by Angela Copeland | Feb 20, 2017 | Exit Interview, Newsletter
Let’s be real. If you’re thinking of leaving your job for another one, there’s at least a 50% chance there’s something very wrong where you are now.
Sure, more money and a bigger salary would be great. But, if you didn’t hate your boss, you might be happy to come in to your current workplace.
When you land a new job, the most interesting thing happens. That same boss who’s been ignoring you and overlooking your for promotions suddenly wants to know what went wrong. They also want to know if you’ll be making more money, what your new title will be, and where you’ll be working.
This can be confusing. For the first time in a while, your boss seems to care about what you have to say. You might feel important, and like you could help make a difference for those you’re leaving behind.
This might (emphasis on “might”) be true. Your old company may genuinely want to know what they can do to keep their best talent.
But, I have to tell you, more often than not, this isn’t the case. Even if you suggest a great idea that could be implemented, or a way your manager could be a better leader, it’s hard to create real change based upon one person’s feedback – one person who’s quitting in two weeks.
And, it’s much easier to take feedback as a personal slight. Your company or your boss may feel attacked or put down. And, they may even feel the need to bite back.
Unfortunately, you will need your old boss in the future. It may not seem like it now, but sometime down the road, you’ll need a recommendation for another new job. And, when that time comes, you won’t want a bad exit interview hanging over your head.
This is a very personal decision. But, before you begin to talk, really think — what difference will this information make? Will the company use this information for the greater good? What are the potential downsides to my future if I’m brutally honest?
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 | Feb 15, 2017 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Media
2017 has certainly started off on an interesting foot. I don’t know about you, but social media used to be a relaxing activity where I learned about engagements, saw baby photos, and watched cat videos. Lately, it’s filled with opposing views and tension – on all sides of every issue. It’s exhausting.
I have friends on both sides of the aisle, and some from other aisles too. I see them thoughtfully speaking out about their concerns. Regardless of your views, there’s a decent chance the past few months have not been a cakewalk.
And, the level of frustration we’ve all been experiencing can sometimes lead us to reevaluate things in our lives. I know a number of people who are cleaning out their Facebook friends list – eliminating anyone who doesn’t share their perspectives. And more than before, job seekers are scrutinizing the personal values of their future boss and coworkers. They’re not sure they want to work with people who have different viewpoints than theirs.
The question becomes – where do we draw the line? After all, we spend eight waking hours a day at work. I can relate to this type of struggle myself. In a similar way, I have shied away from industries that make products or services I’m not completely comfortable with for one reason or another.
As you can imagine, deciding where to work is a very personal decision and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. However, with that said, you may want to weigh how much your personal views play into the work you do. If you didn’t know your boss had an opposing view to you, would it still matter? Could you still do your work?
The other thing I’d like to consider is this. There was once a time when we were more open to making friends with those who are different than we are. I really liked that time. It allowed me to grow up in a place like Oklahoma and move to places like New York and California where I met people who grew up with very different ideas than I did. This openness has allowed me to make close friends from cities all over the U.S. and countries all over the world. I rarely meet someone with whom I agree on every issue. But, it doesn’t mean that we can’t be friends, or that I can’t work to have a better understanding of their perspectives.
However, with all the time we spend there, work is something we’re practically married to. And, if it just doesn’t work for you to work with someone with values that are different than yours, I get it.
But, wouldn’t it be great to put these frustrating thoughts on a shelf for just a few hours each day, to focus just on work? Perhaps we could make a few great things happens for eight hours each day with a diverse team of people, who all bring different views and strengths to the table.
Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.
by Angela Copeland | Feb 14, 2017 | Advice, Depression, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Podcast
Episode 122 is live! This week, we talk with Dr. Alex Korb in Los Angeles, CA.
Alex is a neuroscientist, writer, and coach. He is a Neuroscientist at UCLA and the author of The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time. In its first week it quickly became the #1 New Release in Depression on Amazon. He also writes a popular blog for PsychologyToday: PreFrontal Nudity – The Brain Exposed.
On today’s episode, Alex shares with us his tips on improving our mental health, so we can be our very best at work and in our careers. He addresses the topic of depression in highly successful people, why certain people experience depression and others don’t, and everyday steps we can take to improve our mental health.
Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.
To learn more about Alex, his coaching practice, and his research, visit his website at www.alexkorbphd.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at @PreFrontalBlog. And, check out his book, The Upward Spiral, on Amazon.
Thanks to everyone for listening! And, thank you to those who sent me questions. You can send your questions to Angela@CopelandCoaching.com. You can also send me questions via Twitter. I’m @CopelandCoach. And, on Facebook, I am Copeland Coaching. Don’t forget to help me out. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave me a review!
by Angela Copeland | Feb 13, 2017 | Informational Interviewing, Interviewing, Job Posting, Newsletter
You know the drill. “If you’re interested in a job, apply on our website. If you’re a good fit, we’ll call you.” That’s what the company’s telling us anyway.
So, what’s wrong with this approach? And, what should we really be doing?
This is a great question. The first thing that’s “wrong” is that applying online almost never works – really. There’s a good chance the applicant tracking system (the online website) the company uses doesn’t work. It’s not the company’s fault. They’re probably relying on a third party product they purchased to help them to manage their hiring process. But, when you put your resume into one of these systems, there’s a pretty slim chance that it will make it to the hiring manager. And, even if it does, there’s a smaller chance the hiring manager will select you.
Why is that? Well, when a hiring manager is hiring, they try to think of someone they already know. Or, they may ask around to find a friend-of-a-friend. They’re definitely not going to look at online applications first.
So, if you don’t know the hiring manager already, what can you do? I often advise job seekers to find a way to connect to the hiring manager. Perhaps you reach out to them on LinkedIn. Or, maybe you find their email address and send them a note.
As you can imagine, reaching out to a total stranger can be a scary thought. I often hear questions like, “Won’t I scare the hiring manager away?” This is a good question, and in all honestly, it’s possible that you might. But, let’s consider this.
- The hiring manager may never learn your name otherwise.
- You could be just who the hiring manager was looking for. And, they may be grateful that you reached out.
- The hiring manager may network in the same way. Being a competitive job seeker may be the way they became the boss.
- Nobody has ever not been hired because they were too excited about a job.
- What do you really have to lose?
So, let’s look at it this way. What’s the worst thing that could happen? The worst thing that could happen is…. Wait for it…. Your email is ignored.
Yep. Almost always, the worst case scenario is that the hiring manager ignores you. Is it because you “scared” them away? Probably not. It’s more likely that:
- They were busy.
- They misplaced your email and forgot to respond.
- They gave your application to HR, and asked them to add you to the list for consideration (but never emailed you to tell you).
- You weren’t a good fit for the role.
Picture this: You’re a perfect fit for a job. You are so excited that after you apply, you reach out to the hiring manager directly via email. You send a killer cover letter about how excited you are about the role, and you attach your resume.
In this example, what are the chances that the hiring manager responds by thinking, “Man, that person is the perfect fit. I mean, their resume is just what we were looking for. And, they’re super excited about the job. And, they’re proactive too. But, no. Let’s not interview them. It’s totally weird that they sent me an email. I’m sure we can find another equally qualified candidate in the stack of applications from the internet.”
I’m exaggerating, but you get the idea. The chances that this occurs is slim.
So, get your courage together and test out contacting the hiring manager directly. You’ll show that you’re excited, qualified, and proactive – all great qualities to have when you’re interviewing for a 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 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 | Feb 8, 2017 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Happiness, Media
If you’re looking for a new job, I bet one of your top two priorities is finding a job you really, truly love. Somehow, you’ve found yourself at a job you don’t care for, and you’re ready to make a change. And, you hope to not wake up in another situation where you don’t like your job.
So, how can you land a job you love? Well, it starts by prioritizing what’s important to you. Think about what really makes you happy at work. On the surface, we often think we will be happy if we’re making the most money possible. But, when you get right down to it, this usually isn’t the solution.
The key to finding happiness at work is typically tied to a few things. First, the people you work around make a huge difference. It doesn’t matter how great your job is. If you have a bad boss and crazy coworkers, chances are good you’re not happy. Second, you want to be paid equitably. It’s not that you have to make the most anyone’s ever made for your job. But, you want to be paid fairly when compared to your colleagues. Last, you want to be doing work that’s interesting to you.
