My daughter who attends NAU is always complaining about the high price of gas and how difficult it is to keep her tank full with the current prices. Once again, that got me thinking on how an empty gas tank could relate to our career journeys. I then realized that we all have inner “gas tanks” which, depending upon how our search or life is going at any particular time could be 3/4 full or even on the big E.

But really, how full is your own tank; the one that needs to be renewed on a regular basis? Whether you’re the wannabe, worker bee, or even the head enchilada, you need to refuel yourself so that you continue to be productive and give of yourself to others. It’s difficult to pull energy from within when you are drained! Can you even remember the last time you filled your tank? What I mean by filling your tank is, what have you done to fill yourself spiritually, physically, and intellectually?

Filling your tank spiritually can happen many ways. You can participate in your faith’s activities or services; spend time daily reflecting, meditating, or praying. Reading or studying books or other materials can help to renew your spirit. Giving back to your community by volunteering does wonders for the soul also! Find a great cause and help!

Physical activity, some welcome it some dread it. Be that as it may, it’s a great way to relieve stress and clear your mind. Go for a walk, go to the gym, or do something with your kids. You’ll be amazed at your increased energy level!

When’s the last time that you read a book or attended a seminar or workshop that stimulated you intellectually? Do you have a hobby or have you thought about getting one? Does your career field have continuing education requirements, or maybe you’re thinking of updating your skills. Check out classes at the rec center or local college.

No matter what you are doing, take time to fill your tank. You’ll feel better for it.

Technorati Tags: kevin tucker, life coaching, self improvement

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

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

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

As you are having a conversation / interview with your new employer, you need to connect you need to share stories and situations that they can relate to - remember they are the one hiring you!

As I was preparing that post, I ran across an article by Meridith Levinson, “Job Seekers: How to Tell Stories to Stand Out” that says it well:

Sensory details provide an essential element of good story-telling, says Hansen, because they help draw in audiences. Just as descriptions of a house’s smell or a character’s clothes make a story more believable, details about a job seeker’s professional experience will make their stories more credible and enticing to hiring managers.

“In a job seeking story, numerical details-numbers, percentages-are really important,” says Hansen. Key details to include in résumés and cover letters and in your answers to interview questions are the size of the IT budget you oversaw, the number of people you managed, size and scope of projects, and percents and dollars of revenue generated or costs cut.

Though detail is helpful, job seekers want to make sure they emphasize the particulars that are important to their audience-the hiring manager. They don’t want to waste precious interview time describing what their employer’s office looks like or the taste of the coffee in the break room.

The Two-Minute Rule

All this talk about recounting stories shouldn’t make job seekers think they need to transform simple, straightforward anecdotes about their professional experiences into epic tales. Rambling responses to interview questions bore hiring managers.

Consequently, Hansen says job seekers’ responses to interview questions shouldn’t run longer than two minutes. She recommends that you draft your stories on paper, rehearse them out loud with friends or family who can provide feedback, and revise them as necessary until you can hit all necessary points in two minutes or less.

Delivery

Even well-structured stories can fall flat if they’re not delivered with emotion. This is particularly true for challenge-action-result formats, admits Hansen, so job seekers should speak about their work with enthusiasm. A job seeker’s passion for his or her metier is infectious and demonstrates another quality that hiring managers find irresistible in prospective employees-confidence.

Well, thanks to Meridith for these thoughts. However it is presented-in conversation or the resume, connecting with the person interviewing you is the key!

As a Nationally Credentialed Career and Life Transition Coach, I help people like yourself get more out of life through their career! Is coaching for you? Learn how career and life coaching can help you personally, can help your company, and can help your church. Check out more at www.CCubedCareer.com.

With everything going on, how are you holding up? Would it help to “re-charge”? Is your job search on “fire”?

As a personal coach, let me make a suggestion. Physically (and mentally) remove yourself-and the results will be amazing! Maybe it’s stepping outside, maybe a trip, something from a different perspective!

Personally, I did just this. I’m writing this from the mountains. I just walked out of a cabin. It’s early morning-even a few stars are still out. My reaction is “wow”! The beauty. The peace. The start of a new day!

My batteries are charged! I’m ready to take on the world! How about you? What are you ready to take on? Your job search?

At C-Cubed, we have many tools that may help; it’s up to you! C-Cubed serves clients by faithfully applying our God-given talents to make life-changing improvements in the lives and career paths of each person we coach. What does this really mean? With my experience of connecting with people, like yourself, I’m able to help each and every person discover what they need to be doing for true success and joy!

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

To discover your true purpose in life-not your job or your goals-you’ll just need 20 minutes, according to personal growth experts.

To find your purpose, here’s an exercise to do: Get a pen and piece of paper or sit down at your computer and write or type the question: “What is my purpose in life?” Then write whatever pops into your head. Repeat this process-keep writing answers-until you hit one that raises your emotion. You may come up with many random thoughts-but write them all down. One could lead to just what you’re looking for!

Why is your purpose-your life purpose-important? For starters, it affects all areas of your life-relational, spiritual, and social. And let’s not forget about the career! If our actions are in alignment with our talents, gifts and abilities-the results will be great!

Our Purpose: C-Cubed serves clients by faithfully applying our God-given talents to make life-changing improvements in the lives and career paths of each person we coach. What does this really mean? With my experience of connecting with people (like yourself) I’m able to help each and every person discover what they need to be doing for true success and joy!

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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

Well, in my last post I talked about having passion for what you do in life, and I was able to this Anyone out there want to be passionate about the work they do? Tommorrow, I will be offering tips and answering your questions

ARIZONA Anyone out there want to be passionate about the work they do? Tomorrow, I will be offering tips and answering your questions on “Career Straight Talk”. I will be sharing on “Helping motivated individuals find their calling in life”.

For many people, answering this question results in a complete blank. Now, on a regular basis, I have individuals approach me - it doesn’t matter their age, but they’ve just been going through life – without living their passion. In a recent article, Forbes magazine stated that 87% of the population is not a match for the work they are doing.

But for others, the answer is pure joy. I’ve seen many people living a satisfying and challenging career – how? They are capitalizing on their personal and professional God-given strengths and talents.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow, Wednesday, March 26th, 9-10 AM, on KFNX 1100 AM, or for that manner, call in with your questions!

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, in my last post I talked about having passion for what you do in life, and I was able to this yesterday on the weekly radio program ìCareer Straight Talkî. For those of you that called in … and the many more that listened… I hope youíll be able to apply some nugget of the program to your career!

No doubt the focus was passion, and it is for all I do - how about you? As we focus on the job search, this is key! But most folks donít get it, job seekers and employers alike. But the great news is, once someone does get it, they have set themselves, or their organization apart, and above the rest!

Let me also step out and put this out there. You need to be communicating that passion even as early as the “pre-interview” stage. By doing so will yield you very positive results. 

Long gone are the days of hiring of the “quota system” - some of you can remember back in then. Where because of someoneís color or heritage, they were hired into a position. I can tell you as a former hiring manager, I was looking for the most qualified person for the job - based on their natural talents and gifts they brought to the table. I was not going after a particular group, but looking for the best person overall.

Take this thought to your search. In your interaction with your next potential employer, are they able to “see and hear” that you are the best person for the job? Have you given them solid reasons why they should do so? Remember itís up to you to make that connection!

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