Hardly Working

In a competitive job market, you need to nail every. single. interview. The problem? Even the most experienced among us can fall prey to interview anxiety. And when that happens, even confident candidates can transform into super second-guessers, questioning every response. That fear of the unknown, says Viewpoint Leadership’s Joel and Elyce Arcieri, Cisco’s Service Delivery Executive, can cause just about anyone to bomb an interview. In this episode of Hardly Working, these interview experts share their strategies for finding your “mantra” and, with it, being better positioned to show your authentic, dynamic self – someone who’s ready to dive in and make a difference.

We hear you – networking can be (very) awkward. But the reality? The people who overcome that short-term discomfort are the people getting the interviews – and the jobs. Granted, that’s easier said than done. That’s where career coach Laurisa Milici comes in. On this episode of Hardly Working our resident job search guru shares simple strategies for optimizing your resume so it resonates, creating powerhouse connections, and overcoming networking hurdles to help get you not just in the door but into the corner office.

How many times have you lamented the seemingly-endless meetings – that probably could have been an email? We get it. But the reality, says Charlie Gilkey, author, and founder of Productive Flourishing, is that meetings get a bad rap. Because, done right, they can be powerful. Transformative, even. In this episode of Hardly Working, Gilkey shares simple, actionable strategies for taking meetings from “Why do I need to be here?” to dynamic conversations that promote performance, belonging, and retention. AKA all the things you need to succeed in the modern workplace.

While being glued to your device has become par for the professional course, the constant distractions and (failed) efforts to multi-task are causing serious stress. And that’s keeping us from feeling, doing, and being our best. In this episode of Hardly Working UC Irvine professor and Attention Span author Dr. Gloria Mark shares her expert POV on digital distractions, including tips and tricks for breaking the cycle. Because when we do lean into peak attention periods – and, yes, even detach from work for meaningful periods – we can do more, achieve more, and get. it. done.

When it comes to supporting women at work, many companies talk big – but they don’t have the receipts to back it up. So why keep sprinkling your magic around a company that isn’t giving back as much as you’re giving? It’s a big question and in this episode of Hardly Working Career Navigation & Executive Leadership Development Coach Ronnie Dickerson dives right in. From helping you find your zen and make better decisions from a place of peace to bouncing back when career – and life – veers off track, Dickerson’s advice is simple, actionable, and designed to help you make the most of your magic.

True or false: in the workplace, showing your emotions is always a no-no. If you said “true,” we hear you – because for too long we’ve been conditioned to believe even the slightest hint of emotion was a sign of weakness. But the reality, says El Experience CEO Carolyn Stern, is not so cut-and-dry. In her book The Emotionally Strong Leader – and in this episode of Hardly Working – Carolyn shares strategies for harnessing the power of your emotional intelligence to enhance your career and your relationships. Because at the end of the day we’re all human and by learning to recognize, understand, label, and manage our emotions, we can better connect, lead, and excel.

Thought algorithms were relegated to high school math class? Think again. As a bonafide grown-up and proactive professional, you’re no doubt focused on building your reach – and that means understanding how to beat the algorithm so you can rapidly expand your network and your influence. In this episode of Hardly Working, Do The WeRQ’s Arya Davachi and content creator Cuauhtemoc Martinez share simple strategies for doing just that. By engaging people who already know (and love) you, you’ll have a captive audience for your unique genius. And from there? You’ll have the reach and messaging might to beat the algorithm, grow your empire, and jumpstart your career journey.

We’ve been trained to build careers from a place of fear – to choose the next steps that feel safe, secure, and ensure we can pay the bills. But the safest career path isn’t (usually) the best career path. In this episode of Hardly Working, Alignment Academy founder Nadia Khaled shares her strategies for shifting your mindset so you can have a career you love. Because, when you step into your power, the easier it is to attract abundance in purpose, success, and wealth. Win, win, win.

Waiting is the ultimate creative poison – but, let’s face it, we’re all guilty of stalling out on a big idea or two. Author Becky Blades gets it. Her book, Start More Than You Can Finish, offers simple strategies for moving from idea to action – and she’s sharing those recs with Hardly Working. Tune in and learn what it takes to make things happen at work and in life.

When it comes to love, follow your heart. But when it comes to career, money, and education, use your head…right? Not so, says this week’s guest, social innovation leader, and author Abby Davisson. Your biggest decisions, she explains, have an element of head and heart. Ignore one side and you could wind up making a lob-sided (and less-than-stellar) decision. Tune in and learn how to strike a balance, with an easy-to-use 5-step framework you can apply to any decision, big or small.

