Christmas is just a little over a week away! Hopefully, your holiday shopping is almost complete.

As your bank account feels the pinch, and as the new year is on the horizon, your mind may be starting to drift back to work.

Often during the holidays, our job search naturally slows down. We spend more time with family and friends. And, companies often slow their hiring during December.

But, if your job has been getting your down, this is just the time to begin to think about getting a new one.

The most important step to finding a new job is to prioritize what’s the most important to you. For example, if you had to prioritize the three things below, which would rank as the most important and which would be the least important?

• Money
• Job satisfaction
• Location

There’s no right answer to this question. In fact, your answer may shift over time.

For example, if you have an ailing family member, there may be nothing more important right now than living close to them. Or, if you have three children in private school, money may be your #1. In many cases, you’re looking for something more fulfilling.

Whatever your answer, the most important thing is to know it. It will help to guide your career decisions.

As you begin to understand your priorities, jobs will begin to come up that you’ll end up having to choose between. The question then becomes how to make those decisions.

In a previous podcast (Copeland Coaching Podcast Episode #5), I interviewed Shane Presley about being the CEO of your own career. Shane discusses a decision making technique he uses that involves a matrix.

Whenever you encounter a difficult decision, you use an Excel spreadsheet to layout all the variables that influence your decision. For example, if you were picking between two jobs, you might list the salary of each, the location, the perks of each job, the vacation days given, etc. Then, you assign a weight to each item. You decide just how important each individual factor is to you. Last, you score each factor on a scale (say 1 to 5) and you multiple that score by the weight given, then you add the results together.

Once you’ve gone through this process, you’ll begin to have a better picture of which choice is the best one for you.

Remember, whatever decisions you make, the most important thing is to understand your own priorities and how they align to them.

Have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones! Stay warm, and keep your eye on the New Year!

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

The holidays are a time of joy and happiness. They remind us of all the good things in life, like pumpkin pie and spiced wine, and spending time with our loved ones. They’re a time of travel and gift giving, of holiday lights and snow. They’re a time of making positive memories.

But, the other thing that often comes up during the holidays is related to struggles. We sometimes forget about the tough things those around us are going through. It may be a friend who’s spending their first holiday without a parent. It may be a neighbor who’s going through a difficult divorce. Or someone who’s having a hard time paying for their medical treatment. Or, maybe you’re the one struggling.

Whatever obstacles you’re facing, it’s important to acknowledge them and to consider the impact they may be having on your career. If you’re going through a tough time, and you have a goal of finding a new job, it may be time to ask for help.

Reach out to those around you, such as friends and loved ones. If you need help to stay on track with your search, consider reaching out to a coach. If you’re looking for more assistance on the emotional pieces, consider reaching out to a therapist.

Whatever you do, try not to allow the difficulties you’re facing today completely derail your plans for the future. Remember that what you’re going through is temporary, and things will eventually get better with time.

If you’re not sure where you’ll be spending the holidays in the next few weeks, begin to reach out to friends now to make a plan. You’d be surprised just how many people will open their homes and hearts to you.

And, if you notice someone in your life is struggling, make time for them. The holidays are a busy time, but it’s important.

I don’t typically write about the topic of personal struggles. But, I was inspired to do so as I think just how much our personal struggles play out in our professional lives.

When things are going wrong at home, it can often cascade into issues at work. And, issues at work can make things worse at home.

Try not to ignore issues, but instead, address them. As you clear away the personal struggles, you’ll find more time to work on your professional goals.

And, the thing that’s often surprising when we’re the one struggling is this — those around us are struggling too. Many people just don’t talk about it. So, if you’re having a tough time, often the person next to you may be able to help out much more than you’d think.

The holidays are a tough time for many people. Just remember that you’re not alone, and reach out to those around you for help. Last, but not least, keep your eyes on the future and keep working toward your dream.

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

It’s hard to imagine that today’s the first day of December! It feels like the summer festivals were just yesterday.

The best part about this time of year for job seekers is networking.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is putting their job search on hold during December. We decide that companies aren’t hiring anyway and we shift 100% of our focus toward enjoying the holidays with family and loved ones.

