”
Top Downloaded Podcast Episodes:
- Gayle Laakmann McDowell – Gayle shared her insight on how to crack the coding interview. She also shares tips on how to move from one functional area to another, and how to avoid common career mistakes. If you’re in tech, this one’s for you!
- Sharon Hill – Sharon shared her advice on generational differences in the workplace, how to handle office gossip, and what you can do to avoid irritating your coworkers. If you can’t seem to figure out your younger or older colleagues, listen to this episode!
- Landon Holder – Landon advised us on what you should wear to an interview, what you need to know about accessories, and how to buy your first suit. Struggling for what to wear? Start here!
- Zachary Croteau – Zac gave great tips on networking (including cold calling) and landing a job offline. He also gave us suggestions for using LinkedIn, and LinkedIn endorsements. If you listen to no other episode, listen to this one. Zac shares insights about networking that can be used across every industry, at every point in your career.
- Mac Prichard – Mac shared his secrets to hacking the hidden job market, to mastering informational interviews, and how long your job search should really take. If you’re tired of the online application process, check out this interview!
Most Read Newsletters:
- Want to find a new job? Stop paying so much attention to the minimum requirements. I’m certain I’m going to get negative feedback for saying this, but I just have to. Every day (and I really mean every day) I spend at least an hour trying to convince job seekers to do something that seems completely crazy — apply for a job.
- Technology is a tool, not a key. All the time, I see job seekers who are working really, really hard. They’re at home, perfecting their resume and cover letter. And, they’re spending countless hours applying for jobs online. And, I mean HOURS. It could literally be their full time job.
- Are you ready to get serious about your job search? Finding a job is a process. And, in many cases, it’s not a quick one. If you wait until you can’t bear to go in to work one more day, you’ve waited too long.
- How long should your job search really take? One of the number one (if not THE number one) complaints job seekers have is how long it really takes to find a new job. So, what’s a reasonable expectation?
- Is it possible to double your salary? I saw an article last week that really got me thinking. It was all about this concept of doubling your salary. One of the top complaints of unhappy employees is money. They want to make more. They want to be paid fairly. And, who can blame them? With the two to three percent annual raises out there today, it’s impossible to keep up!
Thank you for coming along this journey with me in 2016! I’m thankful for each and every one of you! If you’ve missed any of these most read newsletters, or most downloaded podcasts, please be sure to check them out. And, watch for more big things to come in 2017!
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 | Dec 19, 2016 | Advice, Lifestyle, Newsletter
Can we all agree on one thing? 2016 has been the longest year we’ve had in ages.
From the controversial political season we all experienced, to mass shootings and violence, to the Zika virus outbreak to devastating weather… Even many of our favorite celebrities died, include Prince, David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Natalie Cole, and Harper Lee. I could go on, but you get the idea.
I’m sure you’d agree — this year has just been too long. If you’re like me, there’s a good chance this year has left you with some stress you’d be happy to leave behind as we enter 2017. With that in mind, let’s take a short departure from our typical career-only-focused newsletter.
There are a few things you can do between now and January 1st to reduce stress, and prepare you for a successful New Year. As you know, I don’t typically talk about these topics in my newsletter, but these are a few of my personal tips for reducing my stress and increasing my performance. Not only do they help in my every day life, but they help in my career. And, I hope they’ll help you too!
Eat Right & Eat Breakfast – One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to eat nutritious food. Try to reduce processed foods, sweets, and anything fried. Reach for vegetables when you can, and include enough protein. And especially, don’t miss breakfast! I prefer to eat something high in protein, but even cereal will work. Don’t neglect yourself first thing in the morning.
Drink Enough Water – Having enough water (and staying hydrated) directly impacts how you feel. Take the time to get your eight cups a day in. Try to keep things like soda, beer, and wine in moderation when you’re feeling stressed.
Sleep – Get more! It’s amazing how much better I feel after sleeping eight hours, and I bet you do too. If there’s any way you can cut back on other activities to make room for rest, you will thank yourself.
Yoga – If you’ve never tried it, this may sound a little strange. But, yoga really can help to reduce your feelings of stress. It’s a combination of stretching, thoughtful breathing, and a core workout (to name just a few components). Although yoga is often thought to be a women’s activity, it can be just as beneficial if not more so for men.
Workout – Get moving! Whether you prefer to run, lift weights, or do Pilates — do your thing! The winter months are not the time to put your workout routine on the back burner. Working out will help you to eliminate stress, and reduce the chances you will get sick.
There are so many ways to reduce stress. In addition to the suggestions above, you may like spending time with friends, writing, going to the driving range, or cooking. Whatever makes you feel less stressed is where you should spend your time.
Reducing stress (especially during a high stress time like the holidays) can be crucial to staying focused at work, and in your career. To start 2017 off on a better foot, take a little time now to take care of yourself. Together, we can leave this year behind and start fresh!
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 | Dec 5, 2016 | Advice, Job Posting, Newsletter
I don’t know about you, but the past few weeks have been a whirlwind for me! Thanksgiving travel, gift shopping, and annual holiday parties have been taking center stage.
But, the weeks between Thanksgiving and the New Year isn’t the time to give up on your job search yet. Employers are still hiring. Here’s proof. In just the past week, a number of different hiring managers have reached out to me about specific job openings they are looking to fill.
And, because I received a number at the very same time, I wanted to send a few of them to you. If you’re interested in these jobs, be sure to apply. If you know someone who might be a good fit, please forward my email.
