by Angela Copeland | Jan 5, 2015 | Advice, Newsletter
I hope you had a wonderful holiday season, and a happy New Year! Now that 2015 is officially here, it’s time to put your job search back into high gear.
If you’re like many of the clients I work with, you’ve thought at least once or twice about moving this year. In fact, you may have even thought of moving to another country.
For many people, moving abroad is a lifelong dream. It started in college when they thought about doing an exchange program and then lingered when they became a professional. They were just not sure where to begin.
One of my goals for 2015 is to bring you information about the steps required to make such a big move. Some countries are easier or harder to move to from a legal perspective.
To start off, I traveled to one of the most popular places many people want to move to: Europe. In December, I visited Dublin, Ireland to get the scoop on how you might move there.
I met with career coach Karen Willis. Karen specializes in empowering her clients to discover their new career plans or to change careers. A native of Ireland, Karen relates to the struggles her clients go through as they juggle career and other life commitments.
Karen explained that roughly five years ago, a number of large companies began to open offices in Dublin. The entire list is too long to go through, but the short version includes Google, Amazon, eBay, Facebook, and LinkedIn. It’s incredible to see so many big dot coms opening offices in a downtown area the size of downtown Memphis.
You may wonder why Dublin was selected. First, it’s the closest European country to the U.S. It has the lowest median age in Europe, so there are lots of young, mobile, educated workers there. And, because they’re part of the E.U., people can move from all over Europe to work there. That means that they also have a diverse work force that speaks many languages. In addition, Ireland’s corporate tax rate is around half what other countries offer at 12.5%. These factors make Dublin an attractive place to be.
But, back to the relocation side of things. What do you need to do to make a move to Dublin happen?
During my conversation with Karen and a few other folks, I learned that unfortunately, it can be quite tricky to move to Dublin. When applicants are considered for a job, by law those in Europe are prioritized above applicants from other countries. Informally, it sounds like Irish are also prioritized above other Europeans.
This means that if you really want to move there, you’ve got to get creative. Here are a few ideas:
- Transfer with a U.S. company that has offices there. This is easiest when you’re already working for the company.
- Apply for highly specialized positions. Similar to the U.S., those working in highly technical fields like engineering or healthcare will find it easier to move abroad. Here’s the entire list of jobs that fall into this category.
- Work in a senior level position. The rules are more flexible for those in very senior level roles.
- Consider going back to graduate school – in Europe. If you’ve been thinking of going to graduate school, this could be a great way to build a bridge to Europe.
- Consider other cities in Europe. Rumor has it that cities such as London are easier to get your foot in the door.
- Start a business. Dublin is booming with start-ups, and successful dot coms. If you’re an entrepreneur, this can be a great way to transition to another country.
If you’d like to learn more, tune into Tuesday’s Copeland Coaching Podcast. In my new episode, I will be interviewing Karen Willis about what you need to know to relocate to Dublin.
You can also learn more about Irish work visas here. The Department of Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation has additional information about employment permits here. And, to learn more about Karen, check out her website here.
As you may find, moving to Ireland or the rest of Europe can be difficult. However, I hope these steps will make the process a little easier. As the year goes on, I hope to share with the you the immigration details for other countries.
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 and 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. Thanks.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
by Angela Copeland | Dec 29, 2014 | Newsletter
You must be your own career advocate. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s comments discouraging women to ask for a raise highlighted this important issue.
He said, “It’s not really about asking for the raise but knowing and having faith that the system will actually give you the right raises as you go along.”
Regardless of gender, this is an important issue. I’ve found in my coaching practice that men and women are equally likely not to ask for more money or a promotion.
Challenge yourself to ask for what you want. The times when it doesn’t work out, you will know it’s time to move on to another challenge.
Companies pay very differently for the same positions. Websites like Glassdoor.com have opened the curtain to salary information. Use this data in your search to ensure you’re on a fair playing field.
Often, you end up getting what you’ll settle for. In the past, companies were able to keep you in the dark and offer as little money as they could get away with.
Now, the websites reveal this information and create an opportunity for you to make more, even when you don’t have the inside track.
Pay equality still has room to grow. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women are still making approximately 77 cents per dollar that men are earning.
I suspect this statistic could be applied to other groups as well. The bottom line is that discrimination still happens sometimes, as much as we wish it wouldn’t.
As in the previous examples, use the internet to your benefit. Sites like Salary.com will show you how much someone should be making on average for your job. Find out where you fall on the scale.
Companies no longer hold all the power. Employment websites now offer company reviews. In the same way that you might rate a hotel you stayed at, employees are rating their bosses. These ratings give you insight into what’s happening on the inside.
Not only do they give you more power, but they put companies on their best behavior. No executive wants to be called out online for less than savory business practices.
