Chan with a Plan

How to write a killer cover letter that gets read and enhances your job application

EPISODE SUMMARY
Max highlights why you should write a cover letter for every job application and his formula on writing targeted cover letters efficiently and effectively. Based on this past week's episode with Marie Zimenoff on leveraging social media in your job search to get the job you want.
TIMESTAMPS
[0:43] Why you should write a cover letter for every job application and the main reason why recruiters don't take most cover letters from professionals seriously
[2:46] Max's cover letter formula that he teaches all his clients in order to write highly targeted and effective cover letters for any job fast
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on LinkedIn

Leveraging social media in your job search to get the job you want

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Chan With A Plan, host Max Chan speaks with Marie Zimenoff, CEO of Career Thought Leaders and Resume Writing Academy. Marie discusses additional job search strategies that goes beyond applying online and optimizing your LinkedIn profile, such as using Facebook and Instagram to engage with companies and potential professionals that could make a huge impact on the success of your job search. She also discusses the foundation of a successful job search strategy and how to overcome procrastination in the job search process that most professionals face when they don't get the results they want right out of the gate.
QUOTES
“It’s not just about the [LinkedIn] profile, and that’s where I feel like the careers industry, has kind of got stuck in the mud, talking about optimizing a [LinkedIn] profile, we really can’t just leave it at that, we got to teach clients how to use LinkedIn and how to connect, how to message, how to use the tool to continue to stay in touch with someone.”  - Marie Zimenoff [6:41]
“Do the research, find your audience, and then choose your [social media] platforms and that will help you reduce your overwhelm, and to just really engage where those people are. ”  - Marie Zimenoff [31:57]
“You can only grow, when you take a risk, you can only change when you make change, but start small.”  - Marie Zimenoff [43:35]
TIMESTAMPS
[2:09] Meet Marie
[3:05] Why recruiters aren’t using LinkedIn to source candidates as much as they use to
[7:11] The importance of networking to build your career
[10:19] Utilizing Facebook and Instagram as part of your job search strategy
[12:44] Why creating content isn’t necessary and engaging with a company’s content on social media is more important for your job search 
[14:07] The importance of utilizing other social media platforms besides LinkedIn as part of your job search and how to use them
[18:49] Recruiters loosening the importance of having relevant work experience and cultural fit for the role they are trying to fill
[21:42] The future and importance of video resumes and how you can get comfortable with this medium
[26:16] Text, video or audio messages when it comes to reaching out and networking with professionals on social media
[27:54] Thoughts on Discord and Slack channels as part of your job search strategy
[28:44] Picking the right online courses to boost your credentials and get the job you want
[31:29] Picking the right platforms for your job search to not get overwhelmed
[32:10] The increase in importance of the cover letter
[34:01] The importance of utilizing hashtags on social media platforms to help you with your job search
[34:51] Tips on building a foundation for a successful job search
[36:13] Overcoming job search procrastination
[40:02] Job search trends professionals should watch out for in 2022
[42:42] One big career challenge that Marie had to overcome to help her grow to become the person she is today
[44:20] Contacting Marie
[45:05] Going over Max’s pitch to have Marie come on the podcast and what made her accept the invitation
[46:26] Outro
RESOURCES AND RELEVANT LINKS
Jobvite - 2021 Recruiter Nation Report
Career Thought Leaders
Resume Writing Academy
Marie Zimenoff on LinkedIn
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on LinkedIn

How to effectively organize your workload at your job and achieve work life balance

EPISODE SUMMARY
Max provides 2 tips on how you can manage your workload at your job effectively and manage your manager's expectations of you without falling out of favor or being overworked. Based on this past week's episode with Nichole Harrop on toxic workplace: overworked and underpaid, signs you are being taken advantage of.
TIMESTAMPS
[1:46] Importance of creating your own project tracker and having weekly meetings with your manager
[3:02] Taking on urgent items and how to communicate and prioritize your workload with your manager effectively
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on LinkedIn

Toxic Workplace: Overworked and underpaid, signs you are being taken advantage of

