Career Advancement, Leadership and Promotion: The Mid-Career GPS Podcast

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Informational interviews are great opportunities to learn more about other people and what they do. As the year comes to a close, now is a great time to expand your network and conduct informational interviews. Whether you are seeking a new job or learning about a particular company, these interviews will help you get the information you need to make a successful decision about your next career move. 

In this episode, I’ll share three reasons why now is a great time to conduct informational interviews so you can build Your Mid-Career GPS to whatever is next. Plus, I’ll tell you my favorite tips to help make those informational interviews much more straightforward and with greater appreciation to anyone who offers their time to talk to you. 

 Key Topics & Time Stamps: 

·      Introduction (0:05)

·      Stop Making These Mid-Career Mistakes (2:05)

·      Benefits of Informational Interviews (2:40)

·      #1 – Build Your Network (4:20)

·      #2 – Practice Your Conversation/Interview Skills (7:05)

·      #3 – The Grass May Not Be Greener Somewhere Else (8:10)

·      Bonus Tip – People Have Time (10:00)

·      Best Practices for Informational Interviews (12:15)

·      Wrap Up (17:45)

Click here to listen to Episode 47 – Five Tips for Your Next Informational Interview.

List of Resources:

·      5 Mistakes Mid-Career Professionals Make (And Need to Stop Doing) by John Neral

·      What to Expect in an Informational Interview – Indeed.com

·      Your Mid-Career GPS – Four Steps to Figuring Out What’s Next by John Neral

·      SHOW UP - Six Strategies to Lead a More Energetic and Impactful Career by John Neral

Calls to Action: 

·      Get your free Mid-Career GPS Resources, including a job search tracker and reflection questions, at https://johnneral.com. 

·      Join the “Your Mid-Career GPS Private Facebook Group” here and be part of a fantastic group of like-minded professionals navigating their career paths just like you.

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

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If you are considering leaving your job, I want to offer for you to leave with a lot of gratitude. This Thanksgiving week, I want to share a couple of stories to help you think about how to leave your job and why leaving with gratitude is the best move for you personally and professionally – even if you don’t want to. 

So, sit back. Grab your favorite beverage and let’s have a conversation. There are a few things in this episode I haven’t shared before. 

For more information about how I can help you in your career transition, visit https://johnneral.com for more information and to download your free career transition guide. 

List of Resources:

·      5 Mistakes Mid-Career Professionals Make (And Need to Stop Doing) by John Neral

·      Your Mid-Career GPS – Four Steps to Figuring Out What’s Next by John Neral

·      SHOW UP - Six Strategies to Lead a More Energetic and Impactful Career by John Neral

Calls to Action: 

·      Get your free Mid-Career GPS Resources that include a job search tracker and reflection questions at https://johnneral.com. 

·      Join the “Your Mid-Career GPS Private Facebook Group” here and be part of a fantastic group of like-minded professionals navigating their career paths just like you. 

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

Send us Fan Mail

From Wikipedia, “Quiet Quitting” is an application of work-to-rule, in which employee work within defined work hours and engage in work-related activities solely within those hours. Despite the name, the philosophy of quiet quitting is not connected to quitting a job outright but rather doing precisely what the job requires. Proponents of quiet quitting refer to it as “acting your wage.” You’ve probably seen TikToks and other social media posts related to this concept. 

In this episode, I share some tips to help you if you are quietly quitting. Plus, I share some tips for managers who might suspect one or more of their employees are quietly quitting. 

 Key Topics & Time Stamps: 

·      Introduction (0:05)

·      Stop Making These Mid-Career Mistakes (1:30)

·      What is “Quiet Quitting?” (2:35)

·      Quiet Quitting is a Choice (5:00)

·      What to Do if You Suspect an Employee is Quietly Quitting (10:15)

·      Assessing Fit (14:15)

·      Wrap Up (17:37)

List of Resources:

·      5 Mistakes Mid-Career Professionals Make (And Need to Stop Doing) by John Neral

·      Episode 96: Why You Need to Write More LinkedIn Recommendations

·      Your Mid-Career GPS – Four Steps to Figuring Out What’s Next by John Neral

·      SHOW UP - Six Strategies to Lead a More Energetic and Impactful Career by John Neral

Calls to Action: 

·      Get your free Mid-Career GPS Resources, including a job search tracker and reflection questions, at https://johnneral.com. 

·      Join the “Your Mid-Career GPS Private Facebook Group” here and be part of a fantastic group of like-minded professionals navigating their career paths just like you.

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

Send us Fan Mail

You must think about your value add when you consider finding a new job or going for an internal promotion in your company. But first, do you know what your value add is? 

In today’s episode, you’ll learn how to define your value add so you can communicate that more clearly and specifically to anyone interested in learning more about you and what you do. Plus, John talks to you about creating content and why it may not be your best move right now when you think about your value add. 

