The Exclusive Career Coach

Lesa Edwards
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The Exclusive Career Coach

The Exclusive Career Coach is presented by Lesa Edwards, CEO of Exclusive Career Coaching. This weekly podcast covers all things career management including job search strategies, interviewing tips, networking tools, maximizing LinkedIn, salary negotiations, and managing your mindset around your career.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Finding Ikigai for Your Career

    I talked about the concept of Ikigai back in episode #243. This past week, a colleague posted a graphic about Ikigai and it got me thinking that it was time to re-visit and expand on this concept on the podcast.  Here’s the purpose of Ikigai: It is the Japanese answer to a life of purpose. In practice, this concept of Ikigai is a lifestyle, which the Japanese live somewhat instinctively.  We here in America can learn from the Japanese in this regard. Here’s a quote from the ikigailiving.com website: “Your Ikigai wakes you up in the morning and leads you away from a mundane, status-quo lifestyle. It empowers you and drives your actions and purpose.”  Ikigai is the intersection of -What you love -What the world needs -What you can be paid for And -What you are good at  What I liked about the graphic my colleague posted was that it shows what I’m going to call “partial Ikigai” – what you end up with when you have two or even three of these things, but not all four. This is where I want to go today. Here’s my invitation to you as you listen: For those of you who are living your Ikigai – this is an opportunity for you to sink into gratitude about that. To think through – perhaps even journal on – the ways in which you are at the intersection of what you love, what the world needs, what you can be paid for, and what you are good at.  For those of you who know you AREN’T in Ikigai and those of you who realize it by listening to this episode, I will give some tangible steps you can take at the end. I promise, there is a way to at least move towards your Ikigai without changing everything about your life.   What You Love + What the World Needs = MissionAt this intersection, you are engaged in work you love AND contributing something the world is in need of. You’re committed to the environment, let’s say, so you find yourself volunteering for several climate groups, save the whales, saving the rain forest. Perhaps you are getting paid for your work, but not at the level your education and experience call for.  What you DON’T have at this intersection is consideration of what you are good at or what you can actually get a paycheck from.  You are committed to the cause, you are fully bought-in to making the world a better place. BUT you are either doing volunteer work or not getting paid enough to live a respectable lifestyle. You also are doing work that you aren’t necessarily good at – perhaps loving the cause and your idealism so much that you are square-peg-in-round-holing it.  Result: Burnout and Poverty. You aren’t playing to your strengths in this role, which will, eventually, lead to burnout. You will be constantly “picking up” odd jobs or one-off assignments to earn enough to make ends meet. You will likely be denying some desires, such as travel, a home of your own, etc.  Solution: Is it possible for you to get a full-time job with one of the organizations you’ve volunteered with, or been in a smaller role with? Can you keep the cause you are passionate about, while shifting your role within that organization to one that compensates you and utilizes what you are good at?  Possible Compromise: Start with figuring out what you actually need to earn for the lifestyle you desire (be reasonable). Then consider volunteering for your causes – or supporting them financially.   What the World Needs + What I Can Be Paid For = VocationAt this intersection, you have a very practical occupational decision – devoid of passion. You’re being pragmatic, but not taking into consideration what will actually fill your soul.