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Chan With A Plan, host Max Chan speaks with Nichole Harrop, a career coach helping women get promoted at work. Nichole talks about her own experience where she was being overworked and not being compensated fairly so you can see the signs you are being taken advantage of and can start planning your exit strategy to a better job. In addition, Nichole also discusses setting boundaries and expectations in your new job so being overworked doesn’t happen again.
QUOTES
“The pay was one issue, and then the maternity leave was honestly, the last straw where I was like I can’t be a support to this company anymore if I can’t be supportive when I am having a baby.”  - Nichole Harrop [33:36]
“I was upset that I was being treated this way after being told that you were so great, so don’t let the lip service dictate how you’re doing, also make sure that it’s coming back to saying, hey you’re always saying how great I am, I love to see what that looks like in terms of a pay increase.”  - Nichole Harrop [52:02]
“Recognizing when people are saying things, but not following through on them and setting a boundary, at what point do you start looking for something else because I promise you there is so much more out there.”  - Nichole Harrop [56:47]
TIMESTAMPS
[1:24] Meet Nichole
[4:31] Being a smarter manager and using the skill of delegation
[7:35] Asking for help at work
[9:56] The start of Nichole’s story and how she got hired at the company that later began overworking her
[16:07] Why it is a red flag when your manager states that they will renegotiate your compensation later after you accepted new responsibilities
[18:02] Showing you are a team player and also being compensated fairly
[21:47] Initiating the difficult conversation of asking for a raise and balancing your workload
[28:50] Her reaction after taking on all these new responsibilities at the company to only get a menial raise and her next steps
[34:45] Discussing the option of equity in a compensation package and when is it the right move to forgo additional salary for more equity in a company
[37:35] Nichole’s exit strategy to move from her current company at that time to another opportunity
[42:16] Discussing the common issue of why internal employees don’t get fair raises compared to their external hire counterparts that tend to come in making more in the same position
[47:47] Her experience going back to work from her maternity leave, Nichole handing in her resignation and reaction from the company of her departure
[52:21] What Nichole is doing now in her career
[54:53] Nichole’s learning lessons she gained from the experience with that company and what signs does she look out for now so it doesn’t happen to her again
[57:15] Signs that the company is giving you empty promises and how many chances should you give a company when it comes to having your needs met before it’s time to move on 
[1:01:08] One big career lesson that Nichole learned that helped her grow to become the person she is today
[1:03:17] Contacting Nichole
[1:03:53] Outro
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Nichole Harrop Website
Nichole Harrop on Instagram
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan On LinkedIn
Chan With A Plan Facebook Group

3 tips to grow your career as an introvert and live a more fulfilling life

EPISODE SUMMARY
Max provides 3 career tips for introverts wanting to grow their career based on his own personal experiences as someone that leans more towards the introvert spectrum. Based on this past week's episode with Jacqueline Shaulis on how to embrace your introversion in order to accelerate your career.
TIMESTAMPS
[1:04] How to balance getting out of your comfort zone but not feel overwhelmed when it comes to corporate social events as an introvert
[3:25] Why honing in on your strengths is a better play than working on your weaknesses
[4:20] Why you shouldn't focus on fitting in and embracing who you are is the key to long term self fulfillment and prosperity
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on LinkedIn

Career Advice for Introverts: How to embrace your introversion in order to accelerate your career

