Have you ever wondered why some people come away with jobs from job fairs, while other just throw their résumé into the black hole of Human Resources? Have a plan of attack to make the job fair work for you!

• Take a good look at yourself in the mirror. You and a lot of other people will be competing to make a good first impression. What is going to set you a part from the rest of the crowd?
• Smile! You’re nervous and they know it! Experts say that it takes more facial muscles to frown than to smile. So, relax and smile!
• The eyes have it! Making eye contact is especially important when answering questions. Eye contact establishes a level of trust with the interviewer.
• Be truthful! Most people have hit snags in their careers at one time or another. But, it is no reason to be misleading on a résumé or in an interview. Use this opportunity to explain what happened and how you have grown and learned from the situation.
• Watch your mouth! Never, ever use profanity. This also includes slang terms. You need to sound polished and professional. You also may want to “rehearse” a short, 30 second “commercial” highlighting your skills, accomplishments, and anything else unique that will make you stand out from the rest of the crowd.

A few parting thoughts… Have plenty of crisp, error free résumés printed on quality résumé stock handy. When you do give out a résumé, be sure to get a business card from whomever you give it to. Jot down on the back of the card the position title and any other pertinent information. When you get home, write a quick note thanking the person for their time and reiterate why you’re the best candidate for their job opening. It’s a nice touch that leaves a great impression.

Technorati Tags: Coaching, job fair, resumes

So you are thinking that it might be a good time to make a career change? The key reason for change for most people is the idea of being fulfilled with one’s work or it could have something to do with a certain time of your life, the state of the economy, or maybe even something in your current job that you just know - it’s time to move on.

Next to sleep, most Americans spend more time in their workplace than anywhere else. No one - not your spouse, children, or church community - gets more of our attention than our workplace.

Everyone needs and should feel passionate about their careers - it affects all other areas of our lives! Next to sleep, most Americans spend more time in their workplace than anywhere else. No one - not our spouse, children or church community - gets more of our attention than our workplace. Shouldn’t you do all you can to make sure it’s a great fit for you?

Your first step is to know what you want. What are you good at? Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years? Then examine the outlook for the job - can you see yourself doing it? Are there major technology changes that could affect it?

Finally, learn from others that are already in the field. Network. Network. Network. Go to different association meetings and even try your hand at informational interviewing - it can be a great way to find that perfect fit for you!

Technorati Tags: career change, career passion, Networking

Today, in our world’s busyness, we often think of the Memorial Day weekend as the start of summer and of course, we must have a BBQ, – now don’t get me wrong, both are great, but neither has anything to do with Memorial Day. Even as a Veteran myself, the day has a different focus.  Simply put, “Memorial Day is to honor those military members who have died, and Veterans Day is to honor all Veterans, alive or dead”.

So in this context, no matter what one’s background and political lean is, without question, we’re indented to these individuals that have made the ultimate sacrifice before us.  They paid the price. Sometimes I ask, “Am I worthy of such a deed?”… now there’s a question to think about.

In our career, the path is often worn because of those before us. They may have opened doors and we only see brick walls. As I coach countless individuals, I encourage them to look at the big picture – how does each piece of the job search connect with each other?

Having this knowledge will help in give you clarity and direction along your journey – and get you the results you need!

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, 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.

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Wow!, when was the last time you heard this? Last night, I had dinner at Texas Roadhouse (one of my favorite places!) and the employees all had shirts on that said “I Love My Job!” Seeing that my thing is to be on the lookout for such strange things in our society, I took notice! You see, as a coach, my job is to help people work in an area that is a match with their natural gifts, talents, and abilities.

The sad truth is that most folks are not. In a recent conversation I had with Tom Bradburn, president of Right People USA, he threw out a stat he recently saw in Forbes magazine: 87% of the folks out there are not a right fit for what they are doing. Itís not that they don’t want to enjoy their work, it’s that they’re not a fit! I recently had a person tell me “Kevin, I don’t have a clue what I want to do; but I know it’s not this”. Now, let me set the stage-he had been doing “this” job for 20 years! 

My hope and prayer for you is that you’ll give yourself the freedom to be in a job you love-everyone desires this!

You may have a dream, a life-long goal, or something you never thought possible. Take the responsibility to surround yourself with people and resources that can make a difference in your life! Through conversation and maybe an assessment or two (we have one that focus on your personality and how it fits in your workplace that you might want to check out), youíre sure to get on track!

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, resume writing, success, transition coach, video interview

How did it happen already? My second daughter just graduated college and I have very mixed emotions. Mainly, weíre very proud of her accomplishment, but Iím also wondering where the years went! As college graduation season wraps up soon, it seems natural to talk about career coaching - why hiring a career coach can be the difference between getting the job and NOT even getting an interview.

Let me ask you a couple questions: Would you wire your own home for electricity? Build your own car? Do you cut your own hair? (no ìhairî jokes for Kevin now!) Most would say ìno.î If it is important, and we want it done right, we hire an expert.

The same principle should apply when job seeking. Your career is one of your most crucial financial investments. If you are actively engaged in a search, underemployed or unhappily employed, it makes sense to consult an expert as you launch your search for a new job.

Most people donít welcome the idea of a job hunt. It is hard work and may seem overwhelming. Wouldnít it be nice to have an experienced ally who will help you every step of the way? 

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, 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.

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Many of us want something different, but what could it be? Are we willing to allow ourselves to look? What career would make you excited about Monday morning?

Recently, an article in the Phoenix Business Journal caught my eye. Below are excerpts as Shad allowed himself to explorer the career of his dreams.

Is it any wonder that a guy who spent his childhood fabricating everything from Lego sculptures to rebuilt automobiles would grow up to own a company known for creating the world’s largest Miller Lite bottle? 

It doesn’t surprise Shad Bruce a bit. 

“I was always creative as a child,” said Bruce, who owns Detail Design & Fabrication, a Tempe business that designs and constructs indoor/outdoor signage, three-dimensional displays and trade-show exhibits for clients including Westcor, Phoenix International Raceway and the Arizona Diamondbacks. “I was always building things. I started with Legos and worked my way up to skateboards, bikes and cars. That was my early fabrication experience.” 

Bruce earned an industrial design degree from Arizona State University’s School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture and launched DD&F in 1998 to provide design, fabrication and installation services under one roof. His work with the Diamondbacks includes the fully branded head-to-toe makeover of Chase Field with the team’s new color scheme — not to mention the design, construction and installation of a 36-foot-tall, three-dimensional Miller Lite bottle, which debuted at the ballpark this spring to trumpet Diamond Club sponsor Miller Brewing Co. 

If Shad can start out with Legos and end up with a three-dimensional Miller Lite bottle, what is holding you back? 

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, 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 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

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?

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As a career coach, I am often asked if I work with people that are in transition. The short answer is “yes”, but then I need to ask “why” also.

I have my client ask themselves this question, “why?” Is there something you don’t like about your current job? The industry? The boss? The company? Do you know what your talents and strengths are? In the assessment that our clients start out with, we compare a person’s present work environment to their ideal work environment - talk about an eye opening exercise! Many people want to change their career (they say about 80% of the people out there are not happy with what they are doing); but for true joy and happiness, you must be aligned with your talents and strengths!

Once you are in alignment with your career, you’ll be surprised how this will change, or effect, the other areas of you life!

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