Career Sequel - The Return to Work Podcast with Lee Koles Ph.D.: Recent Episodes
Lee Koles, Ph.D.
Going back to work after a career break doesn’t have to be stressful. This podcast is all about helping you land flexible, meaningful, paid work you love. Each week Dr. Lee Koles - Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, Career Strategist and founder of CareerSequel - shares insider secrets and job search strategies on how to bridge your career gap and find a job that fits your life. Topics include: Forging your best career path, finding confidence, managing your resume gap, stress-free networking, writing winning resumes, optimizing LinkedIn and acing interviews.
It’s a lightbulb moment when your ideal career path presents itself (at last!). My former client, Nihal Kattar, shares his career story that began with doubt and worry and ended with a dream job as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator at the Promedica Health Care System.
Nihal and I discuss:
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The trap of taking the first job that falls into your lap
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The secret of Intentionality
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How identifying your strengths and core values can unveil career options
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How to break into the DEI industry
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The variety of DEI career opportunities
In this episode of the CareerSequel podcast, guest Laurie Halter and I get real about the challenges of work-life balance. We discuss:
- Authenticity as your secret weapon
- Navigating your career through divorce
- The gifts of being a single working parent
- Strategies for managing children during remote work
- Confronting your fears
Laurie Halter is the founder of the automobile PR firm, Charisma! Communications, and host of the Carearing Podcast.
Today’s episode eliminates the stress and mystery from writing a cover letter. I answer the pressing question, “Do I HAVE to write one?” (Spoiler Alert: Yes, you (nearly always) do.)
I give you my 3 rules for writing a winning cover letter and walk you through my cover letter recipe. You’ll learn exactly what to say to get yourself noticed and called in for an interview.
Now you can exhale. You’ve got this!
Take a peek into the brain of a hiring manager. In this episode I reveal the 5 interview red flags that will eliminate a job candidate from the running. Get set: they’re not what you think they are. In fact, you’re likely going into an interview stressing about circumstances that don’t even matter! Don’t worry - you’ll learn about the 3 factors that actually AREN’T red flags…so you can confidently ace your interviews.
You've been waiting for this: my #1 episode in my "BEST OF 2022 SERIES" countdown, where I unveil the most downloaded, shared and discussed podcast episodes of the year!
In my most listened to episode of 2022, coach Sari Kimbell and I discuss what it means to chase after and find your purpose. Sari has an incredible career story that's going to have you on the edge of your seat wondering, "what is this woman going to do next?" Sari's skills and experiences fell into place and now she has a business helping food entrepreneurs make their delicious dreams a reality.
Join me for the third episode in my “BEST OF 2022” Series where I count down the most downloaded, shared and discussed episodes of the year.
This episode is about a very twisty, curvy career path that ends in a dream job. It’s the story of my guest, Enith Williams, with chapters that include moving back and forth between Jamaica and NYC. Working in both the nonprofit sector and on Wall Street. Enith threw a career break into the mix, and finally, a leap from the banking industry to the world of reparative justice.
Enith used her financial industry expertise to found the Reparations Finance Lab. The RFL is dedicated to researching innovative solutions to racial disparities that stem from an era of enslavement and continue to this day. It works with financial institutions and city authorities to develop programs to address the needs of communities of color.
Join me for the second episode in my “BEST OF 2022” Series where I count down the most downloaded, shared and discussed episodes of the year.
This week you meet Judith Gaton - a stylist, life coach, author and former lawyer. We discuss changing careers to pursue a “big, giant dream”. Judith offers the wisdom gained through her transition from working as a partner in a law firm to becoming a Master Certified life coach. She dares you identify, acknowledge and embrace your dreams.
Welcome to the first episode in my "BEST OF 2022" Series where I count down the most downloaded, shared and discussed episodes of the year.
This week I introduce you to the person who personally demonstrated to me that you can step out of the workforce, take time off to stay home with your kids, return to school and build a successful career of your own: My mom!
Mom discusses her experience:
- Leaving a job she loved to stay home with her kids
- Returning to school to earn her Ph.D.
- Using volunteer work to gain experience and unique opportunities
- Learning through failure
- Growing a successful business
(Dad also makes a surprise appearance!).
Enjoy!
