Tag: begallantcoaching

Categories
Uncategorized

Employers are hiring AI over people: How to stay in-demand as a job seeker

So, I was reading about how employers are trying to leverage AI more instead of hiring actual people–especially young people and new college grads.

Uh oh.

That, of course, got me thinking: How can people stay competitive against not just people, but also the machines that are starting to replace them? How can we demonstrate value to the employers and people with hiring say-so in a way that yells “YOU SHOULD REALLY HIRE ME”?

Well in true Brandon fashion, I did some digging, reflecting, and strategizing. Here’s what I came up with…

1. Develop Human-Centric Skills (Those Soft/Transferable Skills)

AI can process data and perform repetitive tasks really well, but they’re still not at iRobot levels…yet. And even they lacked some pretty core human traits. Empathy, creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence remain human strengths.

  • Focus on problem-solving and adaptability in fast-changing environments.
  • Emphasize collaboration—show how you’ve led teams, built consensus, or managed relationships.
  • Storytelling is key. Use it to demonstrate how you’ve solved problems creatively or improved team dynamics.

💡 Example: In a job application or interview, highlight moments when you adapted to unforeseen challenges or went beyond the technical solution to build trust and rapport or inspire others.

2. Learn to Work with AI (It’s Not Us VS Them–For Now)

Tech is useful and employers love candidates who embrace technology rather than fear it.

  • Get comfortable with relevant AI tools (e.g., AI for marketing automation, content creation, data analysis, or instructional design).
  • Frame yourself as a “tech-savvy collaborator” who can integrate AI to optimize workflows, not replace human touch.
  • Upskill continuously. Focus on in-demand tech skills like automation, data literacy, or AI-enhanced decision-making.

💡 Example: If you’ve used ChatGPT to create first drafts, analyze customer feedback, or improve workflows, share that experience! Employers want to see practical use cases.

3. Focus on Strategic Thinking & Innovation

AI excels at executing tasks but lacks the ability to strategically plan or innovate from scratch.

  • Show how you’ve contributed to long-term planning, launched innovative solutions, or driven strategic change.
  • Highlight your curiosity and continuous improvement mindset. Employers are looking for people who challenge the status quo and think bigger.

💡 Example: “While working on [project], I identified a gap in [process] and introduced [new solution], which led to [tangible result].”

4. Build a Personal Brand & Network

Brand. And then develop your brand. And then develop it some more! Having a strong personal brand makes you stand out in the job market.

  • Share your expertise and insights on platforms like LinkedIn or industry-specific communities.
  • Network strategically—build connections with thought leaders, recruiters, and peers in your field.
  • Be authentic and visible. Employers value candidates with a unique perspective and strong presence.

💡 Example: Post articles, share projects, or engage in discussions about how your field is evolving with AI. This shows you’re informed and invested in the future.

5. Demonstrate Results & ROI

The job seekers I coach hear me say this all the time: Ultimately what employers care about is that you can move the needle. They want people who can show clear impact and value creation.

  • Use your resume and interviews to highlight your achievements (cost savings, efficiency improvements, revenue growth, program success, etc.).
  • Position yourself as someone who makes data-driven decisions and delivers measurable outcomes.

💡 Example: Instead of saying, “I managed social media,” say, “I used AI analytics to increase social engagement by 35% and contributed to a 10% sales boost in six months.”

6. Be a Lifelong Learner

The workforce is evolving, y’all, and staying relevant means learning and evolving with it.

  • Take online courses, attend webinars, and earn certifications in emerging technologies or fields.
  • Stay up-to-date on industry trends and future skill demands.
  • Show curiosity and adaptability—employers appreciate candidates who are excited about change.

💡 Resources: Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or industry-specific learning hubs.

7. Prioritize Ethical Thinking and Human Values

In a world driven by AI, ethics and human-centric leadership are becoming critical.

  • If you’ve worked on projects where you balanced technology with user experience, ethics, or community impact, showcase that experience.
  • Highlight your commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion (YES DEI matters and I don’t care what anybody says to the contrary), and user-centered design.

💡 Example: “I ensured our training program incorporated diverse perspectives and addressed accessibility, helping us achieve [specific outcome].”

It’s getting tricky out there, but we can still win. Keep evolving with the times, keep getting those apps out, and keep networking. We’ll get there!

🔥 Feeling stuck or ready for your next big move? Join The Brave Club, where bold career changers and go-getters come together to grow, learn, and level up! This group program is packed with expert career coaching, live demonstrations, and an inspiring community that’s here to help you crush your goals and build the career you want—on your terms.

💬 What you’ll get:

  • Weekly group coaching calls with actionable advice
  • Tools to help you build confidence and stay focused
  • A community of brave, like-minded professionals who get it

👉 Learn more and join us: The Brave Club

The next cycle starts Tuesday, February 11th! Join today for only $129 to reserve your spot. Registration is closing soon so let’s get to it!

