Getting laid off really hurts. It makes you doubt yourself and makes you question why you were so committed to a company that cut ties with you seemingly so easily. And getting laid off leaves most people feeling a little (if not very) lost.
If you feel like this now, please read this post as there are three things I’ve found are consistent misconceptions of people who are where you are at right now:
Read MoreLooking for a new job can be frustrating. It can feel like a lot of effort for very little return. One of the first questions I ask people when they reach out to me is how many jobs they have applied for online. The second question is usually to ask them what else they did other than just apply online. Job seekers tend to focus more on how many applications they submit each day or week rather than on other things that could be more fruitful.
Here are 3 things I recommend all job seekers consider doing:Here are 3 things I recommend all job seekers consider doing:
Read MoreIf that’s you, you need to listen to this podcast.
I was fortunate to guest on former-NFL player, Alex Molden’s podcast, The Shark Effect. His podcast is all about helping former elite athletes and top performers create impact in their lives beyond just the field or the court or wherever they are used to winning.
We had a very candid conversation about success, failure, and how you can make changes in your life to succeed. It involves getting uncomfortable, getting real, and doing the work.
Read MoreOne of the biggest misconceptions in the job search game is that a short term or temporary or contract position will hurt your career.
I couldn’t disagree more.
Read MoreIf you have a resume that’s longer than 1-page, you need to read this.
A multi-page resume says:
You don’t know how to edit your information to amplify what’s important.
You think every job you’ve ever had is relevant to every position you’re applying for.
The simple answer is YES, it very well might be. And it’s an issue on both ends of the spectrum – if you’re viewed as being “too young” or “too old”, you may be subject to ageism. In this post, I’m going to focus on ageism against older applicants as this has been a topic many of my career coaching clients have asked about lately.
Read MoreNobody said it would be easy to land your dream job. Think for a minute about how many roles you’ve applied for and not heard back on. Argh. That feeling sucks, but it hasn't doesn't have to be nearly as difficult as you're making it.
Here are 3 things you can do today on LinkedIn to help yourself get closer to a job you’ll love:
Read MoreIf you have kids close to college-age you are probably a bit overwhelmed by how to support your kid on the big decision about which college is right for them. While my three kids are too young for college, I can recommend how you help them make this important decision. I currently teach at a major university, I’m a career coach, I’ve held admissions-related roles at two well-known colleges, and, while not as interesting, I spent 6 years in college (undergrad + grad school). The articles you read about how to choose a college all say the same things. My advice is different.
I will argue you should focus on:
a) Will your kid be taught by academics or industry people? and
b) Does the college have a pipeline to help your kid get hired?
Read MoreIn the past month alone, I’ve helped 5 people negotiate thousands of dollars more than they were originally offered by companies looking to hire them.
One of the biggest career mistakes people make is accepting a job offer without negotiating. So much time goes into developing your resume and building other tools like your LinkedIn profile. You then put more time into networking and looking for jobs. And even more time into applying for jobs and if all goes well, interviewing for jobs. But then, the mistake happens…
Read MoreYou’re scrolling LinkedIn again. Some days you’re on it A LOT. If you’re on LinkedIn, it means you have a profile and you think the site is valuable. I get that, I do too. But most of the profiles I see on the site are in need of major work to actually be effective.
LinkedIn has long been a staple in the job search and networking world but since Covid, the virtual nature of interviewing and hiring has made LinkedIn even more important. Your LinkedIn profile is truly your own personal virtual billboard. If you’re going to be on the site, it’s time to step up your game and have a profile you’re proud - not to mention a profile recruiters will notice.
So what are the keys to a great profile? There are many but here are 10 of my favorite tips to quickly improve the appeal and effectiveness of your profile:
Read MoreLet’s get real, if ALL you’re doing is applying online, you’re wasting your time. With most jobs getting hundreds of applicants, you need to stand out. And standing out starts WELL BEFORE you submit your application online.