Join me in a special episode as I coach my coach! Listen in to my conversation with life and business coach, Dave Moreno. I unveil Dave’s Top 5 CliftonStrengths, shedding light on his unique talents that set him apart from others.
Dave and I discuss the power of strengths and how they can be used - strategically - to accomplish career goals.
This episode is a conversation that aired on Dave’s “Entrepreneurs Only” podcast. Dave helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses by working smarter, not harder.
Want to peek behind the curtain at a real Strengths Coaching session? Join me as I walk life coach Kristi Falany through her CliftonStrengths results. I shed light on Kristi’s unique strengths - what makes her unique and how she can use her talents to maximize success and negotiate challenges.
This episode is a conversation that aired on Kristi’s “Start in the Middle Podcast”. Kristi helps midlife women connect to the person they want to be for the rest of their life, without apology or guilt.
In this episode, we’re going to dive into gratitude - talk about the science of it: Why it feels good, the neuroscience behind it, how we can create more of it and how we can use it.
I want you to bring gratitude into your life - not only to improve your day and your mood, but also so you can use it strategically to improve your career and let it trickle into all aspects of your life.
Today’s episode is all about the career paths not taken, the decisions you make that steer you from one path to another - and how it all seems to work out.
I’m honored to have my mentor, social psychologist Dr. Saul Kassin, join me on the podcast. Dr. Kassin is a Massachusetts Professor Emeritus at Williams College, a distinguished professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the pioneer of the scientific study of false confessions. He’s also the reason I became a psychologist.
Dr. Kassin and I discuss:
The seemingly accidental decisions that take us one direction or another
The importance of a supportive mentor
The value of a non-linear career path
We also discuss his bombshell book, “Duped: Why Innocent People Confess and Why We Believe their Confessions” and his upcoming talks in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
In this episode, I talk with life and business coach Andra Erickson about assessing your career from a strategic vantage point: as the CEO.
Andra shares strategies for adopting a CEO mindset to achieve vision, clarity, decision making skills and leadership practices to achieve the next level of your career. Andra asserts that drive and determination, combined with relentless positive actions, will help you achieve any goal.
Burnout plagues personal lives and derails careers. It impacts people at all levels of their career journey, regardless of age or their job tenure.
Guest Pete Beskas, is a certified Life Coach who specializes in helping clients with burnout recovery and prevention. Pete is a writer, speaker and thought leader on all things burnout. He has spent over 20 years analyzing and solving burnout-related problems with unique, impactful solutions.
In this episode, Pete offers strategies to help you conquer “the grind” and find the freedom to make your career exactly what you want.
This week’s episode offers an insider’s view of a career path that twisted, turned and defied the odds. A former Navy SEAL, JP Bolwahnn, is a certified life and fitness coach who helps his clients unlock the healthiest and most highly effective versions of themselves.
JP’s career is built on hard work, discipline, making tough decisions and pushing aside doubts to pursue his goals. JP discusses his outstanding career journey and walks us through his 5 Rules for Overcoming the Odds.
This episode features special guest, Jeremy Schifeling, co-author of the fantastic book, “Linked: Conquer LinkedIn. Get Your Dream Job. Own Your Future.” A former education marketing leader at LinkedIn, Jeremy spills insider secrets to leveraging LinkedIn. We discuss:
- Why LinkedIn is so important to the modern job search
- The most important things job seekers should do on LinkedIn
- “Next level” LinkedIn hacks that you’ve never heard of before
Join me for the finale of my 4-Part LinkedIn Profile Workshop. In this episode, I take the mystery out of writing your About Section - the part of your profile that lets your personality shine. I walk you through a framework so you can confidently script an About section that connects you to recruiters and others in your field.
By the end of the Workshop, you’ll have a LinkedIn profile that helps you achieve what’s next in your career.
Join me for Part III of my 4-Part LinkedIn Profile Workshop. In this episode, I tell you everything you need to know to create a powerful Experience Section. I break down the process into simple, bite-sized steps that take the stress out of optimizing your LinkedIn profile. You’ll learn time-saving shortcuts, as well as secrets to make your Experience section logarithm-friendly.
By the end of the Workshop, you’ll have a LinkedIn profile that helps you achieve what’s next in your career.