And, the best part is– you won’t quit your current job to walk into a disastrous situation. Having reviews online allows you to make an informed choice about your employment future.
As you have probably noticed, my biggest take away from 2014 is that the power of the information available on the internet can truly transform your career path. Never before has so much data been available for free to job seekers. Take advantage of this, and leverage it to your benefit — while being the CEO of your own career. Nobody can help your career as much as you can!
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 and 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. Thanks.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
by Angela Copeland | Dec 22, 2014 | Newsletter
Whatever your plans are this holiday season, chances are they include travel. Most likely, you’ll be visiting one of two places: a city where your family lives or a vacation destination you love.
These two locations are often places you might consider relocating. It’s very common to either move to be closer to family — or to be in a region you really enjoy spending time in.
If you have spare time between the visiting, the gifts, and the food, you may want to consider doing research while you’re in another city.
This kind of information gathering is incredibly simple and fairly rare. So not only is it not too hard to do, but your efforts will stand out.
During the holidays, it can be a little more tricky in terms of scheduling, but it’s still worth a shot.
Here’s are a few simple steps to get you started:
- Network with friends & family – Be sure you reconnect with existing people in your circle. If you want to move back to your hometown, reconnect with those people you went to high school or college with. Look for relatives who work in the area. Take the time to drop by and catch up.
- Look for events online – You’d be surprised at how many professional organizations hold regular meetings, and invite the public via the web. Check out sites like Meetup.com and EventBrite.com to see what’s happening in the city you’re visiting.
- Connect via social media – This sounds crazy, but many of the best new connections I’ve made lately have been through Twitter and LinkedIn. Before traveling, seek out people you’d like to meet and communicate via social media. Often, you’ll find the person is open to having a coffee.
- Look off the beaten path – If you’re thinking of moving to a place, it’s good to try things you would normally do if you weren’t a tourist. Look for social activities like dance classes, art shows, wine tastings, or cooking lessons. Seek out activities that will create social interactions. These are a great chance to network, and to get a local perspective on where to live, eat, etc.
- Reach out to leaders – Look for leaders in your professional space and reach out to them personally. If you’re an entrepreneur, seek out the president of a local incubator. Consider contacting the local Chamber of Commerce. Reach out to the Presidents of local non-profit organizations that interest you.
- Contact recruiters – In addition to the suggestions above, consider setting up meetings with one to three local head hunters. Bring your resume and be prepared to explain why you want to relocate, and when you’ll be available.
Keep in mind that not every tactic you try will work out. You will want to reach out to more people than you’ll have time to talk to. Not everyone will have time to meet you. You will also want to come up with a list of activities that’s longer than you can realistically attend. Some activities may be canceled or you may have a conflict, so having extras gives you a buffer.
At the end of the day, even just a few new contacts can help to fast track your plans to move. Meeting with someone in person is significantly more impactful than sending an e-mail or speaking over the phone.
So, if you’re serious about moving, take a little time to do some homework while you’re visiting. Often, when you let people know you’re only in town for a few days, they will make time to meet with you.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday this week with your friends and loved ones!
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 and 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. Thanks.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
by Angela Copeland | Dec 15, 2014 | Advice, Newsletter
Christmas is just a little over a week away! Hopefully, your holiday shopping is almost complete.
As your bank account feels the pinch, and as the new year is on the horizon, your mind may be starting to drift back to work.
Often during the holidays, our job search naturally slows down. We spend more time with family and friends. And, companies often slow their hiring during December.
But, if your job has been getting your down, this is just the time to begin to think about getting a new one.
The most important step to finding a new job is to prioritize what’s the most important to you. For example, if you had to prioritize the three things below, which would rank as the most important and which would be the least important?
- Money
- Job satisfaction
- Location
There’s no right answer to this question. In fact, your answer may shift over time.
For example, if you have an ailing family member, there may be nothing more important right now than living close to them. Or, if you have three children in private school, money may be your #1. In many cases, you’re looking for something more fulfilling.
Whatever your answer, the most important thing is to know it. It will help to guide your career decisions.
As you begin to understand your priorities, jobs will begin to come up that you’ll end up having to choose between. The question then becomes how to make those decisions.
In a previous podcast (Copeland Coaching Podcast Episode #5), I interviewed Shane Presley about being the CEO of your own career. Shane discusses a decision making technique he uses that involves a matrix.
Whenever you encounter a difficult decision, you use an Excel spreadsheet to layout all the variables that influence your decision. For example, if you were picking between two jobs, you might list the salary of each, the location, the perks of each job, the vacation days given, etc. Then, you assign a weight to each item. You decide just how important each individual factor is to you. Last, you score each factor on a scale (say 1 to 5) and you multiple that score by the weight given, then you add the results together.
Once you’ve gone through this process, you’ll begin to have a better picture of which choice is the best one for you.
