Career Warrior Podcast

Today, we are going to delve into one of the most frequently mentioned topics regarding LinkedIn: making those connections! It’s not enough just to have a strong profile; you need to make sure that you are gaining traction and visibility by virtue of the connections you make. And a slew of mini-questions arise when it comes to this main topic...

• Who should I accept or reject requests from?
• How many connections should I have?
• How can I get my connections up in a meaningful way?

We are going to address all of these questions and so much more in this podcast episode.

I brought on Tom Powner, founder of Career Thinker. He is a LinkedIn strategist, resume writer, job search & interview coach, and recruiter for sales, marketing, and HR professionals. Tom is part of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches. And perhaps most relevant -- I met Tom on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is such an important tool, and I’m hoping here today we can say something that will inspire you to a better career using this tool.

So let’s talk LinkedIn and bring you in on that journey during this conversation. And let’s make your life even more fulfilling with our 46th episode on the Career Warrior Podcast!

Here's what we cover regarding networking on LinkedIn:

• Why is networking so important? Let’s talk about LinkedIn as a networking tool.
• Why might size might matter for someone who’s getting out there and trying to further his or her career? Is there a right or wrong number of connections to have?
• Why is it important that I don’t accept requests from everyone to get those numbers up?
• Who should I be accepting requests from?
• What are the top 3 ways to get my numbers up?

Resources mentioned in the podcast:

Connect with Tom Powner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tompowner/

Check out Career Thinker, Tom's business, here: https://www.careerthinker.com/

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EMAIL US your best rejection stories from this challenge to [email protected]

During our last episode, we covered the idea of facing rejection and exposing ourselves to it more constantly, which makes us stronger. But did you know that you can make a game out of it? This episode, I decided to go out in the field to win 5 rejections by asking for somewhat ridiculous things.

Some of my favorites:

• "Can I have a discount?"
• "Can I try on your ear pods?"
• "Can you sing a song for me?"

You will see in this episode how playing such a game can help you out in the "real world" where you need to ask for more important things (e.g. promotions).

We hope you enjoy this episode, and I'll see you next time!

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Today, we’re going to punch fear in the mouth by discussing rejection therapy and what it can do for you. I know so many of us -- including myself -- limit our own potential by not going to what we want. Or worse, we don’t go for what we should be going after.

• Maybe there is a job you want to go for, and it’s a stretch for you.
• Maybe you believe it’s time for a promotion, but you’re scared to ask your boss.
• Maybe your co-worker is the hottest thing on the planet and you’re afraid things are gonna get awkward real quick once they say no.

Well, dealing with rejection is a muscle, and today we’re taking you to the gym.

I brought on Alex Grodnik, a true Career Warrior, and we’re going to talk about the concept of rejection therapy. Alex is the Co-Founder of Payclub and the Founder of Grod Media, which hosts the Moving Up Podcast.

So let’s talk about rejection therapy because this can really take you up a notch in life!

Questions we address:

• Who’s Alex Grodnik?
• First of all: Why are so many people afraid of rejection?
• What’s rejection therapy used for? Why is it so useful?
• What’s the key outcome I should be moving toward?
• Let’s talk about how we can practically use rejection therapy in our lives. How would I tell that listener to use rejection therapy as a tool in their job search -- or even to make them more of a warrior?
• What are some other applications I can use this tool for?
• Alex, if you could give one piece of advice to every job seeker on what they should do to be successful -- what would that be?

Resources from the show:

• Check out Alex Grodnik's Moving Up podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moving-up/id1223825795
• Find out about how you can start your own podcast with Grod Media: https://www.grodmedia.com/

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We are going to discuss entrepreneurship -- and specifically the idea of quitting your job to start your own business.

• Maybe the idea of starting your own business excites you.
• Maybe you’re about to make that leap of faith right now.
• Maybe you’ve been in it for a while, and you’re not sure if you should keep going.

Today, we’re going to discuss some of the best considerations for anyone who wants to call this journey their own. We’re going to talk about what entrepreneurship is really like, who it’s wrong for, and if you stick around until the end...you’re going to hear some great stories, including some highs and lows in pursuing this journey for the last 5 years.

I brought on Michael Testa, a friend of mine who is similar to me in many ways. Michael quit his high-paying job to pursue his dream of starting his own business. His background previously included leading technology initiatives for various Fortune 500 companies. He now works alongside me at Capital Factory, the tech hub for entrepreneurs, where he’s been putting in hustle to launch Eat Cheap, which is building the biggest library of food and drink deals in the nation.

