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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!

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You can keep your career imposter syndrome

Imposter syndrome.

General lack of confidence.

Doubt.

Fear of the unknown.

A lot of us have dealt with–or are still dealing with–some sort of internalized challenge that has gotten in the way of our career progress.

And it sucks!

For those of you who know what I’m talking about, keep reading. I have a lesson I want to share with you that has helped me immensely.

In early March 2024 I was invited to a panel hosted at my alma mater to talk about how my Black identity has impacted my career trajectory.

It had me reflecting on things I don’t always directly think about. Definitely not recently. Lemme explain real quick.

I was a STEM student (still feel like I’m a STEM person deep down, but that’s another story). I majored in math and computer science at UC Santa Barbara. In the majority of my classes for my majors, I was the only black student. At most, I remember there being 1 or 2 others in some of them.

I remember being stared at when I walked into the classrooms. It was like one of those “Uhhh– oh snap I’m staring at him and he saw me” looks. Lol.

And get this! When I first started in computer science I didn’t even know what it actually was. But my peers definitely did. Many of them went to high schools that taught CS. Mine definitely did not, so I was kinda coming in behind.

Put all that together and what did it make? Say it with me–Imposter Syndrome! Still, I got pretty good.

Fast forward to now and I coach people on how to successfully navigate the job search process through the wonderful world that is Be Gallant Coaching. When I take a look at my fellow coaches, or when I’m in a space with other coaches, what do I see?

I’m almost invariably the youngest and the only black person. I’ve even had people point it out to me.

I still feel imposter syndrome from time to time.

BUT!

In that, there’s a lesson I’ve picked up over time that’s helped me make more progress faster. And it started back in my computer science and math days as an undergrad.

Ready for this? Here it is…

I can keep my imposter syndrome. I don’t have to defeat it or vanquish it.

As long as I remember it’s not allowed to make or influence my real world decisions. 

Because guess what, yall? I’ve helped LOADS of people take the next step in their career.

I’m talking land jobs, pivot industries, negotiate better offers. The works.

I’ve empowered lots of people and the vast majority of them are BIPOC and/or underrepresented.

The messages things like my imposter syndrome tell me aren’t actually real. I feel them. They come from real things and experiences…but they’re not real.

So if you deal with imposter syndrome or lack of confidence or fear or whatever your “gremlin” is. Cool.

You can actually keep it. You don’t have to utterly vanquish it at all.

Just remember that it has to sit in the back seat, and under no circumstances does it get to touch the steering wheel.

Take some imperfect action today!

It’s time to get moving on your career goals, and if job searching is on the horizon for you, it’s time for you to identify your brand.

Your brand is what sets you apart from a competitive pool of people who are just as qualified as you are.

It’s what helps employers understand the transferability, value, and impact of your skills.

If you don’t know what your brand is right now, sign up below for info on how you can start to build it today.

Your skills and experience are valuable and transferable, especially if you’re coming from the education or non-profit worlds.

Stay Brave!

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There’s 1 ingredient you’re missing when you apply.

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Applying for jobs is stressful.

It just is.

And it’s not always easy to break through, especially with the job market being as competitive as it is these days.

I’ve talked to dozens of job seekers just over the last couple months alone, and pretty much all of them have expressed difficulties landing interviews.

And…

While it’s challenging to secure those interviews, there’s something that’s missing from the huge majority of job seekers’ approach to applying for jobs.

THE ONE THING YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR APPLICATIONS COMPLETE

No, I’m not talking about tailoring your resume (speaking of which, is that a waste of time?).

I’m not even talking about the most common deficiency I see in people’s resumes (hint: it has to do with outcomes).

So, what then?

What I’m talking about is following up. The one thing you need to start doing is following up on your applications.

And, yes, I said your applications, not your interviews (although you should be following up after those, too).

That begs the question…

WITH WHO?

You need to put yourself in front of people with what I call “hiring say-so.” Generally speaking, that’s recruiters and hiring managers.

Find out who the hiring manager or recruiter is for the role and let them know you’re in their candidate pool and excited to chat about your fit.