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Chan With A Plan, host Max Chan speaks with Jacqueline Shaulis, motivational speaker and author that guides introverted women of color to get seen, heard, and respected by embracing their awesome. Jacqueline explains what introversion really is and the common misconceptions people have about introversion. She then dives into strategies on how to thrive in a corporate work environment as an introvert and how the winning formula is to embrace your introversion, not try to reject it and become something you’re not. 
QUOTES
”There’s nothing wrong with being an introvert, it's not something that needs to be fixed, it’s not something to overcome, it’s not something to put to the side, it’s just literally how the brain processes what’s going on around them.” - Jacqueline Shaulis [16:27]
“No matter what tips and techniques [I give you], if you don’t have the mindset of thinking, okay my introversion is a positive, as opposed to the negative that is perceived as, you won’t take action.”  - Jacqueline Shaulis [30:27]
“I’ve had conversations with dozens of women [of color] and it’s the same story, where within their workplace they are doing what their job entitles them to, they are doing it at a high level, however they are being told that they cannot advance or they’re not being told about opportunities because of their introversion.”  - Jacqueline Shaulis [43:33]
TIMESTAMPS
[0:46] Meet Jacqueline Shaulis
[3:26] Explaining what introversion is and common misconceptions of introversion
[14:02] Jacqueline’s obstacles during her career as an introvert, misconceptions that stem from that and the strengths she learned of being an introvert
[18:38] How to identify introverts and how to work with them
[20:08] Strategies for introverts to thrive in a corporate work environment
[24:41] The value of being an introvert
[27:14] Building relationships and growing your network as an introvert
[30:16] Changing your mindset and owning your introversion within 30 days to start elevating your career
[33:06] Transforming yourself in your current role to become a star player and owning your introversion
[36:56] Wanting to become a manager as an introvert
[40:55] Why introverted women of color have the biggest obstacles to overcome in the workplace compared to other demographics
[46:27] A major career roadblock that Jacqueline had faced and what she did to overcome it to move her career forward
[48:30] Contacting Jacqueline
[50:20] Outro
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Jacqueline Shaulis Website
Jacqueline Shaulis on Instagram
Jacqueline Shaulis on LinkedIn
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on LinkedIn
Chan With A Plan Facebook Community

How to make the right choice for your next career move based on 3 important factors

EPISODE SUMMARY
Max discusses 3 important factors that everyone talks about when it comes to evaluating your next opportunity and how they differ based on company size from his own personal career experience. Based on this past week's episode with Dani Hao on your job search, large vs small companies and which size company is right for you.
TIMESTAMPS
[1:01] Salary expectations and growth at large companies vs smaller companies
[2:31] Work culture at large companies vs smaller companies
[3:29] Job security at large companies vs smaller companies
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on LinkedIn

Job search success, large vs small companies and which size company is right for you

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Chan With A Plan, host Max Chan speaks with Dani Hao, a marketing communications leader who has worked in both the B2C and B2B space and is passionate about building brands, community, and real connections. Dani walks us through her career journey and her experience working at companies of various sizes and highlights the pros and cons of each to help you make the right decision when it comes to making your next career move. 
QUOTES
”When I first started off my career, I thought that joining a larger company would help me elevate my career because it would look better on my resume, but I was quickly proven wrong just because, as a new grad most likely you’re probably going to be, starting out in a junior position.” - Dani Hao [4:26]
“[When it comes to salary] I think it will depend on the industry that you’re in, and the role that you’re looking for right, I know a lot of my friends who are in like huge companies, like Fortune 100s and they’re being paid a lot less than, for example what I was making at my previous roles [at smaller companies]. ”  - Dani Hao [33:58]
“You’re doing your best work, you’re being very proactive, but you’re getting all these Nos and you are getting all these blockers, that’s a red flag, that’s a sign, that hey like this company may not have that culture of being able to promote people who want to be more proactive.”  - Dani Hao [45:06]
TIMESTAMPS
[1:26] Meet Dani Hao
[5:15] Common trap recent grads fall for when it comes to choosing their first employer and how to avoid it
[6:49] Dani’s experience working at a large company and learning lessons along the way 
[15:53] Dani’s experience working in agency and learning lessons along the way
[18:21] Difference between working in industry vs working in agency
[19:43] Dani’s journey into entrepreneurship and how it led to her role at a Saas company
[22:47] Being a part of a growing company and the changes that happen during the growth stage
[27:41] Discussing Dani’s current work experience at the small company she’s at now and what work was like during the transition/growth phase
[33:47] Salary expectations between large companies and smaller companies and discussing whether you will always make more at a large company compared to others
[34:56] Job security at large companies vs smaller companies
[37:37] Discussing middle management and how it affects you when you are starting out in your career
[38:31] Your level of C-Suite executive exposure at large companies compared to smaller companies
[39:48] Social atmosphere between large companies and smaller companies
[41:21] Interview process differences between large and smaller companies
[43:06] Summarizing the conversation and what you need to do to advance your career
[46:43] A major career roadblock that Dani had faced and what she did to overcome it to move her career forward
[49:44] Contacting Dani
[50:20] Outro
RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS
Dani Hao on LinkedIn
Chan With A Plan
Max Chan on LinkedIn
Chan With A Plan Facebook Group