Join me for Part II of my 4-Part LinkedIn Profile Workshop. In this episode, I tell you everything you need to know to optimize your LinkedIn Headline. I break down the process into bite-sized, manageable steps so you can take action to make your profile logarithm-friendly.
By the end of the Workshop, you’ll have a LinkedIn profile that helps you achieve what’s next in your career.
One of the greatest tools to develop your career is LinkedIn. As of today, LinkedIn has over 830 million users worldwide. It’s the ideal platform for sharing insight, connecting with recruiters and becoming a thought leader in your industry. I want to help you get in the game!
This episode is Part 1 of my 4-part LinkedIn Profile Workshop. I break down the LinkedIn profile optimization process into bite-sized, manageable pieces so that you can take action each week and accomplish part of the process. Today you'll learn what goes into the perfect profile photo.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a LinkedIn profile that will help you achieve what’s next in your career.
According to Mental Health America’s 2021 Mind the Workplace report, almost 83% of respondents felt emotionally drained from their work. 85% said that their job stress affected their mental health. Today’s episode addresses workplace stress and anxiety.
We discuss:
- The symptoms of stress
- Anxiety triggers in the workplace
- Strategies for coping with anxiety at work.
By the end of this episode, my hope is that you come away calmer - more in control of your mind, your anxiety - and your career.
Today’s episode answers the often-asked question: “What is the very best way to advance my career?”
So I’ve challenged myself with distilling down my strategic career advice. In this episode, I share the 4 secrets of career success. I’m keeping this concise - concentrated and bite-sized - so you can take these strategies and begin using them TODAY.
By the end of this episode I want you to feel like the future of your career is within your control. That you have the power to make your career something fulfilling and meaningful - something that you can grow. You’ll know what you need to do to advance yourself and become more successful.
This episode examines our career in the context of relationships. Life coach and “relationship guru” Melissa Caveney joins us to discuss:
- How our brain interprets emotions
- How our emotions impact relationships at work
- The impact of remote work on our relationships
- Fostering connections with our coworkers
- Strategies to diffuse conflict at work
In this episode you’ll learn about what it means to find your purpose and how this fits into your career trajectory. Best of all, meet Sari Kimbell - she’s a Coach, the Founder of Sari Kimbell Coaching and the Creator of Food Business Success®
Sari understands what it’s like to chase after and find your purpose. She has an incredible career story that’s going to have you on the edge of your seat wondering, “what is this woman going to do next?” All the pieces of Sari’s various careers fell into place and now she has a business helping food entrepreneurs make their delicious dreams a reality.
This episode is about a very twisty, curvy career path that ends in a dream job. It’s the story of my guest, Enith Williams, with chapters that include moving back and forth between Jamaica and NYC. Working in both the nonprofit sector and on Wall Street. Enith threw a career break into the mix, and finally, a leap from the banking industry to the world of reparative justice.
Enith used her financial industry expertise to found the Reparations Finance Lab. The RFL is dedicated to researching innovative solutions to racial disparities that stem from an era of enslavement and continue to this day. It works with financial institutions and city authorities to develop programs to address the needs of communities of color.
There’s nothing like guilt to zap the thrill that should accompany your next career move.
After searching and strategizing, you landed a job that will take you to the next level of your career. You’re elated! …for a while. Then the guilt begins to seeps in, clouding your once-excited mind with questions:
Is my career move selfish?
Will my manager be angry?
Will my coworkers feel blindsided?
How will my company get by without me?
This episode reveals 4 ways to work through that guilt so you can be happy and enjoy the anticipation of beginning your next job.
By the end of this podcast, your guilt should be drained away. Everyone should be able to celebrate when beginning a new career journey.
This episode details the inspirational story of my former client, Norma Mendelson. After over a decade of practicing law, Norma took a 20+ year career break that left her feeling professionally rudderless and unfulfilled.
Norma’s career story took a turn as she reclaimed her talents and learned that her volunteer accomplishments and unpaid work “counted”. She now has a writing consulting business specializing in online and eCommerce copywriting in the food, wellness and coaching industries. Norma loves helping her clients develop their written word in a way they’ve never heard it before.
