Tips for Work and Life with Andrew LaCivita

Job searching can be brutal. It tests your patience, your confidence, and your resolve. But if you shift your focus from results to wisdom , everything changes. That's what I'm teaching in this week's lesson, how to use your job search to make you a better professional. In the podcast, I share a personal story about recently finishing my new book. It's now off and running with the publisher, movin...

Most job seekers prepare for interviews the wrong way. They start by memorizing answers to questions like "Tell me about a time you disagreed with your boss" or "Describe a challenge you overcame." But that's backwards. Those questions aren't about your disagreement skills or your ability to solve one random problem. They're about whether you can transform the company—their team, their performance...

Most candidates talk about what they can do. The best ones show it. When an employer asks for a presentation, it's not a test of PowerPoint skills. It's a test of whether you understand what they actually buy: transformation, not tasks. Your goal isn't to list skills or repeat your resume. It's to prove you can help them hit their goals and do it through a well-structured story. This week's lesson...

Interviewers don't wait until you finish your story to decide if they like you. They decide while you're still taking your first breath. In those first 15 seconds, they're asking, "Do I trust this person? Do they get what matters here?" Most candidates waste that window listing tasks or backstory. The best ones win it by showing they understand the real business problem and hinting at the result t...

Most people think success comes from constant hustle. It doesn't. It comes from patience mixed with smart action. Most people chase quick wins. I learned the real secret is patience mixed with purpose. When you think long-term, you make better short-term decisions. You stop chasing every shiny idea and start stacking small wins that lead to something big. Back in 2015, I made a decision that teste...

Perfectionism is the great career stall. Most people don't slow down because they're lazy. They slow down because they want everything just right before they move. Job seekers spend months polishing résumés, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles before they ever start actually searching. Professionals over-edit reports and presentations until the opportunity passes. They all have the same problem…w...

Most managers don't actually manage people. They manage tasks. They tell. They correct. They rarely coach. That's the difference between a boss people tolerate and a leader people trust. When you learn how to coach and mentor someone, everything changes. You build loyalty and develop people who think for themselves. This week's lesson shares a simple four-step framework to help you manage people m...

Last week, we spent five full days together building and fine-tuning your résumé. You now have a marketing document that's designed to get you noticed. But here's the #1 mistake most job seekers make right now… they slow down. They assume the holidays are dead time. They think no one's hiring until January. They coast into the new year. That couldn't be further from the truth. November through Feb...

Last month I celebrated my 59th. It had me reflecting on the biggest influences that rerouted my path, especially the books that shaped my mindset, my career, my health, and even my view of the universe. These aren't just books I enjoyed. They are turning points that literally changed how I live. Some helped me become a better teacher, others taught me discipline and financial independence, and a...

It was 3:08 in the morning. May of last year. I was in my office already a lofty 8 minutes into my day. Headphones on, speaking (uh, reading) into a microphone… and yelling at ducks. Yes, ducks. As I tried to record a passage for The Zebra Code audiobook, those feathered freeloaders on my backyard lake quacked like it was their job. I must've sounded like a lunatic, hollering "Come on! I need 75 q...

When you walk into an interview, you know the tough ones are coming. 👉 How do you handle problems? 👉 How do you serve customers? 👉 How do you disagree? 👉 How do you influence? 👉 How do you lead? 👉 What are you passionate about? These aren't just "questions." They're tests. Each one is designed to uncover whether you can think critically, collaborate, lead, and actually thrive in their enviro...

You've got the skills. You've done the prep. But the moment you walk into the room (or log into Zoom), it's like you're playing a different game. Everything seemed fine when you were doing the work and sailing through the projects. But to articulate that to someone who doesn't know you…ugh. In these cases, your words matter. Your tone matters. And don't even get me started on your posture, your fa...

We've all been there. You say something. You think it makes sense. But the reaction you get? Confused. Unmoved. Maybe even tuned out. Ugh. Communication isn't about what you say. It's about what the other person hears and, more importantly, how they feel and act because of it. If you're not getting the results you want from your conversations, whether in meetings, emails, presentations, or even ca...