Key Topics & Time Stamps: 

·      Introduction (0:05)

·      Stop Making These Mid-Career Mistakes (4:26)

·      Defining Your Value Add (6:20)

·      What to Do If You Don’t Have a Value Add (10:58)

·      Creating Content & Engagement on LinkedIn (12:30)

·      Thoughts About Not Finding a Job (16:50)

·      Wrap Up (20:20)

List of Resources:

·      5 Mistakes Mid-Career Professionals Make (And Need to Stop Doing) by John Neral

·      Your Mid-Career GPS – Four Steps to Figuring Out What’s Next by John Neral

·      SHOW UP - Six Strategies to Lead a More Energetic and Impactful Career by John Neral

Calls to Action: 

·      Get your free Mid-Career GPS Resources, including a job search tracker and reflection questions, at https://johnneral.com. 

·      Join the “Your Mid-Career GPS Private Facebook Group” here and be part of a fantastic group of like-minded professionals navigating their career paths just like you. 

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

Send us Fan Mail

Where are you struggling with your confidence? Everyone faces a challenge or obstacle in their career, and it’s only fair that our confidence is impacted by it. 

But other factors impact your decisions about whatever is next for your career, such as the “Golden Handcuffs.” Today’s guest has dealt with them and is here to talk about her favorite tips to help you make your next career decision.

Meet Kelli Thompson, the author of the new book, “Closing the Confidence Gap: Boost Your Peace, Your Potential, & Your Paycheck,” available now. 

In today’s episode, you’ll learn: 

·      What happens when high performers face difficulty at work

·      What leadership mindset shifts will help you step into your excellence

·      Kelli’s “Do LESS” Framework

·      Why clarity beats hustle every time

·      And what to do when you have the “Golden Handcuffs.”

Connect with Kelli Thompson – Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Book 

Key Topics & Time Stamps: 

·      Introduction (0:06

·      Meet Kelli Thompson (5:00)

·      Our Shared Love of Meteorology (5:45)

·      Pain Points for Mid-Career Professionals (9:40)

·      Dealing with a Career Crisis (11:20)

·      When High Performers Face Difficulty at Work (12:55)

·      Leadership Mindset Shifts (15:45)

·      “Do LESS” Framework (17:20)

·      Clarity Beats Hustle (19:15)

·      Tips for Saying “No” (24:20)

·      Dealing with the Golden Handcuffs (27:30)

·      Kelli’s Advice to Help You Build Your Mid-Career GPS (34:45)

·      Connect with Kelli Thompson (35:45)

List of Resources:

·      26 Sentence Starter to Answer Any Interview Question by John Neral

·      Your Mid-Career GPS – Four Steps to Figuring Out What’s Next by John Neral

·      SHOW UP - Six Strategies to Lead a More Energetic and Impactful Career by John Neral

Calls to Action: 

·      Get your free Mid-Career GPS Resources at https://johnneral.com. 

·      Join the “Your Mid-Career GPS Private Facebook Group” here.

·      Get notified when new podcast episodes drop. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you listen. 

·      Let’s stay connected by following me on social. LinkedIn @johnneral, Instagram @johnneralcoaching, Facebook @johnneralcoaching, Twitter @john_neral.

·      Visit https://johnneral.com for more information. 

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

Send us Fan Mail

Cait Donovan’s favorite emotion is resentment. Her resentment fuels every decision she makes to help keep her life and career balanced while it's continuously changing. 

Many mid-career professionals experience burnout, especially those in the “sandwich generation” who are raising their families while taking care of their aging parents. 

In this episode, Cait and John sit down to talk about the differences between stress and burnout, why burnout is caused by self-neglect, how boundaries make you more generous, and Cait shares some tips to help you deal with burnout so you can take better care of yourself. 

Connect with Cait Donovan – Website | FRIED – The Burnout Podcast | Book 

Key Topics & Time Stamps: 

Need to Update Time Stamps

·      Introduction (0:05)

·      Meet Cait Donovan (4:27)

·      What is Burnout? (9:47)

·      Why Cait Does Burnout Work (11:27)

·      Burnout & Self-Neglect (13:17)

·      Bouncebackability and Your Health (18:29)

·      Difference Between Stress & Burnout (21:42)

·      The Power of Life Pruning (24:37)

·      Boundaries Make You More Generous (27:12)

·      Tips for Dealing with Burnout (30:37)

·      Look for the Resentment (34:37)

·      Cait’s Advice to Help You Build Your Mid-Career GPS (39:12)

·      Connect with Cait (40:40)

List of Resources:

• 26 Sentence Starter to Help You Answer Any Interview Question by John Neral
• Your Mid-Career GPS – Four Steps to Figuring Out What’s Next by John Neral
• SHOW UP - Six Strategies to Lead a More Energetic and Impactful Career by John Neral

Calls to Action: 

·      Get your free Mid-Career GPS Resources, including a job search tracker and reflection questions, at https://johnneral.com. 

·      Join the “Your Mid-Career GPS Private Facebook Group” here and be part of a fantastic group of like-minded professionals navigating their career paths just like you. 

