Career Thanksgiving

by Angela Copeland | Nov 24, 2014 | Advice, Newsletter

This week, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s an opportunity to gather together with loved ones, eat way too much good food, and watch a little football. It’s also an opportunity to express gratitude for our good fortune.

While you have a few days off this week, I encourage you to allow Thanksgiving to inspire your job search.

• Be Grateful – Focus on the positive things about your current job. Perhaps you like your boss, your team, or even the location of your office. Even in negative work environment, there are usually a few things to be thankful for. Move your attention to those items.
• Reconnect – Thanksgiving is the kickoff to an entire holiday season. Take the opportunity to reconnect with friends, coworkers, and loved ones you haven’t seen in a while. Not only is it good for your soul, it’s good for your network. When you’re looking for a job, it’s critical that you keep your network up to date.
• Networking Events – In addition to connecting with those who are truly close to you, keep an eye out for networking events. Many workplaces put on pot luck Thanksgiving lunches – and groups host “Friendsgiving” events. These are other great opportunities to keep your networking moving forward during the holidays.
• Reflect – Holidays are a great time to think back about the past year, and start to make plans for the future. What went well in the last year? What would you do differently? Write these things down, along with goals for next year. When would you like to find a new job? What are the attributes you’d prefer in your next job?
• Help Others – Networking is a huge part of finding a job. Sometimes, when we’re in the middle of our own search, we forget about those around us. Remember to take the time to help those in your life who are also looking. In return, they will help you.
• Relax – Looking for a job can be a long, and at times, stressful, process. Don’t forget to take a little time for yourself. It will help you to keep moving forward in your search when you return to work.
• Thank Others – Take the time to thank those in your life who help you every day. Whether it’s a friend, coworker, or supervisor, take the time to wish them a happy Thanksgiving — and thank them for the impact they make on your life. You might even consider giving thanks in the form of a written recommendation on LinkedIn.

Try to stay upbeat. The holiday season can be a tough one if you’re looking for a job. It is a time of increased financial responsibilities and decreased opportunities.

But, staying positive will help to draw good people to you. It will help to lay the foundation for your job search, so they will think of you when they’re hiring or hear of a job.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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

Whatever you do, don’t quit!

by Angela Copeland | Nov 17, 2014 | Advice, Newsletter

There are days when you’ve had it up to here at work. You hate everything and everyone.

You go home and do your finances and you realize, you’ve got a little financial cushion. After talking it over with your spouse, you agree that there’s nothing worth this kind of stress in your life.

It’s decided. You’re quitting!

You feel so much better. This decision gives you a sense of relief. You won’t have to put up with your crappy boss anymore. You’ll leave your nagging coworkers behind. You’ll take some time off to find yourself, get refreshed, and jump back onto the horse.

What could be better?

Well, there are a few things you probably haven’t thought about. Let me share them with you here.

1. You know you quit, but who else knows that? When you leave a company for an unexplained reason, it’s often assumed you were fired. This is a situation you will have to explain for many years into the future. Worse yet, your explanation sounds like complaining. Even if you’re completely justified, you’re leaving yourself open for a lot of public interpretation, and hallway gossip, that could impact your career long-term.
2. Finding yourself is a process. If you leave your job because it’s not what you want to do, realize that it may take you a while to learn what you DO want to do! When you finally select your new career, you may find out you need more experience or you need to take a class. Why not wait to leave until your new career path is underway? In the meantime, take classes and do soul searching while you’re still at your current job. Let your old job fund your new one.
3. The job market is tough. Let’s face it, even the most talented people are having a hard time finding a job these days. It may take you longer to find a job than you think. Even if you’re the best at what you do, if there are no jobs available, you’ll be waiting a while.
4. Time off only feels like a vacation if you know what’s next. Person after person has told me this. When you quit your job, even though you have time off, you can’t relax. Your time is spent worrying about getting your next job and where your next paycheck will come from.
5. Things could be worse. When you’re not working, you lose some of your negotiation power. You’re more likely to accept a job that pays less. And, you’re more likely to take a job working for someone you dislike. In fact, your new job could end up being worse than your old one. Wouldn’t that be awful? You’d be trying to endure another year or two of your new boss, so you don’t look like a job hopper on your resume.
6. Things could get better. I know this sounds crazy, but it could happen. I recently spoke to someone who wasn’t enjoying their job and out of the blue, they were offered a promotion. Suddenly, they’re being appreciated and given a new opportunity at advancement.