    25 min

  2. NOV 6

    How to Earn Bonus Points on Your Behavioral Interview Answers

    I talked about this topic way back in episode #150, which aired in 2020. I thought it was time to bring it back. The framework I teach my clients for answering behavioral interview questions is CAR(L). C – Challenge A-     Action R – Result (L) – Lessons Learned The “L,” when used correctly, can be incredibly powerful in driving home exactly what you want the interviewer to learn about you from your answer. “L” can take two forms: Lessons Learned – “What I learned from this situation was…”OR“What I think the story demonstrates about me is…” I think the beauty is in examples, so here are three:  Example #1Interviewer: “Tell me about a time when your customer service skills were really put to the test.” C: In my current role as branch vice president, customer concerns are escalated to me. By the time the issue comes to me, the customer is often angry and frustrated. Just recently, I received an escalation at one of my branches concerning a customer who claimed the bank had stolen money out of her account – and she was understandably furious. A: I knew this was not a situation to be handled over the phone, so I set up a time to meet with her at a neutral location where we would have privacy. I felt this environment would be less stressful for her than to go into her branch. When we first met, I worked to establish a connection with her – not as an officer of the bank, but as a human who was concerned about her issue. I didn’t want to dive right into the problem – I wanted to put her at ease. When I asked her about the situation, I asked her if I could make some notes. While she was talking, I didn’t interrupt to ask questions – I wrote my questions down for later. When I asked questions, I made sure they didn’t sound accusatory or defensive. I then promised her I would fully investigate the situation and get back to her in one week. R: After conducting my investigation, I found that a cosigner on her account had, without her knowledge, withdrawn the money in question, and I was able to tell the customer who that person was. I did this in a compassionate way, knowing that she would likely feel embarrassed about the situation. I think the best indicator of how this turned out was that the customer baked cookies for the branch staff and sent me a personal thank you note. (L): What I think this demonstrates about my customer service skills is my patience, how attuned I am to maintaining everyone’s dignity and privacy, and ability to find a problem that others couldn’t.   Example #2Interviewer: “This position requires extreme attention to detail. Describe a time when you had to exhibit exceptional levels of attention to detail.” C: Earlier this year, my boss asked me to conduct a final proof on our annual investors’ report. This document had already been reviewed by 2 others, and I think my boss expected that I would give a quick review and rubber stamp it. A: Instead, I decided to fact-check everything. I clarified how much time I could have for the project – it wasn’t much time. So I worked evenings and over a holiday weekend to complete my assignment. R: I was able to find four number errors that would have had significant impact if sent out. I also found a number of grammatical and spelling errors, which I also corrected. As a result, I received a personal note from my boss, commending me for my efforts – and I am now the designated final reviewer of our annual investors’ reports. (L): What I learned from this assignment is that sometimes I need to go deeper than what is asked or expected of me.

    21 min

  3. OCT 31

    Bridging the Gap Between New, Mid-Career, and Late-Career Employees (with Cheryl Fields Tyler)

    My guest this week is Cheryl Fields Tyler, CEO and Founder of Blue Beyond Consulting. We are talking about the challenges – and rewards – of having multiple generations in the workforce (Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z). Cheryl tells about the key takeaways from her research – both for younger workers and those who lead them – including the skills you need to work in a multi-generational work environment, the differences and commonalities in workers’ needs and requirements, and how to leverage a range of strengths in a diverse workplace. Cheryl has worked for more than 30 years in helping organizations build cultures where both the business and the people thrive. She has been featured in media including CNBC, BBC, Fast Company, and Forbes. In 2020, Cheryl received the For All Leader Award from the Great Place to Work Institute, and under her leadership, Blue Beyond has been repeatedly recognized as one of the Best Small & Medium Workplaces by FORTUNE and as an Inc. 5000 company. You can find Cheryl Fields Tyler at:www.bluebeyondconsulting.com (http://www.bluebeyondconsulting.com/)linkedin.com/in/cherylfieldstyler Want a copy of Cheryl’s research?https://www.bluebeyondconsulting.com/winning-on-the-people-side-of-business/ (https://www.bluebeyondconsulting.com/winning-on-the-people-side-of-business/) Are you in the wrong job that chips away at you every day? The document and coaching programs offered by Exclusive Career Coaching will help you find a job that uses your zone of genius, recognizes your value, and pays you what you’re worth.  If you’re ready to take your job search to the next level by working with a highly experienced professional with a track record of client success, schedule a complimentary consult to learn more:  https://calendly.com/lesaedwards/zoom-meetings2

