Career Growth Made Easy

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Don't Do This During an Interview
Craig's years of career coaching experience have given him the unique perspectives of dozens of candidates. They've shared their interview success stories, but also talked about their mistakes. In today's episode, we'll look at several errors you can make during an interview that will lose you the job...including one BIG MISTAKE that can immediately turn off your hiring manager. To find out what it is and how to avoid it...tune in to today's episode now!

Chapters
[01:31]
Today's show was inspired by a promising interview turned sour, after the candidate...hesitated

[03:18]
Sometimes, the wrong decisions are made. In this case, any decision would've been better than no decision at all.

[04:51]
A skill that many hiring managers can look for in a leadership position candidate, is quick critical thinking.

[06:59]
Just because you perform poorly at a single interview, doesn't mean your chances for growth in the company are gone. You can learn from your mistakes.

[08:51]
There's a difference between acquiring knowledge and applying your wisdom to real-world situations.

[10:39]
Learn from your past mistakes. Take notes after your interview to assess what worked well, and what didn't, for future reference.

[11:30]
If you'd like to further strengthen your interview skills, listen to Ep 113: How to Answer Common Interview Questions and Ep 114: In-Person Interviews Are Back.

[12:55]
Ep 117: Saying "I Don't Know" Is OK helps you understand the power of honesty and gives you even more tips on interviews, so you can be as prepared as ever to ace that interview!

[16:08]
To book an interview coaching session with Craig, visit craigancel.com/coaching.

Mentioned Links
Ep 113: How to Answer Common Interview Questions
Ep 114: In-Person Interviews Are Back
Ep 117: Saying "I Don't Know" Is OK

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Are You a Silent Superstar?
What is a silent superstar? Someone who goes above and beyond at work while somehow fading into the background? How is this possible? It could be easier than you think. What's difficult, is achieving the balance of getting your deserved recognition without appearing arrogant or hungry for praise.

How can you identify if you are a silent superstar? How can you be sure you're a valuable asset to your company without being overworked or underappreciated? Listen to today's episode to have all your questions answered, and more, as we dive into the topic of "silent superstars."

Chapters
[01:48]
Is a "silent superstar" a good thing or a bad thing?

[02:11]
What is a "silent superstar?"

[03:26]
Being a silent superstar could hurt you when it comes time for your performance review.

[06:02]
Sometimes, you'll be given simple grunt work to do. While this can be frustrating, it's important to be grateful that you're still a relevant asset to your company.

[07:34]
"Complaints are frequent, but compliments are few and far between."

[08:58]
Do you feel like you're a silent superstar? Listen up!

[10:34]
Touchpoints are valuable check-ins to communicate your progress and goals with management.

[12:38]
Performing well at work can allow you to establish strong relationships with management.

[14:53]
Start a cycle of performance reviews with your management team, to ensure your efforts aren't going unnoticed.

[16:00]
For more tips on communication, check out Episode 51: Powerfully Placed Pauses.

[17:21]
For additional information on how to properly shine at work, listen to Episode 104: How to Get Recognized at Work.

Mentioned Links
Ep 51 – Powerfully Place Pauses
Ep 104 - How to Get Recognized at Work
Book a coaching appointment with Craig Ancel
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How To Pick a Career
If you're unsure of your career path, or undecided on what you want to do or what you want to be, then today's episode is for you! I have news for you, you are not alone. I've repeatedly heard this from both high school and college students.

Sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find out what you're good at. Other times, it takes testing out your skills at part-time jobs or internships - even unpaid ones (don't underestimate their value).

Your school years are the prime time to find out what you're good at and what you enjoy doing. And, that's the key - to find out what you enjoy doing.  There's an old quote, "When you do what you love you'll never work a day in your life."

Tune in now if you need help selecting a career path. Maybe you'd like to hear what other students are struggling with so you can accelerate your path to career success!

Chapters
[01:10]
There's an underlying theme for many high school and college students. "I don't know what I want to do when I graduate."

[02:36]
The internet can make strong impressions when it comes to money!
[03:14]
Your paycheck can come from hourly pay or a salary.