The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Here's what we cover:

• Who is entrepreneurship right for and who is it wrong for?
• What did you give up when you decide to start your own business? What do you feel like you get in return for choosing this path?
• Let’s talk about what people will think about you when you choose this path.
• Both Michael and I answer: what has been the highest high, and what has been the lowest low of our journey so far?
• Work life balance : still relevant? If so, what’s that look like?

Resources mentioned in the show:

• Connect with Michael on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeltestamba/
• Check out Eat Cheap here: https://eatcheap.app

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Today, we’re going to discuss the most underrated career advice ever -- and that’s communicating with confidence. So many of us are focusing on the words that we say in communication -- whether that be an interview, negotiation, or just an everyday conversation with your boss.

But what many of us forget is the way we deliver those words.

• Does our body match what we are trying to say?
• Do we appear unsure of what we are trying to say?
• Do we appear confident?

We are going to cover it all with two amazing experts within the world of corporate communication.

With 45+ years of combined experience, Jennifer Rock and Michael Voss are the founders of Rock Dot Voss, a communications agency that helps companies and C-level executives to produce results.

• Clients claim Jennifer Rock is: "Calm and organized even in absolute chaos." And previously, Jennifer led Employee Communications teams and programs at Best Buy.
• Clients call Michael Voss: "Every exec's trusted collaborator,” and Michael also worked for Best Buy as Senior Director of Employee Communication.

Both Jennifer and Michael are authors of Operation Clusterpuck: A B.S. Incorporated Novel. The fiction tale includes workplace romances and corporate fiascos all in one, which we will discuss at the end of this podcast.

Here's what we cover:

Setting the Stage:

• Let’s talk about where this advice is going to be applicable. Does this type of communication matter apply to 1-on-1 situations?
• Why is body language so important?

Heart of the Content:

Some areas of nonverbal communication that we cover:

• Tone of Voice
• Body Language
• Gestures
• Eye Contact
• Crutch Words

The format:

• What is the biggest mistake that people are making in the area?
• Contrast this with how people should be communicating.
• Are there any techniques, exercises, or hacks that can get people improving in each area?

Resources from the podcast:

Get Operation Clusterpuck here: https://www.amazon.com/Operation-Clusterpuck-B-S-Incorporated-Novel/dp/1634891716

Find out more about Jennifer Rock and Michael Voss' work at RockDotVoss.com

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Check out Jordan Gross & Cloud Nine Living at https://www.journeytocloudnine.com/

Welcome to the 41st episode of the Let’s Eat, Grandma Career Warrior Podcast! We are going to talk about how to do what you want to do not what society expects you to do.

I are going to take you on an adventure today with my friend and author-expert, Jordan Gross:

• He’s a best-selling author of the book, Getting COMFY: Your Morning Guide to Daily Happiness (which was the theme of our 17th podcast).
• He’s founded 3 different startups and helped many professionals to improve their careers including employees at Google and Amazon.
• And another amazing fact: he’s a TedX speaker.

Here’s the thing: here’s why I’m bringing Jordan on today. He’s coming out with a new book called The Journey to Cloud Nine: which is all about the protagonist’s journey about doing what you want to do --- not what society tells you to do. The book discusses what life could be when you choose your path -- not someone else’s expectation of your path.

Topic Material for this episode:

• What is Cloud 9 Living?
• Why do people choose to go the route of choosing career paths that are safe or pre-approved by society or family members?
• How should we define success in our careers? (Contrast this with how most people define success in their careers).
• Let’s talk about how we can avoid the pitfall of choosing career paths based on societal pressure.
• Timing: When is the right time to pursue that Cloud 9 Moment?

• Check out Cloud Nine Living at www.journeytocloudnine.com

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Is the customer always right? Email us what you think at [email protected] We’d also love to hear your customer horror stories and how you dealt with them.

Today, we’re going to talk about dealing with angry customers! We’re going to have stories, tips, strategies in dealing with them.

Dealing with Angry Customers: The Three Things I’ve learned.

1.) Start developing a sense of emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence: Notice that gut wrenching feeling in your stomach, take a breath, and just keep going.

Understand why this person is acting the way that they do. 9/10 people are acting from an instinct of FEAR. Not hate for you. These people don’t hate you...they are just afraid that their situation isn’t going to work out.