Categories
Uncategorized

Holiday season job search: Your game plan for success in 2025

The new year is right around the corner, and with it comes the promise of fresh opportunities. As hiring tends to pick up early in the year, now is the time to set yourself up for success. Whether you’re looking to pivot careers, step into a new role, or simply explore what’s out there, a little preparation now can make all the difference when the time comes.

Here’s your quick guide to getting ahead of the competition:

1️⃣ Build a Routine Now

Job searching is a grind. It’s not something you can typically sprint through—it’s more like a marathon. There are going to be moments when your energy dips, rejection emails pile up, and motivation feels out of reach. That’s where a solid routine comes in.

A routine creates structure, helping you stay organized and consistent even when things get tough. Start by setting aside regular time blocks for job searching, networking, or updating your application materials. Break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and set realistic goals for yourself each week.

By establishing these habits now, you’ll have systems in place to fall back on when hiring season ramps up. You’ll be running on a process you’ve already mastered rather than scrambling to piece things together. Remember: consistency beats intensity over the long haul.

2️⃣ Define Your Brand

What makes you stand out? If your answer is limited to your skills or experience, you might be missing the bigger picture. The job market is more competitive than ever, and a solid personal brand can be the key to rising above the noise.

Your personal brand is the unique combination of your story, values, approach, and expertise. It’s what sets you apart from other candidates with similar resumes. Ask yourself:

  • What do I want people to remember about me after a conversation or an interview?
  • What unique strengths, experiences, or perspectives do I bring to the table?
  • How do I want to present myself online, in my resume, and in interviews?

Start building your brand. Then, refine your LinkedIn profile, polish your resume, and practice how you talk about yourself in networking or interview settings. The more authentic and clear your brand is, the more you’ll attract the right opportunities.

3️⃣ Identify the Right Role Types

If you’ve been applying for jobs and not getting any interviews, it might not be your skills—it might be your strategy. Too often, job seekers cast a wide net, applying for anything that seems remotely close to their experience. But that approach isn’t super effective.

Instead, focus on alignment. What types of roles are you particularly suited for? What industries, job titles, or responsibilities match your current skills and goals? And equally important, where are the gaps?

For example, you might discover roles you’re excited about but aren’t particularly well-suited for yet. That’s not a dead end—it’s an opportunity to tailor your approach. Update your resume to highlight transferable skills, adjust your personal brand to emphasize your potential, or take a course to bridge a skill gap.

Applying strategically—rather than applying broadly—will save you time and energy while increasing your chances of landing interviews for the roles that are truly right for you.

Your Time Is Coming

The job search process can feel overwhelming, but preparation is your secret weapon. By building a routine, defining your personal brand (click here to check out my branding program!), and targeting the right roles, you’re positioning yourself for success.

When the new year arrives and companies start posting those job openings, you won’t just be ready—you’ll be ahead of the pack.

Need help getting started? You don’t have to do it alone. Message me, and I’ll get your questions answered. Let’s make this the year you achieve your career goals!

Go back

Your message has been sent

Categories
Uncategorized

3 Components you need in your job search

Job searching is so complicated now. Too complicated. There’s so much nuance and this and that.

As a coach, I can’t help but think it shouldn’t be this hard to get a job that you’re very qualified for.

But here we are.

So, I want to share some advice with you all on the 3-part strategy I’ve seen work the best, both as a coach, and as a former hiring manager. Keep reading.

The 3 Kings of Your Job Search

There are three major components that you HAVE to nail if you wanna get hired. They are:

  1. Targeted branding
  2. Targeted resumes
  3. Targeted networking

Not necessarily in order of importance, just altogether. You have to do each of these 3 things well.

Targeted Branding

Targeted branding means you have to communicate a clear message. You need to clearly and quickly demonstrate that you have an overall profile that matches the role. Your skills, experiences, intangibles, etc. have to show that you’re ready to hit the ground running in the role(s) you’re applying for. Branding is how you stand out from the crowd and create differentiation between you and other similar candidates.

Targeted Resumes

Yes, your resume needs to be tailored to the role you’re applying for. You have to reflect their language, speak to relevant skills and experiences, and do so clearly and quickly. Without a clear and strong resume that’s easily readable, you’re fighting an uphill battle.

Targeted Networking

Remember the old “It’s not what ya know, it’s who ya know” saying?

Well it’s kinda true. Simply applying isn’t enough anymore.

It’s unfortunate, but true. You need to network. Tap in with your existing network, but you’ll also need to do some cold outreach.

Do your best to get in touch with people that can get you in front of the hiring manager (i.e. recruiters, current employees, etc.). It’s hard, but it really does help and it’s definitely worth the effort.

