by Angela Copeland | Mar 24, 2014 | Advice, Newsletter
Happy first week of Spring! It’s so nice to see the bright sunshine again, streaming through my windows. If you’re like many folks, you’ve already started on your home cleaning checklist. You’ve paid extra attention to your baseboards, and your ceiling fans, but what about yourself?
Spring is also the perfect time to get your career goals in order. You’ve made it past the hiring freezes over the winter, and jobs are popping up every day. Even if you’re not looking to quit your job tomorrow, now’s the time to work on yourself for three very important reasons:
- The best jobs are often found by chance. If a recruiter called you out of the blue tomorrow, would you be prepared?
- When you wait to polish up your personal brand (and your LinkedIn profile) all at one time when a job does come around, you raise suspicions at your current employer.
- You never know when you might be unexpectedly looking for a job. Even top performers are at risk when a corporation goes through a layoff.
The question is, what should you polish up? Below is my career spring cleaning checklist for you.
- Your resume – Dust off your resume. Ensure it’s up to date with your latest positions. Include numbers that show your success. For example, if you exceeded your sales goal by 20%, include it. If you managed a multimillion dollar budget, include it. Once you leave your current position, you often won’t have access to this information anymore. Get these facts while you can.
- Your LinkedIn profile – Make sure your LinkedIn profile contains your current position, and latest accomplishments. Include a photo, and your current contact information. Remove positions that are very outdated and no longer relevant.
- Your photo – When including a profile photo on LinkedIn or other social media sites, you need something recent and appropriate. It doesn’t have to be a professional head shot, but your face should be clearly visible. Your clothes should be professional, and you should be the only person in the photo. Do not use a photo that shows your entire body, and makes it impossible to see your face. Your connections won’t recognize you on LinkedIn. Stay away from party photos, group photos, and very outdated photos.
- Your cover letter – Cover letters often take many hours to produce. We shift over every word, and worry about every piece of punctuation. Although cover letters should be custom for each position, it’s good to have a template to work from. Update yours, so if a recruiter calls, you’ll have something to provide quickly.
- Your bio – I’ve noticed a few companies are requesting a copy of a candidate’s bio. They pass it around their office for easy reading, and to share highlights about you. If you don’t have one, at least consider making one. If you do, update it, so it’s current.
- Your contacts – If you were laid off tomorrow for some unforeseen reason, I’m certain there are a number of contacts at your current job you would want to stay in touch with. Start regularly connecting with these people on LinkedIn to ensure you never lose contact.
Keeping your career assets like your resume and LinkedIn profile up to date should be a part of your normal routine. But, if you’ve fallen behind over the holidays, Spring is a perfect time to polish them up. It will help to ensure you’re prepared with the next big opportunity comes along.
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 | Mar 24, 2014 | Job Posting
Aramark is looking for a Vice President of Operations, Business Dining for their Central Region.
The person is responsible for providing overall strategic planning and control for multiple districts in a region which may include multiple services to include dining and/or conference centers. Drive regional financial and operational goals for all service contracts. The VPO has full P&L responsibility and is the functional leader of dining operations for a segment of the region.
They prefer someone with a bachelor’s degree and 10+ year’s experience in service appropriate operations and direct P&L leadership in multiple service dining, facilities, and/or conference center accounts. Track record of success in leading multiple accounts with a portfolio valued at more than $25M.
To learn more or to apply online, visit the Aramark site here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 23, 2014 | Job Posting
St. Jude (ALSAC) is looking for a Director of Acquisition Strategy in Memphis.
This person is responsible for overseeing the new donor acquisition strategies through multi-channel direct marketing channels such as television, direct mail, telefunding and digital. Leads team of internal and external partners to develop and implement new donor acquisition strategies. Executes aggressive testing and tracking procedures in order to promote continuous innovation and learning. Leads a team of professionals in the development and execution of traditional and non-traditional direct marketing plans that ultimately promote St. Jude’s brand awareness and fundraising initiatives.
To learn more or to apply online, visit the St. Jude website here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 22, 2014 | Job Posting
UPS is seeking an Inside Sales Representative.