2.) Reframe the conversation into a problem-solving session.

Remember: it is so important to stay objective in these situations. You need to remove that emotional feeling as much as possible and get past that barrier no matter what. The easiest way to do this is to think of it like a puzzle you are trying to solve. This will make you more curious about the root of the problem--which would better help you solve it, and not let your emotions cloud your judgement. And the quicker you can get them to cooperate and go into the same problem solving mode -- the better!

What this also will do is give you a sense of confidence that you wouldn’t otherwise have if you were taking it personally. This confidence is incredibly important when you’re dealing with customers because if you are just going to take the weak position, people aren’t going to trust you to solve their problem.

3.) L.A.S.T.

I am a personal fan of the last technique. I’ve even heard of the BLAST technique, which I’ll tell you about after the LAST technique:

• Listen
• Apologize
• Solve
• Thank

B. is for Believe...

Tips and techniques to add on top of that: use their name and smile when on the phone with this person.

Resources and Call to Action

• Molly Edmonds in her article How Anger Works explains the anger reaction.
• Email us at projects@letseatgrandma about a time when you dealt with an angry client. Do you believe in the old adage, "The customer is always right?"

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For our 39th MASHUP episode, we tackle the theme of rejection and how to overcome its negative aspects.

The fact is... rejection is a part of life!

It cannot be avoided, and it's something that everyone goes through.

And at the risk of sounding like a self-help guru, how we HANDLE that rejection determines the quality and outcome of our lives.

Go ahead and give adversity a nice slap in the face -- and tune in to this episode whenever you feel you need the extra push.

Here are the individual episodes featured in this podcast special:

• #2) Navigating Career Changes
• #13) Rejection, Disappointment, and Depression | When Your Job Search Goes Dark | Austin Therapist, Emily Griffiths
• #14) Voices of Job Seekers: Challenges, Triumphs, and Horror Stories
• #15) Listen to This When You Feel Rejected
• #31) When Should You Quit Your Job? | Clara Chorley of Clarity Unlimited

A huge thank you to the talented musicians who provided the soundtrack for this episode:

Beyond by Whitesand

Video link: https://youtu.be/0mH7UXHUZ60

Follow Whitesand on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/martynaslau

The Art of Silence by Uniq

Follow Uniq on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/uniqofficial

The Quest by Whitesand

Video link: https://youtu.be/0mH7UXHUZ60

Follow Whitesand on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/martynaslau

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This is another Just-Ask-Chris minisode where I try and answer a commonly asked job seeker question in under 10 minutes! Today, we discuss what experience you should remove from your resume.

Core concepts in the podcast episode:

• The resume as a marketing piece vs. the all encompassing document.
• Look to the job postings! This is golden rule #1 because you'll have no direction whatsoever.
• Why you should cut out fluff and where to start looking.
• Your summary probably sucks.
• Favor accomplishments over experiences. It's okay to talk about descriptions but do be specific and not vague. Show context.
• Start looking at older experiences with suspicion...if you're going to include stuff, keep it super short (AND MAKE SURE IT'S relevant in the first place).

Resources:

Blog: How to write a great summary statement: https://medium.com/@Resume_Doctor/resumes-creating-a-summary-statement-that-wins-interviews-5626843ef224

Podcast Episode: How long should your resume be?: https://shows.pippa.io/job-seekers-podcast/episodes/9-how-long-should-your-resume-be-just-ask-chris-minisode-1

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Welcome to the 37th episode of the Let’s Eat, Grandma Career Warrior Podcast, where our goal is to not only help you land your dream job -- but to help you live your best life.

Today, we have a really interesting one. It’s something that I think we can all relate to no matter what your job is.

And that’s...SETTING BOUNDARIES at work. Boundaries are something that you should have and are an essential part of someone’s health.

So we’re going to cover the following:

• Why boundaries are so important at work?
• What some ways you can start setting those boundaries?

Maybe you’re listening to this episode, and boundaries are something you’ve never thought of before. Well change starts today, and you’re a Career Warrior -- not just a regular worker bee. So it’s time to become the best version of yourself. Let’s go.  

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Psychology Today: Clarifying Boundaries by Andrea Mathews: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/traversing-the-inner-terrain/201608/clarifying-boundaries
• When should you quit your job?: https://shows.pippa.io/job-seekers-podcast/episodes/31-when-should-you-quit-your-job

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