For the uninitiated, ghosting means that someone has stopped responding to all communication from you. You can be ghosted by a friend, significant other, or a potential employer. Or a recruiter who went from hot to cold for no apparent reason. This is different from applying for a job and never hearing anything – that happens all the time. Ghosting means that you are in the pipeline, maybe you’ve already had one or more interviews, you think you’re well on your way…then nothing. I got a lot of t...
Sep 30, 2020•14 min•Ep. 147
Okay…let me correct that title a bit. It very well MIGHT be your resume. Here’s how I know: In consults with prospective clients, I ask them if they are currently in a job search or just at the starting blocks. If they tell me they have been job searching, I ask them for these metrics: # of applications: # of interviews: # of job offers: This information is invaluable because it gives me tremendous insight into where their problems might lie. As a general rule of thumb, here are the conversion m...
Sep 23, 2020•12 min•Ep. 146
You’ve heard this statistic: as much as 85% of jobs are obtained through the “hidden” job market. “Hidden,” meaning these jobs aren’t advertised. The vast majority of these “hidden” jobs are obtained through networking. Here’s what many people do wrong in networking…and how you can avoid these traps. 1. Networking only when you’re job searching. Many people think of their network only in terms of looking for a job. If they are in job search mode, they network. Then they turn it off until the nex...
Sep 16, 2020•17 min•Ep. 145
My client hadn’t been in a new job for a few decades, so she wanted coaching around how to approach the list of questions she had received. My first thought about this structure: AMEN. It was so refreshing to see this so structured – both for the new employee and the boss. I also think it speaks to the company’s commitment to setting its new employees off on the right foot, which is a huge factor in retaining those employees. Finally, I love this framework for both the new employee and the boss ...
Sep 09, 2020•3 min•Ep. 144
Today’s guest is AmyK Hutchens, and we’re talking about “How to Handle Tough Career Conversation.” AmyK covers how to handle three particularly challenging career conversations: -The job interview -Dealing with a difficult co-worker -Asking for a raise AmyK also provides you with her three top tips for handling any tough career conversation you may face. AmyK Hutchens is a former executive of a billion-dollar global consumer products company who has been awarded the Vistage UK International Spea...
Sep 02, 2020•36 min•Ep. 143
Sometimes, you are free to shout your professional availability from the roof top. Other times, your job search needs to be covert, because you don’t want your current employer finding out what you’re up to. Here are five tips for utilizing LinkedIn for a discreet job search. Don’t share your profile edits with your connections. Changes that spur a network update: · Adding a new or current position · Editing an existing or current position · Celebrating a work anniversary Changes that no longer ...
Aug 26, 2020•13 min•Ep. 142
A few years ago, I conducted research of past clients to find out what was, and wasn’t, working for them in terms of their job search. Several of my clients talked about getting their most recent job without conducting a job search. They took the approach of doing little things on a regular basis, rather than doing nothing…nothing…HIGH GEAR…you get the idea. As a result of that research, I coined the term “ARFO” – Always Ready for Opportunity. It is the idea that you should always be prepared to...
Aug 19, 2020•24 min•Ep. 141
Today’s guest is Jeanne Bohen, and we’re discussing transferable skills. Especially in today’s job search climate, being able to pivot by identifying and capitalizing on your transferable skills has never been more important. We discuss what transferable skills are, why they are so important, and a process you can go through to identify your transferable skills. We also talk about the importance of proactively developing transferable skills as part of your career development plan. Jeanne brings ...
Aug 12, 2020•42 min•Ep. 140
Let’s talk about how you can have difficult work conversations in a way that doesn’t leave one or both parties feeling like you’ve been run over and left for road kill. The purpose of this exercise is to move the relationship forward, not to convince the other person that you’re right and they are wrong. There is no upside to having a winner and a loser. Be willing to be wrong…or at least not right. Step One – Really Listen The first part of this process is to allow the other person to tell you ...
Aug 05, 2020•12 min•Ep. 139
I came across an article on LiveCareer entitled “14 Skills and Values Employers Seek in Jobseekers,” and I wanted to share it with you. Professionalism. The article talks about “acting in a responsible and fair manner in all your personal and work activities, which is seen as a sign of maturity and self-confidence.” Last week’s podcast, episode #137, talks about 5 quick ways to get branded as unprofessional. The flip side is what you do and say, and don’t do and don’t say, what you wear and don’...