You’ll know the pay before starting the job, so it’s not hard to gauge if you’re being paid fairly. And, you should have a pretty good sense of the type of work, based upon the job description and the job interviews.
The wildcard here is the people. I would argue that finding a job you love is often about finding a great boss, team, and a company culture you like. It sounds a little odd to suggest that the biggest factor impacting your happiness at work is something that has little to do with the work – it’s the people. But, if you’ve ever had a very bad boss, you know this is true.
To find a great boss, you’ve got to get to know the people at a company. If possible, identify a list of target companies you’d like to work for. Then, identify the department you might like to work in. You can use tools like LinkedIn (or warm introductions from friends) to find your future colleagues and boss. Start networking with this group before you actually need a job.
This is going to do two things. First, the boss will know you who are long before you apply. They may even think of you when they begin to hire someone new. And, better yet – you will have a chance to find out how well you get along with the team, and whether or not the organization is a place you’d like to work.
Finding a job you love is all about fit. If you apply to companies you know little about, your chances of finding a great fit will be hit or miss. But, taking the time to do your homework will ensure that you land a job you love.
Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.
by Angela Copeland | Feb 7, 2017 | Advice, Podcast
This week, I’m back with another bonus episode!
I was recently a guest on the CityCURRENT Radio Show with Jeremy Park that airs on iHeartMedia. We chatted about personal branding, networking, and my book – Breaking The Rules & Getting The Job.
Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.
To learn more about the CityCURRENT radio show, or CityCURRENT, visit Jeremy’s website at http://www.citycurrent.com/.
Thanks to everyone for listening! I hope you’ve enjoyed this bonus episode.
If you have a question you’d like answered on a future Copeland Coaching Podcast, you can send your questions to Angela@CopelandCoaching.com. You can also send me questions via Twitter. I’m @CopelandCoach. And, on Facebook, I am Copeland Coaching. Don’t forget to help me out. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave me a review!
by Angela Copeland | Feb 6, 2017 | Advice, Happiness, Newsletter
Do you wake up every day feeling like you’ve already lived the day before? Do you dread getting up in the morning? Is there a predictable amount of hate that you feel while driving into work? Is saying “good morning” to your coworkers just a tiring exercise?
Unfortunately, unlike the winter, a terrible work environment is not a problem that Punxsutawney Phil can save any of us from. You will continue to have a negative experience until you decide you’re really ready to make a change.
Fortunately, the pain that Groundhog Day can evoke may actually turn into motivation to find a new job. And, it makes sense. We’d be less likely to look for a new job if there weren’t problems in our current one.
So, stop waiting for the hope that the pain will go away – and start looking. Once you’ve made the decision to make a change, everything gets easier… especially if you don’t wait until you’re at your wit’s end.
In the spirit of creating change, start by creating goals. Answer the following questions.
- How much time each week can I devote to my job search? Will I find the time after work, or on the weekends?
- How many jobs do I want to apply for each week?
- How many networking events do I want to attend each week?
- How many people from my network do I want to reach out to?
Making big change requires structure and discipline. Setting goals for yourself is a great way to put this change into motion. It’s amazing how taking small steps can add up to big progress.
And, that progress can eventually lead you to a new day that’s happier, and brighter all the way around!
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 | Feb 1, 2017 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Financial
As you grow in your career, finding a new job can become harder and harder. One of the big reasons for this has to do with salary. If you think about it, when you first started working, you were open to just about any job and would happily take a tiny paycheck. But, as you’ve progressed in your career, your requirements have evolved.
One of the most challenging situations job seekers face is when they want to leave a job, but are financially unable to. There are two main reasons for this. First, the job seeker may live right up to their means. In other words, they may spend all of the money they make each month. Second, the job seeker may not have a safety net in the form of an emergency fund.
A job seeker with no emergency fund who needs every dollar to pay their basic bills feels trapped. The worst is when they’re being treated poorly at work – in a way that’s definitely not acceptable – but, they feel unable to change it. It can leave them feeling helpless, as if they’re being suffocated.
One of the best ways to protect yourself from feeling trapped is to do two things. If at all possible, scale back your fixed expenses. Then, take the extra money you’re saving each month and begin to put it into a savings account. That account will serve as an emergency fund. Ideally, it should have at least six months of living expenses in it. A savings account is recommended because it will be protected from market fluctuations.