Volume Matters

One other thing. You have to get out enough applications. But not half-assed apps for jobs you’re barely aligned for.

You have to get out enough applications for jobs that you’re a good candidate for, while doing targeted networking.

It is exhausting. It’s draining. It’s frustrating.

This is the game, though, and you absolutely can and will beat it.

Keep at it, stay consistent, and when you get tired…take a break and then get back to it.

You can do this.

Here To Help!

My goal is to get people hired. Quite frankly, a lot of you are extremely qualified for the jobs you’re applying for, but there are nuances to the process that are holding you back.

Maybe it’s your branding, maybe it’s your resume or your interview skills, maybe it’s the fact that you’re disorganized.

Whatever the case may be, coaching can help you get that next job. I’ve seen it happen with my own two eyes:

“Brandon created a very comfortable environment for me to be honest about my frustration and journey. I felt validated and seen. I also appreciated that we were strategic and tactical.

Most importantly I landed a job. This was one of my goals in hiring a coach and getting interviews. Before Brandon, I had not landed one interview in 3 months of applying.”— Adetola O.

Are you signed up to my email list? If not, let’s change that:

Go back

Your message has been sent

If you are, come chat with me. I hold free consultations all the time, and they’re meant to be a space for us to get acquainted, chat about your goals, and see if coaching is right for you at this moment.

If it is, great. We’ll talk about options. If it’s not, that’s ok too. We’ll talk about things to be mindful of at this point in your journey.

Either way, the fall is the perfect time to get active in your search journey and put together a strategic campaign. So let’s get to it.

Click here and let’s get started!

Categories
Uncategorized

The 3-part LinkedIn strategy to use for your job search

In today’s digital age, LinkedIn has become the go-to platform for professionals seeking career blah blah blah.

Now that we got that out the way, let’s talk tangible stuff.

LinkedIn can be incredibly useful, but it can also be overwhelming and confusing. So much so that a lot of people–including some of my clients–just avoid it and miss out on its benefits. So allow me to simplify things by giving you a few keys to help you unlock your search via LinkedIn.

1. Use LinkedIn to Find Jobs and Info, But Don’t Apply Directly On LinkedIn

It may seem counterintuitive, but one of the most effective strategies for job hunting on LinkedIn is to avoid applying directly through the platform. Instead, use LinkedIn as a research tool to gather information about potential employers, their respective industries, and what jobs are even available.

Once you’ve found a role you like and gathered enough info, apply directly on the company site, or even better, directly with a recruiter.

I repeat, always apply directly on the company site, or directly with a recruiter.

Start by exploring company profiles to gain insights into their culture, values, and recent developments. Take note of any connections you have who work at these companies and reach out to them for informational interviews or advice.

By taking a proactive approach to research and networking on LinkedIn, you can gain a deeper understanding of potential employers and position yourself as a qualified candidate when the time comes to apply.

2. Don’t Pay Attention to the Number of Applicants Displayed on Job Postings

I regularly hear education and non-profit professionals (and really people from a lot of career fields) talk about how discouraging it is to see a job posting with 500 applicants, but PAY IT NO MIND. Three reasons for that:

  1. The number of applicants is just one piece of the puzzle, and it doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of your candidacy.
  2. If it’s NOT an Easy Apply posting, then the “Apply” button you see is basically just a link to the original posting on the company website. Once you leave LinkedIn, the platform has no way of knowing whether you applied or not, so it just counts EVERYONE that clicked the Apply button/link as an applicant. Try it out yourself. Click the button and then go back to LinkedIn and refresh the page a couple times. You’ll see the number go up. In other words…that number means practically nothing to you.
  3. If it IS an Easy Apply posting, a whole lotta those applicants are not going to be particularly qualified. They just applied because it was…easy. Again, that number basically has no meaning.

So anyway, instead of focusing on the competition, focus on crafting a tailored application that highlights your skills, experiences, results, and alignment with the company’s values. Personalize your resume and cover letter to demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and your potential contributions to the organization.

Get to know your BRAND! Speaking of which, let’s pause…

****

Do you know your brand? Knowing your brand and how to convey it well is what will ultimately distinguish you from other candidates with similar skills, experience, and qualifications.

So yes, you need to know your brand in and out and how to convey it. If you don’t, peep the end of this post.

****

Remember, recruiters are looking for candidates who stand out from the crowd, so use this opportunity to showcase your unique qualifications and passion for the position. By staying focused on your strengths and what sets you apart, you can increase your chances of catching the recruiter’s attention, regardless of the number of applicants.

3. Use the Jobs Section to Identify Hiring Managers or People Who Work at the Company

While the Jobs section on LinkedIn is a valuable resource for finding job listings, it can also be a powerful tool for networking and making connections within your target companies.