And, you should note — for a few of these positions, there is more than one job available (this is true of the FedEx role and the Orlando Utilities Commission role). There are also a few where there’s more than one job available at the organization. So, be sure to look at their other jobs online too.
Check out these jobs, and apply online! And remember, just because you may not meet every single criteria for a job, you can still apply. If you think you can do the work, don’t count yourself out because you have less experience or a different degree. Put your name in the hat and apply!
Senior Business Applications Analyst
FedEx, Memphis, TN
Under limited supervision, interacts with business partners and/or it staff to gather and document information related to requirements and/or software testing. Gathers information from multiple sources and independently sorts medium to high complexity business issues to recommend appropriate direction. Leads project activities through meeting facilitation, managing, project scope and communicating progress. Analyzes business processed and associates them to software deliverables. Develops and/or executes test scripts against requirements. Drafts and reviews documentation in compliance with the FedEx global development process. Develops and/or maintains a business model that reflects current processes and business rules. Provides and/or consolidate input to scoping and impact analysis for future deliverables. Mentors less sr. positions.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE.
eCommerce Manager
Paladin Staffing, Sunrise, FL
Paladin is actively searching an eCommerce Manager to join an entertainment and event product company, with a portfolio of products that are featured on global tours, events and theatres, internationally! You will be building and managing the digital ecosystem for all products and 3rd party sellers (think Amazon), including digital merchandising, data analytics and integrating eCommerce strategy into the digital marketing initiative! This is a great opportunity to take that next step in your career!
CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE.
Senior Account Representative
Orlando Utilities Commission, Orlando, FL
Serve as liaison to OUC’s key major commercial accounts and large commercial accounts, providing recommendations of service options, addressing and coordinating all energy-related services offerings. Establish and maintain personalized customer-focused relationships to support account issues and needs, provide technical assistance, and facilitate account project and business opportunities related to OUC services and programs.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE.
Senior Account Manager
Digital Marketing, Oden, Memphis, TN
The Senior Account Manager is comfortable with web technologies and has a solid understanding of digital marketing with a focus on delivering optimal user experiences. In this role, you will be an active contributor to our team’s strategic recommendations to best achieve our clients’ business objectives. You’ll also structure and prioritize our clients’ ongoing needs, and organize the internal team to meet those needs. You will work directly with information architects, designers, and developers to create and implement strategies for enhancing and extending clients’ web platforms and properties, and will be responsible for communicating technical work clearly with team members and client stakeholders.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE.
Account Manager
Brooks Bell Interactive, Raleigh, NC
Account Managers are responsible for managing the relationship and success for high profile corporate clients and supporting the Director, Account Management and Clients teams in all program initiatives. They work with the client team, executive team, creative teams, developers, analysts and project managers to ensure that all program deliverables are completed accurately, on-time and with an overall quality that exceeds client expectations.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE.
Media Planner
Elite SEM, Atlanta, GA
The Digital Media Planner builds and present media recommendations and are responsible for managing all day to day digital media strategy, planning/buying activity for assigned account(s). The Digital Media Planner collaborates with the Display/Media team and other digital channels (SEM, SEO, Mobile, and Social) in a fast-paced, results oriented environment. This role will report into the Director of Performance Display.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE.
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 | Nov 28, 2016 | Advice, Newsletter
One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is to stop looking for work over the holidays. Once Thanksgiving rolls around, our priorities shift. We decide companies aren’t hiring anyway, and we move on to other things. We begin to focus on putting up decorations and buying gifts.
Unfortunately, this routine can put you at a disadvantage when January comes. Although the hiring process over the holidays may be slower, it doesn’t stop. New jobs are posted every day. When you stop looking, you have no idea what new jobs are available. You’ll be missing out and won’t even know it.
Besides, the hiring process is just that – a process. At many organizations, you’ll find that the time between you first apply for a job and are presented with an offer can been weeks or months. It’s not uncommon for a non-profit to take three months or more to make a decision.
By exiting your job search during the holidays, you’re losing sight of your goal to find a job. When the New Year arrives, you’ll be at least a month or more behind your competitors.
The good news is that keeping up your search over the holidays doesn’t take a lot of time. Set a few simple goals and you’ll be on your way. It shouldn’t take more than a few hours a week. This isn’t a lot of time, especially if getting a job is a priority for you. Spend a few minutes each night or few hours on the weekends.
First, ensure your resume is up to date. Ask a few friends to review it. You want to be sure they understand it, and that there are no typos. I often recommend asking someone to review your resume who works in a different career field than you do. That way, if you’re using confusing language, such as industry specific abbreviations, they’ll let you know.
Once your resume passes the test, move on to updating your LinkedIn profile. Use your resume as the foundation for your LinkedIn profile, and then build on it. Add your photo. Pick one that’s recent, clearly you, and doesn’t contain other people. Add your volunteer experience and any awards and publications. Ask previous bosses and coworkers to write recommendations of your work. These are a great way to showcase the positive things others have to say about you.
Then, when you’re at holiday parties over the next month, if someone wants to connect on LinkedIn or asks for a copy of your resume, you’ll be prepared. And, be sure to always bring your business cards. If you don’t have any, getting them is simple. There are many websites like Moo.com that allow you to design and order online.
Finding your dream job during the December holidays isn’t a sure bet. But, being prepared ensures that if something does arise, you’re ready to defeat the competition at a moment’s notice. You’ll also be prepared to interview in 2017 when job postings and interviews heat up.
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
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