Jul 29, 2020•20 min•Ep. 138
Let’s start with the definition of professionalism: “The standing, practice, or methods of a professional, as distinguished from an amateur.” So then, what does unprofessional mean? “At variance with or contrary to professional standards or ethics; not befitting members of a profession, as language, behavior, or conduct.” ALSO: “Not done with professional competence; amateurish.” Here then, are my top five ways to quickly become branded as “unprofessional.” I’ve described them as you might talk ...
Jul 22, 2020•16 min•Ep. 137
Lee Hecht Harrison surveyed 277 human resource managers to find out what was missing from the job candidates they receive application materials from. The prompt was: “Please rate how detrimental you believe each of the following issues is to a candidate’s chances of being selected for an interview.” Lack of job-related skills…9.0 Lack of required technical skills/experience…8.7 Spelling and/or grammatical errors on application materials…8.5 Lack of required education and/or training…8.1 Inapprop...
Jul 15, 2020•28 min•Ep. 136
In episode #36 of the podcast, I talked about specific points at which it is important to manage your boss. One of those important times is when a new responsibility or project is placed on your plate. Many employees would assume that their boss knows exactly what they are already doing, minute by minute. They figure if the boss gave them this responsibility, they should be able to manage it in addition to what they are already doing – otherwise, why would the boss have assigned it? WRONG. Of co...
Jul 08, 2020•11 min•Ep. 135
Those of you who were fortunate to keep your jobs during quarantine may have already returned to work or will be returning soon. You may feel a lot of uncertainty around that, like who still works there? How have my co-workers been affected by quarantine? How will the company be different? Changes might include: -Variable/flexible work shifts -A combination of work-from-home and in-office work -Office/workspace physical reconfiguration -Installation of physical barriers -Health checks at the beg...
Jul 01, 2020•13 min•Ep. 134
In episode #121, “Career Pivots & Reinvention,” I focused primarily on career pivots. As I define it, a career pivot is like a pivot in basketball – one foot remains stationary while the other foot moves. In a career pivot, one of your feet remains in either your industry or your job function. You remain working in marketing, but pivot from the manufacturing industry to CPG. You remain working in pharma, but pivot from sales to marketing. A career reinvention, then is moving both feet. You a...
Jun 24, 2020•27 min
Let me start by being clear: I am not speaking about having COVID19. I am speaking to those of you who will be interviewing for jobs, where questions about why you were let go during COVID, or how you spent your time during COVID, might well be asked. Let’s start with those of you who lost your job because of COVID. You have a pass. The biggest message I want to convey here is that no one will question why you were terminated this year – you are one member of a very large club. On a micro level,...
Jun 17, 2020•13 min•Ep. 132
Let me start by being clear: I am not speaking about having COVID19. I am speaking to those of you who will be interviewing for jobs, where questions about why you were let go during COVID, or how you spent your time during COVID, might well be asked. Let’s start with those of you who lost your job because of COVID. You have a pass. The biggest message I want to convey here is that no one will question why you were terminated this year – you are one member of a very large club. On a micro level,...
Jun 17, 2020•13 min•Ep. 132
I’m working with a lot of clients right now who were laid off as a result of COVID. Many others were already job searching when COVID hit. For many of these clients and, I suspect, many of you – you are fighting feelings of despair and frustration as you look for a job right now. What I want to offer you today are some persistence strategies to keep you going in the midst of the most challenging job search environment in, maybe, ever. First, I want to start with how you know you are struggling. ...
Jun 10, 2020•19 min•Ep. 131
This week, I speak with George McGehrin, Founder of The McGehrin Group. George’s firm conducts executive search at the C-level throughout the US, Europe, and South America. In addition to managing his recruiting firm, George also works with executives to empower their careers through branding and coaching. Here are the topics George and I discuss during this episode: -The difference between retained search firms and contingency search firms (this is an important distinction and one of the first ...
Jun 03, 2020•45 min•Ep. 130
The coronavirus, or as I call it, Virus Jail, means many of you will need to update your resume. Clearly, I have a bias for hiring a credentialed resume writer. Not all are created equal, so if all you can afford to spend is a few hundred dollars, you’re better off doing it yourself. Here are five top tips to make sure your resume is job search ready. Branding is everything. Just as companies and products are branded, so should you be. Whether you utilize a formal brand development tool such as ...