[04:40]
To determine your financial needs you need to have a monthly budget.

[06:50]
If you do something you love you'll never work a day in your life!

[08:14]
If you're confused about your career path get some help, maybe a career counselor or a coach to guide you along.

[10:55]
Think about your skills, what are you really good at?

[12:35]
Here's how to take your core skills and apply them to a job field.

[14:35]
Don't overlook part-time jobs or internships during school which can give you incredible insight into your career.

[16:50]
You can gain valuable insight into certain companies or career fields by closely listening to conversations.

[18:10]
You want to be aligned with and have the same core values as the career company you work for.

[20:01]
When it comes to pay you to need something to compare against, not just a blanket term "That's bad pay".

[21:00]
Remember to use the skills and talents you've been blessed with.

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Making Your Dream a Reality
Don't wait another minute! Don't let your dreams, goals, or ambitions fall by the wayside. You can get some clarity right now and start working towards achieving what matters to you!

Today, Craig shares two simple, but incredibly effective tools that you can immediately use to identify your life's goals and desires. Listen in today to learn how to pinpoint what you're interested in and what you aren't.

With the use of the "5 Why's" and "reverse reasoning"  you can be on your path to fuel your dreams, goals, or ambitions. 

Although today's show was inspired by a few kids from the Foster Youth of America's Annual Elevation Conference, it doesn't matter who you are or where you are in your career journey. Today's show and these tools can immediately help you get back on track for success!

Chapters
[01:02]
Some of the inspiration for today's show came from a young lady that visited us during this year's Foster Youth of America - Annual Elevation Conference.

[01:46]
When your dreams, ambitions, or goals are too vague they can be difficult to reach.

[02:37]
Here's a simple tool called the "5 Whys" to help narrow down focus when something seems too vague.

[04:05]
"I want to be an engineer."

[06:15]
Here's how some faculty responded to their students' interest to be an engineer.

[06:52]
Craig interned in college and it was an amazing learning experience.
[08:40]
Humility goes a long way, coupling that with lessons learned, can accelerate your job growth.

[10:04]
It all comes down to effective communication skills, strong leadership, and wisdom.

[12:09]
Here's how to use another tool called reverse reasoning to help identify your career passions and goals.

[16:10]
Grab a one-on-one coaching spot with Craig Ancel - lock in your goals and dreams today!

[16:42]
Don't skip another job posting because you didn't have a cover letter! Check out Craig's Resume and Cover Letter Master Classes.

Mentioned Links
Foster Youth of America - Annual Elevation Conference
Don't Let Cover Letters Get In Your Way! Apply for jobs that require or suggest cover letters now.
Need a resume? Create your first one, update it, or repurpose yourself and resume now!

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Where Did All My Time Go?
Are you exhausted at the end of your day and wondering where your time went? After a long work day did you ever look back and ask - what did I do today?

If you're working hard and the time is flying you may not be productive, but just plain busy. Today's show gives you a simple self-check to see where you spend most of your time.

You might be spending your time in the wrong areas and it could be hurting your performance. Wouldn't you want to find out before your boss sits you down and instead of a pay raise, you get written up for poor performance?

In today's show, we're going back to old-school tools - pen and paper. Pop in an earbud to find out how to perform a simple self-check of your time and maybe gain some of it back, without sacrificing performance.

Chapters
[01:00]
In today's fast-paced job world, we're asked to do more with less.

[01:43]
There's a difficult question we may need to ask ourselves.

[03:50]
Here's an old-school way to catalog your work day.

[05:01]
Log down what you do every 30 minutes, but only list a single item - what took the most of your time.

[07:40]
If you don't see a pattern after a couple of weeks, it's possible there is one specific week you haven't logged down yet.

[08:47]
If you see repeat entries, but they align with your job role, then you may need to dive down one level deeper.

[11:40]
Here's a head-scratcher question for you. "Do you know if all the activities you do are providing value to your company?"

[14:20]
Back when we started out we likely had a list of job responsibilities. Years later, we're likely performing our tasks on auto-pilot.

[15:07]
If you regularly generate updates or reports, you don't want to miss out on this!