Some postings will literally tell you who the hiring manager or recruiter is. That’s golden information! Send them a connection request and engage with their content to build rapport and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Take advantage of the fact that LinkedIn shows you if you have connections or fellow alumni at the companies you’re looking at to identify potential contacts. Reach out to them with personalized messages expressing your interest in the company and asking for advice or insights into the hiring process.

And you can also look at the People tab on the company profile to identify in-house recruiters or talent acquisition pros. You’ll wanna reach out to them too.

When you leverage the Jobs section strategically, you can not only uncover job opportunities but also expand your network and increase your chances of getting noticed by hiring decision-makers.

And there you have it! Take this strategy and apply it to your search. Keep at it and eventually you’ll break through!

Build Your Transferable Brand

Professionals that are really tapped into their brand tend to have way more success in their career and job searches than those who are not.

They’re more confident, better at conveying how they drive impact (which is ultimately what an employer cares about), and they understand how their skills are translatable to multiple roles and industries.

If you’re having trouble landing interviews or job offers, there’s probably a branding component that you’re falling short on.

I want to invite you to take part in my short-term branding program, where you and I will work together to build out your brand and your ability to successfully and quickly convey it to your benefit.

Using your brand will help you set yourself apart from others via the stories you craft in your resume and cover letter, interviews, LinkedIn, and networking opportunities. The transferability of your skills and the value of your impact will be clearer to those you come in contact with.

The results: greater confidence, better job offers, more aligned work, and better compensation.

And it’s only two sessions! If you’re still job searching and considering a pivot, meet with me for two sessions and I’ll have you up and running with a newly crafted brand you can actively use to your advantage this spring.

Early bird pricing is only $295 and will last until May 5th. Click here and let’s get started!

We’re at the beginning of spring, so now is a great time to get active on this! Don’t let the spring energy pass you by!

Categories
Uncategorized

Is tailoring your resume a waste of time?

By now, I’m sure you’ve heard the common resume advice:

“Tailor your resume to each job posting you apply to!”

It’s how you get more interviews. Sorta (go here to understand what I mean).

But I’ve been seeing some information floating around about resume tailoring that could be a little confusing.

Specifically, I’ve been seeing people on LinkedIn post things like “Tailoring your resume for each job posting is a waste of your time and energy! You don’t need to do all that”

Aaaaww snap! Which is it then? What should a job seeker like you do? 

I wrote about it briefly in this LinkedIn post, but let’s explore a little more here.

SHOULD YOU TAILOR YOUR RESUME FOR EACH JOB POSTING?

The short answer to this is still “yes” but there’s some nuance involved. Before we get into all that nuance, though, it’s worth it to discuss why it’s important to tailor your resume.

It’s pretty simple, truth be told. You tailor your resume to show you’re qualified and actually should be applying to the posting. Seems obvious, but the truth is a lot of people apply to jobs that they’re either not super qualified for, or not at all qualified for.

Recruiters and hiring managers don’t want to spend a whole lot of time combing through each and every resume–they want to quickly glance at them and be able to determine who’s worth taking a longer look at and who isn’t. Tailoring your resume helps whoever’s reading it understand that at the very least you’re one of the ones that’s worth that deeper look and potentially moving on to the call/interview stage.

The question, though, is do you need to tailor your resume every time you submit an application. I mean, what if your resume is already in pretty good shape?

The answer: yes and no (dang it! Why’s it always “yes and no” or “it depends”?! Why can’t it ever not depend??).

Here’s the thing. You need to determine what industry and type of job you’re generally going to be applying for. Are you applying for Customer Success Manager jobs? Social Media Marketing Strategist jobs? Project Manager jobs?

Many companies and institutions have the same types of jobs, and Customer Success Managers across companies play very similar roles. They kinda do the same things, with maybe a couple differences from company to company.

So if you’re a non-profit recruiter or a higher education resident director, you’re going to need to first take your resume from being a “recruiter” or “resident director” resume to being a “customer success manager” resume.

Similarly, if you’re also applying for project manager jobs, you’re also going to need to make another version of your resume that’s a “project manager” resume. And so on and so forth. The tailoring involved in this step will probably take you a while.

Once you’ve done that, though, things get a little simpler. When you submit your resume for a specific Customer Success Manager job, you should tailor it to fit that specific posting, but this should not take you very long to do. I’m talking minutes. 

You’ve already done the heavy lifting of tailoring when you first made your “Customer Success Manager” resume, ensuring that the marketable skills and outcomes you described are relevant and appealing for customer success manager jobs. The tailoring at this step is just making sure you use the words in the specific posting you’re applying for (i.e. if the job posting says “management” instead of “supervision”, you want to make sure you reflect that in your resume), and double check that your resume hits on the key skills/results described in that posting.

There’s some variability between Customer Success Manager jobs from company to company, but probably not very much. So while you should be tailoring your resume to each job you apply for, it should not at all take you very much time to do it…if you’ve done your job of creating the right “base” resume to begin with.