Are you feeling unfulfilled in your career? Sometimes it’s difficult to discern whether you’re merely experiencing career “growing pains” or if it’s time to make a change. Today’s episode brings clarity to this issue. I review the 5 subtle signs that it’s time to consider a career change. Listen and decide if you check any of these boxes. By the end of our time together you’ll know whether or not your current career is right for you.
Welcome to Part III of my “BEST OF” SERIES! For three weeks in a row I’m bringing back the most downloaded, shared and foundational podcast episodes. I hand-picked each one just for you. They’re episodes that are packed with so much value, you’re going to want to listen to them over and over again (you may even want to get out a notepad!).
Today is the grand finale of my BEST OF Series. It’s the episode that is going to help you take your professional persona to the next level. I’m talking about Episode 6: How to Change Your Life with LinkedIn. If you’re not on LinkedIn - I’m actually excited for you because this episode will be key in introducing you to the next phase of your professional development. If you’re on LinkedIn, this episode gives you strategies to take what you’re doing to the next level.
Sit back and enjoy!
Welcome to Part II of my “BEST OF” SERIES! For three weeks in a row I’m bringing back the most downloaded, shared and foundational podcast episodes. I hand-picked each one just for you. They’re episodes that are packed with so much value, you’re going to want to listen to them over and over again (you may even want to get out a notepad!).
Part II of the BEST OF Series is THE MOST downloaded of all my episodes. I’m talking about Episode 9: Why You Can’t Stand Networking. People tell me that what they learn in this episode switches the lightbulb on in their brain. Not only that, but it completely changes the way they feel about networking and the way they approach it. Please sit back and enjoy!
Welcome to Part 1 of my “BEST OF” SERIES! For the next three weeks I will share three of the most downloaded, shared and foundational podcast episodes. I hand-picked each one just for you. They’re episodes that are packed with so much value, you’re going to want to listen to them over and over again (you may even want to get out a notepad!).
To kick off the Series, we’ll begin with an episode on my favorite topic: Strengths. Knowing your strengths is the key to understanding what sets you apart from the rest. It serves as a baseline to build your confidence. In this episode you’ll learn how to identify your strengths and leverage them to uplevel your career.
Today’s episode is all about money: how it impacts your job search, your return-to-work decisions and your career trajectory. \
Joining me today is my favorite money expert, Jill Wright, aka “Jill the Money Coach”.
Jill is a best-selling author, a certified life coach and…a money coach. Jill is THE expert on money mindset. Her specialty is exposing money lies - the myths people believe about themselves and about money that limit their success. Jill’s coaching empowers people to make financial decisions with ease and confidence.
This value-packed episode features guest Kristin Graham, founder of Unlock, and an expert on optimizing productivity and performance. Kristin spent 20 years leading culture and communications at global companies (most recently at Amazon). She is a global speaker and strategist, as well as host of the “Fewer Things Better” podcast.
In our conversation, Kristin and I discuss:
- How to propel your career forward by taking chances
- Strategies to help you make your next career move
- How to know when it’s time to change jobs
- Curating your personal brand
- Connecting with your ideal organization
So often when we’re looking for a job or beginning our next chapter, we put ourselves under the microscope and judge ourselves. We wonder who will hire us. We hope we’re talented enough; worthy enough.
In this episode we flip the narrative and put you in the driver’s seat. I grant you permission to be selfish and strategic in your job search - enough to determine if a company is the right fit. You come away with actionable strategies to assess if that organization you’re considering is worthy of you.
In this episode, Jill Griffin - fellow career strategist, executive coach and Gallup Certified Strengths Coach - and I discuss the top career trends of 2022.
Jill brings a unique perspective and insight; her coaching, strategy and innovation has generated multi-millions in revenue for the world’s largest agencies, start-ups and well-known brands. Jill has sat on all sides of the table, helping people feel understood while up-leveling their performance regardless of the environment. She is host of the Career Refresh Podcast.
Sit back and take it all in: Two career strategists coming in hot!
Imposter syndrome is the feeling that we haven’t earned our accomplishments or that our ideas and skills aren’t worthy of other’s attention. It comes with an unwarranted sense of insecurity and the feeling that you’re a fraud when - and here’s the key: when all evidence points to the opposite.
Imposter syndrome can keep us from growing, learning, achieving; it can keep us from living our life and enjoying our accomplishments. It affects our careers and so much more.
