I received my fitness certification in 2010 with the International Sports and Sciences Association through independent study and additional training beyond required continuing education. I scored an 85% on my certification test and was proud.

In the same year, I consulted with a firm assisting federal employees on Army bases transitioning to other federal jobs or the civilian sector. Some of the work was remote, providing career coaching and federal resume writing while I substitute taught, which fit perfectly.

I didn’t maximize my Personal Training career, but over-indexed in career services and training. Both merged at the intersection of helping people find jobs and their best selves in fitness. Personal fitness training provided the template for assisting people in finding employment.

Although I no longer provide one-to-one career coaching, I’ve presented to colleges, organizations, and media. Here’s what I’ve gleaned from writing this blog, speaking, and engaging with peers.

1. Customized Plans Based on Individual Needs

Both industries are fundamentally the same in principle, while each has unique approaches. Getting in better shape and wanting a job are similar goals. Without plans, strategies, and goals, failure is imminent.

An obese person walking around the block is a plan. For someone who wants a job, it takes more than a walk. Both require focus, accountability, progression, and effort. For the job seeker, focus is the most challenging part. If you’re willing to do the work, you’ll progress. Without it, you’ll wander.

Action item: Employment and strength assessments help find industries to optimize skills and talents. Personal trainers prescribe correct exercises through assessments; job seekers need to do similar assessments themselves.

2. Behavioral Change and Mindset Coaching

Maintaining a healthy body is a lifestyle. Successful job seekers make job searching a way of life. Both require behavior and mindset changes. Losing 100 pounds and being unemployed both feel daunting. Progress builds resilience, despite discouragement.

Coaches emphasize discipline, provide encouragement, and promote proactive habits. Both fitness and job search clients need:

• Discipline to apply strategies for different results.
• Encouragement to stay the course.
• Proactive habits to avoid being reactive and stuck.

Action item: Enhance your most marketable skills, improve essentials to move forward, or connect with someone who can introduce you to others.

3. Goal Setting and Milestone Tracking

Most coaches set incremental goals. Clients who value mentorship initiate contact, direct their efforts, and own the agreement. While self-motivated clients thrive, most need a nudge. Slow job markets can be discouraging, so motivating without criticism is essential.

Progress happens with small wins. An interview after months without one is a cause for celebration.

Action item: Chart your progress and document successes and areas for improvement to aid future growth.

4. Progressing Past Plateaus

Everyone experiences workout, diet, and job search plateaus. Both indicate adaptation without progression, require evaluation and adjustment, and cause frustration if unaddressed. Job seekers often hit a brick wall when relying on mass applications without adding value or context.

Good coaches provide multiple strategies. Trying something different, like informational interviews, researching ideal companies, or preparing interviews with intention, stimulates growth.

Action item: Use varied job search strategies to build new skills and resilience, making you stand out even after a long search.

Feedback is essential. Personal training clients often misunderstand muscle use or food intake. Similarly, job seekers underestimate how they present themselves in interviews. Small changes make significant differences.

Mentors offer unfiltered constructive direction. Coaches and mentors help you address the little things that affect success. Personal training and job searching require awareness, feedback, adaptation, and progress. Both depend on effort and strategy. Coaching, whether self-guided or external, builds lasting lessons applied to life and career.

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This week, my guest is Lorraine K. Lee, the former editor of LinkedIn News and Prezi. She is now a Trainer, Professor, Speaker, and author of “Unforgettable Presence.” 

Highlights:

Lorraine emphasizes the importance of having both confidence and presence during job interviews. She explains that presence doesn’t only relate to executive levels but is crucial for everyone in their career. 

Presence video with intentional tech setup, energy, and aesthetics, collectively termed as the “T method.”

Lorraine highlights how non-verbal cues, such as body language and hand gestures, influence perceptions during video interviews.

Lorraine discusses the significance of video presence, particularly in virtual interviews, where technical aspects such as lighting, sound, and framing play a crucial role.

Eliminating backlighting, ensuring eye contact, and using gestures naturally to appear more personable.

We delve into overcoming challenges faced by new graduates during interviews. Lorraine points out that being intentional about one’s presence on platforms like LinkedIn and during virtual meetings contributes to building a professional reputation over time.

Lorraine shares insights on handling interviews with AI avatars, emphasizing the importance of a positive setup and practicing with real people to get feedback.

Lorraine advises job seekers to focus on storytelling and to convey their passion for the role to create a stronger connection with the interviewer.

In another segment, my article from last week, “No! Really Breathes Life Into Your Career And Reclaim Time!”

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I was invited to participate in a job search panel at St. Xavier University along with James Miller (who coordinated the event), Lauren Milligan, Nathan Peck, and Dr. Vincent Alexander Davis. Approximately 30-40 students attended and asked questions in areas such as resumes, career changes, job scams, networking, and other related topics listed below.

This was recorded in March 2024.

This lecture, sponsored by Enterprise, explored the current job market, the importance of soft skills, networking, job scams, effective interviewing, and strategies for securing internships and jobs.

Job Market Trends (2024 vs. 2014)

The job market is now more fragmented by industry, with varying opportunities across different fields.

– Tech and healthcare allow for “overemployment” (holding multiple high-paying jobs remotely).

– Awareness of burnout and mental health has increased since the pandemic.

Entry-level jobs are becoming increasingly challenging to find due to automation and AI, with a greater emphasis on internships.

The Importance of Networking and Soft Skills

– Soft skills (communication, teamwork, adaptability) are essential and less commonly developed in today’s remote/tech environments.

Networking is crucial for finding jobs and gaining insight into various industries.

Maintaining positive professional relationships is essential to stand out.

– Informational interviews (short conversations with professionals) help you gather career insights and expand your network.

– LinkedIn is a vital tool for networking and keeping track of professional contacts.

Job Search Safety and Avoiding Scams

– Job scams are now sophisticated: scammers may create realistic websites or impersonate real employees.

– Never pay application fees or buy equipment for a job.

– Verify recruiter identities via LinkedIn and reverse image searches.

– Report scams to the FTC, BBB, or your state attorney general.

Interview Strategies and Questions

– Always research the company before an interview; avoid asking questions with easily found answers.

– Ask about factors that contribute to someone’s success beyond their job description.

– Inquire about workplace culture and organizational fit.

– Ask for a tour if interviewing in person to gauge the environment and stand out.

Securing and Maximizing Internships

– Paid internships are prioritized; unpaid ones are discouraged due to equity concerns.

– During internships, you are expected to ask questions and learn—track what you learn and avoid repeatedly asking the same questions.

– Use resources like Glassdoor for company insights, but prioritize direct conversations with current employees (informational interviews).

– Volunteering or project work for organizations (like Chambers of Commerce or nonprofits) can build experience and networks.

Working Abroad

Carefully research both the job and the country’s culture before making a move.

– International experience is valuable if well-planned and aligned with personal and career goals.

Key Terms & Definitions Mentioned

A splintered job market: Sectors of the economy experience differing trends and opportunities.

Soft skills: Interpersonal abilities like communication, teamwork, and adaptability.

Networking: Building relationships that can lead to career opportunities.

Informational interview: A brief meeting to learn about a role or industry from an experienced professional.

Job scam: Fraudulent job offers designed to steal personal info or money.

Organizational fit: How well a person matches a company’s culture and work style.

Action Items / Next Steps

Set up and update your LinkedIn profile, and connect with career coaches and peers.

– Schedule informational interviews with alumni or professionals in your field.

– Research companies before applying or interviewing; use Glassdoor and LinkedIn.

– Contact the Career Development Center for internship support.

– Prepare thoughtful questions for interviews and track workplace experiences.