by Angela Copeland | Mar 17, 2014 | Advice, Media, Newsletter
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! You may be asking yourself how you can catch “the luck o’ the Irish” you’ve heard so much about from that cereal eating leprechaun. After all, it seems some people get everything handed to them. The best job, most money, and a life everyone admires. When will my luck change?
On this day last year, I was touring the Guinness factory in Dublin, Ireland learning to pour the perfect pint. But, my luck almost ran out and I nearly missed my opportunity to learn more about my Irish heritage.
Before visiting Ireland, I flew into London for a few days. A friend booked my flights, and I was happily cruising on auto pilot. Upon arriving at the airport in London to fly to Dublin, I learned that my friend had booked me a different flight than the one originally printed in my itinerary. The flight booked was at an earlier time, so I had already missed it. On top of that, it was with a different airline– AND out of a different airport in London, almost an hour away! Can you imagine being by yourself in a foreign country and finding out you were trying to board a flight at the wrong time, on the wrong airline, and at the wrong airport? And, the day before St. Patrick’s Day no less.
There were very few options. The airline offered to rebook me the day after the holiday. This wouldn’t work at all. How could I miss celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin? After some quick thinking, I opted to purchase a new ticket on another airline departing later that day. It was in a completely different terminal, but at the same airport. I had extra money put away for emergencies, and my cell phone allowed me to research a new plan. Luckily, I made it into Dublin that night and to my appointment at Guinness the next morning.
This close call made me realize I would have to take charge of my own trip in order for it to be successful. In this same way, I encourage you to take charge of your own career path to guarantee your success. I’m a strong believer that luck isn’t really lucky at all. As Roman philosopher Seneca once said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” If I hadn’t been a little prepared for problems, I would have never made it to Ireland on time.
Learning to pour the perfect pint of Guinness in Dublin, Mar. 17 2013
Below are my top five tips on how you can prepare yourself for your next lucky opportunity:
- Take ownership – You are, after all, the CEO of your own career. If you don’t take ownership over your career path, who will? Your success is nobody’s responsibility, but your own. And, if you’re working at a dead end job where you’re not being appreciated, it’s time to find a new employer who will.
- Prepare – Don’t wait for the perfect job to roll around to put together a resume. Keep a copy of your resume and a sample cover letter current at all times. Keep your LinkedIn profile up to date and connected to all of your important contacts.
- Practice – Practice your elevator pitch. Practice interviewing. Practice searching for jobs. Practice networking. Practice dressing up as you would for an interview. In Malcom Gladwell’s book Outliers, he says, “Practice isn’t the thing you do when you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.”
- Proactive Approach – Finding a job is a job. Don’t wait for your next opportunity to come to you. Seek it out. Don’t have the skills necessary? Look for opportunities to grow your own skills. Don’t wait for your current boss to send you to a training class. Find ways to grow your skills on your own through community classes, volunteer work, or helping another department at your current job.
- Pause Fear – Finding a job and growing your career can make anyone nervous. Just like learning to drive a car, or speaking in front of a group. But, if you can allow yourself to realize you’re not the only one who feels that way – and to keep pushing ahead despite your fear, you’ll find you make progress faster.
Use these tips, and you’ll create the results you desire. In fact, you very well may find yourself explaining just how you got so lucky. Best of luck, and happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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 17, 2014 | Networking
The Memphis American Marketing Association is hosting a happy hour. Below are the details:
Tuesday, March 18 | 5:30-7:00pm
Networking Happy Hour Midtown
Bar Louie
2125 Madison Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
by Angela Copeland | Mar 17, 2014 | Job Posting
The Grizzlies and FedExForum are seeking a Vice President of Corporate Partnerships.
The Vice President of Corporate Partnerships provides overall leadership, management and strategic direction for the Memphis Grizzlies and FedExForum Corporate Partnerships department. The selected candidate will be responsible for shaping and structuring the Corporate Partnerships department and ongoing departmental strategic planning and execution. This individual is responsible for asset development, contract negotiations, pricing, partner contractual activation and customer service for the Memphis Grizzlies and FedExForum corporate partnerships.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the job posting here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 16, 2014 | Job Posting
Kele is seeking a Production Manager.
The selected individual will plan, direct, coordinate and budget activities concerned with Kele’s Panel Shop and Custom Services departments.
The individual should have a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the job posting here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 15, 2014 | Job Posting
Seedco is seeking a Business Development Director.
This position will lead job development and employer account management activities for Seedco’s Workforce Development programs in our Mid-South Regional Office. This position will be responsible for building and sustaining relationships with local & regional businesses across a variety of industry sectors by facilitating access to an array of no-fee staffing services for our structured network of community based organizations. This position is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, goal-oriented sales professional who is also interested in economic and community development.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Seedco website here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 14, 2014 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Defining Luck.” With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, I found myself in a long discussion with a friend about what it means to be lucky.
Some people seem to have all the luck. From the outside, they appear to get every promotion, make more money, drive a nicer car and live in a nicer house. It’s like they are surrounded by a ray of sunshine all day. This seems especially true of celebrities, company heads and professional athletes. How do they get so lucky, and when will my luck change?
I would argue that luck isn’t really luck at all. As Roman philosopher Seneca said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Those we perceive as lucky are often working very hard behind the scenes to perfect their craft. They spend hours becoming their very best in hopes of shining in one important moment – whether it’s in a board meeting, on a stage or in a sporting arena.
To read the entire article and learn how to improve your luck, visit the Memphis Daily News site here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 14, 2014 | Networking
Know any emerging executives new to Memphis?
Please invite them to join New Memphis for a casual party to welcome emerging executives who have recently moved to Memphis. These small gatherings of the best and brightest provide excellent opportunities to meet newly relocated peers as well as a few longtime Memphians.
Thursday, March 27th, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Hosted by JJ and Jay Keras
RSVP by March 14 to nyasha@newmemphis.org
by Angela Copeland | Mar 14, 2014 | Networking
Memphis Challenge is hosting a Power Lunch Series. Their next event’s topic is “What is your financial well being?”
It will launch on March 26, 11:30am-1:00pm and will be facilitated by Leanne Scull, Senior Vice President of Investments at Raymond James.
To get your ticket, visit their invitation here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 14, 2014 | Job Posting
Hilton is seeking a Coordinator of Public Relations: Focused Service Brands.
The Coordinator of Brand Public Relations will coordinate the public relations strategies and tactics to support Hilton Worldwide’s focused service and extended stay brand’s image globally. The Team Member will coordinate public relations and marketing objectives leveraging key agency partners and enterprise liaisons to execute brand messaging. The Coordinator will work with the director and managers of focused service and extended stay brand public relations to drive media impressions and generate consumer awareness, assist in coordination of brand presentations (PowerPoint and video) and stocking of promotional items for brand and/or hotel usage. The Team Member will assist in development of press materials (written and electronic), as well as special events for media.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Hilton website here.
by Angela Copeland | Mar 13, 2014 | Advice, Media
Big thank you to Kenneth Kinney for having me on his radio show, “An Education That Works” on KWAM 990 on Tuesday morning.
I appeared along with a host of students and professors from Victory University. It was Kenneth’s last radio program for Victory, as they announced they are closing their school.
Students and professors shared their fond memories of the school. I spoke about steps to take when an unexpected layoff occurs, and how to seek out experience when you’re just starting your career. As you know, it’s hard to find a job when you’ve never had one before.
My heart goes out to all of those impacted by this change. I wish them the very best in their search for new schools, and new jobs.
Listen to the interview below.
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