Tips for Work and Life with Andrew LaCivita

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...

Can you just tell me what you want so I can eliminate you from this wonderful position because I can't satisfy your needs? Good. Grief. Why do employer's ask stupid questions. Maybe, if I was going easy on them, I'd ask, "Why do employers not ask questions the right way?" I mean, the way that'd yield the actual info they need to make a good decision about hiring you. Have you ever been asked in an...

Ever want to dig into how a company actually operates? As in, how they truly behave? That'd be a good thing to do if you're job interviewing, I'd think. You don't want to be joining a company you won't like! First question: Do you even know what kind of culture works for you? Let's say you do. Can you get over your freshly-inflicted bruises that tend to shine overly-bright lights on recent issues...

Job searching stinks. There's just no two ways about it. It makes no difference how awesome you are at your job. Job searching is rough. It's unnatural. Today's podcast is on some job search tips and also the Andy-formula for everyday stress-self-management! 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 ou...

Evaluating potential employees has confused companies for all time. Most of this confusion stems from looking at the wrong things and in the wrong order. Take a listen to this week's podcast to get the data-backed view of how to hire right! 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 milewalk Aca...

Got asked a great question a few weeks back at Live Office Hours. The person asked if he should stay at his company or transition every 3-4 years. He has aspirations of being a CEO at some point in the future and was wondering whether the variety or longevity would better position him. Have you ever wondered this? You might be thinking, well, Andy, I just need a job. This is moot at the moment. Or...

When interviewing with a senior executive, you need to be ready for different types of encounters. Whether the interviewer asks you, "What questions do you have for me?" or "Why should be hire you?" or "How will you make us a better company?" or "Tell me how you did that project?" the good ol' storytelling tactics you typically use to explain your projects, what you do, and how you do it won't be...

What's up with "TESTS" in job interviews? As if job interviews aren't rough enough, why, for the love of all that is holy, would employers push us job seekers over the edge with tests? These "tests" come in all shapes and sizes. Most of them are ridiculous, but, since I don't universally run hiring for the world, we'll need to deal with them. (Feel free to start a petition if you want to see if yo...

Skills. You have 'em. I know you do. Can you demonstrate them? Do you know which ones to shine the light on? It's important. Always. Just more important now. Inflation is hovering around 6%. Unemployment is roughly 3.6%. Our US Fed is trying to manage inflation by raising interest rates. We're trying the disinflation thing which means a slowdown in the rate of inflation even though inflation is st...