    50 min

  4. OCT 23

    Focusing on the Gap vs. Focusing on Your Progress

    I could have subtitled this episode “Beating Yourself Up for What Didn’t Get Done vs. Celebrating What Did Get Done.” In other words, when you don’t do it all (and when do we), what do you make it mean? I want to address this topic relative to three issues: Your job search, your work performance, and your life outside work. Here’s a typical scenario: You decide to look for a new job. You tell yourself you are going to consistently devote 10 hours a week towards your efforts. You’re going to network, look on LinkedIn…all the things. The next thing you know, a month has gone by and you’ve made little progress. Work or home life got in the way. You’re just too busy. Maybe you actually did quite a bit towards your job search – but have no results to show for it. You have two choices at this point: Give up or regroup. Your choice is largely determined by the story you tell yourself in this moment.If you tell yourself:“I don’t know what I’m doing.”“No one wants to hire me.”“I don’t deserve a new job anyway.”You are going to make a very different decision than if you tell yourself:“I am going to sit down today and map out a plan for my job search – and calendar it in.”“I have found jobs before and I can do it again.”“I let other things get in the way of my job search – but that is in the past.”Here’s what I am recommending in that moment: Tell yourself the truth – but don’t beat yourself up. Don’t make excuses for what happened (or didn’t happen) – be compassionate and understanding towards yourself. Next, I recommend that you write out what you HAVE done. Chances are, you have made some progress, so write it out and give yourself the credit due. The next thing I want you to do is fill up a page with positive things you believe about yourself relative to the situation. For example, if you planned to lose 10 pounds over a three-month period and only lost three pounds, what do you know to be true about you?-I have lost weight before, so I know I can do it again-I DID lose three pounds-I have started to kick my sugar addiction-I’ve learned how to prepare healthier meals-I’ve added a lot of plant-based foods in my diet-I’ve started a walking programYou get the idea. Now you’re focusing on your progress rather than that seven-pound gap. I also want to address the doing side of this situation, with seven suggestions to increase your chances for success going forward. #1 – Map out a realistic plan#2 – Calendar it in#3 – Check in regularly on your progress (or lack of), and make any necessary changes#4 – When you encounter an obstacle, find a solution (it’s only failure if you stop trying) #5 – Get help if/when you feel you need it#6 – Celebrate your success – and not just at the end#7 – Adopt IT’s “Lessons Learned” approach To summarize: When you fail to meet a goal for yourself, it’s important to be kind to yourself and objectively look at the goal and your progress toward it. -Does the goal need to be revised? Do you need this goal at all? Is the problem with the goal itself, or the timeline you’ve set for that goal? -What are you making this “failure” mean – and does that meaning support you?-What do you need to think to increase your chances for success going forward?

    20 min

  5. OCT 16

    How and Where to Integrate Networking into Your Job Search Strategy

    So, full disclosure: I wanted to do an episode on networking, covering it from a perspective I haven’t yet addressed. That’s not always easy when you’ve done more than 300 episodes! I’ve done episodes on how to network throughout your career, but today I wanted to focus on networking as a major component of your job search strategy. I ended up deciding to pull pieces from some other episodes I’ve done on networking while also adding fresh, new content. So here goes. Why Should I Network? -As many as 85% of jobs are gotten through networking, with 70% or more of all jobs being in the Hidden Job Market. -Hiring managers like to hire people they know. In the absence of people the hiring managers personally know, they like to hire people who are known by people the hiring managers know, like, and trust. Many companies have a referral program for this very reason. -When you are just applying online to the company’s website or via sites like LinkedIn, it is akin to being in a very crowded auditorium, trying to get the attention of the people on stage. It’s very difficult.  -When you have a conversation with a decision maker in the absence of a posted job, you are in competition with no one. This is where the real magic happens. -Even when you have a world-class resume and superior LinkedIn profile like the ones I create for my clients, you are still not fully dimensional. That can only happen through personal interaction. -Once you’ve established a relationship with someone who is in a position to hire you or advocate for you, your shortcomings as they relate to the job qualifications may become less significant. Keep in mind that, as you network, you aren’t asking people for a job. You are asking for leads, referrals, suggestions – and hopefully, for them to make an introduction on your behalf. Group NetworkingIf you are looking in your local area for an opportunity, an in-person networking event may be a great option for you. Keep in mind, however, that even if you are looking for positions in another city or state or a remote opportunity, the people you meet at a local networking event will have friends, colleagues, and family members in a wide range of roles as a wide range of companies – possibly even throughout the world. My recommendation is to identify 2-3 potential group networking opportunities, then give each at least two tries before crossing them off your list. Here are some suggestions: -Chamber of Commerce -Rotary, Kiwanis, and other service clubs -Your place of worship -Your university alumni association -Meetup/Facebook events -Events you attend on your own – if there are people there, you can network -Professional association meetings (your own and others’) -Educational/training event -Causes you volunteer with/are on the board of In addition, there are online networking events, especially since Covid. I belong to a group called Ellevate Women’s Network – do some googling and see what you can find that interests you. How to Work the EventThis depends, of course, on the setup of the event, but I want to give you some tips and considerations. -Set a goal. Depending on the overall size and composition of the group, decide ahead of time how many people you want to speak with. Alternatively, you may decide to network until you find someone who ____ (fill in the blank). -The all-important first impression. Smile, give a strong handshake, make eye contact as you introduce yourself. Repeat the other person’s name as a way to help you remember it. -First be interested, then interesting.

