Tips for Work and Life with Andrew LaCivita

"An object in motion is easier to redirect than a stationary one." I'm sure I made up that quote sometime in my teens during one of my endless semesters of physics. I'm sure I'm not the first person to have that thought. I'm also sure it's the end of the year. That means many job-seekers are either tired of searching or hesitating or reluctant to get moving until the new year. I just can't have th...

I know job searching stinks. But, it's a gift. You don't need to agree with me at this moment. I know, however, someday, you will look back and know exactly why it had to happen THAT way. Until you know the answer to that previous statement, I have something to tide you over. It's a life lesson, job searching, and a bunch of other things all rolled into 8 minutes and 6 seconds—all aimed at helping...

Money today. Inside, I've got a sweet video on the economic state of affairs and 3 glorious tips on how to get a pay raise. You can use these with your current employer or new employer. I'm not partial. I just care about you getting lots of dinero. I cover how to assess your future value based on your current trajectory, picking up additional responsibilities, and taking on new initiatives. It's y...

Enjoy this podcast with salary negotiation tips for independent contractors. The tips work for everyone, but you know me. I like to make sure everyone is covered and contractors are just as near-and-dear to me as employees who are "full-timers." If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewal...

I wanted to bring you a nice, tight, powerful, perspective-filled video on how to approach a situation when an employer gives you a job offer below the advertised salary range. You might be thinking what gives? That is certainly one way to look at it. Not the only way of course. What happened? Any of a number of things. What can you do? Any of a number of things. First thing, take a step. Consider...

Expected salary is ridiculous. Budgeted salary…sillier still. Just like advertised salary, unadvertised salary, and the-salary-we-hope-to-pay salary. How do I know this? Let's see... Negotiated over 600 employment agreements and salaries as an executive recruiter. Wait. There's more. Of the more-than 3,000 people I've personally coached as an international career coach, I'll estimate, conservative...

Salary negotiation is tough stuff. Let's keep this simple. Here's a breakdown of the questions I answered and exactly when I answered them. Enjoy! 00:00:41 How to fill in salary expectation in the ATS (online job application)? 00:03:10 How to answer a recruiter who keeps pushing for an expected salary number? 00:06:30 What to tell a recruiter who's asking what my rate was for a job description? 00...

Sometimes you (think you've) hit a wall. There's a person you're speaking to and they just don't want to pay you any more salary. Before you come to my Live Office Hours show and ask me what to do, I want you to ask yourself a question… "Can this person actually approve more compensation for me?" Essentially, is this someone who can say "No," but cannot say "Yes?" If it is, don't argue. It's time...

I've seen a lot of unhappy people in my day. Some happy ones of course. Some. Not enough. I'll add to my pile a boat-load of indifferent people. These round-about numbers make me sad. If you're indifferent or unhappy, I'd like to help you get happy. Let's do that in today's talk. That's what today's lesson is. A little talk. It's not an 8-stepper where you do this and do this and do this and then,...

Your resume is a marketing document, not a work history document. Yes, you use your work history to market yourself, but 99.9% of the people I've encountered do it the wrong way. In my work history, for example, I've helped companies earn likely billions of dollars. I've built project management methodologies. I've built enough tools for 10 lifetimes. Do you can about any of that when it comes to...

If you've ever been fired or laid off or let go from your job for any reason, it's dreadful to explain when interviewing for a new job. Don't fret. Your career happiness expert is here today with answers. Oh, I have more than just answers! I have techniques for any time you're in "explanation mode" in an interview. I call it "defense mode" because you're trying to clarify something you don't want...

I'm an open-minded person. BUT, if you want to convince me there is any faster route to getting a job interview, and ultimately an offer, other than boss hunting, you better come armed. It makes no difference whether you're a recent college graduate like Venkata (the hero in today's lesson) or a seasoned pro. Top to bottom and every which way in between, targeting bosses is your best route to surf...

