More Than Just Hard Work

by Angela Copeland | May 11, 2016 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Media

One of the most common messages I received as a child was, “work hard and you will be rewarded.” This sentiment was echoed by loved ones, teachers, and mentors. There’s a good chance you heard the same rumor about life being fair and equitable.

Working hard is a critical component to success; don’t get me wrong. However, there’s more to it than just hard work. This can be an especially tough lesson for young professionals.

It’s not an uncommon experience for a newly minted graduate to work harder than their colleagues. They may even be smarter and contribute more new ideas. In some cases, they save the company more money or generate more in sales.

On the surface, it seems obvious. “I’m smarter. I work longer hours. I produce more revenue. I should be paid more.” Right? Not necessarily. At least, not yet.

After working for one to two years at a job, it is not uncommon for a young professional to experience frustration. They have proven themselves. They’ve worked long hours. And, they have figured out just how much more their lazy coworker makes than they do.

They do what seems natural and ask their boss for a raise. They’re shocked to learn that it’s not in the cards for them – at least, not in the way they were hoping. Sadly, companies generally only give two to four percent raises annually. This is the case even if you’re a great employee. Your future pay within a company is almost always based upon your current pay.

Companies also want to ensure that employees have room to grow each year. If you receive the top pay available today, how will they incentivize you over the next five years? That’s their reasoning anyway.

Often, your value is also tied up in perception as much as it is in reality. You may work hard at your desk for hours on end, but if no one knows about it, that value may be overlooked. This perceived value is created through building relationships – with your boss, upper management, and colleagues.

Last, your value may also be tied up in how rare your skills are. How difficult is it to replace you? How many people are available who can also do the same work? The more unique your skills are, the better. If those unique skills also generate a high value of revenue for the company, you’re even more likely to be perceived as irreplaceable.

Just remember, putting in your dues is where it’s at. Keep in mind the valuable experience you’re gaining. When you were in college, you would have gladly worked for free.

After you’ve put in your time and are ready to move up, consider moving on. Even the best internal employees are lucky to receive a small raise. An external move can sometimes increase your overall pay by more than thirty percent at one time. And, when you do receive your next offer, use your negotiation skills to get the best start possible.

Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com and on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.

The Art of the Resume

by Angela Copeland | May 6, 2016 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Media

Job seekers often spend quite a lot of time perfecting their resumes. From tiny details such as the font, to the experience and education sections, a resume can be mulled over for days, weeks, or months. It can be overwhelming, and can paralyze a job search. It makes sense. A resume can potentially contain every pertinent educational and professional detail, as far back as age eighteen. Worst of all, this information is expected to fit onto one or two pages at most.

In an effort to find relief and seek out perfection, many people turn to the help of a professional resume writer. This is someone who turns a job seeker’s background into a masterful work of art. They add in a trendy look, the right language, and the job seeker’s professional work experience.

Although this sounds good on the surface, I’d like to present an alternative point of view. I’d like to challenge you to take one hundred percent ownership of your own resume.

There are a number of reasons for this. First, accuracy is the most critical component of a resume. Your future boss can terminate your employment if your resume misrepresents your background or skills. Unfortunately, handing your resume over to a stranger, who likely does not specialize in your field, is a quick way to end up with mistakes.

When you change jobs, you’re also often interested to change the sort of work you do – or the type of industry you work in. Revising your own resume allows you to put some serious thought into the image you want to portray to your future hiring manager. It allows you to think through the examples of your previous work that best align to your future job. It can even help to shape your elevator pitch and cover letter. Essentially, you’re able to craft your own personal brand.

Don’t get me wrong, you shouldn’t revise your resume in a vacuum. Typos are one of the first things a hiring manager notices, and can be a filter for disqualifying candidates.  Ask one or two close friends to read over your resume for mistakes, or anything that is difficult to understand.

If you do opt to use a resume writer, work closely with them to ensure they truly understand your background, and what makes you special. When they finish, ask the same one or two close friends to help you proofread it for mistakes.

Above all, remember that your resume will most likely not be what lands your next job. It’s often a personal connection or a chance meeting with a hiring manager that will connect you to your future career. Spending too much time dwelling on the details of your resume will only delay or reduce your ability to network with others.

Take the time to revise your resume yourself, then move on. Get out there and start talking to people. And, when you face rejection, don’t assume you need an entirely new resume. Instead, look for new networking contacts.

Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.