On today’s episode of the Finding Career Zen podcast, Pete is joined by HR professional Ricky Baez to talk all about cover letters. Are they antiquated and unnecessary, or should job candidates take the time to write one when applying for a new position? Pete has a strong opinion on the subject, and his goal throughout the episode is to convince both Ricky and our listeners that a cover letter is absolutely worth the extra effort.  

Is Pete successful in persuading Ricky on the value of cover letters? Tune in to find out and hear why Pete believes all job seekers should use one! For more information on how to write a cover letter, check out our letters & templates. 

Should you use a staffing agency when looking for a job? The short answer: absolutely. But if you aren’t convinced quite yet, check out today’s episode of the Finding Career Zen podcast where Pete answers this question at length. He’s here to explain how recruiters work for the job candidates and encourage everyone to take advantage of the free help.

Whether you are just beginning or already deep into your job search, tune in to this episode and learn more about staffing agencies and why it's in your best interest to utilize one. 

On this episode of the Finding Career Zen podcast, Pete and Ricky run through the most important factors to consider when deciding between job offers. As a candidate, you need to think above and beyond salary and total compensation and start looking at the organization’s culture. Is it an environment where you want to work?

As discussed throughout the episode, Pete and Ricky agree that there's no one-size-fits-all answer to any of these considerations. Only once you fully understand the benefits, perks, culture, and other variables should you look to decide. 

Wondering what the number one thing is to consider when deciding? Tune in to find out!

On today’s episode of Finding Career Zen, special guest Pete Warhurst joins the podcast to share his story. Pete’s career journey is both unique and inspiring, from working at a gas station, to becoming a paramedic, to selling the EMS software he designed, to creating the nationally-recognized moving and storage company PODS. Pete Warhurst has truly done it all, and he’s not done yet! Coming out of retirement for a second time, he is now in the process of building Red Rover Moving & Storage – an innovative company with undeniable potential for success.

Tune into this episode to hear his story and learn more about his journey to success.

Inquiring about becoming a franchisee? Check out redrovers.com or give them a call at 833-733-7683!

Advice for entrepreneurs: 

• We all have these great ideas that come along. The challenge is picking out the right one. 
• You've got to have the guts to go for it. Have that fortitude to keep moving along.
• Surround yourself with people smarter than you. With a lot of highly-skilled talent, you can hire the right people to provide guidance and help you navigate challenges.
• Work ethic is contagious. Set the example, culture and expectations and you'll get where you need to.
• Success is a product of risk and effort. You don't start off at the top, you have to climb the mountain. Nobody is going to do it for you. 
• Success doesn't happen overnight. You are going to have bad days. You grow and improve by dealing with adversity, not by running from it. 

You’ll never get a second chance to make a first impression, so get ready to take some notes! Pete and Ricky are here to share everything you need to know about making your first day of work great on today’s episode of the Finding Career Zen podcast.

From arrival to departure, Pete and Ricky run through everything you should know before your first day to ensure it runs smoothly. Knowing what to expect, like how to dress, where to park, and even what you’ll do for lunch, can guarantee you make a successful first impression and feel confident doing so.

Are you nervous about your first day of work? We can help! Tune into this episode for some great advice to calm those nerves, and check out our things to consider before your first day of work checklist to make sure you are ready to go. Good luck!

Advice for making a great first impression:

• Don't assume anything. Anytime you walk into a new situation, you're bound to have questions. The best way to alleviate those doubts is by asking about what to expect. It's natural to be nervous. Both sides want your first day to go as smoothly as possible.
• Ask for an employee handbook in advance. This is a great thing to review in advance if the company will provide it to you. Reading through it will arm you with as much info as possible going in on the first day.
• Your first day is not the time to showcase your skills unless you're asked. It's the time to listen, ask questions, and really take in what the culture has to offer. Don't feel the need to perform early on, no one's expecting that of you. Go in looking to learn and absorb as much information as you can.
• It's better to show up overdressed than underdressed. You never want to show up underdressed in a professional setting, and you definitely don't want to stand out in the wrong way. Remember that every environment has its own culture and expectations for dress code.
• Take a test run before your first day. If you’re in person, make the drive ahead of time (and at the same time!) and find out where to park to ensure you arrive at least 20 minutes early. If you’re virtual, make sure all of your technology works in advance and show up 2 minutes early on Zoom.
• Be eager, be hungry, and be willing to be coachable. Don't let your ego get the best of you, you will have so much to learn about your new organization. Create a foundation to have a solid career with the company and don’t get hung up on what’s in your job description. If you want to stand out, you must go above and beyond.