If you've ever thought I want to build wealth, but I'm not sure where to start. You're not alone. Good news! You don't need to read 100 finance books. You just need the right ones. In this week's lesson, I'm sharing 5 powerful books that'll help you build wealth and maximize your earning power. These aren't just theory-packed reads. They are the exact books I'd recommend if you asked me, "What sho...

You've probably heard the phrase "don't sweat the small stuff." Well, I'm here to tell you to do the exact opposite. If you want to perform at the highest level, if you want to grow in your role, get promoted, or become a standout in your field, you better sweat the small stuff.  Because that's where mastery lives.  This week, I'm sharing one of the most important performance lessons I can give yo...

Do you ever feel like you don't have much to offer?   Like your experience is ordinary? Obvious? Nothing special? If so, you're not alone. But you are wrong. Today, I'm sharing one of the most important messages I can give you… Your story has value. It matters. It can help someone. The problem is, most people undervalue their experiences because they're consider their experiences in terms of what...

There's a career skill no one taught you in school. It's not on your resume. It's rarely on a job description. But it's the difference between being heard and being trusted. Between managing and truly leading.   Empathy.   And here's the kicker…   Most people think they have it. But very few understand what it actually is or how to build it.   Today's lesson is one of my most personal. I'll walk y...

This week's a special one. I'm going back to one of the most important lessons I've ever taught.   Self-awareness. Not the generic, "journal your feelings" kind. I'm talking about a powerful, real-world framework that shows you where your life is out of alignment.   Most people define self-awareness as "knowing yourself." But there are actually two types: Internal self-awareness: How well do you k...

Have you ever tried to start your day with the best intentions only to have your attention hijacked by email pings, barking dogs, or that mysterious ice maker noise in the kitchen? Yeah. Same.   In today's lesson, I'm teaching one of the most underrated (yet powerful) skills for career and life success: how to train your focus like a muscle.   And I'm not talking about downloading some shiny produ...

Want to think like a high achiever? I've coached thousands of professionals and one pattern is unmistakable. High achievers think differently. It's not about having more time, money, or luck. It's about how they frame challenges, filter distractions, and focus their energy. That's what today's podcast is all about. 🎯 The 3 Mindset Shifts That Separate High Achievers from Everyone Else (and how to...

Question for ya… When the interviewer asks you to "tell me about a time when…," do you: A) Launch into a timeline of tasks you completed? B) Rattle off a list of responsibilities? C) Sound like your own resume? (Oy to the vey.) If so, don't worry. You're not alone. But you are probably leaving value on the table. Here is a capital "T" truth… Most people report work history. Few, if any, tell real...

I know it's tempting. A recruiter emails you with your job offer. You want to reply quickly. Clear things up. Maybe even negotiate. But email is the worst place to have that conversation. Why? Have you ever heard of Albert Mehrabian? He developed "The Mehrabian Rule." Catchy, yes. But more importantly, true. His rule is also known as the 7-38-55 rule. It suggests, that in communication, the impact...

Ever felt cornered when a recruiter asks, "What's your expected salary?" Only you and about a bajillion other job seekers. I'm a little sick and tired of silly recruiters cornering you about this. It's TOO EARLY in the process to be doing this nonsense. Why do people not show each other their "balance sheets" on the first date, amiright?!?! Even so, your matchmaker Coach here wants you to handle t...

Lisa asked me a great question the other day. "Coach, how do I know which story to tell in a job interview?" Here's what I told her. If you want to win the interview, there's one thing to focus on. Function. As in, what they actually need you to do. Not who you are. Not how nice you seem. What. You. Can. Do. See, you get hired for WHAT you can do. You get fired for WHO you are. So, here's a quick...

Worried your age is playing villain in your job search? Lemme tell about Jayme. She joined my Job Search Coaching Program when she was 74. Got a job with Verizon by beating out literally 10s of thousands of people. She says so right here in the over 50 section (but I'm wondering if I should create an over 70 section) . 🤔 Then, after five years of that, hopped back into the program (it's simple wi...