Don’t get me wrong. If you are in an abusive situation that is negatively impacting your health or putting you at risk in any way, this advice does not apply to you. Taking care of yourself is the most important priority.

But, if you’re not in danger or putting yourself at risk by going to work everyday, do your best to hang in there. Don’t walk away. Put together a plan of action and begin to change your life one day at a time.

Reach out to friends and loved ones for support. And, if you’re in need of a coach, feel free to reach out to me. I’d love to help you with your own journey.

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

Job search frustrations & what you can do

by Angela Copeland | Nov 3, 2014 | Advice, Newsletter

It’s a smart idea to keep your job search private. Very private. After all, what would happen if word got back to your company, or even worse, your boss?

Because we keep our efforts a secret, we rarely have the opportunity to talk about our frustrations. And often, those frustrations feel incredibly personal.

Below are common job search frustrations and what you can do to cope-

• You submit your resume online and never hear back: In today’s modern age, there’s an expectation that you should apply online. And, if you listen to a company’s HR department, they’ll tell you that’s all you need to do. Not so. In addition to applying online, look for ways to get your resume directly in front of the hiring manager. The “applicant tracking system” used online often weeds out so many resumes, the hiring manager may never even see yours.
• You show your resume to friends and everyone has conflicting advice: Resume writing is tricky because there’s no one way to write a resume. So like many things in life, everyone has an opinion. If you notice a trend in the feedback you receive, listen. But, if one person is giving feedback that doesn’t align to any other comments, take it for what it’s worth.
• You have an interview and then never hear back: Most companies won’t tell you if you weren’t selected until they have found their hire and the person has accepted. In many cases, they won’t tell you at all. Keep in mind that this is the norm. It’s not you. Companies are sorting through hundreds of applications, so the thought of providing feedback to everyone can be difficult. In addition, they don’t want to turn you off from their company until they’re 100% sure they have someone.
• Job searching takes so much time: One of the most frustrating things job seekers face is the amount of time they must devote to the process. After all, finding a job is a job. This can be especially difficult when you’re interviewing with a company that forces you to come in for many rounds of interviews over multiple days. Just know that this is part of their process, and it’s not specific to you. Do your best to ride the interviews out as long as you can.
• During the interview, the interviewer asks you about all your flaws: When this happens, you may feel that the company dislikes you. You wonder why they even brought you in for an interview in the first place. Keep in mind – the company would not interview you if they thought you weren’t capable of the work. They ask you tough questions to get to know you. And, sometimes they want to push your buttons to see how you react under pressure. Just because you have this experience does not mean you won’t get the job.
• The company is super slow in getting back to you with an offer or next steps: On more than one occasion, a job seeker has said to me, “They keep asking me back for interviews. But, they’re so slow! What’s the deal? Do they not really want me?” In a lot of ways, job seeking is like dating. But, in terms of timing, this is less true. Often, organizations have internal rules and steps they are required to follow that draw out the process. This is especially true of non-profits and government organizations. So, if your interview is stretching out – judge your success based on the fact that it’s still going on rather than the exact timing.

Whatever happens, just know you’re not alone in this experience. All your friends and colleagues are secretly dealing with the same frustrations too. Hang in there and remember to keep your frustrations and your job search to yourself.

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 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. Thanks.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland

@CopelandCoach

Employees join companies. They leave bosses.

by Angela Copeland | Oct 27, 2014 | Advice, Newsletter

In a recent conversation, someone said something incredibly wise to me: “Employees join companies. They leave bosses.”

Wow! This couldn’t be more true. Every day, I meet new job seekers who confidentially share their latest work stress and career drama. Almost everyone — and I mean everyone — is unhappy with their boss!

You may work for a manager who isn’t leading you. They have no vision or clear goals. It leaves your team lost and creates unnecessary conflict and political issues.

Or, maybe your manager doesn’t recognize your contributions to the team. You don’t feel valued. Your manager takes credit for your work and doesn’t give thanks when it’s due.

Some managers make excuses for why you can’t go to training or participate in continuing education, while they nudge your peers to participate. They aren’t helping you to grow your skills.

