How to Manage Job Search Anxiety 2.0 Proven strategies for finding focus during times of uncertainty There is no shortage of helpful information for job seekers out there. Yet if you’re newly unemployed as a result of the Covid epidemic, watch out for information overload. Losing a job is already a challenge, and when you’re also juggling social-distance anxiety, new norms and family dynamics, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. 5 years ago, when I began my job as a career transition coach in Silicon Valley, my boss, a wise and direct woman, had some advice. New to the job, I was working with high ..read more

Is your LinkedIn Profile telling a powerful story? When I first begin working with coaching clients, they’re typically not optimizing their brand on LinkedIn. Which is a huge missed opportunity! Whether you’re looking for a job or building your business, LinkedIn is like a flyer for your brand. It compliments your resume by letting hiring managers get to know more about you. And since “fit” is a critically important when it comes to hiring decisions, it’s a great way to show you’re all in. Just this quick bit of research is enough to let you know whether the company aligns with your values eno ..read more

In today’s challenging job market, I’m often asked, ‘can professionals strategically move up the ranks when competition is at a peak’? It’s tempting to resort to the status quo during times of uncertainty, to keep your head down and work hard, hoping your efforts will be appreciated.  In today’s workplace however, you need a strong plan of action to gain visibility and recognition as a leader. I recently spoke with Jamie Haydel, Director of People Development and Culture where she oversees eight Walk-On’s restaurants. Her efforts have inspired the corporate office to develop a formal ment ..read more

It’s nothing less than mind-blowing, this massive course-redirect life has taken – a 2020 transformation none of us could have predicted 6 months ago. In January I hosted a 2020 Transformation event designed to help people initiate big change. I talked about how approaching goals using the right change management strategies was the key to transformation. Now here we are. Unplanned change co-mingled with fear and uncertainty, and it sucks. It’s my job to coach people who are thrust into transition without a backup plan. Suddenly after a corporate re-org these professionals need to find a new jo ..read more

Are you dropping the ball or losing your shizzle these past few months? Me too. As one client mentioned, it’s like Groundhogs Day, every day. Yet while time feels like it’s standing still, on the outside things are changing rapidly. How can you pursue your personal or professional goals when you’re too overwhelmed to know where to begin? I speak to dozens of people in transition every week and one theme is consistent. It feels impossible to stay focused and motivated right now. trau·ma /troumə,ˈtrômə/ 1. A deeply distressing or disturbing experience. We’re all experiencing some level of trauma ..read more

If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today. -Thich Nhat Hanh Clearly Thich has had more training in crisis management than most people. Fortunately one of his methods is readily available to those of us ready to learn. In the midst of anxiety and uncertainty a trend based on thousands of years of study is emerging; the practice of mindfulness. In scientific terms, mindfulness is defined as a series of self-regulation practices that focus on training attention and awareness in order to bring mental processes under greater voluntary control and thereby foster genera ..read more

It’s harder than ever to focus with everything happening right now. The feelings of uncertainty during this unprecedented time can and will distract you from your goals. Life in flux and crisis updates make it difficult to stay on task. And if you happen to have kids at home, make it a double. Most of us haven’t lived through a time where restricted social contact is both advised and enforced. Schools are out, businesses are closed, travel banned. This forced shut down creates an eerie feeling and unprecedented change for everyone. Work and business have been disrupted to the point of overturn ..read more

Chaotic. That’s how I’d describe my state of mind over the past 3 weeks. As a coach, I should be in a good position to deal with this. I’ve a. worked from home for long enough to have the process mostly down, and b. spent many years learning, teaching and practicing the wellness and emotional coping mechanisms we all need right now. But here’s the reality. The first weeks of homestay were completely overwhelming, for me and for most of my clients. In a blink everything changed. The whole of the disruption was compounded by relationship challenges, income adjustments and in my case, 2 teen ..read more

A recent conversation reminded me of an often-overlooked hiring fact. In talking with a highly qualified candidate who kept hitting roadblocks when it came to the job offer, I saw the familiar signs. In the final decision rounds, hiring managers will always choose the less risky candidate over the “best” (smartest, best-educated, most experienced) one. Why? During the interview, candidates typically compete for “best” status in hopes of landing the offer. Yet at the end of the day, it’s impossible for hiring managers to know for sure which candidate really is the best assuming they have compar ..read more

Won’t I seem pushy? I get this question almost daily from the clients I work with. They read a job description that’s a perfect fit and they’re ready to apply. Yet during our strategy discussion, they’re worried about crossing the line between proactive and pushy. But here’s the thing to keep in mind; career networking and social networking are two completely different things. On the social scene, a proactive approach can be interpreted as pushy. You don’t want to be seen a party crasher. Social dynamics are complicated, and assertiveness is risky. Sometimes it works, but most times, not so mu ..read more