WRAPPING UP

It’s not that tailoring your resume is a waste of time. It’s not. I mean, it can be, but not necessarily. It really just depends on if you’re doing it the right way.

Make sure you have the right “base” resume(s), and go from there. When done well, you can then tailor your resume to each job in a matter of 5-10 minutes.

Y’all got this. And if you have questions, let me know! Send me an email at brandon@begallantcoaching.com and I promise I’ll get back to you.

WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT!

Very soon I’ll be hosting a free webinar on an important mindset shift that will make you a stronger candidate. I’m talking more interviews, more offers, better offers. I’ll give you a hint.

If you’re applying for jobs, that makes you an applicant. So I bet you’re also thinking like an applicant. That’s not a good thing. I will send you an invite soon, but if you want to make sure you get it, just drop your name, email, and “invite me!” in the form below and I’ll make sure you get it.

~Brandon

Go back

Your message has been sent

Categories
Uncategorized

Not getting many interviews? This could be why…

I talk to job seekers just about every day. 

By the time they come talk to me (click here if you’re ready), they’ve usually been searching for a while. They’re also usually pretty frustrated, confused, and at least a little disappointed because they’re struggling to land interviews. And it’s pretty hard to get jobs if you’re not getting interviews.

Here’s the thing: It’s not that they’re not applying for enough job openings–they’re usually applying for plenty (in some cases 100s). It’s not that they’re not qualified for the jobs they’re applying for–they have great qualifications. It’s also not that they don’t have the right skills–they’re skills are valuable and aligned with the job description.

So what’s the deal?! Why so few interviews???

Walk with me…

YOU’VE HEARD IT BEFORE…

You gotta tailor your resume to the job description. Scan the job description to identify the keywords and make sure you include them and speak to those skills. This is very important.

But you’ve heard this before, right?

You’ve already done this. Over and over. Every time, in fact. And you’re still bamboozled because…crickets.

Still little to no interviews to show for it. Damn.

I hear this story from job seekers ALL THE TIME, and here’s what I’ve noticed.

In the vast majority of cases (very nearly all of them), their resume is almost entirely tasky. Take a look at your work experience in your resume. Is it essentially no more than a list of tasks you’ve carried out? That is not a good thing. If it’s basically just a list of tasks you’ve carried out, then there’s no difference between you and anyone else who’s carried out those same tasks (at least on paper). And in that case, there’s no real reason for a hiring manager to interview you over anyone else with the same or similar job history.

If your resume is task-driven, you probably won’t land very many interviews. In order to differentiate yourself from other candidates, you need your resume to be results-driven.

 TASK-DRIVEN VS. RESULTS-DRIVEN

A task-driven resume is essentially the job descriptions of the jobs you’ve held. It may demonstrate skills, but no matter how aligned those skills are, there’s nothing really special about that resume because it tells me nothing about your proficiency with the skills. Having the skills is great, but what a hiring manager ultimately cares about is whether or not you can actually produce desirable results.

All of your bullet points should clearly demonstrate that you have a track record of driving a positive impact in your work. This is how you show them you were actually successful and are a top-notch employee.

And that’s the candidate that gets interviews.

Show me those numbers, those increases, those tangible changes!

THE USUAL FOLLOW-UP QUESTION

“But Brandon, I feel like I don’t really have many outcomes to speak to, so what do I do?”

I usually get some version of that when I give this feedback to someone. Here’s my response:

How did you and/or your supervisor know you were successful at this *chooses random bullet point* task?

Light bulb moment! The answer to that question is a positive outcome, and you should speak to it! And I bet you can answer that question for each of your bullet points.

I bet the reason why you’re having such a hard time identifying results you’ve produced is because you’re thinking strictly in terms of the numbers. And numbers are good! Great, in fact. If you can attach a % increase or number to it, please definitely do so. But if you can’t–depending on your role or your field it might be hard to have the numbers on hand–that doesn’t mean you don’t still have positive results to speak to.

You can–and absolutely should–still produce a results-driven resume. Every time.

WRAPPING UP

If your resume is task-driven, you’re facing an uphill battle. Candidates with task-driven resumes are really hard to distinguish between, especially if they have a similar background or work history. It’s also really hard to tell your proficiency if you’re just describing the tasks you’ve executed.

So let’s see those outcomes!

WANT MORE SUPPORT?

The people in my coaching program get this kind of stuff from me all the time. And if you’ve been job searching for a while now, you probably recognize that a successful job search goes way beyond a good resume. 

Job searching is hard. Where do you even start? How do you make a good resume (and cover letter)? How do you communicate the unique value you bring via your professional brand? How do you network in a way that’s strategic and gets your foot in the door?

Come talk to me! We cover all this and more in my coaching programs (click here for details!). If you want to bring your search to a close and land a job that you really feel good in, then give yourself permission to look into some good support.