Don’t get me wrong. Enjoying the holidays is a big priority! But, you can continue your search while you have fun.

This time of year, there are many holiday parties to attend. These events are a fantastic time to network. You’ll reconnect with old contacts and make new ones.

Before jumping onto the party circuit, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• RSVP: If a party requests an RSVP, be sure to put yours in. It shows respect to the host, and can help with planning. If you are nervous to go alone, request to bring a plus one. Most hosts don’t mind and it’s not hard to find a friend who would love to join you.
• Dress: Do your best to find out the dress code in advance. Jeans are appropriate at some events while others require fancy cocktail attire. If you aren’t sure what to wear, try selecting something that could be considered dressy or casual – like black pants and a simple shirt.
• Business Cards: Your networking efforts will be totally ineffective if you have no way to seal the deal. Bring your business cards, so you’re sure to get the contact information for those you meet. When you get home, follow up in e-mail and connect on LinkedIn.
• Don’t Be Shy: Networking is hard for most people. It’s not just you. If you feel nervous at events, set little goals for yourself, such as talking to 3 new people. Arrive on time and come prepared with simple questions to use as conversation starters like, “Do you have any fun plans this weekend?” The more you practice you have going to events, the easier it becomes.
• Drinking: Having a cocktail or two at a holiday party can be fun. But, be sure to keep the amount you’re drinking in check. You want to be able to put your best foot forward. And, you want to be able to drive home safely. Having a fresh DUI on your driving record could make landing your dream job much harder. If you do find yourself having a bit too much to drink, call a cab, Uber, or Lyft. It’s easy. And, the $50 for a ride home will save you many thousands in the legal fees you’d face for being arrested.

If you aren’t sure where to find the holiday parties this season, start by checking with the clubs or organizations you’re a member of. For those in Memphis, you can check with leadership organizations such as Leadership Memphis or New Memphis Institute.

Other good places to look are Eventbrite.com, Meetup.com. and Facebook.com. You can also check local community calendars, such as RSVP Magazine’s online calendar.

No matter which parties you choose, I hope you have a wonderful time! Make lots of new connections and stay safe this holiday season.

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

This week, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s an opportunity to gather together with loved ones, eat way too much good food, and watch a little football. It’s also an opportunity to express gratitude for our good fortune.

While you have a few days off this week, I encourage you to allow Thanksgiving to inspire your job search.

• Be Grateful – Focus on the positive things about your current job. Perhaps you like your boss, your team, or even the location of your office. Even in negative work environment, there are usually a few things to be thankful for. Move your attention to those items.
• Reconnect – Thanksgiving is the kickoff to an entire holiday season. Take the opportunity to reconnect with friends, coworkers, and loved ones you haven’t seen in a while. Not only is it good for your soul, it’s good for your network. When you’re looking for a job, it’s critical that you keep your network up to date.
• Networking Events – In addition to connecting with those who are truly close to you, keep an eye out for networking events. Many workplaces put on pot luck Thanksgiving lunches – and groups host “Friendsgiving” events. These are other great opportunities to keep your networking moving forward during the holidays.
• Reflect – Holidays are a great time to think back about the past year, and start to make plans for the future. What went well in the last year? What would you do differently? Write these things down, along with goals for next year. When would you like to find a new job? What are the attributes you’d prefer in your next job?
• Help Others – Networking is a huge part of finding a job. Sometimes, when we’re in the middle of our own search, we forget about those around us. Remember to take the time to help those in your life who are also looking. In return, they will help you.
• Relax – Looking for a job can be a long, and at times, stressful, process. Don’t forget to take a little time for yourself. It will help you to keep moving forward in your search when you return to work.
• Thank Others – Take the time to thank those in your life who help you every day. Whether it’s a friend, coworker, or supervisor, take the time to wish them a happy Thanksgiving — and thank them for the impact they make on your life. You might even consider giving thanks in the form of a written recommendation on LinkedIn.

Try to stay upbeat. The holiday season can be a tough one if you’re looking for a job. It is a time of increased financial responsibilities and decreased opportunities.

But, staying positive will help to draw good people to you. It will help to lay the foundation for your job search, so they will think of you when they’re hiring or hear of a job.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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