The problem with imposter syndrome is so often we don’t know that we have it. We just think that the limiting thoughts we believe about ourselves are true.
This episode is going to shed light on imposter syndrome: What it is, how you get it, what happens when you have it. I share 6 steps to breaking away from imposter syndrome so you can stop doubting your strengths, skills, and accomplishments and step into your career potential.
In this episode, I take you on a Mythbuster Mission! We debunk the top 5 return to work myths that paralyze job seekers, preventing them from building confidence and moving their job search forward.
You’re going to be shocked to learn that many of the things you’ve been telling yourself about your job search are simply untrue. Exposing these limiting thoughts as myths will give you the boost you need to make decisions and take control of your career and your future.
This week I introduce you to the person who personally demonstrated to me that you can step out of the workforce, take time off to stay home with your kids, return to school and build a successful career of your own: My mom!
Mom discusses her experience:
- Leaving a job she loved to stay home with her kids
- Returning to school to earn her Ph.D.
- Using volunteer work to gain experience and unique opportunities
- Learning through failure
- Growing a successful business
(Dad also makes a surprise appearance!).
Enjoy!
In this episode I share my favorite life coach strategies to help you make decisions. When you decide to become decisive, you open yourself up to growth, confidence and moving yourself forward so that you can achieve what you want in your career - and life.
I discuss the impact of being a good decision maker and share 7 “tricks” - questions you can ask yourself - to help make a decision.
By the end of this episode you’ll have the knowledge and the tools you need to decide on your next move and propel yourself forward towards your goals.
Judith Gaton is a stylist, life coach, author and former lawyer. Through her signature course, Style Masterclass, Judith teaches her clients that thought work is the key to a lasting makeover. She helps women see that when style and confidence are dialed in, they can do the work they were created to do in the world. Judith’s ultimate philosophy: Confident women build legacies.
In this episode, Judith and I discuss changing careers to pursue a “big, giant dream”. Judith offers the wisdom gained through her transition from working as a partner in a law firm to becoming a Master Certified life coach. She dares you identify, acknowledge and embrace your dreams.
This episode is all about getting through the most hated part of the job search: Finding out that we didn’t land the job - that it was offered to someone else.
I take you through the 6 steps to take immediately after a rejection. These steps will help build yourself back to make you a stronger job candidate for the next position that comes around.
Informational interviews are game changing in the job search process - so why isn’t everyone doing them? In this episode I demystify informational interviews and describe how you can use them at various stages of your job search process. You learn my 6-step process for designing and carrying out the interview and I give you a list of questions you can use to gather a variety of information. The final result: Clarity and direction as you embark on your new career path.
This episode is all about something that flares up at nearly every phase of the job search process: Doubt.
If you’ve taken a career break and are thinking of going back to work, doubt can stop you in your tracks. You wonder, “How am I going to go back to work?” “Who’s going to hire me?” “What do I have to offer?”
The same is true if you want to leave your job for something new: “Is this the right time to change my job?” “Is it smart to do something different?” “What if it doesn’t work out?”
You want your doubts to go away, so I’m going to help you do just that. First, you must understand them. Once you know WHY you’re doubting yourself, you can face them head-on and watch them crumble.
In this episode I discuss 4 reasons you’re doubting yourself. You’ll learn where the doubt comes from, why it‘s there and how to kiss it good-bye.
This episode is all about the simple secret to jumpstarting your career, your success and your life. It comes from one of my favorite books - one of the most inspirational books I’ve ever read - “The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy.
The Compound Effect stems from the idea that your decisions shape your destiny. It’s the little, everyday decisions that bring you closer to - or further away from - the life you desire.
Every choice you make shapes how you live today, and - ultimately - how you live the rest of your life.
I’ll discuss the wisdom and simplicity of the Compound Effect, how to incorporate it into your life and how to use it to impact your career trajectory.
What happens if you assess your options and find that the job you really want requires some extra education? Maybe you realize that you need a new degree to be eligible for the kind of work that you really want.
In this episode I introduce Camille Roney, aka “The Learning Mom”. Camille is a certified Academic Life Coach who specializes in helping “non-traditional” students balance school with other facets of their life. Camille understands the challenge of balancing going back to school with motherhood - she’s in the middle of doing this herself!
