Just because school’s out, and everyone is leaving town to beat the heat, it doesn’t mean it’s time to take a vacation from your job search.  In fact, the timing couldn’t be better.  The economy is getting stronger and employers are starting to hire once again.  Here is some information to ignite your job search and get you the position you’ve been looking for!

Do you have access to a phone and an e-mail address?  It’s imperative that potential employers have a convenient way to contact you, otherwise, they may move on to the next qualified applicant.  If you don’t have a phone, ask a trusted friend or relative if you can use their number to put on applications and your résumé.  Make sure they know that if an employer tries to contact you through them, that it’s essential that you get the message ASAP!  If you don’t have a computer at home, your local library has computers with internet access for you to use free of charge!  You can set up a FREE e-mail account with Hotmail.com or Yahoo.com.  Check for e-mail messages frequently in case an employer is trying to contact you.

Is your résumé “package” current?  A basic resume package includes a resume, cover letter, reference sheet, and thank you letter. (Yes, a thank you letter!)  Is your contact information up to date on everything?   Does your resume reflect your most current skills and work experience?  It needs to communicate duties and responsibilities, followed by sold accomplishments that prove your ability to be successful in your position.   Your resume should also include keywords relevant to your industry and avoid any unnecessary words.  Sometimes you only have 15 to 30 seconds to show a prospective employer your value and possible contributions to their company before they move onto the next résumé in the pile.  A well written cover letter will include the position you’re applying for, express your interest in the position and the company, outline your qualifications and accomplishments in comparison to the job description, and ask for an opportunity to interview.  Your reference sheet will have both professional and personal references that an employer can call to verify your character and work habits.  Include their name, mailing address, and a phone number where they can be reached.  Make sure the individuals that you include on your reference sheet will be able to paint a positive picture about you.  Finally, a simple thank you note to the person(s) you interviewed with is a nice touch and should thank the interviewer for their time, once again express interest in the position, and reaffirm your qualifications.

Network, network, network!  Everybody knows somebody and somebody knows about a job somewhere!  Tell your friends and family that you’re looking.  More than likely, they would love to assist and will help you brainstorm!  Join a job networking group.  Your place of worship, the library, and the unemployment office are great resources for finding out about these groups.

The internet is your friend, but not your only one.  A lot of jobs are posted on the Internet, but also utilize your local newspaper, job publications such as The Job Examiner (distributed at grocery stores and gas stations) and watch for career fairs.  If you are a recent graduate or alumni, your school may have a career services center.  Many schools often have relationships with employers who are looking for newly graduated students.  Consider an internship.  They can turn into a regular position.  Target companies that you would like to work for and pay them a visit.  You may not get past the receptionist, but you could come away with an application and a job lead that wasn’t announced anywhere else. Temporary agencies are also a good avenue.  Find one in the phone book that specializes in your field of work.  Headhunters are also another source as they are often retained by companies to fill vacant positions.

Get organized!  Keep track of resumes you have submitted, applications you have filled out, and companies you have interviewed with.  You should know where you are in the process for each and every job you apply for.  Key information to track is:

• Position title, company name, address, phone number, and point of contact.
• How you heard about the position, date applied, and the method (fax, e-mail, internet, in person, or mail).
• Any information you have about the position and the company as well as any notes from conversations or interviews you’ve had with the point of contact.

Do something positive everyday for your search.  By doing something everyday you will be moving forward, gathering momentum to get you that job that you’ve been searching for!

Technorati Tags: assessments, career coaching, job search, kevin tucker, resume

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

If people in the office have pegged you for having a negative attitude, and you know they’re right, is there anything that can be done? Can you change?

The answer is “Of course you can.” Attitudes can be changed, responses can be changed-people can undergo complete transformations of character sometimes. If you feel you want to revamp your attitude, here are a few things to keep in mind according to The Six Success Strategies for Winning at Life, Love & Business by Wolf J. Rinke:

Attitudes are not something we are born with- they are created, which means they can be recreated as well.

Attitudes are infectious. Try to spend time around people who have good attitudes and who make you feel good. When you are around a positive person you will feel energized-not robbed.

Try to start your day on a positive note. It might feel phony at first, but it will become second nature if you keep at it. Possibly start each day with giving someone a small compliment.

Greet people like you are genuinely happy to see them-then try to think of reasons why you are genuinely happy to see them.

Instead of heading straight for defensive mode and expecting the worst out of others, reverse the process and try expecting the best out of everyone.

Don’t be so hard on yourself. Throw your perfectionism out. It won’t do you a bit of good and will likely make you seem like a grouch since you are essentially setting yourself up for failure because no one’s perfect.

