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Articles by David Couper

Browse published articles attributed to David Couper, with full-archive search.

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By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Ten Most Common Interview Questions

When going through a career change, it’s important to know what to expect every step of the way and this includes the interview process. Below, we’ve outlined ten of the most common interview questions and how to best answer them. 1. "Tell me about yourself..." Although technically not a question, this is often how job interviews will start out. As someone in a career transition, you need to outline the most important past events in regards to education, professional positioning and skills in a few minutes flat. Be bold, be brief and be honest. 2.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

3,093 views3.8/5 (5)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Outsiders Inside Create Winning Career

Workplace Outsiders are the square pegs who can’t settle into the round holes of their job. They are the people who may try hard but never succeed or the people who look like they have worked it all out but inside are unhappy and unfulfilled. Take the assessment to see if you are an outsider at work. “Self-Assessment: Are You a Workplace Outsider? Take this quiz and find out if not knowing how to be unique at work might be holding you back from the career satisfaction you deserve. Answer YES or NO as honestly as you can: 1. At lunchtime do you usually eat alone?r

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

2,014 views5/5 (2)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Advantages to being self employed, or employed

You want to change jobs, but you are not sure whether you would like working for yourself? Here are my top four reasons to be self employed, and to be employed. Self Employed – Pros 1. Freedom! You work as much as you like, when you like, where you like and dressed in what you like. 2. Money! A successful freelancer or consultant can make significantly more than doing the same job as an employee. And there are tax benefits. For example, one client of mine earned 40 percent more in one freelance gig compared with doing the same work as a fulltime employee. 3. Sanity!

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

3,332 views2.5/5 (4)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***How to Fail at Networking

1. Not doing your research. - Make sure you know who will help you and why. Understand your business and how it works. Research which are the companies that you want to work with and which are the ones that you don't. If you don’t you run the risk of blowing the job. - I called someone without researching their company only to find that they didn't work in Europe like I thought they did. So my pitch about my European background was wasted. . Networking with the wrong people. - A Career Fair may be a great place for some people looking for a job but not always.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,661 views4/5 (4)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Breakdown to Breakthrough in Your Career

You're on the way to a job interview and you're already late because you couldn't find your car keys and you found a mark on your suit that you tried to clean off but made worse. You get on the freeway and suddenly you get a flat tire. You've had a breakdown. You can't get to the interview on time. And you know that the cardinal rules of interviews is to get there on time. You have three choices: change the tire - and get filthy dirty, call AAA and hope they come fast or sit down and cry.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,732 views3.4/5 (5)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Five Career Rules for Surviving the Recession

1. Don't be part of the story. Stop reading the papers, listening to CNN and checking on your 401k. Focus on the positives, not the negatives. Even if you are hit by the recession, focus on what you can do, what’s good in your life, not on the doom and gloom the media is pushing. 2. Plan for the worst, and the best. Start budgeting today to build your cash position, and reduce expenses, just in case your salary or job is cut. Keep your resume fresh. But at the same time, plan for the best. Look out for promotion opportunities, work on your own business, and follow your dream. 3.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,939 views3.7/5 (3)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***After You Finish Your Degree -- Tips for College Graduate Job Hunters

You’ve finished your degree and now what? Obviously, you want a job… or do you? What are your options? 1. Earn another degree or a professional qualificationr Pros – gives you a year or two before you need to find a job. That could be a plus in this economy if you choose a degree that makes you more valuable. An MFA in film history is fabulous, but will it pay the bills! Cons – increases your student loan tab unless someone else pays. Consider teaching, some states or counties will pay for your credential. Look into government programs which enable you to build skills.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

3,314 views2.5/5 (2)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Is it too late to get seasonal work for this year?

Getting a seasonal job is not only a good way of making some extra cash, but it’s also a great way to change your career. Too late or not? But is it too late to find a job for the holidays? You may be saying, “Hey, the holidays are here. We just had turkey day and I’m not going to get a job now.” And you know what? That’s reasonable. Companies were hiring in mail delivery, retail and hospitality but with the recessionary tough times they may have filled their spots. Or not!