Camille shares her strategies to maximize time management, fend off imposter syndrome and enjoy the academic experience.
This episode is all about navigating the latest trend in the job search process: Virtual interviews.
A recent poll of 1,100 employers revealed that 82% adopted virtual interviews because of the pandemic. Nearly all - 93% said that they expected to keep using virtual interviews in the future.
The bottom line is that virtual interviews work. They’re cost-effective, time-efficient, Covid-friendly and are perfect for remote jobs. For these reasons and more, virtual interviews are here to stay.
Most of us are now used to meeting virtually, but that doesn’t mean that job applicants aren’t making big mistakes when it comes to interviewing over Zoom.
In this episode I fill you in on the 6 biggest interview mistakes so you can be aware of them and steer clear of them during your job search.
This episode is all about the part of the job search process that can paralyze even the most confident job seekers: Salary negotiation.
Only 39% of job candidates negotiate their pay, despite the fact that over 70% of hiring managers expect a negotiation. Think of all the money that’s left on the table!
So many of us freeze up when talking about money because it’s not something that we are used to freely discussing. In this episode I walk you through 5 steps to confidently negotiating your salary. You’ll understand exactly what you’re worth so that you can be paid what you deserve.
When was the last time you were in the market for a job? If it has been a while, chances are the job search game has changed. In this episode I share 5 mistakes people make during their job search that makes them look - and feel - dated.
Identifying these mistakes allows you to correct them for yourself before you re-enter the workplace. My goal is for you to have every possible advantage so that you enter your job search in top form.
I also share the one piece of (controversial?) advice that earned thousands of “Likes” on TikTok, along with my first haters.
One of the biggest challenges a woman faces when she becomes a mom is deciding what to do about her professional aspirations and her need for childcare. This episode examines the “Mommy Wars” narrative that claims mothers who choose to return to work and mothers who decide to stay home are “divided into hostile, defensive camps”.
Is this true? What are the costs and benefits of returning to work full-time or leaving the paid workforce? Do mothers have to choose?
I examine these questions and also reveal Covid’s impact on the workplace, job searches and the “Mommy Wars” myth.
Most job seekers underestimate their potential; they’re convinced that they lack the experience necessary to land meaningful work. Some concerns that arise during a job search include:
“I’ve been out of work for too long!”
“How do I even begin my job search if I have no experience?”
“What if I want to go into a completely different field?”
In this episode, I let you in on the 5 secrets to landing a job when you’re certain you have no experience.
Whether you’ve been on a career break or you’re seeking work in a different field, it is possible to find flexible, meaningful work that fits your life. I explain how you can do this in a way that provides clarity and builds confidence.
This episode is all about the inner voice that keeps telling you you’re meant for something more. It begins as a whisper, but grows louder and more persistent.
Your voice may be saying things like:
“People are only seeing one side of me.”
“I have so much more to give.”
“I need to use a different part of my brain.”
“I’m not fulfilling my potential.”
It can be difficult to know what to do when you hear that voice. You’re not sure if you should listen to it and actually make a change. You worry what will happen if you decide to pursue something “more” and wonder how it will impact others around you. Doubts creep up as to whether it’s too late to pursue other ambitions.
In this episode I share the 5 Steps to take when you realize that you’re meant for something more. You can decide to do something to change the trajectory of your life while appreciating - not resenting - where you are right now.
Have you ever wondered what NOT to do in an interview?
In this episode I’ve gathered stories from my own experiences and from those of my recruiter and HR friends to bring you the 10 biggest interview mistakes. By biggest, I mean the most common and most detrimental.
Others before you have made these mistakes so that you don't have to!
When faced with a potentially stressful situation - like a job interview - it’s sometimes easier to remember what NOT to do; when you hear stories about someone making a mistake you can consider how you would do things differently. In this episode I walk you through each of the 10 biggest mistakes and offer what you should do instead.
Understanding interview pitfalls will give you the edge so you can land a job you love.
Have you ever felt “trapped” in a job you despised? Chances are that the industry, the company or the job itself was in conflict with one or more of your core values.