Creating an emergency fund takes time and dedication. It’s not something you can do overnight, and it’s not easy. But, if you’re feeling stuck in a bad work situation, think about how much differently you might feel if you knew you had six months of living expenses in an account – just in case.
The benefits of an emergency fund can’t be overstressed. Having a backup plan gives you room to breathe, even if you never need it. And, that creates financial freedom. It gives you the power to walk away if you truly are being mistreated at work.
Along these same lines, when you land a new job that pays more, don’t immediately jump to increase your fixed monthly expenses. A new house or car may be tempting, but give yourself a chance to decide that you really like your new job first – and that they like you. The last thing you want is to have a job not work out, but you have new bills that require a higher income.
The bottom line is this. Things can (and will) go wrong at work. Any number of things could happen. You may get a bad boss. Your company may go through layoffs. But, if you manage your finances carefully, you’ll give yourself an out. And, in the end, you’ll create both breathing room – and emotional freedom – at your job.
Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.
by Angela Copeland | Jan 31, 2017 | Advice, Podcast
Episode 121 is live! This week, we talk with Michelle Cho in Los Angeles, CA.
Michelle is the founder of Gladeo, a non-profit dedicated to bridging the gap between education and a career path The website offers students assistance in selecting a career path, choosing a major, and offers options on different entry level positions.
Today’s episode is geared for parents with young adult children struggling to find their path, and young listeners. Michelle shares why she believes it’s so hard to make the leap from education to career. She also shares information about how to begin to make the jump, and how to research different careers online.
Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.
To learn more about Michelle and her organization Gladeo, check out her website at http://www.gladeo.org/. You can also find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gladeo.org or on Twitter and Instagram at @gladeo_org.
Thanks to everyone for listening! And, thank you to those who sent me questions. You can send your questions to Angela@CopelandCoaching.com. You can also send me questions via Twitter. I’m @CopelandCoach. And, on Facebook, I am Copeland Coaching. Don’t forget to help me out. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave me a review!
by Angela Copeland | Jan 30, 2017 | Advice, Newsletter, Remote Work From Home
Have you ever wanted a job where you can work from home, a coffee shop, or the beach? If so, you’re not alone. In just the past two years, searches for remote jobs have grown considerably.
Below is a graph that represents the growth in searches for work from home jobs on job website Indeed.com. As you can see, interest is going up fast.
This is great news, for both the job seeker and the company. Remote working allows the job seeker to do their job from any environment that works for them. It can be helpful for parents with small children, people who want to live in a specific area (where certain jobs may not exist), and for those whose spouse must relocate frequently for work.
Hiring remote workers allows the employer to have a broader base of applicants. And, if done right, the employer can save money on things such as office space.
I hope that in time, more and more remote jobs will be created. Very often, deciding whether or not to move to a new job’s new location is the biggest struggle the job seeker faces. Just think of how many more jobs you might be interested in if you didn’t have to move.
With that said, the question becomes — How do I find a remote job?
The honest answer is, there isn’t a perfect solution to this issue — yet. There are still many job postings out there listed as “remote” that aren’t as legitimate as you’d assume they are. Whatever you do, be sure to do your homework when it comes to remote jobs. You want to know as much as possible about the company in advance.
To find remote opportunities, search on sites like Indeed.com for jobs located in “remote” or “work from home.” This is what I mean:
Another option is to do research on companies that have entire departments that are remote. Some companies, including Bank of America, have entire departments that have employees working from home. This is a great situation, because you won’t be the odd man out when the entire department works remotely.
The last option (which is rarely thought of) is to pitch your current employer on the idea of you working remotely. Now, you do need to be careful with this option. You don’t want to give the impression that if the company doesn’t go along with your request, you’ll leave. But, I have seen multiple highly respected employees gain permission to work remotely at their current job. It allows the employee to relocate to another area, and to work from home. In the cases where it works, the employer is able to retain a great employee. And, the employee is able to have the personal flexibility they’re seeking.
If working from home is on your goal list, don’t stop looking. These jobs will continue to grow in the future. But, as I mentioned before, do your homework! It can be harder to tell a legitimate company from others in a remote environment.
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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