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,905 views3/5 (4)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Califo ia Employers Add Jobs

Califo ia employers add 32,500 new jobs in January. And although that’s not true everywhere it’s a good sign. Any positive news on the job front must benefit all of us. But what does that mean for job hunters? If you don’t have a job you can be more hopeful. But you still need to keep up the pressure. 1. Do your research. And the results may surprise you. Manufacturing and construction started hiring but finance and information lost jobs. Where were those jobs? What can you do to move into the growth areas? 2. Be even more prepared. Work on your resume.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,628 views3.7/5 (3)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Job Hunting Tips for the Over-40 Crowd

Time was that being ‘old’ in the job market meant 70, maybe 60. Now, when you hit 40, you can be considered ‘over the hill.’ It’s mostly because of stereotypes. Even though people are living longer and healthier lives, employers still worry that an older employee will cost more money for healthcare. They also believe, wrongly, that older employees won’t understand technology. Many organizations think that people who didn’t grow up in the digital world can’t or won’t adapt fast enough.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

2,034 views3.5/5 (2)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Looking for a management job in 2010?

What’s the future hold? Industries that are doing well or expanding, such as healthcare, green/alte ative energy and certain tech sectors, will continue to hire mid and senior level executives, according to executive recruitment firm CT Partners. Finance and pharmaceuticals are also looking up, however, at large corporations generally the outlook is underwhelming. Ed Savage, Managing Director for the L.A.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,520 views3.3/5 (4)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Off the wall tips for finding a job

Tired of the same old advice? Then read these job hunting tips you have never heard before. 1. Don't write a resume. Instead of sending out a resume, talk about who you are. Whenever someone asks for ‘something in writing’ to forward to a contact, don’t do it. Instead, ask to speak directly to that contact. Don't post a resume online, but do post to blogs and other websites in your field. WHY NOT - we often rely on resumes, sending them out blindly to be deleted or discarded.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,490 views3.3/5 (4)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***A jobless recovery in 2010 -- what does that mean for job transition?

Although it looks like 2010 will be better than 2009 for jobs and for changing your career, you will need to be much smarter in how you go about your search process. “A jobless recovery will be a part of our new reality, particularly in heavy manufacturing, retailing, automotive, banking and home building,” according to experts such as Ed Savage, managing director of the L.A. division of Stanton Chase, a global executive search firm. (www.stantonchase.com) What will that mean for career transition and finding a new job? 1.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,761 views3/5 (3)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Change your job – go green

Looking to upgrade your career for more security, opportunity or money? Want to be part of a growth industry? Interested in green jobs? Now is the time. “Since gas prices went up to $5 a gallon, there has been historic momentum for green jobs,” according to Dr. Kirwan Rockfeller, Director, Sustainability Leadership, UC Irvine Extension. But what, exactly, is a green job? 1.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,735 views3/5 (3)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Changing to your dream job doesn’t need to be a nightmare

Not many people have scored their dream jobs Recent statistics show that fewer than half the people surveyed like their work. That’s a dismal number and what is even sadder that even among those people who said they like their job there are even fewer employees who are in their dream career.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

2,045 views3/5 (2)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***How can a seasonal job help your career transition?

When I was at college I had a seasonal job working for the post office during the holidays. Christmas and Hanukah meant that there was lots of extra work needing to be done. Even in a recession it’s still the season to be merry and that means extra work for someone whether you’re a driver or a party-planner! So how does this help your job transition? Firstly, a temporary job can lead to a permanent job. Working in a retail store or for a hotel you will be a prime candidate for a new job if one comes up. Secondly, you may take a job to see how you like it.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,603 views2.8/5 (4)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Change your job to a green job

Looking to change your career? Want to be part of a growth industry? Interested in green jobs? Now is the time. As Dr. Kirwan Rockfeller, Director, Sustainability Leadership, UC Irvine Extension, puts it, “since gas prices went up to $5 a gallon there has been historic momentum for green jobs”. But what are green jobs? 1. Green job definition According to Phil Angelides, chairman of Califo ia based Apollo Alliance, which brings business, labor and environmental groups together, a green job "has to pay decent wages and benefits that can support a family.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,607 views3.5/5 (2)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Seven Tips for Finding a Job in a Recession