When returning to work, it’s important to find a job that fits your life. To do this you must understand your core values and be sure they are aligned with your potential career opportunities.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- What core values are and why they are powerful
- How core values impact your career satisfaction
- How to identify your core values
- How core values lead you to a job you love
Identifying your core values will wind up saving you time, energy and money. It’s one of the most important and overlooked steps of the job search process.
Are you a good mom?
In this episode I welcome guest Jodi Schilling, Founder of The Good Mom Coaching Company and host of the critically acclaimed "The Good Mom Podcast". Jodi works with moms to help them develop strategies to maintain healthy family relationships and feel content with their role as a mom.
Jodi discusses how parents can stay true to their personal and professional aspirations while transitioning both into and out of the workforce. She offers insight regarding the concept of personal identity and how families can work together to accommodate shifting career demands.
This episode is all about how the job you begin in 2022 can be even more fulfilling, more interesting and more meaningful than your previous career.
Did you know that a smash hit movie sequel shares the same qualities as a successful career sequel? In this episode I share the 5 elements that go into a blockbuster sequel. By the end of this episode you’ll know how to return to work - to rave reviews.
Here’s to your star power in 2022!
This is the career countdown you’ve been waiting for all year!
I combed through all episodes of “CareerSequel: The Return to Work Podcast” to bring you the Top 10 Best Pieces of Job Search Advice of the year - ranked! Be sure to take notes, save this podcast and share it with your job searching friends - I count down the most impactful strategies to help you land flexible, meaningful work in 2022.
Enjoy!
People are catching on to the value of a coach and the coaching industry is experiencing exponential growth. If you haven’t hired a coach yourself, you probably have friends who have used a coach to help them in some way. In fact, the coaching industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world, with more and more organizations and individuals using coaching services - the estimated market size is expected to reach $20 billion in 2022.
The demand for coaching keeps escalating - but is it right for you?
In this episode I’m going to:
- Demystify coaching. So you’re going to understand what coaching is and what it is not.
- I’m going to answer the questions that you have about coaching
- I’ll also discuss the 5 reasons people are running out and hiring coaches
Join me for the very first CareerSequel Story interview!
Jenny Barton discusses her return to work journey and describes the challenges she overcame when she transitioned from lawyer to stay-at-home mom to her dream job with the National Alzhiemer's Association.
You’ve gathered information on how to land a job you’ll love…so why is it that you’re not going out there and doing what you know you need to do? In this episode I explain the cognitive psychology behind the reason you’re not taking the actions required to find flexible, meaningful work.
By the end of this episode:
- You’re going to understand why you are or are not taking action
- You’ll learn the secret to making things happen for you
- You’ll know how to propel yourself forward in your job hunt, regardless of what is going on around you
If you’re thinking of setting aside your career ambitions for the next month, DON’T! Did you know that the holiday season is actually the perfect time for your job search? In this episode, I tell you all about how the holiday season can actually boost your career opportunities. You’ll learn about how you can propel yourself forward while still enjoying your family, your friends, your vacation and all that you do to make the holiday magic happen.
I’m going to fill you in on 5 ways you can advance your career over the holiday season.
By the end of this episode you’ll:
- See that you don’t have to choose the holidays over your career ambitions
- Enjoy the holiday season even more knowing that it isn’t tearing you away from the goals you have for yourself.
- Have simple strategies in your pocket that you can use to help you return to work
- Understand how the holidays can make you an even more attractive job candidate
Your career break doesn’t typically make it onto the “thank you list” when we consider all the things that enrich our lives. This episode details how being thankful for your career break can pave the way to a flexible, meaningful work that fits your life.
You’ll learn 3 reasons to be thankful for your career break.
By the end of this episode:
- You’ll see your career break in a totally different light.
- You’ll have concrete examples of how your career break improved your life.
- You’ll feel a new sense of gratitude for your career break.
- You’ll understand how being thankful for your break will shape your future career.
This episode is all about how to find yourself after your career break. Specifically, you need to reconnect with your professional self if you want to land a job that plays to your strengths, fits your life and pays you what you deserve.
I discuss the 4 secrets to finding yourself after a career break. By the end of this podcast you’re going to:
- Look at yourself in a new way
- Reconnect with your past professional self
- Realize that you are capable of doing so much more than you’re giving yourself credit for.
