ATX Career Solutions

06/28/2024

Beautiful day in Austin today.

06/19/2024

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐨 𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐚 𝐓𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐜 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭?

1. 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬
- 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: Maintain detailed records of incidents, including dates, times, and descriptions.
- 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Collect emails, messages, and other forms of communication that illustrate the toxicity.

2. 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
- 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: Consider how the toxic environment is affecting your health, well-being, and career.
- 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Establish clear boundaries to protect your work-life balance and mental health.

3. 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭
- 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬: Share your concerns with trusted colleagues who may be experiencing the same issues.
- 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩: Consider seeking advice from a mentor, career coach, or therapist.

4. 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬
- 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥: Use the company's formal complaint or grievance procedures to report the issues.
- 𝐇𝐑 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Report the problems to HR, providing the documentation and evidence you've gathered.

5. 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
- 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫: If possible, request a transfer to a different department or team.
- 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬: Focus on developing skills that can make you more marketable.

6. 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐢𝐭
- 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡: Begin searching for new job opportunities discreetly.
- 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤: Reach out to your professional network for potential job leads.
- 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞: Keep your resume and LinkedIn profile up to date.

7. 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡
- 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞: Prioritize self-care activities to manage stress and maintain your well-being.
- 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤-𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: Ensure you maintain a healthy work-life balance despite the toxic environment.

8. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
- 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Weigh the pros and cons of staying versus leaving.
- 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: Give yourself a reasonable timeline to find a new job and plan your exit.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭
Recognizing a toxic work environment is the first step towards protecting your mental health and career. Taking proactive steps to document issues, seek support, and plan your exit can help you navigate the situation effectively. Prioritizing your well-being and making informed decisions about your career will lead to better long-term outcomes.

05/01/2024

1. Stop Storytelling

Stop telling yourself you're not good enough to get the job! P.S. Your mind will always tell you you're not good enough because its job is to protect you, not build you up.
Examples: I'll never get this job, and I saw the hiring manager laughing at me in the interview, I know I will lose this job to someone on the inside or, I'm about to get called on my absolute lack of suitability.
Your mind tends to craft narratives when faced with uncertainty. It's crucial to be aware of this tendency and recognize when your overly analytical thoughts are fabricating these fictional scenarios.
Take a moment to acknowledge any fearful concerns, allowing yourself to briefly find amusement in them. Then, swiftly return to the present reality. This approach is essential for cultivating the confidence necessary to ace your interview.

2. Prepare

Preparation is crucial. Meticulously review the job description, research the company and find the hiring managers on LinkedIn. Have thoughtful questions prepared in advance about the company. Practice the questions in front of a mirror. Dress professionally. Plan your route and arrive early.

3. Breathe

The sensation of anxious nerves is your body's natural reaction to perceived risk, triggering an accelerated heartbeat, sweaty palms, and racing thoughts. When gripped by this response, it can feel overwhelming. However, you're fortunate to possess a built-in stabilizer—your breath—which serves as an anchor, grounding you in a steadier and more empowering experience.
If you begin to sense anxiety creeping in before your interview, gently redirect your focus to your breath. Observe the flow of breath in and out of your body, paying close attention to the sensations it creates. Stay present with your breath, noticing the feelings in your body as you exhale, and even the brief pause between each inhalation and exhalation.

3. Reframe How You View Rejection

Experiencing rejection truly stings. Being passed over for a job opportunity can shake your confidence, making you doubt your abilities. You begin to analyze every detail, wondering if you made a misstep or if there's an aspect of yourself that didn't sit well with the hiring manager. The wave of shame washes over, leaving you feeling diminished. It's a tough blow to your self-worth, leaving you feeling downcast and discouraged.
Rejection doesn't have to be this huge, intimidating ordeal. If you don't get called back for a second interview, it's not the end of everything.
And it doesn't need to reflect your self-worth.

4. Remember You're Interviewing Them Too

Why do candidates forget to interview the hiring managers? Don’t get intimidated by the salary and forget to inquire about the disgruntled faces you saw walking into the building. Other relevant questions may be:

1. Do they have a work-from-home or hybrid policy?
2. Is the hiring manager able to describe the company culture and employee perks?
3. What is the benefits package?
4. What is their PTO policy?
5. Who will you primarily be reporting to and working with on a day-to-day basis?

