James Capps’ Post

❤️ If you’ve been laid off, you may find yourself wanting the feeling of trauma and disorientation to go away. It’s painful, uncomfortable, and demoralizing. And, it takes time and intentional focus to heal and move on. ❤️ Remember, it’s important to be gentle with yourself if you’re struggling to move on. If you were talking to a dear friend, you wouldn’t say, “Just get over it!” You’d likely say, “I believe in you.” or “You can do this!” Whether you’re out of work because you needed to do so for your mental or physical health or you’ve been let go (for whatever reason) . . . it’s a difficult space to be in. AND, we know that hiring a career coach can be challenging on a tight budget. We’ve been putting together some options for just this reason because we love what we do and want to support people in finding work that fits with their needs. Please contact us today if you’re interested in learning about: 🔴 free career content from our 13+ years of blog posts 🔴 free social media career coaching video shorts 🔴 low-cost career coaching video series 🔴 1:1 coaching options Treat yourself like you matter . . . because you do! - Linda Carpenter PhD, Stephanie Smith, and Heather Stewart #layoffsupport #careerstrategycoaching #layoffstrategies #careercoachingtips

What do you want to be when you grow up? I am excited to share that I am taking the first step in attempting the fabled mid-career pivot and pursuing a MA/ PhD track degree in Cinema and Media Studies at UCLA. I'm posting here because this is the place to make career updates. But in light of massive industry layoffs, I thought I'd share more in the hopes that maybe it will help someone else. The thing about a career in television is that, about every five years, you get a chance to decide what you want to be when you grow up. That's been my career. For me, it's often because people in a boardroom made a series of decisions that resulted in massive business realignments. Sometimes the decisions make sense; sometimes corporate success was measured by shareholder value and C-level bonuses; and sometimes it's due to old-fashioned poor management. Whichever the cause, the usual result was that myself and my friends were given severance and sent on our way. Some employers handled this well, others horribly - the bad ones are better stories. Back to deciding what to be when you grow up. That used to mean taking a couple of weeks off, rest, regroup, have lunch with friends, and network. At about the time desperation set in and you were questioning your career choices and considering law school, (no offense, lawyers), the phone would ring, you'd get a job, and you'd think "Crap! Now I have to go back to work!" For a lot of us, times have changed. There's many reasons for this, but suffice to say, there seem to be fewer jobs, lower budgets, and it's harder than ever to get to the hiring manager. Now, that question of what to be when you grow up is actually broader. Years ago, I started to think about what I'd like to do with my life the next time television decided to break up with me. That's when the idea of combining my personal interest in entertainment history and my own professional experience in order to teach began to form. But it still took several years and twists and turns along the way to get here. This is not a Pollyanna post about pivoting. If you are having a similar experience, the bad news is that it sucks. For me, it took soul searching and self reflection. You may go through a version of the Kubler-Ross as you come to terms with shedding who you were and start to think about who you are and want to be. The good news is that you are not alone. Others are going through the exact same thing. Remember that, it's useful. Then start to do the work: what do you like? What can you do? What do you want to be when you grow up? Listen to your inner voice, test ideas on friends and loved ones. Then, double down. You may find ways to stay in this business that you love, but you also might see this as your chance to change. I have an inspiring friend who has become a flight attendant and is loving it. My advice is to live through the turbulence, take stock in who you are and what is important to you. And then take that step.

Warmed by the overwhelming response to my post last week about a retrenchment that took place long ago. (link in comments) Something surreal happened the day after: I messaged the ex-manager, whom I’ve not contacted since I left the company. Back then, I just wanted to move on from that unpleasant episode. Just a minute later, he replied. (I was expecting it would take much longer, if at all) He had retired from corporate life last year. Clearly an unforgettable period of time for him, he said, “I was dead against layoffs”. He had always put employees first. I expressed my heartfelt appreciation for how he fought for me and handled the situation. I told him that though regrettable, this eventually became a redirection for me. Looking back, this was in fact the second ‘Broccolising’ moment in my career: 🥦1️⃣ After 3.5 years in my first engineering job, I left to pursue my songwriting dream, devoting 9 months of my life to compose, record and market my songs. 🥦2️⃣ My stay in the second company was cut short by the unexpected retrenchment. I pivoted into another part of the electronics ecosystem. 🥦3️⃣ Seizing an opportunity which surfaced 3 years prior, I made a career change to the recruitment industry, entering my fourth company. 🥦4️⃣ After the sixth company, I made a pivot into career coaching by creating the opportunity for myself using LinkedIn DM. 🥦5️⃣ I left the seventh organisation and started on my own, harnessing all the experience and skills I've gained so far. If 2) had not taken place, I would most likely not have made the change in 3). And the rest wouldn’t have followed. But what unfolds depends not only on what has happened, but also on how we create and respond to opportunities. I call this ‘Broccolise’ 🥦 - Realise your career / life Broccoli, which is that opportunity hidden beneath. The story is still evolving. #career #story #broccolise #brandbuildertalents 23 October 2024 Have a career situation to discuss, or keen to know more about my career story? Follow me here and DM me for a chat.

