by Angela Copeland | Aug 22, 2016 | Newsletter
I meet people every day who are down on their luck. They’ve applied for job after job online and nothing is clicking. They’ve had a few phone interviews and even an in person interview or two. Their resume seems virtually flawless. They’re actively engaged in LinkendIn and regularly attending networking events.
They feel like they’re doing everything possible. But they must be doing something wrong because they haven’t landed their dream job yet. What could it be?
First, let me say that most people can improve on something. Whether it’s your elevator pitch, your resume, you cover letter, or even your wardrobe, we all have room for improvement.
However, when it comes to interviewing, it’s not always all about you. Just like in dating, sometimes it really is them. There are a number of situations that could be going on behind the scenes you may never know about. As you read these scenarios, consider the reasons an employer might not want to share these important details with you.
For example, what if the company you’re interviewing for just went on a hiring freeze? They may be waiting until their budget frees up at a later time to start again. This happens a lot in the advertising agency world. Agencies must scale their size up or down depending on the amount of business they have.
I have personally had a situation where the hiring manager was unexpectedly promoted to another department midstream. Suddenly, all the jobs he was hiring for were dropped until they could backfill his position. Unfortunately, it took months to refill his role and then the boss that was brought in was fired shortly after. As a candidate, how could you possibly influence that situation?
Another thing we rarely think about is internal candidates or preselected external candidates. Often, companies have someone in mind for a role before they even post the position. In fact, they may have created the job for that person. This can happen when an internal candidate is receiving a promotion, or when a contractor is being brought on full time. But many big companies often have rules that they must post all positions before someone can be hired. Sometimes they even have to conduct a full search. That means, you may be interviewing for a job that isn’t really open in the first place. And, how would you know?
Competition and market also play into your search. In certain fields, jobs may be low in quantity, but high in demand. An employer may be flooded with hundreds of applicants for each role. If you’re looking for a position in a highly desirable field but has few jobs and many candidates, you may have a tough time finding something – even if you’re a catch.
So back to the beginning. We can always improve ourselves. But before your frustration leads you to completely give up on your search, just remember that there’s more at work than what you know about. Keep knocking on doors and soon, someone will answer.
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 or 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.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
by Angela Copeland | Aug 22, 2016 | Job Posting
Google is seeking a Head of Global Revenue Acceleration.
As Head of the Revenue Acceleration team, you will lead a team that works on creating and scaling opportunities/leads for the sales teams. You will work closely with diverse stakeholders, both global and regional, from Product and Engineering teams, sales teams, internal product functional teams and other sales support teams. You also like staying ahead of the curve by constantly re-imagining where the opportunities recommendation ecosystem should be in the future and take positions accordingly and influence the stakeholders to drive the outcomes.
Your role will require incisive analytical thinking, nuanced stakeholder engagement, strong global program management, and world-class team work. Your ability to balance these various skills to provide thoughtful leadership within your direct team and across your global stakeholders will drive your success and impact on the business.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Google website.
by Angela Copeland | Aug 22, 2016 | Job Posting
Facebook is seeking an Operations Manager, Facebook at Work.
Facebook is looking for an experienced business leader to join the Facebook at Work team and help drive business planning, go-to-market strategy and operational execution for Facebook at Work. The Operations Manager will partner with cross-functional teams (including sales, partnerships, marketing, finance, product and engineering), with the primary objective of enabling Facebook at Work leadership to make effective, analytically driven, and strategic operating decisions. The role will entail leading business planning and insights, operating cadence (rhythm of the business) and strategic projects to drive scalable revenue growth and operational effectiveness in the Facebook at Work organization. The role will be part of the Facebook at Work Operations team, with a particular focus on the Americas while being involved in or leading global initiatives.
The ideal candidate will be passionate about Facebook, have a proven track record of operational leadership in a cross-functional environment, a strategic thinker who can drive for results, and able to move fast while keeping focused on high impact projects. This is a full-time position and is located in our Menlo Park office.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Facebook website.
by Angela Copeland | Aug 21, 2016 | Job Posting
The Olympic Training Center is seeking a Chef.
Assists Food & Nutrition Services Department in multiple areas to include: Grill, pantry, bakery, and line cook. Responsible for follow up and follow through in assigned production area. Maintains and monitors salad bar, hotline and servery ensuring the highest level of products and service are readily available in a clean and well maintained kitchen, servery and dining room. Takes pride in overall appearance of dining/servery area. Leads by example. Some functions may be specific to a Training Center location, such as, but not limited, to daily job assignments, work environment, and report to structures.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit www.TeamUSA.org.
by Angela Copeland | Aug 20, 2016 | Job Posting
The USOC is seeking a Health Care Services Provider – AT.