In this episode I discuss why it's never too late to begin a new career. I review - and debunk - 4 myths about going back to work after a long break.
By the end of this podcast, you’ll realize that you can absolutely go back to work at any age and have a fantastic career. You'll learn:
- It is never too late to begin a new career journey.
- You have a wealth of transferable skills and resources to help you hone new skills.
- Organizations are actively looking to diversify their workforce and have many reasons to hire older employees
- Countless people have gone back to work at a later age and have had meaningful, impactful careers.
In this episode I explain why you've been feeling so awful about networking. The bottom line: You're doing it the OLD way. It's time to learn everything you need to know about the NEW networking - it's a kind of networking that actually feels GOOD.
This kind of networking is rewarding, effective and will pave the way towards a job you’ll love. I'll detail 5 steps of the NEW networking. They’re simple, easy and they take away all the stress.
This episode provides everything you need to go out there and ace your interview. The process will be demystified and you'll feel calm & confident when you interview.
This episode reviews how to ace your interview in 5 simple steps.
By the end of this episode:
- You’ll understand how to prepare for the process
- You’ll anticipate the Qs you’ll be asked and you'll know how to answer them
- You’ll know how to address your career break
In this episode, I’m going to calm your fears and get you on track to writing a resume that will showcase your skills, get into the hands of a hiring manager and ensure that you are seen!
I’ll discuss 4 strategies to create a winning resume. In the process, this episode will:
- Set the record straight on what goes into creating a winning resume.
- Describe today’s resume rules - the ones that have changed and the ones that stayed the same
- Reveal how to steer clear of misinformation. You won’t fall prey to formatting and scripting that the ATS can’t handle
- Detail how to represent your career gap
This episode is about my favorite social media platform, LinkedIn, and how you can use it to change your life. If you’re serious about finding a job that taps your talents, if you want to discover opportunities that you hadn’t even considered and if you want a higher paycheck, then I recommend you get on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is exactly what you need to give yourself and your career trajectory a jolt.
By the end of this episode, you’re going to understand what LinkedIn is and why you should be on it. You will also learn 3 ways you can use LinkedIn to change your life.
This episode is all about how to identify your "superpowers": Your strengths. Your job search becomes so much easier when you understand your strengths:
- You start looking for job opportunities that play to your talents
- You are guided towards a fulfilling career path
- You can articulate your best qualities in your resume, on LinkedIn and in your cover letters
- You’ll show up for interviews projecting a different level of energy
- You can explain why you’d be perfect in a particular job role
By the end of this episode:
- You will know what strengths are
- You’ll understand why strengths matter
- You’ll know how to identify your own superpowers
- You’ll understand how your strengths can help you land a job that you'll love
Has your confidence been shaken since you took a career break? You’re not alone - lack of confidence is the biggest obstacle to those re-entering the workforce. In this episode you’ll learn 3 secrets to restoring your confidence so you can jumpstart your job search and land flexible, meaningful work you’ll love.
Follow @CareerSequel on Instagram for daily inspiration or to submit questions.
Visit https://www.CareerSequel.com for free resources and strategies to go back to work after a career break.
Do you worry your career break will prevent you from finding a great job? In this episode I challenge this notion and discuss how you can use your break to your advantage. I’ll talk about 3 ways your career break can be the catalyst to finding flexible, meaningful work that is perfect for you. By the end of this podcast, you’ll understand how and why your career break can position you to be a stronger, more attractive job candidate.
Are you feeling confused about how to go back to work after a career break? In this episode I discuss how to end your career break and find a job you love. You learn about figuring out what you want to do, finding confidence, networking, closing your resume gap and more.
This episode welcomes you to CareerSequel - The Return to Work Podcast and gives you a sneak peek at the topics to be discussed in upcoming weeks. Every episode will include tips, insight and actionable strategies to help you bridge your career gap and find flexible, meaningful work you'll love. Some topic areas include:
- Deciding what you want to do
- Identifying and articulating your strengths and values
- Building confidence
- Networking via genuine relationships
- Designing a winning resume
- Optimizing LinkedIn
- Acing interviews
You also meet your host, Dr. Lee Koles, Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, Career Strategist and the founder of CareerSequel - an organization dedicated to helping people re-enter the workplace following a career break.