Career Launch 102: Three FAQ's

03/16/23 • 16 min

In this episode I tackle three questions that you may encounter as you continue your career journey. Even though I have developed a pretty strong opinion on the answers for them, I know that each one has more than one correct answer. I hope that my perspective will help you to figure out what the best answer is for you.

1. Should I apply first and engage my connection later or first find a connection to refer me into the position?
2. When do I need to include a cover letter with my application?
3. What do I if I need to respond to an offer before I have completed planned interviews elsewhere?

As I share during this short episode, you must look out for you, always. There is often no one right answer, but by gathering additional perspectives you can form your opinion and create your plan forward.

Previous Episode

Effective networking with guest Gabby Lopez

In this episode Gabby Lopez joins the Chat Room to discuss ways to make your networking work for you in all the best ways. Whether you are using social media like Facebook or Linkedin or you are networking in person or live (phone or video), there are some best practices to consider that will make the energy you are putting into networking turn into the results you are looking for.

We discuss how to focus your requests when connecting with others for help and how you should make proactive networking a priority so that you are not just connecting when you need something. An interesting idea that Gabby shares is how to leverage a local volunteer opportunity in your community as a way to add to your network and acquire experiences that could go on your resume as well. We explore tips and best practices that have worked in a variety of different scenarios.

Gabby is the Founder of Morning Tea Coaching, which focuses on helping young women grow professionally by translating their school and life experience into a career they love. She also manages a Facebook networking group which helps women connect with each other and the resources they need to be successful. Check out that FB group for the resources she mentions in the episode or reach her directly by visiting www.morningteacoaching.com.

Next Episode

What to do when you've lost your job with guest Jaime Diglio

In this episode Jaime Diglio and I discuss the steps that you can take to position yourself well when you have lost your job. We encourage you to move fast, get focused, and stay flexible as a mantra to guide your actions. The topic is as relevant today as in December of 2020 when Nick Wagner produced an entire "Day of Helping" and asked us to share advice in a live session on that day. Now more than two years later, we decided to revisit the actions we recommended in 2020, and update our advice for 2023.

We recommend that you:
- Update your resume, but also be certain your Linkedin profile is updated and accurately reflects the entirety of who you are. People often forget to highlight the most important and interesting things about themselves
- Activate your network, by first engaging with people who have experience working with you to provide the ability to understand your strengths and what you are known for
- Identify what you want to do next, without limiting yourself to your past experiences, industries, or locations
- Expand your network with connections at your employer, schools/ universities, volunteering and all other aspects of your life
- Invest time in your network, knowing that not every interaction will result in a job opportunity and even if you are employed, this investment is important to ensure you can hit the ground running if a job loss situation comes up for you

Being laid off is, for better or for worse, becoming more "normalized" than it has been in the past. It is important to remember that you are not alone, you have experiences and skills that are valuable, and there are resources available to give you the ability to move forward from here. Do not make the mistake of suffering in silence. There are resources available out there, coaches who specialize in helping professionals through career transitions. There are also people within your network who are willing to help. Use the tips highlighted in this podcast to find your advocates and build your "WIN" team.

Jaime Diglio is the Founder of inFirst Coaching where she trains leaders and ambitious professionals on how to WIN at work and in life. With a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology combined with 20+ years in sales leadership roles at Gartner, Microsoft, Slalom, and various high-growth startups, her proven coaching techniques have become a secret weapon for her clients’ success. As a TEDx speaker, mom and skilled performance coach, her highly sought after WIN Room Program is a game changer for anyone who wants to take their career to the next level.