Remember, whatever decisions you make, the most important thing is to understand your own priorities and how they align to them.
Have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones! Stay warm, and keep your eye on the New Year!
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 and 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. Thanks.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
by Angela Copeland | Dec 8, 2014 | Advice, Newsletter
The holidays are a time of joy and happiness. They remind us of all the good things in life, like pumpkin pie and spiced wine, and spending time with our loved ones. They’re a time of travel and gift giving, of holiday lights and snow. They’re a time of making positive memories.
But, the other thing that often comes up during the holidays is related to struggles. We sometimes forget about the tough things those around us are going through. It may be a friend who’s spending their first holiday without a parent. It may be a neighbor who’s going through a difficult divorce. Or someone who’s having a hard time paying for their medical treatment. Or, maybe you’re the one struggling.
Whatever obstacles you’re facing, it’s important to acknowledge them and to consider the impact they may be having on your career. If you’re going through a tough time, and you have a goal of finding a new job, it may be time to ask for help.
Reach out to those around you, such as friends and loved ones. If you need help to stay on track with your search, consider reaching out to a coach. If you’re looking for more assistance on the emotional pieces, consider reaching out to a therapist.
Whatever you do, try not to allow the difficulties you’re facing today completely derail your plans for the future. Remember that what you’re going through is temporary, and things will eventually get better with time.
If you’re not sure where you’ll be spending the holidays in the next few weeks, begin to reach out to friends now to make a plan. You’d be surprised just how many people will open their homes and hearts to you.
And, if you notice someone in your life is struggling, make time for them. The holidays are a busy time, but it’s important.
I don’t typically write about the topic of personal struggles. But, I was inspired to do so as I think just how much our personal struggles play out in our professional lives.
When things are going wrong at home, it can often cascade into issues at work. And, issues at work can make things worse at home.
Try not to ignore issues, but instead, address them. As you clear away the personal struggles, you’ll find more time to work on your professional goals.
And, the thing that’s often surprising when we’re the one struggling is this — those around us are struggling too. Many people just don’t talk about it. So, if you’re having a tough time, often the person next to you may be able to help out much more than you’d think.
The holidays are a tough time for many people. Just remember that you’re not alone, and reach out to those around you for help. Last, but not least, keep your eyes on the future and keep working toward your dream.
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 and 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. Thanks.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
by Angela Copeland | Dec 1, 2014 | Advice, Newsletter
It’s hard to imagine that today’s the first day of December! It feels like the summer festivals were just yesterday.
The best part about this time of year for job seekers is networking.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is putting their job search on hold during December. We decide that companies aren’t hiring anyway and we shift 100% of our focus toward enjoying the holidays with family and loved ones.
Don’t get me wrong. Enjoying the holidays is a big priority! But, you can continue your search while you have fun.
This time of year, there are many holiday parties to attend. These events are a fantastic time to network. You’ll reconnect with old contacts and make new ones.
Before jumping onto the party circuit, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- RSVP: If a party requests an RSVP, be sure to put yours in. It shows respect to the host, and can help with planning. If you are nervous to go alone, request to bring a plus one. Most hosts don’t mind and it’s not hard to find a friend who would love to join you.
- Dress: Do your best to find out the dress code in advance. Jeans are appropriate at some events while others require fancy cocktail attire. If you aren’t sure what to wear, try selecting something that could be considered dressy or casual – like black pants and a simple shirt.
- Business Cards: Your networking efforts will be totally ineffective if you have no way to seal the deal. Bring your business cards, so you’re sure to get the contact information for those you meet. When you get home, follow up in e-mail and connect on LinkedIn.
- Don’t Be Shy: Networking is hard for most people. It’s not just you. If you feel nervous at events, set little goals for yourself, such as talking to 3 new people. Arrive on time and come prepared with simple questions to use as conversation starters like, “Do you have any fun plans this weekend?” The more you practice you have going to events, the easier it becomes.
- Drinking: Having a cocktail or two at a holiday party can be fun. But, be sure to keep the amount you’re drinking in check. You want to be able to put your best foot forward. And, you want to be able to drive home safely. Having a fresh DUI on your driving record could make landing your dream job much harder. If you do find yourself having a bit too much to drink, call a cab, Uber, or Lyft. It’s easy. And, the $50 for a ride home will save you many thousands in the legal fees you’d face for being arrested.
If you aren’t sure where to find the holiday parties this season, start by checking with the clubs or organizations you’re a member of. For those in Memphis, you can check with leadership organizations such as Leadership Memphis or New Memphis Institute.
Other good places to look are Eventbrite.com, Meetup.com. and Facebook.com. You can also check local community calendars, such as RSVP Magazine’s online calendar.
No matter which parties you choose, I hope you have a wonderful time! Make lots of new connections and stay safe this holiday season.
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 and 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. Thanks.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
