This Is Temporary

by Angela Copeland | Jun 25, 2024 | Career Corner Column, Job Search, Newsletter

Do you remember the dot com crash in 2000? And, do you remember the mortgage crisis in 2008? When those devastating events occurred, it felt like things might never turn around. Finding a job felt impossible. And, if you had one, you may have felt stuck. There weren’t many options. I remember friends who both could not find a job, but who could not sell their home. The stress was high all the way around.

When you’re in the middle of a difficult time, it’s hard to picture a different reality. It can feel hopeless. Hard times can bring up feelings of fear and desperation. We may feel paralyzed. Job searching can feel like an impossible task.

But, after events such as the dot com crash passed, we don’t think about it too much anymore. It’s so far in the past that at times, we may forget that it ever happened. Additionally, if you were lucky enough to be in a good situation during tough times, you may not have felt their economic impact.

One hopeful statistic to remember is that economic downturns have historically lasted anywhere from six months to eighteen months. Although this length of time is certainly not nothing, it is not as long as it feels in the moment. And, there is an end to the pain. In addition, companies can sometimes be slow to change just before a presidential election – another event with an endpoint.

In other words, if you are going through a difficult time, just remember that it’s not permanent. It’s not a reflection of who you are, or what you are capable of. It’s not the sign of the end of your career, or of what’s to come in the future. Many very talented people are going through tough times at this moment. Often, these tough times are a reflection of things outside of your control, despite how they feel in the moment.

In fact, the reverse is also true. Many of the billionaires we admire are not only talented, but they also had good timing. For example, imagine if Bill Gates hadn’t started using computers until the 90s. Or, imagine if Mark Zuckerberg were just finishing college today. They likely would have missed their window of success, despite how smart they might be.

During this tough time, give yourself a break. It’s natural to feel discouraged, and it makes sense to feel upset.

Do your best to influence what you can control. Prepare for the future, when things will be more calm and fruitful. This may mean updating your resume. It may mean getting involved in community organizations. It might even mean taking the time to work with a therapist or a career coach.

Take care of yourself, so that when things naturally turn around, you’ll be ready. And, remember, things will turn around. The economy will get better. The job market will improve. You will be okay.

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.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach

It’s Not You

by Angela Copeland | Jun 10, 2024 | Career Corner Column, Job Search, Newsletter

One thing that is notable about the job search process is just how easy it is sometimes, and just how hard it is other times. If getting a job has always been easy for you, and you’re finding it to be hard now, you may feel like you’re doing something wrong. Or, that perhaps you’ve changed. Although that could be the case, sometimes, it’s really not you. There are many external factors beyond your ability that impact whether or not you get the job.

First, the economy plays a bit part of your job search experience. When the economy is strong, and when it’s a job seekers’ market, interviews move faster and smoother. Companies don’t have the luxury of stringing along candidates, or of finding the perfect unicorn. When the economy is down, companies receive many more applications for each job. Companies are able to pick and choose which candidates to move forward. And, at times, they may even intentionally slow their hiring process in order to save money.

Similarly, where you live can have a big impact on your job search. If you live in a big city with many corporations, it can often be much easier to find something new. There are simply more options than in smaller towns where you may have to wait for something to come open. Although some companies will relocate the right person, they always prefer a local candidate if they can find one.

It can also matter if you have connections within the company where you’re applying. If you are applying online, along with hundreds of other applicants, the chances that someone will see your resume are slim. But, if a friend offers to hand deliver your resume to the hiring manager, you are much more likely to get a job interview.

The story that your resume tells also makes a big difference. In other words, companies often look at small, potentially irrelevant details, when they are sorting candidates. Think of this similar to filtering profiles on a dating app. The company is starting with so many options that they are narrowing them down using random criteria. If you have switched jobs too frequently, they may judge you. If you currently work in a different industry, they may assume your skills don’t translate. This can happen even if you previously worked in the industry in which you are applying.

If your work history is varied, you need an open-minded hiring manager. You need someone who understands transferrable skills, and who can see you as the whole and talented person you are. But, this doesn’t happen every time. It takes many applications to find a boss who understands the value that you bring.

Let me leave you with this. All of the things described above can impact your job search. None of the things described above are about your potential or your performance. Keep looking, and you will find your fit.