And you should do this with every single one of your applications.

Yup you read that right, don’t play yourself! Follow up with somebody involved in the hiring process every time you apply for something.

I like to call this animating your application. When you just submit your app, you only exist on paper (or the screen but you know what I mean).

That’s inanimate and lifeless. Worse–it’s easy to miss, given all the other submissions from other candidates.

You want to engage people. Reach out to them and let them know you’re actually there and eager to meet with them before the process moves on without you.

This is the secret gravy.

Drizzle this secret gravy into your application process, and watch things change for the better!

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3 Reasons why you need to know your brand

So, you’ve heard about “establishing your brand” as it relates to your job search, right? Or maybe you haven’t. 

Your brand is your own personal mark. It’s your style. It’s what you’re known for. It speaks to the problems you solve and how you solve them.

Everyone has skills, but your brand is uniquely you. As a friend of mine puts it, it’s your competitive advantage because it helps you stand out from the crowd.

One of the most common things the brave job seekers I work with need and WANT help with is learning how to communicate their brand effectively. But guess what…

Before you can communicate what your brand is, you have to IDENTIFY & DEVELOP IT. It’s not something you sorta automatically know one day like it’s your birthday.

It takes thoughtful and intentional reflection. It takes practice. It takes really knowing what matters to you.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, but you need to feel confident in it and your ability to communicate it.

Why? Because if you can’t confidently describe it, you can’t expect someone to know what makes you unique or how you in particular get things done.

And if they don’t know that, they won’t hire you.

But let’s back up a little. What is a personal brand?

WHAT’S A PERSONAL BRAND?

Your brand is composed of your values, your personality, your core skills, and how you wrap all that into a nice package based on themes.

Through your brand, you produce desirable outcomes in your career.

Outcomes that people in your industry (especially hiring managers in your industry) really want.

And since your combination of your values, personality, core skills, and themes is largely unique, your brand will help you stand out.

IF you’ve done the leg work of figuring out what your brand is and how to communicate it.

Now then, let’s take a look at some of the really important reasons why you need to know your brand.

3 REASONS WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW YOURS

Reason #1: More clarity → More confidence

When you know your brand well, you can communicate it more confidently, effectively and clearly. You can clearly articulate what problems you can solve and how you solve them.

Why does this matter?

Because ultimately, a hiring manager mostly cares about whether or not you can solve the relevant problems. If you show that you can do that well, your chances of getting hired go up!

Reason #2: It’s easier for recruiters to identify you

When you’re really tuned into your brand, that’s the vantage point you’ll communicate from. You can gear all your materials and online presence (i.e. LinkedIn, portfolios, etc.) to reflect your brand.

When recruiters go searching for candidates who closely match your brand, you’ll be easier for them to find and classify as an expert in the areas they’re looking for.

And yes, you should be engaging and posting on LinkedIn because, yes, recruiters do use platforms like LinkedIn to find and recruit candidates.

Reason #3: Find better job opportunities

Knowing your brand will help you identify better job opportunities.

If you’re really tapped into your brand, it’ll be easier for you to tell when a job or work environment isn’t really good for you…because it doesn’t match your brand.

The benefit of that is you’ll decrease the risk you run of accidentally accepting a job that isn’t well-aligned with what you want and need. Very useful for combating burnout.

NOW THEN…

So now you know why it’s important to know your own brand.

It makes you more visible. It improves your filter for the right opportunities. It helps people understand the value you bring to the table through the problems you solve.

That last part is very important. It’s a mindset shift you need to make right now if you’re job searching.

And it’s a mindset shift that the vast majority of job seekers NEVER truly make.

They’re constantly thinking like an Applicant. Stop thinking like an applicant if you want to nail your brand and end your job search.

Lemme help.I want you to sign up for a free webinar I’m hosting: Stop Thinking Like An Applicant!

It’ll be Wednesday, February 7th from 5:30pm – 6:15pm PT. It’s a quick webinar where we’ll look at a simple mindset shift that leads to more productive habits, which leads to more job search success: more interviews, more offers, more compensation.
Click here and sign up for free!

