by Angela Copeland | Apr 1, 2016 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Media
There’s an elephant in the room. It’s something we’re talking about, but not really getting to the heart of. The elephant is our relationship with technology.
Very often, I speak with someone who says, “I’m a great manager and I’m good with people, but I absolutely am not comfortable with technology. I can do anything, but things related to technology.” I hear this feedback from all ages of job seekers, from 21 to 71.
The problem is this. We live in an age where almost everything in our lives is driven by technology. In today’s job market, we are expected to not only know about our particular subject area of expertise. We’re expected to be able to use e-mail, a cell phone, a fax machine, and more. Most people no longer have an assistant to help with tasks related to technology. This is a luxury that is quickly going away.
Some c-level executives are now booking their own travel, crunching their own numbers, and occasionally getting into the details of their company websites. It’s not enough to be good with people, or to be a good leader. Don’t get me wrong. Those things are great, but our roles have expanded.
The good news is that technology used in day-to-day business is often fairly straightforward. If we don’t know how to do something, a quick search on Google or YouTube will often give us all of the information we need. And, if it doesn’t, a friend or coworker can usually help.
I suspect that sometimes when we say, “I can do anything but technology,” what we really mean is, “I’m not a computer programmer. I can’t create technology.” Most employers aren’t looking for us to create new technology – especially if that’s not our role.
But, when we start with the stance that we aren’t comfortable with technology, it can turn our future employer off. And frankly, it should. It says that technology intimidates us. It says that we aren’t willing to learn something new.
Employers are looking to save money. They need employees who can do more than one thing. At the end of the day, what they really expect is for us to be able to manage our own business world. They expect us to be able to function fairly independently throughout the day with tasks such as managing our calendars, setting up conference calls, and creating business presentations.
When we’re interviewing for jobs, we should avoid sharing that we aren’t comfortable with technology. We should adopt a new attitude. The technology we’re expected to know isn’t typically that complex. If we don’t know something, we’ll figure it out. And, our boss doesn’t expect us to be perfect. They know we don’t know everything, but they expect us to try. When we communicate that we can’t do things related to technology, what we’re really communicating is that we’re not prepared to try. Instead, let’s make friends with technology, and leverage it to highlight things we’re great at, like working with people.
Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 29, 2016 | Advice, Podcast
This week, we talk with Luther Mercer in Memphis, TN. Luther is the Advocacy Director at Tennessee Charter School Center. Luther brings a wealth of background and experience having worked in education, government relations and policy for over 15 years. Luther holds degres from Tennessee Technological University and Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. He studied International Trade Law, International Criminal Law and the Islamic Legal System at American University in Cairo. He holds certificates in TEFL Methodology and Mandarin Chinese and Culture from Beijing University, and an Instructor’s License in Entrepreneurship Training from the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri.
On today’s episode, Luther shares his advice on working in public policy and transitioning to the field of education for the first time.
Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it for free on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. If you enjoy the program, subscribe today to the Copeland Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher to ensure you don’t miss an episode!
To learn more about the Tennessee Charter School Center, visit their website here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 28, 2016 | Advice, Newsletter
LinkedIn is one of the most effective tools in your job search, so it’s no wonder I field questions about LinkedIn every day. With this in mind, I want to share with you some of the most common questions I receive — and my recommendations.
Do I need LinkedIn profile?
Yes, absolutely! LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools at your fingertips. It allows hiring managers to learn more about you. It allows you to learn more about companies. It’s a great way to stay connected to your professional network without all of the day-to-day clutter found on other social websites.
Should I connect to people I don’t know?
This is really a personal decision. Some people choose to only connect to those they know really well. Others connect to everyone (they have L.I.O.N. on their profile – LinkedIn Open Network). The best answer is probably somewhere in the middle. If you never connect to anyone you don’t know, how will you will meet anyone new? And, is there really anything so private on your LinkedIn profile that it would do you harm to connect with a stranger? My guess is probably not. Try to be as open on LinkedIn as you might be in real life if someone introduced themselves to you in person at a networking event.
Do recruiters really use LinkedIn?
Yes, they really do! Both internal human resources folks — and external headhunters and placement agencies use LinkedIn. Really! It can be hard to find just the right person for a specific job. So, recruiters often use LinkedIn to track down candidates who didn’t apply through their traditional process. It is not unusual for a recruiter to contact you through LinkedIn out of the blue for a position you didn’t know about. They also use LinkedIn to look up more information about you than what fits onto your resume. So, be sure to keep it updated!
How often should I updated LinkedIn?
Your LinkedIn profile should be a living, breathing thing. You should keep it updated all the time. Don’t wait until you are actually looking for a job to update it. By then, you’re already behind. But, if you do find yourself in this situation, turn off the e-mail notifications that go out to your friends when you make updates. You know those e-mails. They say things like, “Bob got a new job!” or, “Sally got an award!” When you make mass updates, turn those off, so you can avoid sending red flags to your current employer.
Should I get the paid version?
This is such a great question! LinkedIn offers additional features with their paid members. They vary from $29.99 for a Job Seeker package to $99.95 for a Recruiter Lite package. The Job Seeker package offers limited direct messaging to people you don’t know, more ‘who’s viewed your profile’ information, and applicant insights. It also offers something called Featured Applicant which claims to move you to the top of recruiters’ applicant lists. Whether or not the paid version is for you depends a lot on how you use LinkedIn. The good news is — LinkedIn offers a free 30-day trial, so you can decide for yourself. Just be sure to mark the 30-day cutoff on your calendar, so you won’t forget about your option to cancel.
How many connections should I have?