Mentioned Links
CGME: Ep 54 - Adding Value to Your Job

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Add Volunteering To Your Resume
Finally, getting around to updating your resume? Feel the content is coming up a bit short? Then don't wait another minute. Listen to today's show.

There are quick and simple things you can add to your resume that have a big impact. On top of that, these simple volunteering efforts help give back to your community and can strengthen the youth, the leaders of tomorrow.

Maybe you've volunteered in the past but weren't aware you used one of your 3T's - Your Time, Talent, or Treasure. I'll walk you through the 3T's on today's show and tell you how to pull from your 'tool belt' to load up your resume with the right material that will connect with your potential future employer.

Chapters
[00:49]
Both public and private school students have asked, "What do I put on my resume?".

[01:25]
That blank sheet of paper that you want to turn into your resume can be daunting, it can cause anxiety, fear, and stress.

[03:35]
Both you and your resume can benefit from listing down volunteer efforts on your resume! Use the 3T approach to get this done.

[03:51]
Craig recaps his recent volunteering time at the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch (FSYR).

[05:03]
Craig & his daughter, digital manager, Madison, spent some time with Foster Youth of America (FYOA) at the Annual Elevation Conference.

[07:50]
Remember to pull from your 3T bucket - Time, Talent, and Treasure - and give back to our community.

[09:18]
Craig, but what if I don't have a special skill or hobby, how can I still help?

[10:51]
Don't ignore the languages you know, if you're bilingual or speak a lesser-known language - this could be a great asset to your community.

[12:44]
You have the opportunity to make an impact now! Don't overlook your local schools.

[16:00]
For each targeted job, update your resume so that you connect uniquely with each hiring company.

Mentioned Links
Volunteering Opportunities
Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch
Foster Youth of America

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Your Dreams and Ambitions
No matter the circumstances, don't let excuses stand in the way of you achieving your dreams and ambitions. Today's episode has some tips and tricks to overcome common everyday obstacles when it comes to your goals, dreams, and ambitions.

 Listen in to find out how the old adage, "How do you eat an elephant?" applies to overcoming hurdles in your daily life. It doesn't matter if you have personal or professional goals, you can also achieve them with a bit of encouragement and the right tools to help you!

Chapters
[02:08]
What about those people that fail to act?

[03:38]
As Craig approaches 3 years of podcasting, he's willing to share his trials, fails, and recoveries!

[04:53]
As Craig traveled to a speaking engagement at Sandvik (Alleima), a medical wire manufacturing company, he ran into a potential future podcaster.

[06:26]
Your brain's protection mechanism can hurt your progress.

[08:17]
Craig's offer to turn 3 months of podcasting trials and errors into a 15-minute coaching call.

[10:47]
If something feels too big to overcome, break it down into bite-size pieces.

[12:22]
What are your dreams or goals and what's stopping you from achieving them?
https://craigancel.com/coaching

[14:22]
Don't let your dreams and ambitions flame out!

[15:18]
When you bring up a problem also bring at least one solution with you.

Mentioned Links
Grab your 1:1 virtual coaching session with Craig now!
See where Craig recently spoke at - Sandvik (Alleima) 

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Saying "I Don't Know" Is OK
So what happens when you're interviewing and you get a question you have no idea how to answer? You may be surprised, but it's actually OK to say "I don't know" as long as you use it sparingly.

It's true! You can admit when you don't know the answer to something. Rather than being a sign of weakness, it's actually the opposite, it's a strength! However, you need to limit how often you find yourself using that phrase...

There are also ways to recover when you don't understand the question or have a confident answer. Today's episode shares some of Craig's students' concerns and also what recent hiring recruiters and talent acquisition staff are saying about answering with "I don't know".  Additionally, when you don't have an answer to an interview question, there are several ways for you to really shine.

Tune it today to find out how to effectively use the interview response, "I don't know" and how to show you've thought ahead - that you know how to respond to tough questions.

Chapters
[02:33]
Craig's coaching students shared, that they didn't know it was OK to say "I don't know." during an interview.

[03:09]
What should do after you submitted your job applicant and get "The Interview Call"?

