Chan with a Plan

The Job Search Mistake You Can’t Afford to Make: Panic Applying And What To Do Instead

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Chan with a Plan, Max Speaks with Cassie Spencer, a career coach and podcast host of Happenstance. In this conversation, Cassie discusses the economic climate and layoffs, panic applying, and what happenstance is all about.
QUOTES
“You know, many people experience happenstance in terms of they maybe didn't necessarily plan on entering a specific field or industry, but a conversation or an opportunity led them onto a specific path that they didn't even know existed. But there they are.” – Cassie Spencer
“It's really important for people to take a little bit of time to get clear on what they're looking for and what they want and need out of that next job.” – Cassie Spencer
“With as much uncertainty we live in endlessly now. It’s important to always be prepared. The best thing that you can do in terms of that preparation is to start thinking about and paying attention to the companies that you're interested in, the types of roles that you're interested in, and starting to lay that groundwork.” – Cassie Spencer
 
TIMESTAMPS
[03:07] Why aren’t you getting good responses when you apply?
[05:12] “Easy Apply” on LinkedIn
[06:31] Strategies for effective applying
[12:11] Does the time of year you apply matter?
[14:59] Stay put or always be on the lookout when in a tolerable job?
[18:58] 2023 job search concerns
[21:31] Happenstance; what it means and how Cassie uses it
[29:12] How to start networking
[34:17] Overcoming fears
[38:17] Cassie’s big career challenge
 
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Cassie Spencer on Social Media:
LinkedIn
Happenstance podcast
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on Social Media

The hidden dangers of accepting a counter offer from your employer and why it’s always a bad career idea

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Chan with a Plan, Max discusses how to deal with counter offers from your current employer when you plan to exit for a new job. Key points he discusses in this episode are: why people take counter offers so often and why you should not take a counter offer.
TIMESTAMPS
[00:55] Getting a counter offer
[01:40] Taking a counter offer out of fear
[02:05] Too much emotional attachment
[02:30] Your sense of loyalty
[03:00] The issues have been resolved or so you think
[03:45] Never take a counter offer because it’s desperate
[04:45] A counter offer is a temporary fix
[05:05] Your loyalty will be questioned
 
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on Social Media

Revamping Your Job Search: Why You’re Not Hearing Back and How to Change It

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Chan with a Plan, Max Speaks with Jennifer Coners, of Jen Coners Consulting. In this conversation Jen discusses her career as a direct hire recruiter and business consultant, navigating layoffs, and working on getting your dream job.
QUOTES
“You're going to be great in that industry. So they have to have that confidence. You have to build them up, you know? And it's okay to say you're new. It's okay to say you don't know, but you also have to say, but here's what I can bring to the table, and I want it really bad.” – Jen Coners
“We do need structure, and we do need flexibility. So, I think if we keep going in that route and not being so harsh and everybody's saying, you have to come back in, I think things are going to look a lot better. People aren't going to be so angry and so, you know, demanding.” – Jen Coners
“They just want to get the job. That’s where I come in and say, I get it. I get that you're frustrated. I get that you've done all of these things, but you're not doing something right. So, we're going to figure out what that is.” – Jen Coners
 
TIMESTAMPS
[01:18] Layoffs and the labor market
[02:18] Hybrid work schedule
[05:02] Career challenges moving forward during economic hardships
[09:19] Doing the detective work
[10:22] Transitioning to a role in a different industry
[14:16] Avoid instant gratification
[16:27] Don’t forget your manners
[20:11] Importance of employer feedback to non-hires
[23:12] Salary expectation question
[28:35] Could your job posting be bad?
[34:00] Getting ghosted
[35:31] Crushing your interview and following up well
[37:40] Interview Strategies
[41:17] Should you start to make a career change right now?
[43:13] Jennifer’s biggest challenge and how she overcame it
 
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Jennifer Coners on Social Media:LinkedIn
Jen Coners Consulting
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on Social Media

7 Red Flags In A Job Interview - Signs of a Bad Employer

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Chan with a Plan, Max discusses what to look out for during job interviews and how to spot red flags. Key points he discusses are why you shouldn’t take a bad job, the 7 red flags to watch out for during a job interview and questions you can ask an interviewer to get a better feel for the job.
TIMESTAMPS
[00:40] Looking for THE job, not A job
[01:05] Don’t take a bad job
[02:38] Navigate the job search process to find a good job
[03:04] 7 Red Flags in a Job Interview
[07:34] 5 questions to ask the interviewer to spot additional red flags
[09:05] Summary
 