    27 min

  6. OCT 9

    Hybrid Work Strategy or Hostage Negotiation? The present and future of remote work (with Wayne Turmel)

    This week we are talking about hybrid work – specifically, what it is, why it’s such a hot topic, and where it’s heading.  My guest this week is Wayne Turmel, Master Trainer and Coach with The Kevin Eikenberry Group. Wayne Turmel has been writing about how to develop communication and leadership skills for almost 30 years. He has taught and consulted at Fortune 500 companies and startups around the world. For the last 18 years, he’s focused on the growing need to communicate effectively in remote and virtual environments. Wayne defines hybrid work strategy for us – what it is and what it most definitely is not – and how that definition has evolved since Covid. We get a peek into the future of hybrid work, as well as the generational implications of onsite, fully remote, and hybrid work preferences.  You can find Wayne on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayneturmel/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayneturmel/)or at The Kevin Eikenberry Group.  You can grab a copy of 25 Tips for the Long-Distance Leader at kevineikenberrygroup.com/25tips.   Are you in the wrong job that chips away at you every day? The document and coaching programs offered by Exclusive Career Coaching will help you find a job that uses your zone of genius, recognizes your value, and pays you what you’re worth.  If you’re ready to take your job search to the next level by working with a highly experienced professional with a track record of client success, schedule a complimentary consult to learn more:  https://calendly.com/lesaedwards/zoom-meetings2

    39 min

  7. SEP 25

    It's Not Your Job's Job to Make You Happy

    To purchase a Power Hour and schedule your coaching session:https://calendly.com/lesaedwards/power-hour (https://calendly.com/lesaedwards/power-hour)  Some of my coaching friends and I call it “shoulding” all ...

    23 min

  8. SEP 18

    Four Success Traps That Lead to Burnout (with Hannah Tackett)

    My guest this week is Hannah Tackett, software design manager turned burnout coach, and we are talking about the success traps that lead to burnout. Hannah describes her personal journey with burnout, what burnout actually IS (and isn’t), and the signs you are on your way to burnout.  Having navigated her own career-halting burnout, she helps high-achieving women end the cycle of people-pleasing & perfectionism so they can experience success with energy, focus, and serenity. I found the success traps that lead to burnout fascinating – and completely understandable. But Hannah doesn’t leave us hanging – she gives tips for heading off burnout and returning to balance.  You can find Hannah at: https://serenesuccess.net/ (https://serenesuccess.net/) You can find Hannah’s Burnout Score Quiz at: https://serenesuccess.net/score (https://serenesuccess.net/score)  If you are a high-achieving professional with the goal of landing in the C-suite, the Highly Promotable coaching program may be just the ticket! This 1:1 program is targeted to strategically leverage one of your strengths to become a signature strength — and move the needle on one of your developmental areas so it becomes a strength.  This is a four-figure investment in your professional future! If this sounds like just what you need, schedule a complimentary introductory call to determine if you are a fit for Highly Promotable:  https://calendly.com/lesaedwards/highly-promotable-introductory-call

    30 min
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About

The Exclusive Career Coach is presented by Lesa Edwards, CEO of Exclusive Career Coaching. This weekly podcast covers all things career management including job search strategies, interviewing tips, networking tools, maximizing LinkedIn, salary negotiations, and managing your mindset around your career.

Information

  • Creator
    Lesa Edwards
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2024
  • Episodes
    299
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 The Exclusive Career Coach
  • Show Website
    The Exclusive Career Coach

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