At Exit Five you can do the best work of your career. That’s my mandate as COO. We just hired our 4th team member and we’re going to open up the search for our 5th soon. But instead of just hiring and crossing our fingers, I spent some time thinking about the value of joining our team over the weekend. Here’s what I wrote down: Other employers can outspend us. They can offer better benefits packages and other cool perks. (Not to say we will be cheap: talent will always be paid fairly and share in the company’s success.) But we believe the people that will fit our team best see beyond surface level perks and incremental salary increases. They want a place they can do their best work. Career changing work. They are driven by team success. They want to be part of a winning culture. They want coaching and feedback and the constant pursuit of getting 1% better every day (and an environment that rewards it). They are seeking to expand their skills by doing the work. Those are our people and will thrive at Exit Five. That’s who we’ll hire. Like I said we’ll be hiring again soon. Stay tuned.

Dreading Your First Day Back? Lately, I've been talking with a lot of people - in both coaching and casual settings - who are heading back to work after being laid off and spending 12+ months job hunting. 🔵 Let's face it, a year of rejections can mess with your head. Even though we know mass layoffs aren't a reflection of someone's skills (I mean, I know folks who were let go right after getting promotions!), it's hard not to take it personally. It's just business, sure... but it doesn't make the sting any less painful. You question yourself, feel powerless, and have zero clarity. And then there's the financial stress and life disruptions on top of it all. 🔵So, when you finally land that new job, it's completely normal to feel a whole mix of emotions. Excited, relieved... but also nervous and maybe a little unsure. Recognizing this is key, not just for the person starting the job but also for their manager and the whole onboarding process. Every situation is different, but here's what I usually suggest: 👉 Normalize those jitters. It's perfectly okay to feel a bit shaky at first. Remember, feelings aren't facts. You've got this! 👉 Clarify expectations. Understanding what's expected of you in those initial months can go a long way in easing anxiety. I recommend creating a 30-60-90 day onboarding plan together with your manager, outlining key relationships, quick wins, and longer-term goals. 👉 Schedule regular check-ins. Make sure you and your manager are on the same page about your progress and any challenges you might be facing early on. What's your best advice for those returning to work after a 1-2 year break? Hit the ground running or take time to set yourself up for success? 🤔 #ReturningToWork #careercoaching #newjob PS. YOU'VE GOT THIS!

Earlier this week I spoke with somebody, trapped in his past overwhelmed by a recent layoff. I shared 3 tools with him that have worked for me and those I serve. Here they are in short form: - Tell yourself better feeling stories - Drop language like try, when - Drop coffee meetings. Instead work with someone who can help you find your unique power Listen to the video for more insights. Finding your next dream job doesn’t have to a struggle when you are committed to creating a better future and have the right tools #jobsearch #future #leadershiptools

Last holiday season, I fumbled over my words when talking about my employment situation. "I'm a coach...?" When I would share what transpired over the past few months to friends and family, I found out that I wasn't so alone - my friends and family were going through similar layoff and terminated employment experiences. Venting together was helpful, but it didn't feel like enough. That's why I created this workshop. It's an opportunity to come together, process, create a vision and goals, and take action. Let's hit the reset button together, while also helping you craft the messaging you want to deliver this holiday season. Link to register & learn more: https://lu.ma/bqbjj6c7 I'm also offering a few free spots to this workshop so if you or someone you know would benefit from this hour together, please DM me! #layoff #jobsearch #workshop #careercoach

I created a short video to follow up with my article on dealing with being laid off in the IT / Tech world. These are just some of my insights... We know the market is tight, and it is not easy... As I progress on my journey, I will update/share any new insights and ways to help you land a new role. Remember, your worth is not tied to your job... #jobhunt #layoff #laidoff #RIF #opportunities #tips #growth #resume

“𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 — it’s like a wild ride on a 🎢 rollercoaster you didn’t sign up for. From unexpected twists to sudden stops, the journey taught me more than I could have ever anticipated.” Buckle up, folks. This one's a doozy. 5️⃣ candidates. 4️⃣ false starts. 1 success story. Here's how it went down: 1. The no-show: Confirmed, then ghosted. Classic. 2. The one-day wonder: Started strong, family emergency derailed everything. 3. The thin-skinned: One month in, couldn't handle constructive feedback. Sayonara. 4. The sleepyhead: Yawning during training, lounging in bed. Mistakes galore. Not exactly employee of the month material. 5. The keeper: Finally, someone who stuck around. Still with me today. It's been a wild ride, I tell you. ................................... The highs? Thinking you've found the perfect fit. The lows? Realizing you haven't. ................................... I've learned a lot through this process. About patience. About persistence. About not settling. But most importantly, about the importance of finding someone who truly aligns with your vision and work ethic. ................................... So here's my million-dollar question to you: What's your secret sauce for hiring? How do you separate the wheat from the chaff? I'm still figuring it out myself. But I know this much: - It’s not just about skills. - It’s about attitude. - It’s about fit. - And yes, I trust my gut a lot. ................................... What's your hiring experience been like? Any secrets you've uncovered along the way? I'd love to hear your thoughts.... 🧠 #HiringJourney #LessonsLearned #TeamBuilding #supportlocal Post is written with the help by CCLARITY

Transformation Tuesday: Embrace the journey of growth and change in both your career and life. Every step forward, no matter how small, leads to powerful transformations. Keep pushing, learning, and evolving—you’re creating the best version of yourself! 🌟 Recipes4Resumes.com #TransformationTuesday #CareerGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #MindsetShift #KeepEvolving #LifeJourney #resume #SuccessMindset #resumewriter #remote