by Angela Copeland | Jun 27, 2014 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Exiting Your Job Gracefully.” In it, I discuss the importance of making a graceful exit from your job, and provide tips on the best ways to quit.
There’s a lot to be said for grace. Although many interpretations of the word exist, my favorite is Merriam-Webster’s. They define it as “a controlled, polite, and pleasant way of behaving.” After a number of questions from people about how to quit their jobs, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you.
First, keep the fact that you are interviewing private. Your boss doesn’t need to know. Neither does your co-worker, or favorite employee. Rarely does sharing this information lead to positive results. In the worst case, the employee may be asked to pack up and leave immediately. Some employers view a job search as disloyal to the company, so keep yours quiet.
When you do land your dream job, be sensitive to those around you. To read my entire article and learn to quit your job with grace, visit the Memphis Daily News site here.
by Angela Copeland | Jun 24, 2014 | Advice, Podcast
Episode 5 of the Copeland Coaching Podcast is now available for download!
This week we talk with technology professional Shane Presley.
Shane shares his secrets to success, and how he overcame career obstacles. Listen and learn more!
by Angela Copeland | Jun 23, 2014 | Advice, Newsletter
For job seekers interested in working for a non-profit, it can seem like a tough road. You wonder if a non-profit will pay the bills. How many people really work at a particular non-profit? What do the non-profit’s employees think about their jobs?
When you ask around, you hear mixed reviews. One person talks about how they love helping children. Another talks about their disastrous Executive Director. Many talk about sacrificing their salaries for their job. Some talk about their great work life balance. Others talk about working all weekend at events.
This is a lot to think about. Below are three resources to help you narrow your choice down.
- Book of Lists – If you aren’t sure where to begin, pick up a copy of your local Book of Lists. The Business Journal in your city produces these books annually. They contain a list of the top non-profits in your region. You can easily scan their annual revenue, number of employees, and other pertinent information.
- GuideStar.com – GuideStar.com is a website that provides data about non-profits. If you sign-up for a free account, you can download copies of most non-profits’ 990 Forms. These tax reporting documents often allow you to view the company’s revenue and expenses. It also allows you to learn the highest paid employee’s salary. That salary can vary from $30K per year to $300K per year, so pay close attention to this important piece of information. It will give you a sense for how much other funding the organization has available.
- Glassdoor.com – Glassdoor.com allows employees to anonymously provide information about their employer. You can often find the number of employees at an organization, reviews of the environment, and salary ranges for various positions.
If you take the time to go through these three simple steps, you’ll have a better idea of where to begin. In fact, you may find that a few of your favorite non-profits actually pay just as well as your current for-profit job.
Once you have a list of your top 5 non-profits, start reaching out to find out more. Talk to your friends who work there. Setup informational interviews. Volunteer your time. Look for ways to get the truly inside scoop. This information, paired up with the data you’ve gathered will give you the best idea of where to begin.
I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
by Angela Copeland | Jun 20, 2014 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Outlasting Outdated Industries.” In it, I provide advice on how to avoid becoming an obsolete part of the workforce.
One result of technological advances is a change in the way we do business. Sometimes this change results in new jobs, but often, it can also result in job loss.
Have you ever had the sense your job might be going away soon? Maybe you’ve noticed your industry is declining and being replaced by another. When this happens, you should pay attention.
I once met someone who had been laid off from their job multiple times. At each company, they would do a great job. But, eventually, their department would be eliminated. The person would see it coming every time. Unfortunately, rather than act, they would patiently wait for the axe to drop. This took away their power and left them feeling helpless.
To read my entire article and learn how you can avoid becoming outdated, visit the Memphis Daily News site here.
by Angela Copeland | Jun 17, 2014 | Advice, Financial, Podcast
This week we talk with Certified Financial Planner, Celia Brugge.
Celia shares what to do after you receive a raise, how to plan for a layoff, and how to make positive financial choices overall. Listen and learn more!
by Angela Copeland | Jun 16, 2014 | Advice, Newsletter
Over the past few months, I’ve received multiple thoughtful letters from those working in the scientific research community. I (like you may be) was very surprised to be receiving questions from this group of extremely smart professionals.
Most likely, it’s because I’m located in Memphis, near St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and other medical research institutions. Scientists and engineers here are learning about (and developing cutting edge technology for) everything from orthopedic implants to new vaccines to cancer cures.
I debated about whether or not to share this feedback with the broad audience of my newsletter, but it applies to more than just researchers. Regardless of which industry you start in, and which one you transition into, the challenges are very similar.
Before I jump into my thoughts, lets start with the issue. Many PhD scientists have 3-5 year research contracts with their research institution (like St. Jude). At the end of the contract, they have to decide what they want to do next. They could either stay in research or transition to corporate. Or, some even consider starting their own business.
Often times, when a researcher gets to this crossroad, they are in their late 30s or early 40s. Although they have a lot of scientific knowledge, they have never worked in a corporate environment. That challenge would be intimidating to anyone!
In part because of this, and few resources available for making a career transition to corporate, many choose to stay in research. I’m sure you can relate to this in your own career. You may choose to stay in your current field because you’re unsure of how to begin a transition to a new field.
If you are in a similar situation, here’s a little advice to help you get started.
- Don’t focus too much on minimum requirements – Job descriptions are often packed full of minimum requirements. “Must have 3 years of experience managing employees.” “Must have 2 years of experience managing vendor relationships.” Whatever the requirements, don’t let them keep you from applying. If you’re confident that you can perform the role, apply. Companies rarely find the perfect candidate who meets all the requirements.
- Network – Get out in the field you want to work in, and meet new people. Ask for one-on-one meetings to learn more about what they do. Find out how they made the transition from research to corporate.
- Use LinkedIn – Connect to your school colleagues, professors, fellow researchers, and corporate contacts through LinkedIn. Use the site to showcase your skills, expertise, and accomplishments.
- Practice and be persistent – Even if you find interviews difficult, keep applying and keep interviewing. Every interview you don’t land is practice for the next one. You will get better!
- Don’t give up – You just need one hiring manager to take a chance on you. Once you’ve made the transition, you’re a corporate employee – and getting future corporate jobs will be easier.
And at the end of the day, it’s okay to ask for help. If your university has a career resources department, call them. Ask friends and colleagues to help you. And, if I can be of assistance during your transition, please feel free to reach out to me. I would love to help you with your career change.
As a reminder, the Copeland Coaching Podcast launched three weeks ago! This Tuesday and every Tuesday, I will interview an expert in the field of job searching – including coaches, recruiters, financial experts, and more!
You can listen to the podcast in two ways. First, it’s available for free download on Apple Podcasts. You can also listen on SoundCloud.com. So, whether you want to listen on your desktop, laptop, mobile phone, or tablet, you’re covered. Listen from wherever, whenever!
And speaking of finding a job, I’m searching for a Social Media Intern for Copeland Coaching.
This person should have extremely strong organization and time management skills, with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines. They should have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
At a minimum, they should have experience personally using social media. But, it’s not critical that they’ve used social media in business before. This will be a great learning opportunity for the right candidate.
This is a paid internship, and the intern may be located in Memphis or may work virtually.
The full job description is located here (note: this is a PDF document). Interested candidates are asked to send their resume, cover letter, and social media links to intern@CopelandCoaching.com.
I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