Get a head start on the new year and step out of your comfort zone so you can land that new job. I’ll help you!

Fill out this short interest form today and I’ll contact you!

Let’s Get Started >

Paid Subscriber Secrets!

Read more of this content when you subscribe today.

Subscribe
Categories
Uncategorized

Job searching? Here’s the SECOND thing you should do

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Wait, the second thing? What’s the FIRST thing?!

If that’s the question you just asked in your head (or out loud), you should head here. That’s where you’ll read about the first thing.

But yes, today I want to talk about the step you should take after that first thing.

When’s the last time you thoroughly mapped out your values? Have you ever done that at all? And I don’t mean “thought” about your values. I mean sat down with a writing utensil and paper–or your laptop or your tablet–and wrote them down. 

A year? 

2 years? 

20?

Never?!

If you’re currently job searching (or even thinking about it) and you haven’t written/typed out your values, it’s time to hit the pause button. You already know what the first thing you need to do is, and this is the very next step.

What Are Values?

Think of values as your every day guides. Your values describe how you live your life, or at least how you want to live your life. They spell out what’s ultimately important to you. Where your values are absent, there will be extra dread, stress, dissatisfaction, and frustration. You need to be clear on what yours are. Specifically, you need to know what they are in the present moment, because values can and will change over time.

Why Do I Need To Do This?

Values dictate culture, relationships, work style, growth opportunities, all kinds of stuff. Knowing what yours are will help you identify the professional environments that will be good for you. This is big time important! Because let’s say you find a really cool job that’s perfect for you. It aligns perfectly with your skills and background, and you can do this job in your sleep! If that job is set in a company that doesn’t align well with your values, you will STILL burn out quicker than you think. Values misalignment is one of the biggest contributors to employee turnover and burnout.

But Do I Have To Write Them Out?

Yes. I had a coaching client recently describe to me how seeing them written out really allowed her to reflect on and define what they actually meant to her, and whether or not they really were her actual values. And that’s part of the goal: being as clear and honest with yourself as possible. Because your written values document becomes your checklist. You can literally hold that up next to a job description, a company website, notes from an informational interview, etc. and see how well things are lining up. If they’re not aligning super well, it’s a pretty good sign that that opportunity is probably not the one that’s best for you.

Ok, So What Do I Do?

Ask yourself these questions for starters:

  • What are my top life values?
  • What are my top career values?
  • What would burn me out quickly in a job?

Be specific, honest, and clear! Prioritize! It’s for your own sake after all, so the more thorough and thoughtful you are, the better.

After that, it’s time to start collecting information on the values of potential employers. There are multiple sources and methods you can use to get this information, but here are a few to get you going:

  • Job descriptions
  • Company websites
  • Interviews
  • Informational interviews

Be intentional about who you talk to, what questions you ask, what you pay attention to. Any piece of info that speaks to the values of the company can be useful in determining whether or not this is the environment for you!

Wrapping Up

So yes, this is the second step. Any time you’re looking to make any sort of career shift, you should be revisiting your values and writing them down as clearly and specifically as you can. Your values will become your checklist you use to evaluate the company culture of your would-be employers. If you do this well, you can save yourself a lot of trouble down the road, and create a career trajectory that makes you happy and fulfilled.

I do this with my clients all the time, so let me know if you’re looking for some help!

HEADS UP!

We’re wrapping up the year already, so now is the perfect time to get active if you want to be in a shiny new job by sometime in Q1. AND YES, COMPANIES ARE STILL HIRING. There are still openings that hiring managers are hoping to fill–they want to start off the year with a full team.

My signature program can help you get there (yes, I’m confident in it). It costs $1800.

But.

This month, I opened up 5 spots in the program for $1500 (payment plan available!).

There are only 2 of those spots left, and the deal ends on December 21, 2023!

It’s first come, first served, so claim your spot ASAP.

All you have to do is let me know you’re interested in a spot, and we’ll set up a free consultation to see if it’s a fit for you before we make any commitments.

Don’t miss out! Send me a message below and claim your spot before 12/21/23. Time’s ticking!

Go back

Your message has been sent

~B

Categories
Uncategorized

Job searching? Here’s the SECOND thing you should do!

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Wait, the second thing? What’s the FIRST thing?!

If that’s the question you just asked in your head (or out loud), you should head here. That’s where you’ll read about the first thing.

But yes, today I want to talk about the step you should take after that first thing.

When’s the last time you thoroughly mapped out your values? Have you ever done that at all? And I don’t mean “thought” about your values. I mean sat down with a writing utensil and paper–or your laptop or your tablet–and wrote them down. 

A year? 

2 years? 

20?

Never?!

If you’re currently job searching (or even thinking about it) and you haven’t written/typed out your values, it’s time to hit the pause button. You already know what the first thing you need to do is, and this is the very next step.