Do you realize whenever you're interviewing with a company, you'll have FAR BETTER results when you treat every interaction as if you're already a team? What do teams do? They work together to achieve a common goal. From the first screening interview all the way to your salary counteroffer, you'll be amazed at what manifests when you approach it this way. Now, sometimes, you're interviewing and yo...

Ever have trouble remembering your job interview answers? Actually, my real question to you is, "Why are you trying to remember your job interview answers?" My mind is like a steel trap and I'd never consider trying to remember all the words it takes to give you a (live-show) lesson. That's just too much stuff. Not to mention, if I memorized it, I'd sound robotic instead of my cheery self! There i...

Today, sweet podcast on THE job interview tactic that gets you hired. It's the tactic that cuts right to the employer's needs. Their needs + your solutions = job offer. That's 9 semesters of higher math talkin' right there and I have the Bachelor's degree in EE to prove it. If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachi...

I once had a client who would say to me, "But, Andy, I'm really bad at predicting the future." She was referring to her ability to hire the right engineers for her company. She'd say they sounded great in the interviews. Then, she'd notice, after they were hired, they didn't really have the traits she thought they did. This works both ways. Job candidates don't often know what questions to ask pot...

Are job interviews falling out of your pockets? As in, you're walking down the street and one falls out of your pocket and you don't even bother to bend over to pick it up? If so, have a nice Tuesday and I'll see you next week! If not, let's check a few things. Consistency? Elbow grease? Right targets? Right people? Shoving resume into Applicant Trashing System to deafening silence to thinking you...

Need some interrogation methods on evaluating your potential boss? Like, trying to figure out whether you'll be dealing with a micro-manager? Or, if they're interested in turning you into a work-aholic? Maybe, gasp, they're a yes-man or yes-woman to their boss, which translates into a nightmare for you. So on. So forth. Etc. Etc. I've got an Andy-dandy for you today. If you'd like to build a great...

Coming at you today with a more-powerful-than-usual talk about success. Hard work might get you there. Might. But, after working with and observing about a bajillion people, I've learned why some just seem to have it all and others live in a state of wonderment. Perspective. That one thing actually changes the way you approach, well, everything. Perspective when it comes to gratitude has a way of...

Are you getting job interviews? Any? Let me give you a hand. In today's podcast, I teach the concepts and tactics that get recruiters and hiring officials and whomever else is reviewing your resume to WANT to speak with you. It's not just a do-this and do-that lesson. I go into, as I usually do, the WHYS and WHEREFORES and other important factors that most people don't think about. Writing your re...

This week's podcast is a blitz of tough job interview questions and answers. There are a lot, so here's a breakdown if you need to skip around or comeback to some to prepare for that big interview! 00:00 Welcome 00:22 If you could change anything about the job description what would it be? 02:28 What are you most proud of in your non-work life 05:44 Tell me about a time when you were criticized fo...

We're not in a recession at the moment, but I don't like to be late to the party. Even if we enter a recession, I don't want you to panic for a few reasons. First, panic doesn't do anyone any good. Second, you have me. Third, there are always opportunities for you regardless of whether your world is zigging or zagging. You just need the right perspective. How you look at something has almost every...

If you're struggling to reach the heights you know you can, there are some mindset and tactical approaches you can take to make a huge difference. Dialing in the right drivers helps too. Today's podcast is about how who you want to be and why you want to be can shape the way you use your talents and skills to become all you can be. You'll also get the inside talk on what makes me me and how you ca...

There's Mount Olympus Mons. The tallest mountain in the solar system. True. Or, if you haven't been to Mars to climb that doozie, perhaps you wanna hike up Mount Everest here on Earth. I hear Asia is lovely this time of year. Honestly, though, I just care about climbing Mount Andy. Maybe you want to focus on climbing Mount Whatever-Your-Name-Is. That's what life is all about. Climbing your persona...

"Show me the money," said every job candidate ever! More is always better. We don't need to be greedy and money isn't everything, but it's something. All I care about is you get paid what you deserve or at least what makes you happy. Today, I've got two wonderful Jedi-mind tricks where the employers won't know what else to do but give you more money. Please enjoy the 2-tip medley and think of me w...