On today's episode of the Finding Career Zen podcast, Pete and Ricky are here to discuss everything you need to know about quitting your job. Is it necessary to give two weeks' notice? Does anyone really check references? Is there a right and wrong way to tell your boss? These questions and more are answered by Pete and Ricky, who also reveal the real reason you should be quitting your job on professional terms.

Are you considering quitting your job? Tune in to this episode for some great advice on how to approach the situation, and check out our sample resignation letters & templates!

Advice for quitting your job in a professional way:

• Always offer at least two weeks’ notice. Give the courtesy of 14 days for the organization to find a replacement or to make the necessary adjustments. The higher up you go in an organization, the bigger the notice you should give. 
• Mean it when you offer it. Plan to work as hard in those final two weeks as you did in your first two. It's hard but it's doable. You have to suck it up and grind it out. 
• Go out in a professional manner. Think about what's best for your career and go out with courtesy and grace. It will serve you well over time. Always protect your professional reputation and do it for your own self-interest. 
• The people who experience your departure will remember it, good or bad. Always be in a position where you don't have to avoid someone that you run into in public because of how you left the situation. Don't burn any bridges because references will be checked. 
• When initiating the conversation, go with what's comfortable for you. The more personal the better. Write your resignation letter, have it prepared, and then have the convo live so it's not drawn out.
• Don't offer criticism unless there's some benefit to it. Make sure it's not just for the sake of taking shots at someone or something. Feedback is valuable and really appreciated a lot of times when something can be done about it. 

On this episode of the Finding Career Zen podcast, special guest Margaret McAfee is here to share her journey to becoming an influencer. 

After college, Margaret spent a year in the retail industry before joining Pete at 4 Corner Resources as a recruiter. During those 7 years, Margaret’s determination and success were undeniable as she quickly moved up the ladder, first into sales and then into management. But Margaret’s life outside of work was also changing and after her third child she made the decision to move up north with her family full-time and become a stay-at-home mom.

When COVID hit shortly after, Margaret began to post about the renovations they were doing to their new home, publicly displaying the same work ethic that previously brought her professional success. One thing led to another as she gained a following on social media, having an opportunity to partner with brands while developing a reputation as a sought-after designer. Now, Margaret is taking things to an entirely new level by launching a new business, McAfee Home Designs. If history is any indication, we look forward to the success we know will follow!

For anyone interested in design or content creation, be sure to tune in to hear Margaret’s story and some excellent advice for how you can get started!

Advice for aspiring content creators:

• Put yourself out there. Don't hesitate or wait, and don't try to be perfect or great early. You have to evolve and put in the time. Figure out how to turn your passions into a career.
• Your age is not a limit, but experience, confidence, and knowledge are. You have to earn your credibility, it's not handed to you. Get out there and explore what you like and what you're passionate about. 
•  Be willing to put yourself out there publicly. Don't be afraid and avoid creating content for other people, put it out there because it's for you. If you're interested in it, whatever that thing is, there's probably a pretty big audience out there. Someone may learn something. 
• You have to grind. Put content out there for yourself because you like it, not because someone else did it. Don't try to emulate what someone else has done. It takes a lot of time and effort, and it's not as glamorous as it looks. 
• Be open to change and evolution because you never know where it could take you. You're creating your own path and essentially entering a new career in this world.

On today’s episode of the Finding Career Zen podcast, Pete is joined by special guest, Dr. Benjamin Ritter. Dr. Ritter is a leadership, executive, and career coach for Live for Yourself Consulting, an organization he founded to empower and create accountability for the leaders of today and tomorrow. He explains LFY’s process in helping leaders craft a career that aligns with their values, and focuses on the importance of finding happiness within your career throughout the episode. 

Ben’s motivation to guide others comes from his own personal career dissatisfaction and the lessons he had to learn along the way. He shares some excellent advice for those unhappy at work and offers resources for those ready to begin exploring their interests. He believes creating clarity around your interests and defining your fears are key to creating a fulfilling career.