What Are Values?

Think of values as your every day guides. Your values describe how you live your life, or at least how you want to live your life. They spell out what’s ultimately important to you. Where your values are absent, there will be extra dread, stress, dissatisfaction, and frustration. You need to be clear on what yours are. Specifically, you need to know what they are in the present moment, because values can and will change over time.

Why Do I Need To Do This?

Values dictate culture, relationships, work style, growth opportunities, all kinds of stuff. Knowing what yours are will help you identify the professional environments that will be good for you. This is big time important! Because let’s say you find a really cool job that’s perfect for you. It aligns perfectly with your skills and background, and you can do this job in your sleep! If that job is set in a company that doesn’t align well with your values, you will STILL burn out quicker than you think. Values misalignment is one of the biggest contributors to employee turnover and burnout.

But Do I Have To Write Them Out?

Yes. I had a coaching client recently describe to me how seeing them written out really allowed her to reflect on and define what they actually meant to her, and whether or not they really were her actual values. And that’s part of the goal: being as clear and honest with yourself as possible. Because your written values document becomes your checklist. You can literally hold that up next to a job description, a company website, notes from an informational interview, etc. and see how well things are lining up. If they’re not aligning super well, it’s a pretty good sign that that opportunity is probably not the one that’s best for you.

Ok, So What Do I Do?

Ask yourself these questions for starters:

  • What are my top life values?
  • What are my top career values?
  • What would burn me out quickly in a job?

Be specific, honest, and clear! Prioritize! It’s for your own sake after all, so the more thorough and thoughtful you are, the better.

After that, it’s time to start collecting information on the values of potential employers. There are multiple sources and methods you can use to get this information, but here are a few to get you going:

  • Job descriptions
  • Company websites
  • Interviews
  • Informational interviews

Be intentional about who you talk to, what questions you ask, what you pay attention to. Any piece of info that speaks to the values of the company can be useful in determining whether or not this is the environment for you!

Wrapping Up

So yes, this is the second step. Any time you’re looking to make any sort of career shift, you should be revisiting your values and writing them down as clearly and specifically as you can. Your values will become your checklist you use to evaluate the company culture of your would-be employers. If you do this well, you can save yourself a lot of trouble down the road, and create a career trajectory that makes you happy and fulfilled.

I do this with my clients all the time, so let me know if you’re looking for some help!

HEADS UP!

We’re wrapping up the year already, so now is the perfect time to get active if you want to be in a shiny new job by sometime in Q1. AND YES, COMPANIES ARE STILL HIRING. There are still openings that hiring managers are hoping to fill–they want to start off the year with a full team.

My signature program can help you get there (yes, I’m confident in it). It costs $1800.

But.

This month, I opened up 5 spots in the program for $1500 (payment plan available!).

There are only 2 of those spots left, and the deal ends on December 21, 2023!

It’s first come, first served, so claim your spot ASAP.

All you have to do is let me know you’re interested in a spot, and we’ll set up a free consultation to see if it’s a fit for you before we make any commitments.

Don’t miss out! Send me a message below and claim your spot before 12/21/23. Time’s ticking!

~B

Paid Subscriber Secrets!

Read more of this content when you subscribe today.

Subscribe
Categories
Uncategorized

3 Tips for your negotiation conversation

Photo by Cytonn Photography on Pexels.com

Have you ever negotiated for your compensation package?

While it is a normal thing to do, many people have never actually done it before. So if you haven’t either, or if you feel a little lost about how to go about doing it, you’re definitely not alone.

I recently had a client who’d never negotiated. When she landed the job she was applying for, she wound up feeling disappointed that they were offering a significantly smaller salary than what she was hoping for. She thought about turning down the offer, because who wants to get paid less than what they deserve?

I said to her, “They’re not offering you what you want right now. What if they offered to pay you more? Would you accept the job then?” She was like “Yes!” So we started discussing how to go about negotiating for a higher salary. The result? They offered her an additional $15,000 and she took the job. Success!

So it’s possible! If you’ve never negotiated before, you can absolutely have that kind of conversation the next time you get an offer. Here’s a few tips you need to know in order to set yourself up for success.

Always Be Ready

You should be ready for the negotiation conversation from the very beginning. You never know when you might be asked about your compensation goals, and you need to have a plan for how you’re going to respond to that question whenever it comes up.

That means as soon as you start thinking about applying for a job, it’s time to also start doing a little planning and research to prepare yourself for negotiation. Do your research early! Know what your numbers are. Figure out what their range is. Expect to be asked early so you don’t get caught slippin’.

What’s The Market Value?

Basically, you need to know how much this job and similar jobs are paying.

AND…

You also need to know how you stack up against the average incumbent for the role. Are you more or less qualified than the average hire for this type of role? Are you more or less skilled? What unique experiences do you have?