May 27, 2020•Ep. 129
My guest today is Chris Lyons of Creative Career Starter. Chris has been an Agency Owner/Creative Director, and for the past 20 years, a Freelance Illustrator and Adjunct Professor of Design. He helps design school grads with an effective process for finding their first creative job, which is something not a lot of design programs teach. Applying for a creative job is different from filling out an application and uploading your GPA and resume. Depending on the discipline you are interested in, y...
May 20, 2020•Ep. 128
Here’s the first thing I want to say about the uncertainty of our future in the face of COVID19: The future has ALWAYS been uncertain. I am recording this in April for a drop date in mid-May, which gives time for a lot to have changed in between. So if you’re back at work and everything is as it was before the quarantine, great. However, I highly doubt it. Most likely your life is much the same as it was in late March and April. Meaning: the future is uncertain. When will you get to go back to w...
May 13, 2020•Ep. 127
Today’s guest is Lorraine Rise, and she’s speaking with me about being “Laid off Three Times by Age 30.” In this time when so many have lost their jobs due to COVID, Lorraine’s topic is both timely and inspirational. Lorraine has built her career on the practice of coaching others to succeed. Her career began in the health and weight loss industry, coaching hundreds of clients to reach their weight loss goals. As a Director and Regional Trainer for Jenny Craig Inc., she has hired, trained and me...
May 06, 2020•Ep. 126
…okay, maybe I overstated a bit in the heading. Disappointment, rejection, and frustration are part of the deal when it comes to job searching. Here’s what is optional during a job search: Beating. Yourself. Up. Making that rejection notice…that non-response…mean something about you as a human being. As an employee. As a valuable contributor to the world. In the midst of Virus Jail, it’s even easier than usual to beat ourselves up during the job search. -Jobs aren’t growing on trees like they se...
Apr 29, 2020•Ep. 125
In honor of Earth Day 2020, today’s podcast guest is Katie Secrist, the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Sustainable Business Consulting. She talks about careers in sustainability – what they are, how to get them, and specific strategies for navigating your social impact job search. Katie’s consulting portfolio includes Expedia, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and Alaska Airlines; she has been featured on ESPN and in the Washington Post and USA Today. To contact Katie: Sustainable Business Con...
Apr 22, 2020•Ep. 124
First of all, let me wish a happy birthday to myself! This will come out on April 15th. This time last year, I was in Tuscany for my birthday. My, how the world has changed since then. Today, I want to talk about creative networking strategies in the era of Virus Jail. When in- person networking events are literally against the law for many of us. Here’s the main message I want to convey today: You can’t put your career or job search goals on hold during Virus Jail. You can’t wait to exhale unti...
Apr 15, 2020•Ep. 123
If you’ve been listening to the podcast recently, you’ve heard me refer to our New World Order as “Virus Jail.” For many of you listening—perhaps even most of you—your work has been directly affected by Virus Jail. Perhaps you are unemployed. Maybe you are working from home. Maybe you are working harder than ever, especially if your industry is on the front lines of CoVid 19. Maybe you’re working fewer hours than you have in the past. Which got me thinking that some of you may be considering a s...
Apr 08, 2020•Ep. 122
Well, here we are in what I’m calling Virus Jail. For those of you who were job searching when this all began, or those of you who will be job searching as a direct result of Virus Jail, you have some unprecedented challenges ahead. Unprecedented, but not insurmountable. The world will go on. We can’t know what it’s going to look like or when companies are going to be back up and running again, but we know the world will go on. I was just listening to my coach, Brooke Castillo’s podcast, The Lif...
Apr 01, 2020•Ep. 121
This week's guest is Angela Civitella, founder of Intinde and a certified coach to business leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs. We talk about strategies for not only surviving, but thriving in the midst of the career lows you will inevitably face. You can find Angela at: www.intinde.com linkedin.com/company/intinde twitter.com/intinde facebook/com/intinde Instagram: @angela_intinde To visit my website: www.exclusivecareercoaching.com Follow My YouTube channel (Lesa Edwards); it’s chocked full ...
Mar 25, 2020•Ep. 120
This is a special episode to help those of you who are job searching during the Coronavirus pandemic. To visit my website: www.exclusivecareercoaching.com Follow My YouTube channel (Lesa Edwards); it’s chocked full of valuable career management content in easily digestible bites. Want to speak with an expert about your career/job search goals? Need help figuring out what’s holding you back from achieving your dream career? Let’s talk. Here’s the link to schedule a 45-minute consult call with me:...
Mar 22, 2020
