If you've never worked with a coach it can be quite a mystery, as far as how this all works. And that is often the number one reason people don't hire coaches, even when they really need the help...that ambiguity becomes a big gap in their mind that they can't leap over. 

So I'm going to give you a brief rundown on how I work with my clients to prepare them for the job search process, so they're substantially more confident, marketable, and seen as a top candidate amidst a flurry of hundreds, if not thousands of other applicants for jobs. 

Now, the finer aspects of the coaching process are probably different for every coach, so don't expect this type of guidance wherever you go. But here's the overall process for someone working with me through every step (full coaching). 

Before we start the coaching process, a few things commonly happen -

1. You seek help - You decide to seek help with your job search or a sudden career opportunity.
2. You find me - You find me online or a friend recommends working with me.
3. You contact me, and I learn about your situation in one of two ways - 
   ​ (a) You fill out my short questionnaire - Coaching Intake Form for
    (b) You message me and plan a short call to discuss your situation and how I can help
4. We then decide where you need help and I follow up with package options that works best for you, with a link to paypal to cover it. Most clients often ask for one of the following:
   - A Professional Resume Update or 
   - A Full Coaching Package (Job Search, Resume, Cover Letter, Interview Prep, etc) 

If you opt for assistance with only materials, such as resume and cover letter editing, we plan a short call to discuss the current state of your materials, the target job or industry you'd like to focus on, and a timeline for completion. For this process, I will have you fill out the intake form, send me your past resumes, letters of recommendations, and any other pertinent information that we should consider or include. I follow up within the determined deadlines, with a Doc and PDF version of your material. 

If you need assistance through the full job search process and materials as well, we follow the full coaching cycle as shown.

Technology is advancing so fast that it's taking over jobs and industries at an increasingly rapid pace. Whether it's factory lines adding robotics, customer service centers outsourcing or adding Artificial Intelligence support, drones delivering products and mail, or simply smarter systems reducing the need for hospital staff...the trend is clear, technology is cheaper and more efficient than people in many markets. 

But although things look gloomy for the average worker, there is hope. A new set of skills that robots and AI can't do well is emerging, and it will be the smart employee that sharpens those skills and makes themselves indispensable. A new report released by the World Economic Forum found that, with some reskilling, the average US worker has no less than 48 “good-fit” new career pathways to choose from.

You might be asking, "What are some of these skills?" High value skills include things like:

• Team and project management
  
• Complex problem-solving that involves people and emotional intelligence
  
• Technology management and repair
  
• Storytelling, such that it motives a workforce or sells a product
  
• Relationship-building
  
• Empathy and collaborative creativity
  
• ...and more 

Although this all might seem daunting and a big transition for many. See this article on 6 reasons to be optimistic about the future of work. 

And, if you need guidance with developing the critical skills to transition into a new field, fill out my short intake form for free feedback on your situation. Career Transition Guidance will be essential to make sure you're not wasting your time or energy on skills that won't last you the rest of your working career. 

I was recently asked by a client struggling to stay focused, given all the different aspects of the job hunt and life priorities, and I shared with them my guiding approach, namely the Pareto Principle, aka the 80/20 rule.

The rule was discovered by Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist who noticed that the division of wealth in Italy at the time fell into a clean 20% owning 80% of the wealth. He then thought to look at where else this breakdown might apply and started finding it as a pattern for many things.

Later, modern project management theorists noticed it in their efforts to get work done.
And today, the principle is applied even to the job search and life management in general. 

Here's an article I read that does a pretty good job of explaining it. Enjoy! 

How the 80/20 Rule Can Help Improve Your Productivity!

Birds Have Wings, Humans Have Books.

I had a client ask me how they can do better with interviews and just presenting themselves. 
And my #1 recommendation is simple - be smarter! How? by reading and learning something new every day.

And here's the secret why this works - because most people don't and won't do this. You and I are surrounded by people that stopped learning in high school, if not grade school! They just decided they were done, it was too hard, it wasn't for them...whatever! But this sad truth opens up a huge opportunity for those of us that will at least try to learn a little more.

