Career Coaching 🔴 Live Office Hours with Andrew LaCivita

Key Concepts

• Resume Writing Workshop (Free, September 29th - October 3rd)
• Peak Hiring Season (November - February)
• Recruiter Screening vs. Hiring Official Decision
• Boss Avatar/Boss Hunting
• Networking on LinkedIn
• Salary Negotiation
• Addressing Employment Gaps
• Negotiating Non-Compete Agreements
• Layoff Preparation
• Targeting Companies vs. Applying Online

Resume Writing Workshop and Peak Hiring Season

Coach Andy announces a free resume writing workshop running Monday through Friday, September 29th through October 3rd, from 11:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time for at least 2 hours each day. The workshop is normally a $500 value. Upon registration, participants receive a welcome email with a download link to the "resume content builder," a comprehensive guide on capturing stories, writing resumes, and structuring information, including a career achievements journal. The goal is to prepare participants for the peak hiring season, which Coach Andy identifies as November through February.

Salary Negotiation Strategies

When a recruiter asks for salary range commitment, the advice is to always say, "That sounds fine. Let's get rolling." The recruiter is screening, but the hiring official has the final say. Negotiate salary later in the process when your value is higher. Never negotiate with someone who can only say no. The exception is if you love your job, company, and boss, and are working long hours.

Boss Avatar and Targeted Job Searching

The "boss avatar" technique involves creating a detailed profile of the target boss, including their pain points, goals, and needs. This helps tailor your messaging to highlight how you've achieved similar goals and overcome similar problems. Focus on the boss's goals (e.g., increased brand awareness, lead generation) and potential problems (e.g., lack of brand recognition, ineffective marketing campaigns). In cover letters or emails, emphasize how you've helped organizations achieve general goals by overcoming general problems. Before an interview, obsess over the specific boss you'll be meeting.

Networking and LinkedIn Messaging

For networking on LinkedIn for sales roles, Coach Andy recommends his networking booklet or the "boss hunting bible" (for premium members). In the free domain, he suggests a video on job search networking that discusses the seven emotional triggers and the best emotions to evoke in a networking message. He also offers free boss hunting cover letters (emails).

Addressing Salary Expectations and Negotiation

If a job offers less than your previous salary, watch the salary negotiation workshop. Negotiating power comes from your value proposition, not your salary history or employment status. Interview effectively, demonstrate your value, and present a salary negotiation grid outlining your objectives and value attainment. Advanced negotiation tactics can be used at the 11th hour to address personal circumstances. What you used to earn is not the employer's problem. They are deciding how much you are worth based on the value you bring.

Addressing Employment Gaps

When returning to the job market after a pause for family care, simply state "Returning to the workforce after recent family care since [Year]" at the top of your resume. Avoid elaborating on family-related experiences during interviews.

Negotiating Non-Compete Agreements

Non-compete agreements are negotiable. You can negotiate the terms or even request a waiver. Everything is negotiable, including sign-on bonuses, relocation expenses, and other forms of retribution.

Preparing for Potential Layoffs

Coach Andy has a three-part series on layoffs available on his YouTube channel. The series covers how to detect impending layoffs, how to avoid being affected, and what to do if a layoff occurs.

Applying for Jobs and Salary Ranges

Apply for jobs with salary ranges above, at, and below your expected salary. Joining a company is more important than the initial job. Don't limit opportunities based on publicly available information. Focus on targeting companies and bosses rather than applying online. Publicly advertised jobs represent only 20% of potential opportunities.

Updating LinkedIn Profile

Whether or not to update your LinkedIn profile to reflect unemployment makes "absolutely zero zero double zero difference." Focus on demonstrating your value and dedication to the company's mission.

Notable Quotes

• "That sounds fine. Let's get rolling." - Response to recruiter's salary range inquiry.
• "Negotiating power does not come from your situation. It does not come from your history. It comes from here and here." - Emphasizing the importance of value proposition in salary negotiation.
• "You join a company, you do not join a job." - Highlighting the importance of company culture and growth opportunities.

Technical Terms and Concepts

• Boss Avatar: A detailed profile of the target boss, including their pain points, goals, and needs.
• Resume Content Builder: A comprehensive guide on capturing stories, writing resumes, and structuring information.
• Peak Hiring Season: The months of November through February, identified as the period with the most hiring activity.
• Salary Negotiation Grid: A tool used to outline objectives and value attainment during salary negotiations.
• Sunk Cost Bias: The tendency to continue investing in something because of the resources already invested.
• Teammate Syndrome: The emotional attachment that develops during the interview process, making the hiring manager more inclined to make concessions.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Coach Andy's live office hours provided actionable advice on various career-related topics, including resume writing, salary negotiation, job searching, and networking. Key takeaways include the importance of preparing for the peak hiring season, understanding the dynamics of salary negotiation, targeting companies and bosses, and focusing on value proposition. The session emphasized proactive strategies, mental fortitude, and a willingness to negotiate and adapt to changing circumstances.