5. Exercise
Burn off some energy earlier in the day. Even modest amounts of physical activity are recognized to boost dopamine levels and enhance overall well-being. Go for a stress-relieving jog or a relaxing yoga to calm your mind.

05/01/2024

Looking for a personal yoga instructor or hoping to offer yoga classes at your office in Austin, TX? Look no further than Jess Zarowitz! For the past year, she has been offering yoga classes at our company and we love her! Jess also has a website where she sells fun Austin-y stuff. Check it out at https://lnkd.in/gHk9dVPS or email her at [email protected].

04/22/2024

When Was The Last Time Your Career Surprised You?

Not remembering, right?
We have a plan.

Ready to take your career to the next level??
ATX Career Solutions is here to guide you through every step.
We specialize in one-on-one career coaching for ambitious professionals.

We are here to empower you:
Need a sharper resume?
↳ We refine and perfect it.

Want to ace your next interview?
↳ We prepare you to shine.

Aiming for a salary that matches your worth?
↳ We strategize for success.

With us, you receive personalized guidance:
↳ We listen to your career story and understand your trajectory.
↳ We identify and polish your unique skills.
↳ We help you set achievable career milestones.
↳ We provide ongoing support to ensure you meet your goals.

Our method is straightforward and impactful:
↳ We simplify complex career challenges.
↳ We clarify your path to advancement.
↳ We're with you at every career crossroads.

Don't let uncertainty slow your career progression.
Take charge and accelerate your professional journey today.

Connect with us to map out your career success.
Let’s turn your career aspirations into achievements.

Together, we'll make your professional dreams a reality.
Drop a comment, send us a message, or visit our website at https://lnkd.in/gc67wdGB to get started!


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04/19/2024

You've aced your interview...Congratulations! Now it's time to negotiate your salary.

You can research salaries for free using Glassdoor.com (https://lnkd.in/dmuYJXQk)

The best way to introduce your salary negotiation depends on the reason you deserve a higher wage.

Note: When you give your proposed salary, suggest a better rate than your true goal. This gives you some wiggle room for a counteroffer.

👉For a below-average offer: “I’ve done some research, and I found that [offered salary] is actually below average for similar positions in the [work location] area. Would you consider [proposed salary]?”

👉For an offer below your expectations: “I know I can bring a lot of value to [company name] with my [2–3 of your unique skills or achievements]. I was really looking for a base salary of [proposed salary].”

👉If you’ve received a higher offer: “I’m highly interested in working with [company name], but do have an offer for [competitor’s offered salary] from another organization. If you can match this figure, I’ll be on board!”

Four Avoidable Salary Negotiation Mistakes

1. Not researching the job position
It’s important to understand what to expect based on the average salary for the job title and location you are in.

2. Relying on oral communication
Always keep a paper trail!
Get everything in writing, whether in emails or in your contract. That way, if you ever need to have proof to back any argument up, you will have it!

3. Immediately talking about salary
You will likely be asked in your first interview what your salary expectations are. If there is a salary range in the job description, you can say something like “Based on the range you provided, we are in alignment.” If there is no range listed, you can answer something like, “Before we discuss salary specifics, I would like to continue learning more about the position and the team.” This will leave you room to adjust your range if necessary.

You can also say “I am interviewing for positions offering $###XX.” Even if you are not, this will give them the impression that you will have options to choose from and they won’t want to lose out on you.

Try to never be the first person to address salary during the interview phase. It can give them the impression your priorities do not match theirs.

Employers know that salary and benefits are the most important thing to job seekers, if it weren’t for money, most of us wouldn’t work!

4. Accepting the first offer
Never accept the first offer without negotiating!

Even if they offer you what you were hoping for, you could end up getting more money or benefits! Once you receive an offer, let them know that you appreciate the offer and are excited about the opportunity, and then ask how long you have to look over the offer.