Under the direction of the Director, Clinical Research and Multidisciplinary Care, provide for injury and illness care for athletes in support of sustained excellence in sports performance. Upon assignment, serve in the capacity of Sports Medicine staff at USOC sponsored events. The HPHCSP is clinically competent and continuously maintains licensure/certification in Athletic Training. The HPHCSP has experience in the care of elite athlete populations, good oral and written communication skills and competency in creating and completing medical documentation. Communication amongst the sports medicine team and across departments is important.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit www.TeamUSA.org
by Angela Copeland | Aug 19, 2016 | Job Posting
USA Fencing is seeking a Senior National Events Manager.
The Senior National Events Manager will be responsible for coordinating USA Fencing tournaments which include the North American Cup series, international events held in the U.S. and other championship events. The position will report to the Director Operations and will involve frequent interaction with National Office staff members, contractors and event volunteers.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit www.TeamUSA.org.
by Angela Copeland | Aug 19, 2016 | Job Posting
USA Wrestling Group is seeking a Group Travel Consultant.
USA Wrestling is seeking a highly motivated, experienced professional to coordinate group and individual travel needs for both domestic and international destinations.
Responsibilities:
- Experience with Apollo GDS system
- Knowledge to make domestic and international travel arrangements, including air, ground, hotel
- Excellent geographic knowledge related to international booking of air travel, defining alternate routing options, Visa/Passport needs for US and other country passport holders, etc.
- Ticketing, including exchange ticketing and split-ticketing
- Queuing of records/managing queues
- Keeping up to date on airline policies
- Constant monitoring of records for better seat assignments
- Checking flight status on day of travel for delays, cancellations
- Monitoring world situations that can effect travel
- Keeping abreast of airline alliance programs
- Knowledge of air, hotel, and car rental loyalty programs and benefits given
- Updating of profiles
- Participates fully as a team member to assist as needed in completing all functions related to travel, including reservations, ticketing, follow-up customer service, debit memos, etc.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit www.TeamUSA.org.
by Angela Copeland | Aug 18, 2016 | Job Posting
Team USA is seeking a Manager of Team USA Fund Campaigns.
The Campaign Manager is responsible for campaign execution across all channels, mail (currently primary), digital (include email, promotion placement, social, etc.), telemarketing and supports strategic development on both an annual and campaign level. Current programs include appeals (house file), conversion, acknowledgments/receipts, and pledge reminders. Future programs will include acquisition.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit www.TeamUSA.org.
by Angela Copeland | Aug 18, 2016 | Job Posting
US Figure Skating is seeking a Marketing Manager.
The Manager, Marketing is responsible for the completion of the tasks listed herein. In addition, all tasks that are assigned by the Chief Marketing Officer will be the responsibility of the Manager, Marketing. Emphasis will be placed on ability to work in a team environment, creativity, accuracy and timeliness.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit www.TeamUSA.org.
by Angela Copeland | Aug 17, 2016 | Age, Career Corner Column
Our age can be a big concern, especially if we’re looking for a job. Of the job seekers I speak to, approximately twenty-five percent of them have real concerns about their growing age. Questions include, “Is it too late to change career paths? Is it too risky to look for another job? Will a hiring manager take me seriously? What about all of the younger job seekers out there?”
Candidates are smart to at least consider this issue. The interview process is certainly one full of judgements. A job industry where ageism is an issue is professional sports. However, as I’ve watched the summer Olympics, one theme has resurfaced multiple times. Age is just a number.
The first time I noticed this trend was when the news reported that Michael Phelps was coming out of retirement to swim again. If you’re like me, you were surprised to know Michael Phelps would have been old enough to consider retirement. Then, I started to hear stories of Oksana Chusovitina, the 41-year-old gymnast from Uzbekistan. On Team USA, a few of the most senior athletes are Phillip Dutton, Bezzie Madden, and Steffen Peters. They’re all equestrian riders over the age of 50.
Competing at the top of your physical game late in your career would seem highly unusual. But, in reality, these athletes have been there and done that. Chances are good that they are wiser than they once were. They may be more disciplined and more dedicated to their sport.
The same thing goes for work. In the way that young people may bring fresh ideas to the office, older workers bring experience and leadership. Each individual has value to contribute, no matter their age. Their contribution simply evolves as they grow and change.
If you’re considering a change and age is on your mind, I encourage you to give the idea a chance. There are hiring managers and companies struggling to find employees with the right amount of experience. You might be just what they’re looking for.
However, to avoid the negative judgement that can be associated with age, work to become an up to date candidate. Ensure that your interview suit and haircut are a current style. Be sure you’re using an e-mail address from a modern website, such as Gmail. Sign up for LinkedIn and use a current photograph of yourself on your profile. If your computer skills are behind, consider taking a refresher course. Update your resume, so it includes your latest skills and is laid out in a modern format.
At the end of the day, age really is just a number. But, like the Olympic athletes mentioned above, you have to put in an effort to be at the top of your game. Looking for a job takes practice, time, and persistence. It takes resilience and a willingness to keep going back, even when the search seems difficult.
As Michael Phelps said, “Don’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the further you get.”
Angela Copeland is CEO and founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.
You must be logged in to post a comment.