Life and Career Coach Kevin Tucker, of C-Cubed Career Consulting & Coaching, shares four tips on landing your next job!

Focus. You must say “no” to things that get in the way of your goal of landing the career of your dreams. It’s easy to fill your schedule with “stuff”, but at the end of the day, how did your actions really get you where you went to be?

Change may need to happen. At the end of the day/week, take a look at your schedule. What needs to stay? What need to go? What is in alignment what your goals?

Decision making. Naturally, we react differently to various situations. But I would challenge you to think in a different paradigm. Be proactive. By the way, making decisions that are in alignment, will compliment both your business and personal situations and will yield some great results!

And finally, you need to ask yourself, “what is the cost for not taking action in aligning your schedule?” The results of this question will dictate your desire for change.

In life, we constantly have many different things that want (and sometimes require) our attention. It could be the career, health, relationships, family, fill in the blank here… But it’s always up to us to decide where we take our actions. All the best in your search!

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager (CCM), Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at www.CCubedCareer.com.

Technorati Tags: career assessment, career coach, cover letter, disc assessment, human resource management, interview coaching, interview tips, kevin tucker, life coach, Passion and Job Satisfaction, resume writing, success, transition coach

In recent posts, I’ve gotten a great deal of response on the thought of networking. Some folks shutter at the thought, while others can’t wait for the opportunity - guess which boat I’m in?

I’ve learned that sometimes folks get intimidated by the setting - it’s not familiar, they have no control. What ever the reason is, I would encourage you to find the right plan that matches with your style. You make this networking connection and watch out!

Here is a networking opportunity that everyone should jump at. Earlier today, I was given a number for tickets to the Home and Garden show at the fairgrounds in Phoenix. They are good for either day - Saturday (today) or Sunday.

Well, I would like to give these tickets to you - no catch! Well, there is one - you must be networking! Remember this key fact, you never know where that lead for your next job will be at!

It’s first come, first served! Simply e-mail me through the comment button below, I’ll contact you and you’re off to the show!

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager (CCM) in the Valley of the Sun, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated  individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at www.CCubedCareer.com.

Technorati Tags: assessments, career assessment, career coach, career consulting, Coaching, cover letter, disc assessment, interview tips, kevin tucker, keywords, life coach, life coaching, negotiating, outplacement services, Passion and Job Satisfaction, resume, success, transition coach, video interview

Now, there is a bit of a presumption that there is something! Ok, some folks may need dig deeper than others, here! But like many situations in life, I’m a firm believer that there is always something – something great, that one can apply to the next opportunity!

As I was at the 2008 Leadership Forum and Networking Event this past Friday, there was no shortage for companies that provided jobs to love! This event was pulled together by a great team of folks at BestCompaniesAZ, led by Denise Gredler. To top things off, this event was highlighted by Derrick Hall, the president of the Diamondbacks. Talk about a person passionate for what he is doing! Wow!

Building off of our question, “What do You Love About Your Job?”, this is your launching point in looking at your position. As small or as big as it may be, what “enjoyment factor” can you take with you? This “joy” needs to be the cornerstone of your job search!

As a career and life coach, I see so many folks just going out there and searching what they perceive as the open jobs – the few that are posted. But the big piece missing here is the “what” – what are you looking for? What do you enjoy? What are your passions, abilities, and even hobbies? This is like a road map, you’ve got to have it, if you want the results – a career of your dreams!

Do this little test: keep a log for a week and just jot down what gets you going – what are you passionate about? Let me know how it goes! By hitting the “comment” button below, you can drop me line directly.

Technorati Tags: assessments, career assessment, career coach, career coaching, career consulting, Coaching, cover letter, disc assessment, interview tips, kevin tucker, keywords, life coach, life coaching, negotiating, outplacement services, Passion and Job Satisfaction, resume, resume writing, transition coach, video interview

But do you really believe it? I’m one of those folks that talk to people every chance I get and many of you that know me can confirm this! But I have a passion for it! I remember at an employer that I once had, I was told by one person that I was not taking the job seriously because I was too happy and joyful - well, thereís a great note to leave on!

Sometime, I’ll have clients that say, “but Kevin, I donít have time to network”, well my response is that if over 80% of the jobs out there are gotten through networking, you donít have time not to be networking! Feel free to contact me (using the comments button below) and Iíd be happy talk more on your situation about this.