Whether we are mired in a deep recession, in the “green shoots” stage or rapidly rebounding out of a recession all depends on who you ask. But as I talk to clients around the country, things are not so great and the feeling is still recessionary. So, number one priority? Keep your job, even if you don't like it. It makes sense to find a new job before you quit, especially with unemployment at ten percent. Make sure you are wanted - volunteer for the key projects, keep your skill set current and forge relationships with decision makers, customers, vendors and suppliers.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,492 views3.5/5 (2)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Five ways to change jobs

1. Go back to school. The most expensive and longest route. Although getting an MBA may help you get a higher paid job, the tens of thousands of dollars it will cost you must be paid back before you start reaping the benefit from your new education. 2. Go back to school but get somebody else to pay. For example, some states or counties will pay you to re-train as a teacher. Other examples are joining the military, getting a scholarship or a foundation grant to study. 3. Work part time in your new chosen career while still working in your old job.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,718 views2.7/5 (3)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Survival Jobs

Have to pay the bills until you sell that script? Taking classes for your next career move and need some extra money? Or have you been laid off and are still looking, but your cash is low and the mortgage is due. You need a survival job.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,822 views3/5 (1)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Powerful Ideas for Keeping Positive in a Recessionary Job Market

Everyone knows that it's a tough time in the job market. The news is full of gloom and doom. Stores are closing. Friends and co-workers are losing their jobs or their homes. So how do you keep positive, motivated and on track? Here are some ideas which are simple but powerful. Give up trying to control your life! Sadly we can't control what happens. As we all know things happen. We can board a plane and next thing we know it's delayed out on the tarmac before takeoff for five hours, diverted to Toledo or crashing in the Hudson River. What we can control is how we react.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,387 views3/5 (1)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***Job Hunting Tips for Retirees

We have a weird situation in the workplace nowadays where you can be considered old in some industries once you hit 40. At the same time, we have a growing number of seniors returning to the workforce, rather than retiring, to pay bills or just to keep active. What should you do if you are retirement age, (whatever that means to you), and you still want to work? 1. Try something newr Make your hobby your career. Work in a bookstore, gallery or movie theater – something you simply enjoy. Give yourself permission to do something out of the box. 2.

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,886 views2/5 (1)

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

*** Changing Careers in a Recession? Good or Bad Idea?

We are facing difficult times, for some of us terrible times. Is now the time to be thinking about a new career, or starting a new business or getting a new job? The answer lies in what your present situation is and what your goals are. If you are already in a growth industry working in a job ...

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

2,421 views

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

"Wanted: People to Scam from Home" – Beware Career Change Scam Artists

The recession is causing pain and suffering to job hunters. Faced with not finding work rational individuals may become irrational and fall for a scam that promises a sure-thing career change with great money and perfect benefits. These same people may not question why the new employer who is ...

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,702 views

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

Being a Successful Misfit

“That’s a career-limiting tie” was the first thing my boss told me as he began my six-month performance appraisal. He wasn’t joking. He then went on to list the reasons why I didn’t fit into the company and why I should look for a new job. No question about it: I ...

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,399 views

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

Seven Steps To Success: Celebrating The Unique U

At the top of their game, successful misfits are what “legends are made of”*. This is how Razor Magazine described its list of 25 Mavericks, which included: the rock-and-roll playwright, Sam Shepard; the resurrector of the musical, Baz Luhrmann; and airline and cola businessman, Richard ...

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,323 views

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

*** Resumes: A Waste of Time?

It is well known that 80% of jobs are not advertised yet job hunters still focus on the 20% that are. For the jobs that aren’t advertised – that is, aren’t on job sites, in the papers or posted with recruiters, you need to network – that is, make contacts that can get you in front of the ...

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

1,130 views

By David CouperRecently published1 topic

***What the Heck is Career Coaching and Do I Need It?

I often get asked what career coaching is and who needs it. The answer to the first question is that depends and to the second question everyone (and no-one)! So let's look at the first question. What is career change coaching? For most coaches every coaching situation is different because ...

Primary topic: Career Transition

Career Transition

906 views

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