by Angela Copeland | Nov 21, 2014 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Doing Everything Right is Still No Guarantee.” In it, I discuss the hidden reasons you weren’t selected for the latest opportunity you applied for.
I meet people every day who are down on their luck. They’ve applied for job after job online and nothing is clicking. They’ve had a few phone interviews and even an in person interview or two. Their resume seems virtually flawless. They’re actively engaged in LinkendIn and regularly attending networking events.
They feel like they’re doing everything possible. But they must be doing something wrong because they haven’t landed their dream job yet. What could it be?
First, let me say that most people can improve on something. Whether it’s your elevator pitch, your resume, you cover letter, or even your wardrobe, we all have room for improvement.
However, when it comes to interviewing, it’s not always all about you. Just like in dating, sometimes it really is them. There are a number of situations that could be going on behind the scenes you may never know about. As you read these scenarios, consider the reasons an employer might not want to share these important details with you.
To learn about what’s going on behind the scenes and how to cope, read my entire Memphis Daily News column here: http://bit.ly/1xWc6uu.
by Angela Copeland | Nov 18, 2014 | Advice, Podcast
Episode 26 of the Copeland Coaching Podcast is live! This week, we talk with Stephen Warley, Co-Host of the UnStuckable podcast in Boston, MA.
Stephen shares daily inspiration and life changing habits while they interview people who have gotten themselves unstuck, found their own path, and work on their own terms. He interviews experts to discuss how to achieve the freedom you desire and the stability you crave.
Stephen shares his insights to getting unstuck, including career transitions, the positive side to being stuck, and why you shouldn’t quit your job.
To learn more about Stephen’s podcast, visit the UnStuckable website at www.unstuckable.co. To hear the interview with Jennifer Idol that was discussed during the podcast, visit the UnStuckable website at: http://unstuckable.co/episode-131-align-your-different-passions-toward-one-goal-like-jennifer-idol.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
by Angela Copeland | Nov 14, 2014 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Secrets to a Successful Military Transition.”
This week is a special one. With Veterans Day this past Tuesday, it has been important to honor our military personnel. In addition to thanking them for their service, former military members face an issue many people overlook: underemployment.
Underemployment is defined by Merriam-Webster as “having less than full-time, regular, or adequate employment.” This can happen when someone is only working part time, but desires to work full time. It can also happen when an employee is overqualified for their position.
When separating from the military, servicemen and servicewomen are offered transition assistance. Unfortunately, this is often just not enough. Once in the civilian world, they often find themselves lost with where to turn.
In fact, rather than feeling the private sector opening up for them, they often feel it closing down. On more than one occasion, a veteran has told me they felt they were not selected for a job due to their military career. It seems that many employers have misconceptions about what sorts of jobs military members held, or what emotional issues they may or may not have after service.
To learn what you can do to make your military transition a successful one, read my entire Memphis Daily News column here.
by Angela Copeland | Nov 10, 2014 | Advice, Newsletter, Working Abroad
I speak with people every week who want to move to another country.
Their reasons are often similar. They’re looking for something different. Maybe they’ve never lived anywhere else. Or, they want an adventure while they still can.
I’m going to start with a few tips here, and I will follow up with more information in future newsletters.
Identify why you want to move abroad: Are you looking to grow your professional experience? Or, are you just looking for a little adventure? Could you expand your formal education while you’re gone?
Make a list of where you’d like to live: Do you want to live in a specific city? Or, is there a certain country that strikes your interest? Or a particular region? Create a list of your top five choices.
Learn about your options – specifically work visas: Countries offer different types of visas depending on why you’re entering the country. You can visit as a tourist, a student, or a worker. Learn about the differences to avoid heartache later. Some countries are more difficult to get a work visa in than others. For example, from what I’ve observed, it’s more difficult for an American to work in Europe than in Australia. These details may help you to narrow down which countries to add to your wish list.
Decide how long you’d like to work abroad: If you plan to work abroad for a year or less, there may be more options for you. Longer term commitments are sometimes harder to find, but are definitely possible.
Find out about the lifestyles that exist in each place you choose: In some countries, it’s very normal to take all of your clothes to the cleaner rather than have a washing machine at home. In other countries, air conditioning and dishwashers aren’t the norm. In many places, public transportation is used over having a car. These differences are influenced by the cost of living in various areas. In highly populated cities, you will find many tiny, high priced apartments. If moving abroad is your dream, just remember that you’ll adjust — but you should be aware of these issues in advance, so you’ll know what you’re signing up for.
Consider logistics: Will you move anything with you? When will you come home to visit? How will taxes work? Where will your healthcare come from? How will you continue to save for your retirement? Be sure you’ve considered the little details that can make living abroad challenging.
Save up: Moving (anywhere) is expensive! Be sure you have a cushion saved to help you when you get there. You never know – you may need to purchase new furniture, put down a deposit on an apartment, or stay in a hotel for a few weeks. Prepare yourself, so the experience remains a positive one.
Find like minded people: Do you have a friend who’s living abroad? If so, reach out and ask them what it was like to move, and how they landed a job. Find out what challenges they had, and what they’d do differently if they did it again. Often, you don’t learn the tiny details of moving oversees until you’ve actually done it. So, ask!
Living abroad is an incredible experience. I’ve never met anyone who has moved from their home country that isn’t happy they tried it – at least for a little while.
Don’t let the intensity of the process discourage your pursuits. This is just something you’ll need to research and plan for. It’s certainly more complicated to move abroad, but still possible. If it’s your dream, create a plan so you can make it happen!
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
by Angela Copeland | Nov 7, 2014 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Reinventing Your Career.” In it, I discuss where to begin when you’re starting over.
The desire to want to change careers is a common experience. Turning that desire into reality is a different story. Navigating dramatic shifts in one’s career can be both complex and confusing. The frustration causes many people to drop the idea altogether.
Often, one’s first instinct is to go back to school. It’s important to be 100 percent certain about your choice before making such a life-changing decision. Additional advanced degrees cost both a significant amount of time and money. The last thing you want is to spend years in school, only to find out you picked the wrong path. Remember that many people don’t work in the field they studied in school. This may be an option to consider, depending on the career you select.
The first step is to know yourself. Take inventory of all your skills and interests. Make a list of what you’ve learned at previous jobs and in school. Then, list your hobbies. Include volunteer work you do and projects you work on for fun. And don’t forget any side work you may do for extra money. Chances are, you have skills and interests that cross over multiple industries and branch into new ones.
To learn all the steps to reinventing yourself and your career, read my entire Memphis Daily News column here.
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