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on Social Media

Overcoming fear of failure: How career risks will help you grow

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Chan with a Plan, Max speaks with Frank O’Connell, author of Jump First Think Fast. In this conversation, Frank discusses his extensive career with major companies like Reebok, and HBO, how to evaluate risk along your career journey, and build yourself into a confident expert.
QUOTES
“In trading cards. We had all of the athletic NBA, NFL all of their licenses, and everybody said, this is the athletic trading card business. The kids said, no, you're in the business of connecting heroes and their fans.” – Frank O’Connell
“In today's environment, you better be very agile. We used to develop a strategic plan. We'd review it once a year. You now need to view it every three months. And if things don't work, you've got to be agile and willing to make major changes quickly.” – Frank O’Connell
“I would say almost all my major moves to other companies or promotions came through someone who I did develop a very personal relationship with and who knew me very, very well.” - Frank O’Connell
 
TIMESTAMPS
[01:12] Frank’s journey
[03:50] Pivoting into a new industry
[08:27] Evaluating career move risks
[14:59] Testing and reevaluating new tactics to grow
[16:38] Building relationships
[18:49] Becoming the expert and job hopping
[20:13] Building your personal brand
[22:39] What Frank looks for in a job candidate
[26:31] Valuable skills to develop
[29:09] How do you establish confidence?
[31:07] Encouragement when you think you have made a mistake
[33:19] Learning from Frank’s mistakes
[34:46] Finding your passions and showcase your full self
[35:49] Valuable takeaways from Frank’s book
[39:44] Frank’s big challenge
[40:55] Advice on relationships and careers
 
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Frank O’Connell on Social Media:LinkedIn
Jump First Think Fast
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on Social Media

Tell Me About Yourself - A Good Answer To This Interview Question

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Chan with a Plan, Max discusses how to properly respond to the question “Tell me about yourself”. Key points he discusses are how to successfully summarize your professional background, accomplishments, unique qualities, and how to connect your goals with the job.
TIMESTAMPS
[00:40] Tell me about yourself interview question
[01:02] Being too literal and personal
[01:35] Don’t ramble when answering
[02:00] Stop being too modest
[02:31] Don’t be too general
[03:52] Highlighting your professional background correctly
[04:05] Using your top accomplishments 
[04:28] Hitting on your unique qualities
[04:40] Connecting the dots between roles and goals
 
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on Social Media

Don’t Panic: How to Thrive in a Recession through Smart Investing

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Chan with a Plan, Max Speaks with Mark Willis, CFP with Lake Growth Financial Services, working with individuals, couples, and business owners who want to grow their wealth in a safe and predictable manner, and create tax-free income for life. In this conversation Mark discusses how to navigate a recession and prepare for retirement with your finances.
QUOTES
“But I want more control. I want more agency. I want more capacity to be able to influence my environment rather than being impacted by it. And so that's been my great honor, is to work with clients to do exactly that.” – Mark Willis
“That's an interesting word. Do you remember that movie, The Princess Bride, where the guy says, ‘You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means’, and he's so right when it comes to diversification, we keep using that word, but I don't think it means what we think it means.” – Mark Willis
“Some point math just takes over and we're all going to see taxes rise over our lifetimes. So I knew I wanted to pay my taxes now and have a tax-free future that was going to yield the best return for me.” – Mark Willis
TIMESTAMPS
[01:22] Mark’s journey
[02:54] Recession opinions
[04:50] How to make it through a recession
[06:50] Investing during a recession
[10:17] Key tools to use for investing
[15:40] Investing in life insurance?
[17:12] Combating the cost of living and inflation with your job
[21:31] Self-control with credit cards
[23:35] Preparing for a recession
[28:24] Diversify your portfolio
[30:19] Strike it rich with new investments?
[34:10] Is cash trash?
[36:49] Difference between the Recession vs the Pandemic
[39:15] Episode main takeaways
[41:32] Mark’s big financial challenge
 
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Mark Willis on Social Media:LinkedIn
Podcast
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on Social Media

How to prepare for phone interviews and get more job offers

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Chan with a Plan, Max discusses how to prepare for phone interviews to pass more interview rounds and get more job offers to take your career to the next level. Key points he discusses are questions to prepare for getting asked, what questions to ask at the end to help you strategize for future interviews, and phone interview logistics.
TIMESTAMPS
[01:03] Main goal of phone interviews
[01:25] Being clear and concise 
[02:28] STAR method
[03:26] 2 questions you need to ask
[05:15] Following up after the interview
[05:30] Logistics for a good phone interview 
 
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on Social Media