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.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach

Non-Competes Banned

by Angela Copeland | Apr 30, 2024 | Career Corner Column, Job Search, Newsletter

Last week, the Federal Trade Commission announced that they are banning non-competes across the country. And, this new ruling applies to almost all workers. You read that right. The FTC does not want your employer to be able to force a non-compete onto you.

Employers have long believed that a non-compete allows them to protect their trade secrets. They believed, non-competes allowed them to protect their financial investment into workers. And, employees often had no choice. If you wanted to take a job, a non-compete was just part of the arrangement.

In reality, non-compete agreements often tie the hands of employees. When an employee has spent the bulk of their career in one industry, it prevents them from going to other companies in the same industry. Often, a non-compete will remain in effect for multiple years, and can sometimes prevent employees from working in entire industries. It’s also worth mentioning that many companies invest less of their resources into workers today than they have in the past.

Non-compete agreements discourage employees from switching jobs. And, they prevent those same employees from pursuing more money, or a better workplace. Non-competes take away the options an employee has when switching jobs. It can lock someone into a company where they are underpaid, and may have an unhealthy work situation.

Even before the FTC decision, I would often hear people say that it’s hard to enforce non-competes. Some people felt they didn’t really matter. But, I would argue that this is not true. Even if an agreement is not very enforceable, the employee must go through a lengthy and expensive legal process to prove it. And, many employers don’t want to risk being involved in such a process with a new employee. Companies would rather play it safe than hire someone with an active non-compete.

The FTC estimates that one in five workers today are bound by a non-compete agreement. That means that this change will impact 30 million people. The FTC estimates this ban will grow startup activity by 2.7 percent. And, they believe an average worker stands to make $524 more per year because of this change. The FTC believes that allowing people to switch companies and remain in the same industry will create more competition. By allowing workers to switch jobs more freely, companies will be forced to pay a higher wage.

Going forward, companies will have to move beyond the non-compete. They may want to look at fair pay and treatment. And, they must focus on protecting their actual intellectual property in more specific ways. Protecting intellectual property is fair. Blindly restricting someone’s right to work is not.

Unfortunately though, the fight is likely not over. It is expected that the FTC will get a significant amount of pushback from companies who wish to keep their non-compete agreements in place. But for now, this change is a big win for workers.

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.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach

Mixed Signals in the Job Market

by Angela Copeland | Feb 8, 2024 | Career Corner Column, Job Search, Newsletter

What does the job market have in store for us this year? The answer seems to be mixed.  We are continuing to hear about company layoffs. Yet, at the same time, the stock market just hit a new all-time high. This doesn’t paint a clear picture for would be job seekers. And often, uncertainty in the market can discourage employees from seeking new employment.

For example, major companies are continuing to lay off workers. In January alone, companies such as Microsoft, Sports Illustrated, Google, Amazon, and NBC all laid off workers. On the other hand, the S&P 500 has been setting records as earnings have continued to grow. And, a few of the very same companies that are doing well are also laying off employees. So, what gives?

Unfortunately, the answer is not straight forward. There are a number of factors at play. First, in the last five years, many industries have seen a shift. Since 2020, it is more common to work from home. People are wearing more casual clothing. The auto industry is in the midst of an evolution. I could go on, but you get the idea. The way we work and play has shifted. Some industries have gotten smaller while others have grown.

Another very unfortunate factor is that layoffs have become more normal in business. In the past, layoffs were typically a last resort. Companies avoided them at all cost. Companies wanted to protect their employees. Employees were the fabric of the company. Layoffs were considered shameful.

Although employees are still important, companies now consider many other factors. Some companies focus more on the short term value of the company rather than looking into the future.  This can mean that a company may elect to lay off employees simply to save money in the short term. In fact, it is at times perceived as a responsible thing to do. In other words, the short term cost savings of layoffs may at times be considered smart.

What does this mean for the job market, and for your job search? If you have been thinking looking for a new job, don’t give up hope. Despite the unusual market, many companies are still hiring.

But, before you accept a new job, do your research. Look online for any news about the financial health of the company. Research where the industry is going overall. Research the company on sites such as Glassdoor.com. Glassdoor allows employees to leave reviews about the company. If layoffs are being handled poorly or employees are being mistreated, they will often share their feedback on Glassdoor.

Whatever you do, keep your resume current. With the current environment, unplanned things can happen. By keeping your resume up to date, and by staying in touch with contacts, you can create some level of insulation from the unknown. The more proactive that you are, the more choice you will have if things change in this market.

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.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach