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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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3 Tips For Interview Preparation

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Job interviews.

…

……

Did you just get a sinking feeling in your stomach when you read and thought about that? Because you’re probably not alone if you did.

Most of the people I coach are stressed out by interviews. And with good reason. Interviews are stressful by nature. You’re there because you want a job, and you getting that job kinda depends on what happens in that interview (of course, there are other factors as well).

Add that to the fact that they can be kinda awkward, your interviewers might be bad at their role, the questions might suck, you might be sweating straight through your outfit, etc. and you have what I would call a stressful situation.

It’s true that sometimes you get bad interviewers and silly questions. But you have to control what you can control, and that’s your preparation and performance. So let’s explore some preparation do’s and don’ts a little bit.

Don’t Do This: “Practice with a friend!”

I’ve heard well-meaning people advise others to prepare for their interview by practicing with a friend. Great idea right?! Well…no. Not exactly.

Who are these friends? Do they have experience as interviewers? Can they coach you on your speaking skills? Have they been on hiring teams? Do they have insider knowledge on the role or the company? Will they be honest with you and give constructive criticism when necessary and appropriate?

If you’re going to practice with someone, you want it to be someone who at least checks some of these boxes. Otherwise, you might just be wasting your time. And theirs. Better to find someone who has the experience and skills necessary to give you feedback that is actually accurate and useful so you don’t just practice bad habits. 

Do This Instead: Find someone who knows to pay attention to your body language. Someone who will be honest about your fluff-filled rambling. Someone who has the eye, experience, and skills of a hiring manager, recruiter, or search team member. Or someone who has experience in a very similar role and knows what it takes to succeed and find favor amongst managers and supervisors.

In other words, practice with someone who actually knows what they’re doing.

Also Don’t Do This: “Practice in front of a mirror.”

Yeah. Skip the mirror. The logic behind it is it will allow you to see what you look like when you talk: your face, your gestures, your body language, so on and so forth. And you do actually want to be aware of these things!

The problem is watching yourself talk WHILE you’re talking is probably going to be more distracting than anything else. It’s unnatural and odd, and you run the risk of becoming hyper-aware of what you’re looking like to the point of distracting yourself from your own answer. And that’s counterproductive.

Do This Instead: Record yourself. Use the back camera of your phone to record yourself answering interview questions. Once you’re done answering the question(s), watch the recording of yourself. Pay attention to your facial expressions, your voice and inflections, your pacing, and of course the clarity of your speech.

Take notes on what you observe. Are you talking too slow or too fast? Do you look nervous? Does your voice do this weird thing where it gets higher on the last syllable of every sentence?

After you’ve watched the recording and taken some notes, try again. Instead of fidgeting, use controlled and varied hand gestures. Instead of being overly monotone, mix in controlled excitement when talking about things you’re really interested in. And remember to look into the camera when you’re speaking!

Using this tactic gives you all the benefits of the mirror without the distractions.

Yeah Don’t Do This Either: “Rehearse your answers beforehand!”

Rehearsing relies heavily on rote memorization. It’s not very adaptable. It’s rigid. Robotic. If something deviates from the script–even if that something is you on accident–it’ll throw everything off.

When you practice your responses, try not to put so much emphasis on memorizing them word for word. Focus more on the story and communicating it clearly without rambling. In particular, articulate the challenge, the process, and the result of the story. Ask yourself: What positive outcomes came about as a result of MY actions in particular? Make sure you really hammer that in.

Wrapping Up

How are you practicing for your interviews? Are you being strategic and intentional? Are you being counterproductive and practicing bad habits?

The key to successful interviews is successful preparation. Practicing well.

(big Allen Iverson fan)

And it can be challenging to get comfortable with interviewing. Just like many aspects of job searching, knowing what to do and what to focus on isn’t always intuitive.

If you’re in the middle of your job search, or if you’re at the very beginning and you want to explore what support from a coach (that’s me!) could look like, now’s your chance!

Click here to sign up for a free consultation. Let’s talk about building your way to a career you’re proud of and happy with!

In the meantime, sign up to get some free resources to help you land more interviews, and find more success in them once you do.

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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!

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Struggling with self-doubt? Here’s the very first thing you should do

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So there you are, anxiously waiting to hear back about a job you applied for.

You go on about your days, tending to your usual routines and responsibilities, but in the back of your mind you’re hoping to get invited to interview for that job you really want.

And then it happens–the employer calls you with an invite to interview! You get excited!!…

…For all of 2 seconds before a little bit of panic sets in.

Now, you’re nervous. You know you’re smart, skilled, etc. But you still feel unprepared. You can’t help but shake the feeling that this isn’t going to go well.

Self-doubt.

We’ve all experienced it before. You might be experiencing it right now. But what can be done about it? Where do you start on the journey to overcoming self-doubt?

Help! I’m a Chronic Self-Doubter!

Self-doubt is a totally normal experience. BetterUp describes self-doubt as experiencing feelings of uncertainty about one or more aspects of yourself. Everyone can relate to that on some level. So don’t beat yourself up about it too much if it’s something you struggle with.

And the good news is, you can productively address the tendency to sell yourself short!

The very first thing you should do is pause and recognize that you’re caught in self-doubt, and self-doubt is often irrational. In other words, you have to train yourself to interrupt that thought process when it’s happening, because there’s a good chance that it’s not based on anything substantial.

Once you’ve had the realization of “Wait, this is me doubting myself,” take a look around and assess the circumstances. Is there anything in the situation that suggests you should be doubting yourself? What does the immediate real world evidence suggest? Not what your fears or projections suggest. The cold hard facts.

Let’s take a look at our interview example. The hiring party calls you to say they want to interview you for the position you applied for. You’re excited for 2 seconds before the doubt sets in and now you’re nervous.

But wait! You took a breath and actively caught yourself and now you’re examining the circumstances. You realize two things:

  1. You didn’t call them to offer yourself an interview. They called you. Which means after examining your application, they figured you were a good enough candidate to be interviewed. So they’re talking to you because they believe–based on facts–that you’re more likely to do well in this interview than not.
  2. You didn’t fabricate the content in your application. You told them exactly what your qualifications were, and they were impressed enough with what you presented to reach out to you.

Based on the cold hard facts, you now know that you have more reason to feel confident in yourself than you do to doubt yourself. All you have to do is take some time to prepare and practice for the interview.

Wrapping Up

Moral of the story: Don’t get in your own way! Self-doubt can lead to self-sabotage. Instead, take some time to understand whether or not your self-doubt is actually founded on real evidence. You might surprise yourself and find out that you’re getting in the way of your own success. Chances are you’re smarter than you think!

Looking for a Little Support?

It’s easy to get in the way of your own goals, especially on your career journey. You set a goal, but then you tell yourself you’re not ready for it.

Or that it couldn’t happen for you. Or maybe you don’t know where to start, so you just tell yourself there’s nothing you can do.

If that’s you, I wanna invite you to come talk to me! Because there is something you can do. 

Sign up for a free consult with me by clicking the button below. Let’s chat about some of your goals, and discuss a “right now” step you can take in the right direction. It’s hard to gather momentum if you’re not moving, so let’s get you in motion!

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Job Searching? Here’s where you should start, Pt.1

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Ok so your goals, your skills, your imposter syndrome (or other internal gremlins), and your workplace traumas walk into a bar…

…and then they fight and it’s real bad.

For real though, I get asked what I do frequently, and my response is some version of:

I help lots of people, especially people who work in or adjacent to education, transition into jobs they actually want to go to. Jobs that make them feel better about having to work. Jobs that actually pay them what they deserve.

I also get asked *HOW* I do that.

See, a lot of job seekers KNOW they want a new job. They have goals they want to achieve elsewhere, or they know their current work environment isn’t good for them anymore, or they just feel stagnant, etc.

The problem is…they don’t know where or how to start.

“Should I redo my resume first? I haven’t touched it in a while.”

“I need to organize my thoughts and steps somehow.”

“Is there something I should do to make sure that my next job will be one I actually like?”

“Wait…I don’t even know what type of job I want!”

“I just need to get off the couch and do…SOMETHING! But what…?”

There’s a million questions and challenges. A million things you could try. A whole lot of potential starting places. And it can be overwhelming. You know what happens when we get overwhelmed? We tend to get stagnant.

You know that feeling you get when you know there’s something you could be doing for your career, but you’re a little overwhelmed by the thought of it so you just put it off? And then you get a little annoyed? Well I do.

If that’s a familiar experience for you, let’s dig a little deeper. Keep reading.

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Job Searching? Here’s where you should start, Pt.2

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Let’s go back to the question from earlier: How do I do what I do?

What’s the first step I take people through in order to help them land a job that they like, pays well, and makes them feel good?

The first step–the place where you should start–is YOU.

Anytime you go into a job search, or really any major life shift, you should start with what’s going on inside. Fully flesh out what your goals are. Have you actually spelled those out? When was the last time you sat down and actually wrote out your goals in specific terms? Do you really know what they are? Think short-term, long-term, and think about different areas of your life.

And what about your values? Do you know what they are? I mean specifically. What are the things you need in life and in your career in order to feel…good. What will happen if you don’t have those things? How do you know those are your values?

You want to know what your goals and values are, and mapping those out BEFORE you start applying is a great starting point. Not doing this is what leads a lot of people into jobs that burn them out. Jobs that underpay them. It makes some people feel like life is kind of just passing them by, but they’re not sure why.

The reason why is because you’re not so clear on your values and goals, and that’s being reflected in your life circumstances. And if you’re not clear and strategic about your goals, how do you know if what you’re currently doing is building towards what you actually want in life?

Mapping all that out can be hard, though. And it’s something most people haven’t done particularly thoroughly or clearly. 

Want help with that? Let’s talk about it!

Sign up for a free consultation with me. Let’s chat about some of your goals, and discuss steps you can take to secure the balance and fulfillment you’re looking for in your career.

I can help you get started going in the right direction, and at no cost to you. You just have to sign up for a time before slots fill up.

But wait! There’s more! Knowing your goals and values is a critical first step. But it’s far from the only step in an organized, strategic, and purposeful job search campaign. Make sure you subscribe so you can get more tips!

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1 Helpful Tip If You’re “Overqualified”

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Imagine working so hard all your life and gaining all this valuable professional experience, just to identify a job you really want and be told you’re “overqualified” for the role.

Boooo! It’s a really crappy situation.

Unfortunately, it really happens. And it isn’t fair

If it’s happened to you before, you might feel frustrated and cheated.

And you might feel confused about how to navigate your job search moving forward. Is it a bad thing you went and got several degrees in pursuit of depth of knowledge? Is it really all that terrible that you’ve spent YEARS acquiring valuable experience and skills?

It’s not.

And fortunately, there is something you can do to help you manage it. Let’s dive a little deeper.

WHERE’S THIS COMING FROM?

First, it’s worth it to understand where the hesitation to hire an “overqualified” candidate comes from.

The hardest part about hiring is actually keeping the people you hire–retention. Hiring managers fear that if they hire a candidate that checks off every box in the job description and much more, that candidate will get bored quickly and want to leave (and possibly come for their job). They’ll be right back in hiring mode way sooner than they wanna be, and as I’ve mentioned before, hiring can be a wildly expensive chore.

On the other hand, they’d rather find a candidate that maybe isn’t fully qualified but is eager to learn and grow into the role.

And there, my super qualified friends, lies your potential advantage in this game.

THE TIP YOU’RE LOOKING FOR

When you have a huge amount of experience or education or skill, it’s natural for you to rely on it as a selling point. 

Because…why wouldn’t you?

The problem is, rely too heavily on it and it could come off as a red flag, leaving you labeled as overqualified. A flight risk of sorts. So what do you do instead?

You take a page out of your less qualified counterparts’ book.

Instead of leaning heavily on your experience and education to do the heavy lifting, rely on your motivation to learn and grow in the role.

Remember: At the interview stage, the hiring team has already seen your extra juicy resume, so they already know you have the required skills and experience and then some.

So what else can you show them? Show them that despite your years in the game, you’re just as hungry to join this team, learn from the experience, and contribute to the culture. Be ready to explain how THIS role gives you the opportunity to still grow over time.

BONUS TIP

Get a referral from someone the hiring team can trust. Maybe a former colleague of the hiring manager, or someone who already works at the company or institution.

The hiring team is gonna be thinking: “Hmmm…why is Brandon applying for this job? This would be a step back for him. What’s his game? Can we even afford him?”

From a hiring manager’s perspective, it’s a little odd to see someone who’s significantly overqualified in the pool. Being that there’ll probably be at least a little bit of suspicion, it’ll go a long way if you can get a referral that can really vouch for you.

And lastly, I gotta say this because I want you to get all that you deserve. Ask yourself if you’re really ok with applying for jobs you’re overqualified for. Are you at peace with potentially settling for a role that has a lower pay range than what you can likely get by applying for bigger roles?

If so, go for it. Otherwise, maybe it’s time for you to start applying for those roles you’re a little bit underqualified for.

WHAT TO DO FROM HERE

Whether you’re overqualified or not, I want you to ask yourself (and be honest–no shame in the Gallant community!) if you feel like it’s time for a change in your career.

Do you feel like you’re burning out? Do you feel like you’re underpaid? Are you just not satisfied at work anymore?

It IS POSSIBLE for you to land a job that you actually want to go to (speaking from experience here).

If that sounds interesting to you, it’s time for us to have a quick little conversation. For free. Click here and sign up for a free consultation with me.

Let’s get you organized and started down a path that’s more fulfilling for you.

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