If you do this, it will give you a competitive advantage and confidence like nothing else.
Four Ways You Can Gain Quick Knowledge Before an Interview

1. Find 3-4 books from the top people in your market or industry and read a future-focused chapter from each of their books - Almost all industry leaders have visions of the future for their field. See where their thinking is and have that knowledge in your back pocket, so to speak.
   
2. Not big on reading? Listen to audiobooks - Audible has tons of great books that you can buy fairly cheaply, and download right now for a listen.
   
3. Find webcasts and podcasts (iTunes.com) or watch free lessons on Youtube.com 
   
4. Register for free courses online at websites like Coursera.com or edX.com.

Alright, whatcha waiting for? Get on it! And if you need book or resource recommendations, just ask.

This recent article from Fast Company really nailed down an issue many of my clients face - the difficult task of getting a career mentor.  
Have a read and let me know what you think! 
​
https://www.fastcompany.com/40431711/lets-be-real-youre-never-getting-a-mentor-so-do-these-six-things-instead 

Are you self-employed, running your own small business either full-time or on the side, and just not sure how to give yourself a raise? 

I know, it sounds silly to many, but in truth the savvy business owner knows where money goes and how fine the margin of profit is after operating expenses, insurance, paying employees, etc, are all factored in. 

If you're in this situation, here are tips for giving yourself a raise. Although they might not all work for you, I would venture that at least two of these ideas could be a perfectly feasible way to give you the financial boost you need. 

1. Find more tax breaks

• Deductions for advertising, insurance, car expenses, home office utilities, expenses for equipment, for your cellphone, for travel, for your IRA, as well as development training, etc - all of these and more are common deductions, reducing your tax burden at the end of the year, or each quarter. Talk to a good, recommended tax expert that has experience with small businesses and has the heart of a teacher, so you learn as you save! 
• Here's just one list of potential tax deductions for the self-employed, to get the ideas flowing. If you can add even one of these to your tax strategy, it could mean thousands more a year in your pocket.

2. Increase your client base, or expanding it to a new niche, or more affluent market

• If you're a self employed consultant, or you're selling a product or service you always have the opportunity to employ marketing and positioning strategies that can increase or improve your client base. One of my online mentors, Dan Kennedy, was famous for sharing one of his best secrets for building a huge online empire - every day he followed at least one lead for a new client. I mean every, every day, before bed, he would pursue an opportunity to add a client he could serve, or a company he could consult for in the future. This simple daily habit almost guaranteed him more clients and customers than he could ever need in the future. 
• Here's a list of 33 Ways to Get More Clients - check it out and see what one idea you can employ today.

3. Increase your rates or prices

• Already have more clients or customers than you can handle? Then consider raising your rates or prices. Generally having too many clients or customers can mean you're pricing too low for the market or for the value of what you offer. So in many cases, raising your price can have two immediate benefits - more time for you, and more money in your pocket. Use the extra money to invest in the business or pay off debt, and the extra time to take time for you or your family, or to work on expanding your business in new and innovative ways. 
• Here's some guidance on When and How to Raise your Rates - there are many more reasons and strategies, but if you're unsure, test it on new customers only to get a sense of what works for you. 

More ideas! 

4. Identify a new niche or more affluent client base - a new or more affluent niche (having more money to spend) can be a quick way to hit the bottom line quickly.

5. Offer courses, training, or tutorials - online universities and programs are cropping up everywhere. You could develop and teach courses at your local university, or through online providers like Udemy.com or Coursera.com.  

6. Provide consulting advice to another organization or online - as a business owner you have skills, strengths, experience and expertise that are valuable. In our global market, fully connected by the internet, your value can help not only local organizations with similar challenges but customers on the internet and abroad.

• To help you get started, here is a great guide for launching your consulting business.
• Or if you're experience and offerings fit more in the Freelance sector, try Upwork.com - a freelance exchange service that you can start making money on almost immediately.

7. Cut expenses - the flip side of making more money is wasting less of the money you already get. This sounds simple enough, but few business owners really take the art of subtraction and streamlining far enough - leaving lots of room for improvement and savings. A great way to do this is to 1. Map out your business processes and 2. Apply the Lean tool known as Value Stream Mapping. If you haven't heard of lean, it started in Toyota's manufacturing plants, as a method of eliminating every wasteful step in their processes, to essentially reduce scrap and excessive steps to the bare minimum, making them highly efficient and more profitable. 