[04:22]
Here's an interview bonus tip to help you positively stand out and potentially reduce your anxiety and avoid a stressful moment.

[05:39]
Although you can say, "I don't know.", you should use it sparingly. Instead, ask the interviewer to rephrase the question.

[06:23]
Here's another interview bonus tip on how to respond when you don't know an area you were questioned about.

[08:15]
Don't fake it and stumble through your response.

[09:28]
Another interview tip that shows your preparedness and is an aid, bring a notepad and pen.

[11:10]
Let us know some challenging interview questions you've had - please share them on social media: @CraigAncel on Facebook (Meta), LinkedIn, and Instagram.

[11:55]
Recap: You need to know about the company that's interviewing you so that you can answer their questions.

[13:23]
Reminder: In-Person Interviews are Coming Back!

[14:06]
What if you turned your potential new job's pay rate into a pay range? You can influence your pay!

Mentioned Links
CGME: Ep 113 How to Answer Common Interview Questions
CGME: Ep 114 In-Person Interviews Are Back

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Your Job Title Doesn't Define You
If you're uncertain where you could work next, you're not alone. Often, we fall into the trap of letting our job titles limit our abilities for future positions.

This limited thinking can affect both the working class and students in their degree field. It's not about titles, it's about all the knowledge, skills, and capabilities you possess. It's about turning that into value so it can be seen by hiring companies.

When you realize your accomplishments are more than titles or degrees, you can show your true value on paper (job applications, resumes, and cover letters) and during your interview.

Don't fall prey to close-minded thinking, tune in today to make the most out of your life and open up new doors with new opportunities. You can rebrand yourself and your resume, just like Craig Ancel did!

Chapters
[02:07]
Some of Craig's coaching students can't seem to find their next job even though they can't wait to leave their current one.

[02:41]
Words of job hunting advice you don't want to miss!

[03:42]
Sometimes we can't see past ourselves and into the future; we let our job titles define us.

[5:12]
If you've risen to the top of your leadership chain and feel like your growth is stagnant, you can rebrand!

[07:04]
Not only are those in the job force affected, but students can also feel this way when it comes to their degree field.

[09:14]
Don't suffer from closed-minded thinking.

[10:20]
It might be worth it to perform a self-check to see if you're standing out at work, if so, make sure it's for the right reasons.

[11:16]
You, too, can rebrand yourself and your resume!

[13:58]
Remember, run to something, not from something.

[14:40]
There's an old phrase, "Jump when the boat's close to the dock."

Mentioned Links
CGME: Ep 27: That's Not My Job! Closed-Minded Thinking
CGME: Ep 10 Are You Standing Out?

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Pay Rate vs Pay Range - Maximize Your Money
Too many times we're excited to get a new job and quickly accept the hiring company's pay offer.  We fail to remember that we can often negotiate during an interview.

During today's show, I suggest you rethink your next job application process and how you respond when you get a pay offer. You are in control of your information and can strongly influence the value that the hiring company sees in you.

Don't miss out on today's episode - Pay Rate vs. Pay Range and learn to Maximize Your Money when it comes to the job offer. It doesn't matter if you're paid hourly or yearly with your salary. These tips and techniques work in both situations.

Chapters
[01:20]
How do your rock your pay offer during an interview?

[01:40
How many pay raises will it take you to go from $40K to $60K a year?

[03:30]
You should consider your true worth before the interview and fight for it!

[04:30]
Find out how some companies determine your pay offer.

[05:50]
I asked the question, "When do you think the interview starts?", and I got a surprising answer!

[07:15]
To maximize your pay offer you should rethink what and how you share information.

[08:47]
Do you submit cover letters with your job applications?

[09:46]
When we use closed-minded thinking, we only see a pay rate instead a pay range.

[11:11]
It's possible to push outside the pay range envelope and get more!

[13:55]
A bonus tip: Your LinkedIn profile can play a significant role in your hiring opportunities and even pay rate!
[16:45]
In the end, it's all about you and your brand - the message that you continuously share.

Mentioned Links
CGME: Ep 113 How to Answer Common Interview Questions
CMGE: Ep 114 In-Person Interview are Back

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