The ISR is responsible for retaining and growing UPS Small Package customer business. He/she uses available resources to learn customers’ businesses, identify business needs, and proactively contact customers to position UPS’s Small Package products and services to meet their needs. This position is responsible for prioritizing customer opportunities and focusing attention on accounts with the greatest opportunity and likelihood of success. The ISR also creates contacts, monitors contractual compliance, and answers customer questions.
To learn more about this position, or to apply online, visit the job posting here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 21, 2014 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Becoming Your Own CEO.” In it, I discuss taking ownership over your career path, rather than sitting back and waiting on others to do it for you.
I’ve heard the same story at least three times in the past two weeks. A high-performing worker went in for a performance review with the boss. The boss said something along the lines of, “You’ve done a great job. I appreciate you. I can’t offer you a promotion, or a raise, but please don’t leave. I need you here.”
If you’ve recently had a review that ended this way, you may feel lost. Even if you like your boss and your job, you’re looking for career advancement. And, at a minimum, you’d like your salary to keep up with an average inflation rate. You have bills to pay.
To read the entire article and learn what to do if you’re faced with this situation, visit the Memphis Daily News site here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 21, 2014 | Networking
Allen Hall Projects is presenting a duo show with painters Jada Thompson and Jeniffer Church at Gallery 363 on March 28 from 6:00 – 8:30.
Jeniffer Church is a Memphis native who was on staff of the David Lusk Gallery during its early days . After some time off to get her children in school, he has resumed painting, mainly with commissions recently. She has enjoyed painting since childhood. Her work in decorative as well as fine arts has expanded her technique as her new works illustrate.
A native of Mountain View, CA, Jada Thompson holds a BFA from William Carey College and an MFA from University of Memphis; Thompson is equally at home in the world of fine art and graphic design. Her works are as varied as her interests and influences and always represent a fresh viewpoint. In addition to pursuing her own artistic expression, Thompson has a gift for teaching others, from volunteering with kids at Ronald McDonald House to teaching her students at Mid-South Community College.
To learn more about the event, visit the Allen Hall Projects website here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 21, 2014 | Job Posting
ITT Technical Institute is seeking an Associate Dean of General Studies.
The Associate Dean, General Studies promotes ITT Technical Institute’s mission by providing effective management of general studies instruction, assessment, faculty training and professional development at a campus. The Associate Dean, General Studies supervises general studies faculty and supports students in general studies areas at a campus.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the ITT Technical Institute website here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 20, 2014 | Networking
This is a great opportunity for newcomers and longtime Memphians. Memphis 101 is an interactive crash course in Memphis culture, people, and politics, revealing why Memphis is the place it is today and how our history impacts where we are headed. Here is a quick look at what it’s all about. Complimentary lunch provided.
Thursday, April 10th, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Benjamin Hooks Library
Click here to register by April 2.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 20, 2014 | Job Posting
Pfizer is seeking a Senior Manager of Site Quality Operations.
This person provides strategic Quality leadership and programs to Memphis Logistics Center and contracted Logistics Service Providers to ensure that the required Pfizer and regulatory quality and compliance standards and guidance are implemented and are sustainable. Directs, evaluates and controls the activities of the QA unit function to assure its work is accurate, timely, efficient and compliant with company policies, industry standards and government regulations. Overall Responsible for the design, implementation, execution, monitoring, and compliance of the Quality Systems within the Pfizer Logistics and Supply Network in the Memphis Logistic Center. Provide Quality Unit oversight at contracted Logistic Centers in the USA. Proactively partner with operations in ensuring that all distribution operations are in compliance with cGMP’s, Regulatory standards and Pfizer Policy.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 19, 2014 | Networking
Girls Inc. reached out to me, and asked that I share this networking event with you. Girls Inc. is hosting a kickoff social tomorrow, Thursday, March 20th at 6:00 PM.
The event will be held at the Mulan Bistro located at 2149 Young Avenue in Memphis.
To learn more, or to RSVP, visit their Evite invitation here.
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