This is where you’ll have to do some digging. Tap into resources like Glassdoor, O*net, LinkedIn, and networking opportunities to uncover valuable information that will help you negotiate the best deal.

Win-Wins Win

A successful negotiation scenario is one that feels like a win for both parties: You get what you want, and your employer gets what they want. You want a compensation package that allows you to take care of your needs and lead the lifestyle you envision for yourself. Your employer wants to bring on a strong new employee in a timely manner and stay within budget.

Of course, you have to be your own champion, and that means you have to advocate for what you need AND want. Remember, once you’ve been made an offer, you’ve been identified as the most valuable candidate available. So be confident and make the ask! But also remember to be a caring partner in the engagement. Be upfront about what you want and why you should have it, and do what you can to make the employer happy about things too.

Because starting off on the right foot will go a long way when it comes time for you to show up and actually work there.

Wrapping Up

Negotiating is your friend.

Negotiating is your friend.

Negotiating…is your friend!

Think about this: What you lose out on in negotiations, you will likely never recuperate. If you miss out on that extra 5k in salary, that 5k will blossom into 25k in 5 years. Even if you manage to secure some raises, you’ll be starting from a point that’s 5k lower than what you could’ve been starting at.

So it’s definitely worth it to at least attempt to negotiate for whatever it is you want and need. But you need to be prepared, and you need to prepare early because you never know when the conversation might come up.

Ideally, it’ll happen when you receive an offer, but sometimes relevant questions get asked earlier in the process. I have specific tips for what to do when that happens, but we’ll address that another time.

In the meantime, here’s what I want you to do. If you’re currently job searching or even thinking about it, I want you to use the box below to let me know what your biggest job search-related challenge or concern is. Let’s talk about it!

Go back

Your message has been sent

Paid Subscriber Secrets

Read more of this content when you subscribe today.

Subscribe
Categories
Uncategorized

How I Overcame My Self-Doubt

I talk about goals. Mapping them out, knowing what they are, short-term and long-term, etc. After talking to so many people about it, I’ve noticed that there’s something that almost always pops up.

Self-doubt. Imposter syndrome. Complacency. Money scarcity. And other negative messages.

When talking about our goals, most of us–including myself–inevitably start hearing the voice in our head basically saying, “Hell naw. Not happening. Just get over it. Can’t happen for you (me).”

Let’s call that little voice “the gremlin.” Not this guy:

Gremlins make us feel little. Powerless. Confused. Frustrated. Tired. Anxious. The list goes on.

Mine made (and sometimes still make) me feel like my goals are too big. But then one day, I learned how to coexist with that gremlin.

How To Manage Your Gremlin

The people that I coach nowadays hear this from me all the time: You have to learn how to retrain your mind to think about your pursuit of your goals differently. You have to learn to defeat your gremlin. Or gremlinssss.

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to utterly destroy your gremlins! We don’t need them to be forever banished into the abyss. The gremlin…can stay. Sorta. We don’t need to boot them out the car. 

BUT. The gremlin does not get to drive the car. And the gremlin also doesn’t get to sit in the front seat. The gremlin’s only options are to sit in the back seat or the trunk.

What does this mean? It means the gremlin does not get to control your real world actions. It doesn’t even get to influence them. You are the driver of your career, and your career car is not an uber. The person (gremlin) in the back doesn’t get to say, “This is where we’re going.”

When you picture your goals, it’s natural for doubt to creep in. But rewiring the way your brain processes those negative messages you tell yourself–or maybe the ones haters tell you–is crucial to really unlocking your potential to achieve the goals you set for yourself in your career.

Ask yourself this:

“What negative internal messages are getting in my way today? How have I been getting in my own way?”

Really think about it and be honest with yourself.

Once you’ve identified that, it’s time to start practicing putting that little voice where it belongs: the trunk.

Wrapping Up

There might be a whole lot of things getting your way. But for many of us, one of the more common obstacles is the messages we learn to tell ourselves. We gotta learn how to identify those messages in the moment.

From there, we don’t have to completely destroy them. We just have to learn how to take power back from them. Getting more comfortable with moving forward with intention in spite of the gremlins you harbor will help you maximize your potential and reach the goals you set for yourself. And who doesn’t want that?!

So track those gremlins down, tie ‘em up, and throw ‘em in the back seat. Happy hunting!

~B

PS: I know it’s hard. Landing a job you actually want is hard as it is, especially when there’s all these negative messages floating around your mind.

I’m here to help when you’re ready. Let’s talk. Click here to sign up for a free consultation. It’ll be quick and easy, and we’ll talk about steps and resources you can use to get you where you wanna go.

Free consultation please!

Paid Subscriber Secrets!

Get the good Gravy when you sign up today!

Subscribe for secrets!