Ask yourself these questions:
Job searching can be pretty defeating. There’s the excitement when you see a job posting that actually looks like something you’d want to do everyday followed by the feeling of accomplishment once you send off your application online. Then you wait. And you wait some more. And 99% of the time, nothing happens. Rewind and repeat that several times over the course of many weeks (or months), you have the perfect recipe for self-doubt. Over time you start wondering what’s wrong with you. Let me tell you, there is nothing wrong with you, it’s your approach that stinks.
Read MoreHave an interview coming up? Want to move to the next round? And ultimately get closer to the offer? Here are the 3 big things that most directly lead to a successful interview:
You need to know how to tell your own story really well. You will definitely be asked to tell the interviewer about yourself. The goal here is to share the parts of your story that are most important and that make sense with the position. The first few minutes of the interview is when the interviewer decides if you’re moving on to the next round. The rest of the interview is a validation of that initial feeling.
I recently ran my “Ace the Interview” Workshop as a session open for anyone to attend. Check out the video below to learn my proven methods for what you can do before, during, and after your next interview to greatly increase your chances of getting the offer.
Jump to 7:56 for tips on how to prepare for your interview.
Jump to 57:52 for tips to use during the actual interview.
Jump to 1:23:16 for tips to use after the interview.
Stop repeating things that don’t work and start getting results. And if you want to mock interview with me, I offer a limited number of sessions each month. Click here to learn more.
Read MoreYou’ve gone through the application and interview process and you’re the chosen ONE. Finally!!! The company has decided that of all the applicants, they want YOU. So now is the time to leverage that, not give away all your power.
On your way into a company is your best time to negotiate. Raises are typically small (~3% annually) so it’s important to maximize your total compensation when you enter the company. So let’s get specific on things you should DO and should AVOID DOING when negotiating a job offer. It’s time to sweeten the pot.
Read MoreMy passion is helping people unleash their full potential. It’s my thing and has been for a long time. I live and breathe it in my work and my personal life every day. As I prepare for the 2021 Mrs. Oregon Pageant I’ve partnered with Dress for Success to raise money to help women who are trying to better themselves. Thank you for any help you can offer. To learn more or donate, click here.
Read MoreFinally.
Finally, diversity and inclusion are topics at the forefront of companies’ minds.
The difference between diversity and inclusion has eluded many of us until recently. Diversity is the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc. Inclusion is the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or mental disabilities and members of other minority groups. Diversity without inclusion is discrimination.
Like many of you, I’ve spent much of the past year reflecting on my views on racial equality. I’ve at times been humbled by what I didn’t know or realize. I’ve sought to educate myself and better understand what has gotten us to where we are and how I can be part of positive change.
I conducted an interview recently with Lisa Heinsdale that I wanted to share with my network. Lisa is the Diversity Recruitment & Retention Specialist for Portland State University. We talked about the past, the future, and what has been on her mind as she lives the topic of diversity and inclusion daily in her work. I learnt a great deal chatting with Lisa. I hope you will too.
Read MoreWe’re all exhausted from everything Covid-related. The masks, the Zoom calls, the social-distancing, the full gamut! I’m convinced though that it’s time to start looking at this differently. It’s time to stop waiting for something to happen. Many people seem to be waiting for a vaccine, waiting for schools to reopen, waiting for things to get back to ‘normal’. If you’re waiting for these things, I believe you’re setting yourself up for major disappointment. This is the new normal. It’s time to get on with how you want your life to look and stop waiting.
If Covid has impacted how you work or made you think about your career long-term then I hope this article helps you feel empowered to move forward and stop waiting.
Here are 6 significant impacts I see on how we work and how we steer our careers:
Read MoreIf you go into your next interview (be it in person or on Zoom), with just a resume, you’ll be outplayed by someone who is better prepared. Check out the quick clip below to get a feel for what I’m talking about. If you want more, listen to the full episode from my discussion with Chris Villaneuva on his Career Warrior Podcast to get all the details.
Read MoreThe best part of the job search process is the offer negotiation. That means you’ve made it through the interview gauntlet, you’re the chosen one, and you’ve received the offer. It’s one of the best feelings.
I have a full section in my book, Made To Hire: How to Get the Job You Really Want, on negotiating a job offer, but for now, here are 5 things you can do to get the highest offer possible:
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