·      Get notified when new podcast episodes drop. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you listen. And don’t forget to rate and review to let me know what you enjoy or learn. 

·      Let’s stay connected by following me on social. LinkedIn @johnneral, Instagram @johnneralcoaching, Facebook @johnneralcoaching, Twitter @john_neral.

·      Visit https://johnneral.com for more information. 

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

Send us Fan Mail

Everyone wants to find their career sweet spot. This happens after much experience, reflection, and conversations to find the best fit for you professionally. Many mid-career professionals wonder how to strategically position themselves in the marketplace so they can find that job they love. 

Today, you will meet Becca Carnahan. Becca Carnahan is a career coach, author, and mom of two. As a career coach and CEO of Next Chapter Careers, Becca specializes in helping mid-career parents land fulfilling jobs they love without giving up the flexibility they need. Before launching her coaching business, Becca trained as a career coach at Harvard Business School and has 14 years of experience in the career and professional development field. She also previously worked for the Boston Celtics and has published two bestselling children’s books and a career development book, When Mommy Grows Up. 

In this episode, you will learn the benefits of a bridge role in your career and how that bridge role can help you get clear about what you want to do. Plus, Becca and I will talk about how to address a gap on your resume and help you uncover your career sweet spot. 

Connect with Becca Carnahan – Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 

Key Topics & Time Stamps: 

·      Introduction (0:06)

·      Meet Becca Carnahan (4:35)

·      Working for the Boston Celtics (7:15)

·      Benefits of a Bridge Role (11:25)

·      Uncovering Your Career Sweet Spot (16:47)

·      Pain Points for Mid-Career Parents (19:05)

·      Address a Gap on Your Resume (25:05)

·      What Do You Really Want for Your Next Job? (27:00)

·      Becca’s Goal (28:44)

·      Becca’s Advice to Help You Build Your Mid-Career GPS (30:55)

·      Connect with Becca Carnahan (32:05)

 List of Resources:

·      Your Mid-Career GPS – Four Steps to Figuring Out What’s Next by John Neral

·      SHOW UP - Six Strategies to Lead a More Energetic and Impactful Career by John Neral

Calls to Action: 

·      Get your free Mid-Career GPS Resources at https://johnneral.com. 

·      Join the “Your Mid-Career GPS Private Facebook Group” here and be part of a fantastic group of like-minded professionals navigating their career paths just like you. 

·      Get notified when new podcast episodes drop. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you listen. And don’t forget to rate and review to let me know what you are enjoying or learning. 

·      Let’s stay connected by following me on social. LinkedIn @johnneral, Instagram @johnneralcoaching, Facebook @johnneralcoaching, Twitter @john_neral.

·      Visit https://johnneral.com for more information. 

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

Send us Fan Mail

Shay Banks is a social media strategist and consultant who provides social media solutions for small business owners. Shay knows how to leverage social media to help get you noticed and create better visibility and traction for you and your career. 

I’ve worked with Shay for a few months and truly appreciate her talent and expertise. 

In this episode, Shay and John talk about how you can use social media to promote your professional brand, why every piece of content you post matters, the balance between freedom of speech, social media, and your job, and how you can create more engagement to increase your online presence. 

Shay is offering a free LinkedIn review to the first 20 listeners who contact her with “The Mid-Career GPS Podcast” in the subject line. Email Shay at [email protected]. 

Connect with Shay – Website | LinkedIn 

Key Topics & Time Stamps: 

·      Introduction (0:05)

·      Meet Shay Banks (4:40)

·      How Shay Leverages Social Media (10:25)

·      Every Piece of Content Matters (16:10)

·      What Is On Your Social Media? (19:50)

·      Freedom of Speech and Your Job (24:15)

·      You Are a Brand Ambassador (26:10)

·      LinkedIn Tips (29:40)

·      When a Clip Goes Viral (34:40)

·      Creating More Engagement (36:54)

·      Network Before You Need It (39:25)

·      Shay’s Advice to Help You Build Your Mid-Career GPS (41:55)

·      Connect with Shay (43:20)

List of Resources:

·      Your Mid-Career GPS – Four Steps to Figuring Out What’s Next by John Neral

·      SHOW UP - Six Strategies to Lead a More Energetic and Impactful Career by John Neral

·      Former Flight Attendant Sues Delta Airlines by TheGrio.com

Calls to Action: 

·      Get your free Mid-Career GPS Resources, including a job search tracker and reflection questions, at https://johnneral.com. 

·      Join the “Your Mid-Career GPS Private Facebook Group” here and be part of a fantastic group of like-minded professionals navigating their career paths just like you. 

·      Get notified when new podcast episodes drop. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you listen. And don’t forget to rate and review to let me know what you are enjoying or learning. 

·      Let’s stay connected by following me on social. LinkedIn @johnneral, Instagram @johnneralcoaching, Facebook @johnneralcoaching, Twitter @john_neral.

·      Visit https://johnneral.com for more information. 

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/