Technorati Tags: attitude, change, Coaching, kevin tucker

How did it happen already? My second daughter just graduated college and I have very mixed emotions. Mainly, we’re very proud of her accomplishment, but I’m 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 “hair” jokes for Kevin now!) Most would say “no.” 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 don’t welcome the idea of a job hunt. It is hard work and may seem overwhelming. Wouldn’t 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.

Technorati Tags: assessments, career coach, Coaching, kevin tucker, life coach, life coaching, negotiating, Passion and Job Satisfaction, resume, success

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.

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, transition coach, video interview

As many of you know, I’m one for networking - to be able to build your impact through others.

Well, this past week I did just that. I was involved in the Career Management Alliance annual conference and plan to share many things with you in the upcoming days - even a new partnership that I’m working on to make your job share more effective!

Stay tuned, much more to come!

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager (CCM), Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Using a faith-based foundation, he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at www.CCubedCareer.com. 

Kevin C. Tucker is the founder of C~Cubed Career Consulting and Coaching, is on the board for Arizona Career Development Association (ACDA) and is nationally certified as a Credentialed Career Master (CCM).

What was your first job?

My first job was working at an amusement park in Southern California (I’ll let you guess which one). I operated the world’s highest, fastest and scariest wooden racing roller coaster - well, at the time! I sent unsuspecting victims off for the ride of their life (and a serious case of white knuckle exhilaration). In a warped way, this established my life work of helping others find passion in their lives.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had?

A job that had a boss who was indecisive and I questioned his ethics. For me, and as I coach others, ethics is the foundation of all I do.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Seeing that light in a person’s face when they’ve discovered their passion in life! Many of my clients, for years, have just “gone to work.” As they discover that they can (and should) love the work they do - this is where my joy comes from.

Typically, we’ll start with an assessment (don’t worry, it not like a test!), and the results can be quite revealing. Even clients just getting out of college can see how important alignment with their career and life should be!

What is the most difficult part of your job?

Keeping focused. Just by the nature of working with individuals and their careers, much of the coaching could go in many different directions. Seeing that one’s career touches on everything they do, this is understandable! As he was writing a letter to someone, a guy by the name of Benjamin Franklin once said, “I apologize for this note being so long, I didn’t have time to write it correctly.” What was he saying? Basically, “I didn’t take the time to get focused.” This is key for someone to be in alignment with the direction they should be going.

How long have you been a career coach?

In one sense, my whole career, but with many different titles: military service, a recruiter, a human resources manager/director, a career development adviser, and finally as a career coach.

What advice would you give to people who want to change careers?

Ask yourself 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 percent 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!

What is the most misunderstood part of your job?

I would say probably how I connect with people. It’s not an exact science; I approach every client’s needs uniquely. We have a program where we partner with individuals to help them discover their true passion for their career; we give them the tools to make it happen including individual coaching and group networking. It’s rather hard to put that into words!

One distinction I’ll often make is that I coach individuals (and companies every now and then); it’s not counseling.

Which professions are in demand in Arizona right now?

The two big ones are hospitality and customer support (call centers) - keep in mind; it takes all levels of various positions in these areas.

Any other advice or thoughts?

Everyone, at all levels, needs a coach or mentor. Think about Tiger Woods - undoubtedly, the best golfer in the world. He takes advice from a coach and reinvents his swing!

Similarly, with your career, having someone with experience and an objective opinion of your situation can only help your focus. Some (coaches) in this industry take different approaches, but with my experience, I work face to face with individuals seeking to make a career change. Let’s face it; most of our communication is face to face. As I work with clients, I call it “learning to read between the words.” Yes, you might get something out of a phone dialog with someone, but the conversation will improve ten-fold by meeting with a coach face to face.

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 happened again. Each time I drive by our local gas station the price of gas has gone up-again…and again…and again. But why? Greed? Economics? Because they can? Who’s to say?

One thing we do know is that we can predict the change. Gas prices or whatever are-and will likely be-constantly changing.

Let’s unpack this in light of the job search. You’re applying for a position that you know is the prefect match for your experience and goals for the future. But, unbeknownst to you, the employer’s needs (and the position) have changed part way through the process-and they didn’t even tell you! Now what? The job you are in the process for applying for could be totally different from what the employer actually is going to hire for.

If you have spent time researching the company, discovering their line of work, and becoming familiar with their industry, you may be able to navigate around this roadblock. Being armed with this information with help you to flex with the employers needs. In this case, as the employer redefines the position, it may end up being even a better fit for you! Once you have this fit, you’ll be able to attack your career with passion and look forward to Monday morning!

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