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04/18/2024

The STAR method is a popular interview technique that hiring managers use to evaluate how candidates handle challenging situations. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. By using this method, you can provide specific examples of your skills and abilities that directly relate to the job you are applying for. Practicing your responses to common behavioral questions using the STAR method can help you feel more prepared and confident during the interview. Remember, reviewing the job description ahead of time and anticipating potential questions is key to putting your best foot forward during the interview process.

How can you use the STAR method to demonstrate you are the right candidate?

Question: Tell me about a time you overcame a challenging situation at work.

Situation: “When I worked at the. garden nursery, one customer was upset that we did not have her favorite roses in stock.”

Task: “As the customer service representative, it was my responsibility to think of a solution to her problem. A major part of my job was to make sure the customers left the store happy.

Action: “After checking our inventory, I saw that she was incorrect, so I kindly explained that we moved the rose display. I guided her to the display. She said that we didn’t have enough for her garden, so I contacted our seller to speed deliver more of the bulbs.”

Result: “Since I took the time to work with this customer, she went from upset to happy during our interaction. Later that evening, I noticed that she left us a 5-star online review and mentioned my name.”

Practice is key to interview success. Anticipate common behavioral questions and incorporate the STAR method into your responses to demonstrate how you handle challenging situations. Not practicing is the most common reason why candidates fail. Review the job description, prepare responses, and practice to set yourself up for success.

Common behavioral questions:
1) Have you ever had to work with limited resources?

2) What did you do to adapt?

3) Tell me about one of your greatest achievements.

4) How did you get there?

Describe a situation where you made a mistake. What did you do to fix it?
Give me an example of when you led a team during a challenging time.

Did you know that 80% of interview questions are directly related to the job description? That's why it's crucial to review the job description ahead of time and anticipate the questions you might be asked. By doing so, you'll be able to craft effective responses using the STAR method, stand out from other candidates, and impress your interviewer with your confidence and preparation.

So, take control of your interview and land your dream job by preparing like a pro!

04/16/2024

04/16/2024

Why is asking interviewers questions so important? "Do you have any questions for me", is the most job important question in the interview.

Why?

Job interviewers view the questions you ask as a direct reflection of how interested you are in the opportunity and your ability to think critically. If you don't ask any questions in the job interview, it makes you seem like you will take any job that comes your way... You don't want to seem desperate.

The top questions to ask about the role, the interviewer and the company....


1) I had a chance to review the job description but it would be really helpful to hear from your role and perspective if you could explain the duties of role?


2) What makes this role available?


3) What kind of additional responsibilities can be gained over time in this role?


4) What do you want this role to accomplish in the first 90 days?


If you ask 2-3 questions during the interview, that's great! Ask as many as you need to determine if this position is the right fit for you. Remember the purpose of an interview is not only to see if you're a good fit for the position, but also it's your time to evaluate whether or not this role, manager, or company are a fit for you.

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04/15/2024

Do's and Don't's when participating in a phone interview:

Do:
✅ Answer the phone professionally, "Hello this is_____"
✅ Have the job description in front of you.
✅ Incorporate story telling in your responses
✅ Respond with open-ended answers.
✅ Respect the time of a recruiter.

Don't:
❌ Don't answer the phone awkwardly.
❌ Don't give cliche perfect responses.
❌ Struggle to remember the job description.
❌ Only answer questions with "yes" or "no" responses.
❌ Don't ask did I get the job at the end of a phone interview.

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04/14/2024

Here are some of the topics you can expect to work on during career counseling sessions:

✅Assess your strengths, skills, education, and experience

✅Bring your desires and dreams to the surface

✅Identify areas of untapped potential

✅Consider various career options

✅Explore industry trends and hiring practices

✅Research job listings and employers

✅Prepare for interviews

✅Enhance your resume

✅Draft compelling cover letters

✅Find your first job or change careers

✅Chart a rewarding career path

Let's explore your potential!

👉 Book at free 30-minute consultation today! https://t.ly/s-GLY

https://www.atxcareersolutions.com

ATX Career Solutions offers Career Coaching for all career levels and HR Solutions for businesses