Tune into this episode to hear more from Benjamin and check out his free e-book, “5 Secrets to Creating a Fulfilling Career.”

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn here!

How to achieve and find career satisfaction

• You are the most important person in your life. You make your own decisions and the most important leader in your life is yourself. Ultimately, you choose who to follow and what to believe. 
• If you’re unhappy at work, you’re the one that made yourself unhappy. You need to take responsibility for your own career satisfaction and start creating clarity around what you’re interested in. Realize you’re uncomfortable enough and confident enough to create something new for yourself. 
• If you believe you’re in a toxic work environment, challenge yourself on those beliefs. Ask other people about your experience to see if they have a different perception. And ask yourself if your reaction to your environment is serving your career path and ability to build relationships, or hindering it.
• Ask yourself what’s the worst thing that could happen. Most of the time, if you sit back and think about it, you would be fine. It might be stressful, frustrating, and take time, but you would make it work. People are handcuffed to things based on their fears, so define what you’re afraid of and let it play out. 
• If you’re unsure what you want to do, the best way to learn is through experience. Exploration becomes more difficult as you get older, so take the time to discover your true interests. 
• Combining work with your true interests is a wonderful thing. Knowing what you want is a gift. If you know what you’re passionate about, it would be a disservice to not explore it. You don’t need to quit your job or give up everything that you’ve worked for over the years, but go get a taste of it.
• Start reading books. Listen to podcasts and do research. There are so many resources out there for us now. You have to take accountability for where you’re at and decide to change it. Take ownership and take action, otherwise it’s just talk.

Layoffs are still happening as January draws to a close, and they are happening frequently. If you’re a LinkedIn user, your feed is likely filled with those announcing their sudden and unwelcome availability. Emotions are high, and understandably so, but there’s a right way and a wrong one when it comes to posting personal details on social media.

On this episode of the Finding Career Zen podcast, Pete is joined again by Ricky Baez to share their professional advice on how to handle this situation. They discuss the importance of exercising restraint when digitally preserving your emotions and expressing your frustrations at home instead. In addition, Pete and Ricky urge those who have been laid off to use social media to their advantage rather than against them.

If you or anyone you know is on the job market right now, Pete and Ricky are here to help. Tune in to this episode for some great advice and send any questions you may have to [email protected] today!

Connect with Pete and Ricky on LinkedIn!

Advice for handling layoffs on social media

• Look forward as quickly as possible and make a plan. Take a day to get the disappointment out of the way and explore your frustrations at home. Lingering on what happened isn’t going to help solve the problem. 
• Don’t express your anger on social media. It will follow you, and it will linger. It’s okay to be upset but filter those emotions online. Your emotions will go away, but social media won’t.
• You will have to answer to those posts for the rest of your career, so avoid digitally preserving your emotions to be used against you later on.
• What you post tells others who you are. It speaks to what you value, how you approach business, and your decision-making abilities. Who you are will translate into what kind of employee you will be. Employers want to know who they are trusting to bring into their organization.
• Don’t be negative on LinkedIn. Focus on getting your next opportunity. Positively use LinkedIn to help you after a layoff. Start sharing what you’re passionate about in your career and let people know you’re looking. Extend your network and use it to your advantage

It's easy to know what to do when you land a job, but what about when you don't?

Pete is joined once again by HR consultant, Ricky Baez, on today’s episode of the Finding Career Zen podcast to discuss job rejection. Despite how well you prepare for the news, you will undoubtedly be disappointed and upset when it happens. Ricky explains that how you handle the situation often determines what happens next. He shares three tips to help you can make the most of your experience.

Tune in now and start taking every failure as an opportunity to learn!

Connect with Pete and Ricky on LinkedIn!

What to do when you don’t get the job

• Thank the recruiter for their time and the opportunity. When you recieve the call that you didn’t get the job, a decision has already been made. You may be feeling hurt in the moment, but bite your tonue and say it anyways. It will serve you better long term. 
• Ask for feedback. Don't get upset or rebut it, but acknowledge what the interviewer saw and how you came across. Doing this will not only raise your awareness for the next interview, but also send the message that you want to improve.
• Continue to communicate with your recruiter. These indivudals are valuable and tangible assets. Slowly begin to build that relationship, so you'll be at the top of their mind when a new position opens up.