Do these scenarios sound familiar?

If so, it’s time to pay attention! If your manager doesn’t buy into you today, there’s a good chance that won’t change anytime soon.

Why sit and wait for years for your manager to change their perception when someone else who appreciates you may be right around the corner?

There’s no better time than now to begin looking. And when you do, remember that interviewing is a two way street!

You are interviewing them just as much as they’re interviewing you.

Pay close attention to how you interact with your new (potential) manager. Observe how they interact with their team. What do their employees have to say about them and their management style?

Do your homework! Look them up on LinkedIn. Do they have written endorsements from co-workers and employees? If so, are they positive and sincere?

Pay attention to how your boss’ personal priorities align with yours. For example, if they don’t believe in long vacations, but you take a week long trip with your family every year, take note. Little differences could cause issues later.

In a previous newsletter, I mentioned that jobs are like buses. Another one is always coming.

If you get the sense that there’s not a connection between you and your new (potential) boss, PAY ATTENTION. Even if you dislike your current job, this is still important to note.

What could be worse than running from one burning building into another one? You will only prolong your heartache — and force yourself to look for another job again very soon.

In closing, if you’re not clicking with your boss, the time to take notice is now. The sooner you start looking, the longer you’ll have to find your “dream job.”

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 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. Thanks.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland

@CopelandCoach

What does it mean to “go supernova”?

by Angela Copeland | Oct 20, 2014 | Advice, Newsletter

You may have seen on Facebook this week that I just received my new copy of the book, “Going Supernova: The Bold Paths of 101 Superachievers.” One of my own mentors, Molly Lavik, wrote the book to share the personal stories and paths of 101 successful people.

I am incredibly honored that Molly selected me to be among the group of 101!

Molly has always a huge focus on mentoring and learning from the insights of others. In her book’s introduction, she says, “I will share with you many real stories from people who have had to face adversity and have flourished after transforming the adversity into opportunity.”

It was a very interesting experience to share my own story from such a different perspective than I typically do.

As a child, my future was a bit uncertain. Things at home were unstable, and I wasn’t sure how or if I’d be able to go to college. For years, I spent many hours in my darkroom practicing various aspects of photography. Being a photographer would give me a career I could count on if college didn’t pan out.

In middle school, I competed in science fair for two years. My teacher, Mr. Daniel, was very supportive as I x-rayed plants and measured the damaging impact of that radiation as they grew. Both years, I won the fair and the second year, I was awarded a special prize by NASA. (It continues to be my most prized award, even today.)

Mr. Daniel took me aside and explained that although photography would always serve as a wonderful hobby, it’s not what I would be doing with my life. Sure enough, this experience was a pivotal moment for me and I changed my course. I eventually went away to college and studied computer and systems engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Looking back, this experience has taught me a number of different things. First of all, I was incredibly lucky to attend such a wonderful public school system that afforded all students an equal education. I was also incredibly fortunate to have a few teachers step in like Mr. Daniel who really made a difference for me.

It showed me the importance of both mentoring, and being open to being mentored. There’s always some area of our lives where we can learn more if we’re just open to it. I have carried this philosophy with me over the years as I’ve also learned about other things like finance, public speaking, and even golf.

I seek out advice from others who know more than I do in specific areas. It helps me to both grow my own skills, and to leapfrog the competition. As I mentioned, it’s also important to be open to the learning. Sometimes it’s painful, but the long lasting results are immeasurable.

In the same way I’ve received guidance over the years, I now provide it myself. Job seeking was almost a hobby when I was younger. I enjoyed the competition of interviewing, and the opportunity to learn about new businesses and industries. After quite a bit of practice, others started to seek out my advice. Rather than turning a blind ear, I was open to helping. And ten years later, here we are with Copeland Coaching. I help job seekers find jobs every day.

As you go through your life, I encourage you to seek out others for assistance — and to provide help on things where you’re the expert. You’ll find that whether you’re the one being mentored or doing the mentoring, you’ll grow quite a lot from the experience. And, you’ll leapfrog your competition!

To read Molly’s entire book, and to learn about the other 100 superachievers, check it out on Amazon here. Special thanks goes out to Molly for being a wonderful mentor to me for the past ten years (wow!), and for including me in this awesome group!

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 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. Thanks.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland

@CopelandCoach