Depending on your situation, I have two great opportunities for you to network in the next week:

On Thursday, April 17, from 12 noon to 2:00 PM, meet with academic and career development professionals at their monthly program, hosted by Jobing.com, at their location in Phoenix for the Arizona Professional Career Development Association (ACDA) lunch program. Hear a dynamic presentation by Don Mock, the Community Relations Manager of Jobing.com, as he shares tips and tricks for students and todayís online job market for just $20 ñ including lunch! Check out ACDA at www.azcareers.org/ and RSVP to Kevin Tucker at info@CCubedCareer.com†by Monday, April 14.

Also, on Friday, April 18, started at 1:00 PM, youíll want to save the date for the BestCompaniesAZ Leadership Forum and Networking Event at Phoenix’s Chase Field from 1:00 - 6:30pm, featuring Arizona’s local and national award winning best companies! Go to www.bestcompaniesaz.com for more information.

Technorati Tags: assessments, career assessment, career coach, career consulting, Coaching, cover letter, disc assessment, interview tips, kevin tucker, keywords, life coach, life coaching, negotiating, outplacement services, Passion and Job Satisfaction, resume, success, transition coach, video interview

As individuals, we all see life through a lens, if you will, our filter on life. All too often in the job search our focus is on what we want, not what the employer needs.  Remember, after all, they are the ones doing the hiring!

I know as a career and life coach, I have my own lens. I am able to coach individuals like yourself based on my own experience. But like any good student, my experience is always growing! 

One of my latest spurts of growth comes through one of my clients. You see, he was explaining his life using phrases like: “to the limit“, “high octane“, and “energy to the max“. Get the idea? Well, he’s a master custom boat builder (now, there’s a job!) for high-end custom watercraft. To give you an idea, his company’s tag line is; “Give the water attitude!”. Say no more!

Well, at a recent boat show, he took my son and myself out on the lake. Talk about an experience, I still don’t have words for it. But at 75+ mph (which, I’m told is like 150 mph on land), he was just getting started! He was in his element! As we floated over the top of the water; he was one with this boat!

You see, my idea of speed, adrenaline, and pure excitement will never be defined the same way again! I now have a better baseline to communicate with this client that I’m describing to you.

But how does this work for you - short of getting in a speed boat?

Know - Do research on the company and network with others to find out what your future employer is all about. Bottom line:  Why would they want to hire you? Look at yourself through their eyes. What do you see? What skills do you bring to the table? How are you going to positively affect their ROI in you?

Technorati Tags: assessments, career assessment, career coach, career coaching, career consulting, Coaching, cover letter, disc assessment, interview tips, kevin tucker, keywords, life coach, life coaching, negotiating, outplacement services, Passion and Job Satisfaction, resume, resume writing, transition coach, video interview

Well? It’s a fair question that deserves an answer. An answer of some thought. I know in my many years as a human resources manager and director, we went through the motions, presuming the candidates would come to us - on our terms. 

Depending on economic times, an employer can get away with this attitude, but when times get tough - truly, why would job seekers come to you and better yet, why would your key employees stay with you? Yes, I’m being bottom-line and open with you here (revealing a bit of my past), but what follows is a solution to this growing trend.

Two thoughts:

First, how does the job seeker see you? What is your responsiveness to them? Contrary to the latest trends out there, do you “allow” them to communicate with you? Do you “allow” them to easily learn about your company? Most employers that I consult with “hide” their contact information and even basically use the phrase “don’t call us, weíll call you”. I challenge you to ask: ì”s there any true communication happening?” Does the applicant just feel like “another number” when they apply to your “black hole”?

And second, poll your current employees. Call it a town hall meeting or what ever you what, but once you give them the freedom to share their thoughts and opinions, you might be truly surprised! I remember at a non-profit I was leading at, comments I heard in this light were “the people are friendly, but this job is not at all what I thought it would be” to “why isn’t ______ talked about or addressed in orientation?” Then take action for positive change with this information. This is your prim-time to keep (or loose) your new employee!

Let me challenge you to let your company’s true “personality” shine through. Is your organization truly an “employer of choice?”, or is this just a catch phrase that corporate is using? 

If you want to stand out from the crowd and be a magnet for key talent, give these thoughts a try! All the best!

Technorati Tags: assessments, career assessment, career coach, career coaching, career consulting, Coaching, cover letter, disc assessment, interview tips, kevin tucker, keywords, life coach, life coaching, negotiating, outplacement services, Passion and Job Satisfaction, resume, resume writing, transition coach, video interview