• Here is just one of many examples of videos that share tons of tips for reducing expenses and saving money. 
• Also, here is a link to a challenge I've done to really give me perspective on my spending habits and the power of accumulating money by not letting it go - The Spending Fast

I could share more, but try these for starters and let me know what works for you. 

Congrats, you got the Interview, that's awesome...you should be proud to know that out of the tens of thousands of people out there they chose to meet you. But how do you prepare for it in a way that edges you even more above the other candidates?
Here are some of the tips I share with my clients that could make all the difference for you, and get you the offer.

​1. RESEARCH THE COMPANY
Research the companies website and learn all you can about them, their mission, vision, goals for year, anything in the news about them, info about their competitors...anything to show that you do your homework, and are taking this very seriously.

Connect with someone within the company, or that has worked there in the recent past and learn all you can about their culture, their challenges, and their benefits. If the person is a positive force in the company or influencer, have them put in a good word, if at all possible.

Clearly align what you have to offer with their greatest needs - I usually have my clients do a matching exercise where we list the company needs and their (the client's) skills and experiences and connect what matches, to see their strengths and potential weaknesses as a candidate - then we fill the gaps on the weaknesses with some quick research and learning online. Try this, it's amazing how much it helps.

2. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
Practice interview questions - practice all the standard questions common to interviews, keeping your answers short and succinct, about 2 minutes long, and always ending on a positive note.
Find a good friend, mentor or coach to practice questions with. This is the most powerful way to fully prepare for the interview, in front of someone that can give you objective feedback on your answers, tone, delivery, and body language.

Practice behavioral and scenario questions - behavioral questions help them determine your state of mind and your fit into their culture. 
 Scenario questions are made to see how you work with teams and solve problems common to the role. Plan and prepare for questions on working with difficult customers, coworkers, or managers and your ability to act fast to resolve process problems.

Practice your smile, your tone, your body language - This is very important. As mentioned before, having someone to practice with is key, but at the least practice in front of a mirror or record yourself answering common questions and your best answers. Then review for the quality of your eye contact, posture, smiling, etc.

3. LOOK GOOD, SMELL GOOD, FEEL GOOD
Dress for success, just one up of the company norm. Research the company online, through FB and LinkedIn, particularly to find out how they dress and handle themselves. Then one up from there, as far as dressing for the job.

Smell good, but not too good - shower fresh, deoderized, and lightly perfurmed is all you need. Don't overdo it as that will put them off for sure.

Get lots of sleep, eat well, drink water - this is very important. A few days before the interview, start sleeping just a bit earlier, to make sure you're rested when you wake up. Try to eat healthy as well, to make sure you feel well, and drink water every day to stay well hydrated. This will all contribute to you being your sharpest the day of the interview.

4. STAY CALM AND POSITIVE
Keep calm, composed and confident - realize that you have a lot to offer or they wouldn't have offered you the interview. Their goal is to confirm what your resume says with reality.

​Also keep in mind, they need you as much as you need them. They have a problem to solve and you are the solution. Be proud and confident that you can assist them in achieving their mission as an organization.

If you've done all the other steps, you should feel very good about your chances, which will help boost your confidence.

A last tip on this that I suggest to clients is to apply for other positions prior to the interview, if you haven't. This will remind you that although you should give your all to the interview, there are other opportunities out there and if you get this, great, but if not you will move on to the next...and maybe even better opportunity.

5. FOLLOW UP 
Bring a portfolio to jot down everyone's names and titles, to follow up with Thank You notes. This is critically important, as it shows consideration, follow through, professionalism, and persistence - all qualities any good company wants in their staff.

So, prepare for it then do it. Follow up soon after via email or snail mail thank you notes (even better, since few do this.) 

If you do this, you'll set yourself apart and add another positive impression to reinforce you as the candidate they want and need on their team.

I have many more tips, but this is a good start to get your ready for success and deliver like a pro at your next interview.

Good luck, and if you need me, I'm here!

Your coach, always.

To get Full Interview Guidance and Support, sign up for my interview coaching session!