Ideally, you should have over 500 connections. Whether you have 501 or 5,001, LinkedIn will display that you have 500+ connections on your profile. This makes you look more connect. And, in fact it’s true. The more first degree connections you have, the more second and third degree connections you’ll have as a result. And, that means that your network will grow — and your chances of finding a new job will grow.
Speaking of connecting on LinkedIn — I would love to connect with you! If we are not already connected, please click the button below and send me a connection request. I look forward to being in your LinkedIn network!
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 | Mar 25, 2016 | Advice, Career Corner Column, Media
There seems to be a rumor about job searching floating around. Have you heard? Finding a job is easy. It’s easy as long as you format your resume in a very specific way, and you include the perfect phrases on your LinkedIn profile. There’s a very specific way that all recruiters want your resume to be formatted, and there are specific keywords they’re all looking for. Every successful job seeker knows these rules, and they’re not hard to learn.
If this sounds too good to be true, it’s because it is. I tell every job seeker I meet with, “If you showed your resume to ten people, you would get ten opinions. There’s no one way to write a resume.” The same applies for your entire search. Sure, there are guidelines. There are best practices. But there’s no one specific layout or one specific set of words that’s going to turn your entire job search around.
I’m not sure why these rumors exist, other than maybe they make sense of a process that can at times feel senseless. They put control back in just when you’re feeling out of control. In reality, there is no one way to perform an effective job search. There are many ways. There are many options that can work.
What always works is a strategy to never give up. What works is trying various avenues until one does work. And, there are a few good general guidelines to keep in mind.
First, manage your personal brand. When it comes to job searching, perceptions are reality. Your personal brand is impacted both in the online world, and in real life. Do a thorough check on Google to see what a recruiter might learn about you if they looked around. If you find questionable content, do your best to remove it or change it.
In the offline world, think of things like your appearance, and other first impressions, such as how you shake hands or leave voicemail. Take the time to write thank you notes to those who help you. Keep in touch with those you care about.
When it comes to your resume and LinkedIn, be sure they’re up to date. Check their accuracy. Ensure that you’re including detailed information, but write them in such a way that someone outside of your current industry could understand them.
Job seeking is not an overnight endeavor. It takes time. It takes persistence. And, when you do land your dream job, it’s not going to be because you followed a gimmicky idea about how to write the perfect resume, or that you stuffed your LinkedIn profile with the right keywords. Your resume and LinkedIn profile are two pieces to a larger pie. They can help to support your case for getting a job, but these things alone will likely not land you your next gig.
The next time you hear a suggestion that sounds like a gimmick, keep things in perspective. Consistency, persistence, and networking is what will work – every time.
Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 22, 2016 | Advice, Podcast
Episode 95 of the Copeland Coaching Podcast is now live!
This week, we talk with Lauren Hogan in Atlanta, GA. Lauren is the Vice President of Southeast Digital and Integrated Sales at USA Today. She has over twenty five years of experience in cross platform media sales and management, cross category national advertising sales and leadership with a strong track record for building teams and achieving aggressive goals.
On today’s episode, Lauren shares her advice on how to get your foot in the door with a top media organization. She also shares tips on working in sales and getting an internal promotion.
Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it for free on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. If you enjoy the program, subscribe today to the Copeland Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher to ensure you don’t miss an episode!
To learn more about USA Today, visit their website here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 21, 2016 | Advice, Newsletter
Spring is finally here! And, all indications are that it’s going to be a good one.
The job market is looking up. Unemployment claims are going down. And, it’s hiring season!
If you’ve been thinking of making a change, now’s the time to get moving. But, before you do, you might want to take a close look at your “personal brand.”
If you’re like many people, chances are good that you’ve been waiting for things to get better. You may not have interviewed for a new job in a few years. And, because of that, your personal brand may be a bit rusty.
“Personal brand” seems like quite a daunting concept. Even if you’ve spent your career in marketing or sales, cleaning up your personal brand seems like such a big task.
So the questions are — Where should I begin? What should I focus on? Start with the most obvious and work your way from there.
- Social Media – The most obvious thing online is your social media. Be sure yours is locked down, especially if you’re actively expressing your opinions about our current political climate.
- LinkedIn – One of the first places your future employer will try to learn more about you is LinkedIn. Ensure that LinkedIn is up to date with your current photo, current job title, and current accomplishments.
- Your Resume – Once you catch your future employer’s attention, they’re going to ask for one thing – your resume. Be sure you’re ready for that. The last thing you want is to find the perfect job, or perfect employer — and have to tell them that you don’t have a current copy of your resume. Ensure that your latest job is included. Update it with your relevant work experience. Be sure your e-mail, phone, and address are all correct, so they can easily contact you.
- Your Look – One of the #1 things (honestly, possibly THE #1 thing) people worry about is their appearance. They are worried about appearing too young, or too old. Too large, or too small. Everyone worries about how they look. The thing that’s great about this particular area is that you have some level of control over it. Be sure your hair is an up to date style. If you use color, be sure you’re keeping up with it. Check that your favorite interview suit fits. If it doesn’t fit, or is outdated, head to your local store to look at how you might update it. Ensure that your dress shoes fit and are polished. Consider whether or not your glasses are dating you. And, if you are feeling upset about being out of shape, think of taking an extra walk here and there — or starting to head back into the gym.
Obviously, some of these things are harder to do than others. Some are quick, and some take time and dedication. Just remember, the process of spring cleaning your personal brand is just that — a process. It takes time. Be patient with yourself, but don’t delay. The sooner you start, the sooner your brand will be shiny and polished — ready to find your brand new, perfect 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
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