There's a big difference between what gets you the job (hard skills) and what helps you excel in the job (soft skills). So how do you best position yourself in today’s workplace? In this episode of Hardly Working, Work Readiness Hub founder Vivek Khandelwal breaks it down, helping you nail your next job search.

Learn from pros who have sat on both side of the negotiation table and know what it takes to seal the deal. Capgemini’s Lynn Hodak and Katrina Grant. Hint: consider your education, experience, and location – and how that translates to competitive compensation. Then take a breath, be humble, and make the ask. At the end of the day, your current (or future) boss wants you to succeed. And salary is a big piece of that performance puzzle.

Each month the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its monthly jobs report. And the big question: what does it mean to you, as a job seeker? The reality: behind the inflation chatter and unemployment highs and lows, there are tons of tidbits that can help inform your search – and in this episode of Hardly Working, our own Chief Economist Aaron Terrazas breaks it all down. Because more than ever, the labor market’s “defying gravity.” We’re seeing knowledge workers clocking even more time, Wall Street’s erring on the “this isn’t so bad” side, and remote work is here to stay – at least for about one-third of us. Aaron’s biggest takeaway, though? You can’t time your life to the economy – so get out there, do your homework, and be prepared to take (mitigated) risks. With that mindset, you’ll be well on your way to a bigger, better career in 2023.

New Year, new career, and job search expert Laurisa Milici is here to help. In this hands-on episode of Hardly Working, she’ll share her secret sauce – the exact process Laurisa used (literally) hundreds of times to find her next great consulting gig. From making your CV stand out, to working your existing relationships, to being your own professional hype machine and, ultimately, finding your Career Clarity, Laurisa lays it all out. Because, let’s face it, you’re spending one-third of your life at work. And you deserve a career that works for you.

New year, new career, right? Right! An award-winning leadership coach Ronnie Dickerson-Stewart is here to help hit the ground running with a simple, powerful framework for success. From assessing your inner circle, to understanding the changes that brought your career to this exact point in time, to committing to learning, gratitude, and networking like a pro, Ronnie’s laid it all out in this actionable deep dive. Because 2023 is going to be your career year…starting now.

The reality? Every office is dysfunctional. Yes, even yours. Your (real) job, then, should be figuring out that unique flavor of dysfunction and what it actually takes to succeed. Because we’re betting it isn’t time, talent, and a get-it-done attitude. In this installment of Hardly Working, author Ken Kupchik doles out hilariously spot-on workplace insights from his latest book, I Hope This Email Finds You Never. From landing your dream job to navigating the proverbial water cooler to getting promoted – and having to boss around your coworkers for the first time – Ken puts a real, relatable spin on workplace culture, preparing you for whatever comes next.

When it comes to data analytics, there are no dumb questions – and everyone has a seat at the table, explains General Assembly Data Engineer & GA Data Analytics Instructor Candace Pereira-Roberts. If you’re a curious problem-solver and creative thinker ready to step out of your comfort zone and into a fast-growing industry, a data-related career could be in the cards – and Candace has plenty of tips and tricks for diving in like a pro.

At 34, chef and restaurant owner Mark Taylor found himself with $600 in the bank – and the need to immediately pivot professions. Fast forward to today and Mark’s an influential force in entertainment, renowned for leading Nickelodeon Animation, negotiating billion-dollar Netflix orders, and always carrying his trusty Nerf gun (he’ll explain). In this dynamic back-and-forth, leadership author and former direct-report Paul Falcone digs into Mark’s powerful POV on everything from the (delightful) challenge of managing creatives to value-based relationship-building, and why he’ll never stop asking, “are you feeling valued, appreciated, and respected today?

Rebecca Minkoff is one of the most dynamic voices in fashion. But in the beginning, launching her now-coveted handbag collections meant shuttering her apparel brand. It was painful, she admits, but in the end, that powerful pivot set the stage for her massive success. In this episode, Rebecca shares her hard-won rules for success, plus strategies for rejecting fear, tuning out social expectations, and designing your own unique path forward.

Networking is key to building a powerhouse career. But just thinking about mingling with could-be contacts is enough to send us into full anxiety mode. So how do you quiet the overwhelm, indecision, and fear of rejection standing between you and the robust professional network you deserve? In this Fishbowl Live, career coach, speaker, and trainer Phoebe Gavin unpacks common hurdles and hang-ups, offering clear, sustainable next steps to simplify – and amplify – all things networking.