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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

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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 >

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

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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!

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~B

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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

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3 Tips for your negotiation conversation

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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!

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Stressing about finding a career you’re passionate about? Try this instead

Have you ever been told, “Just follow your passion,” like it’s an obvious solution to your problems?

Have you ever wanted to do this to the person that said it?

please don’t hurt anybody

Don’t answer that.

This is something we’ve all heard! And there’s some level of truth to it. Having a job that you’re passionate about can be a life-changing experience. Loving what you do is a game changer.

If you happen to be someone who lives in that space right now, congratulations! That doesn’t always happen.

I kinda cringe whenever I hear someone drop the “follow your passion” line. Not everyone knows their passion, or has one that translates well to an actual career. So if you fall into this camp, you’re not alone. That sorta thing doesn’t always just neatly fall into your lap or line up perfectly. But that doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to an unhappy career. It also DOES NOT mean that you should just wait around until it finally does neatly fall into your lap.

I’ve heard many people (including clients of mine) say they want a job they’re passionate about. They’re not happy because they’re just not passionate about their job.

The reality is most people’s jobs aren’t their passion, and there’s no magic wand you can wave to instantly uncover your passion and find yourself in a job you’re passionate about. 

If you’re stuck in this gray area of not knowing what your passion is or not knowing how to make a living doing something you’re passionate about, I have a perspective to share with you that I’d like you to at least consider:

Instead of stressing over “Passion” try searching for “Good enough for now.”

Yup, you read that right. Don’t get so hung up on “finding your passion” and instead get more in tune with what will satisfy you right now while you dig deeper into yourself and sharpen your skills.

Good enough for now can look like:

  • “It pays me what I need to support myself and my loved ones, and live a good life.”
  • “It’s not my favorite thing in the whole world…but I do actually enjoy it.”
  • “I’m having an impact I care about while using skills I like.”
  • “I have more good days than bad days at work.”

Good enough for now is a place that feeds your needs, and still leaves room for something better down the road.

If you’re having a hard time with “Passion,” go find your “Good enough for now.” And then build your way to better and better from there.

BUT…BUT PASSION!

I know, I know. We all want passion, and having it in our careers would be a dream come true. But passion isn’t something you just find. It’s generally something you cultivate through intentional action. Over time. It takes very purposeful self-reflection, meaningful action, and building a relationship with yourself. And that’s just to develop passion. 

So going from “I don’t know what my passion is,” to “I have an actual job that I’m passionate about,” is a huge leap, and it’s not always one that will result in you being able to build a life you like (ya know…because not all passions pay the bills equally).

Rather than just resigning yourself to sadness and unhappiness in your career because you don’t know what your passion is, start a little smaller. What skills do you have that you actually like using? What does your job need to provide you with in order for you to live good?

What is your “Good enough for now?”

Good enough for now IS NOT SETTLING. It’s being strategic about getting what you want. It’s designing your way from one step to the next [better] step. It’s recognizing that life is too short to be stuck in what I call the Dichotomy of Passion or Pissed.

It’s about creating space for you to be happy while you get to know yourself better and better and ignite a passion for something.

And what you may find is that what you’re passionate about might actually be better suited outside of your career. Because guess what? Sometimes, if you apply too much pressure to your passions, you’ll burn right out of them anyway.

So if you’re frustrated with your career journey because you’ve been working in jobs you’re not passionate about, I’m here to tell you it’s ok. You can still find a career that satisfies you!

And guess who can help you do that!

Me!

So let’s connect because I have resources for you. Sign up for free email coaching from the comfort of your couch, and let’s get you on the way to your Good Enough For Now. And by the way, your Good Enough For Now is better than that job you know you don’t like and are burned out of!

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If you want to take an action step on the way to a real transformation, sign up for a free consultation (Click here)! I do them all the time, and you’ll feel good about yourself for taking initiative and being active in your career journey. The job you want is out there, so let’s go get it!

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