How to Nail a Video Interview

How to Nail a Video Interview

Been asked to complete a video interview or have one scheduled? Want to make it a success? Never faced a video interview before? No worries, this post is all about the video interview and how to ace it.

As more employers implement virtual collaboration tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams for virtual meetings, it makes sense that employers also use that technology for the interviewing process as well. Video interviewing has been a growing trend to save recruiting time and travel cost, but the 2020 pandemic has expanded the use of video interviewing exponentially. It is now a critical skill in the job search process. In fact it is so common, within our Love Sunday Nights Online Workshop we partner with a video-interviewing tool called Wedge, to help our students both get better at nailing a video interview and improve their interviewing skills in general.

For the candidates, interviews are already a bit awkward, and this trend can make being assessed a bit more nerve-racking. Especially, if this is your first-time, or you are not used to doing any video interactions from your home. So, how can you nail a video interview? We’ll help you prepare for this process with quick set of tips and tricks.

First, there are two types of video interviews:

1. A Recorded Screening interview is between just you and your computer. You’ll be provided a link, when when you click on it you are brought to a website where you can record with your computer camera and microphone your answers to the screening questions. These are usually short (5-10 questions) and your answers are timed to be less than a few minutes. So time management is critical to ensure the assessor on the other end hears your best message. Sometimes they allow retakes and sometimes they don’t.

2. A Live Interview is with a recruiter or hiring manager over a video meeting application. In this format you will engage just like you do face-to-face except it is virtual. You will be provided a link and be brought straight into a 2-way meeting where they can see you and you can see the assessor.

For both of these video interview formats, many of the same strategies will ensure your success. There are many things you should keep in mind before and during any video interview which may affect your overall success. These things include body language, properly working tech, eye-contact, proper and clean background, appropriate dressing etc. These small details all combine to ensure you will ace your video interview. We have organized the tips into three steps: Set Up Your Environment, Make A Good Impression on Video, and Make the Tech Work For You.

1. Set Up Your Environment

Choose a place where you are comfortable.

Choose a place where you are comfortable to talk and give the video interview without any hesitation. There have been stories of people that attended a video interview in their current employer’s conference room and were whispering while giving the answers to questions. Not only is whispering hard to hear, it demonstrates an integrity issue to use a current employer’s space to talk to a potential new employer.

Set the scene.

Before a video interview, you should set up the on-camera view to be attractive. Your computer or phone should be at the perfect position. The chair and the computer table should be at the proper height so that your face is directly seen by the person on the other side. So, make sure that your whole face is perfectly viewable by the interviewer.

Take care of the lighting.

Lighting can be tricky on camera. The room where you are giving the video interview should be well lit. Also ensure you are not sitting directly in front of a light source like a window or bright lamp. This can make you appear like a shadow of your true-self. Also make sure are in a well-lit room with ideally, overhead lighting, a dim room can make it hard to see facial expressions.

Remove any distractions or interruptions.

Many people think that only their face will be seen by the interviewer. Remember, just like a video call not only your face is visible but a little background is also visible. To avoid a distracting background, just clean your background before the interview. Some applications allow you to blur your background, but you can’t count on that being available. In addition, ensure no other person will be roaming around behind you as it can leave a negative impression. Also, make sure that the place is quiet. There is no sound of barking dogs, shouting people or playing children which can eventually distract the interviewer and you too. And do not do an interview from a coffee shop! Grinding coffee and clinking cups is very distracting.

2. Make a Good First Impression on Video

Dress to impress.

You should dress in the same way as if you were going to an in-person interview. Because the first thing is that your top is seen by the person on the other side and the second thing is that dressing properly for a video interview just like the normal interview will boost your confidence. However, there are a few things to consider because you are on film. Prints are distracting, all black or white can also be distracting. And lastly, make sure you are not wearing a monochrome outfit that matches the background in front which you’ll be sitting. Lighting may look make your face shiny or oily on camera. Don’t forget to apply a little bit of powder on your face even if this is not your routine.

Make eye-contact.

Making an eye-contact during even a simple conversation is necessary. This behavior shows that you are actually interested in that person and listening to him carefully. In a video call, it may be tricky to do this like you would in-person. You must balance where you look between straight at the eyes of the assessor that is the center of your screen AND straight at the camera so you appear to be making eye contact with the assessor on their end. The closer your camera is to your screen the easier this is to do.

Stay calm and control nervous energy.

Many people are nervous during the interview because of the fear that they might be rejected or the interviewer would like them. These thoughts increase your anxiety and make you more nervous. So, just prep yourself for the interview before, sit with confidence, avoid fear and believe in yourself. Every person has some distracting habits that they do when they are nervous like biting nails, touching face, moving hands, twirling hair, sweating, tapping and so on. These habits look normal in person but these little habits do not look pleasing on a video chat. So, ask your friends and family what your habits are, believe me they know! Write yourself a sticky note to reference in the video call to avoid these tics!

Sit with proper posture.

People judge you just by your body language and posture alone. Proper posture is also important during a video interview. You should sit properly with your back straight and face in front of the screen. You should always place your feet on the ground and do not cross them as it will disturb your posture for the video interview. Also, neither bend forward or go back far from the computer, just sit in a balanced position. One more thing you need to remember is that do not show side angle of the face as it look odd on-camera.

Project a pleasant demeanor.

Smiling can ensure your are not frowning. Frowning or having a serious expression while you are thinking or listening intently isn’t a bad thing, but when you spend less time on a handshake and greeting in a video call vs in-person, you need to ensure that they see you smile and have a pleasant expression as well. Smiling a little bit will help you represents that you are comfortable and confident during the interview. Also, do not overdose your smile, or force laughter, this can be awkward. Just relax and focus on a pleasant and approachable demeanor.

Project confidence by practicing on camera.

Make sure you practice speaking into your webcam before going live on a video interview. You must have heard the saying “practice makes perfect”. So, is true in the case of a video interview. If you know that you have never done a camera interview so you don’t have the experience that how does it work and feel. So, it is the best thing to practice that before actually going for an interview. Just practice talking properly on camera by getting help from a friend. Just video call him/her and talk formally just like you are gonna speak to your interviewer. This will add to your confidence in a video setting.

3. Make the Tech Work For You

Prepare your tech.

Before going for a video interview just make sure that your computer or phone, microphone or headphones, and webcam are in proper working condition. Also, make sure that you have full control on your tech and you know and understand how your gadgets work. You need to avoid falling into a situation where you have to ask the interviewer “Can you hear me now?” as this is the most irritating thing that can happen during a video interview.

Test your internet connection.

The Internet plays the major role in a video interview as the working of the whole video is based on your internet speed and stability. So, make sure that your internet is working properly and your speed is not fluctuating and you are close to your wi-fi router or using an ethernet cable to ensure a stable connection.

Close other applications on your computer.

Before the interview starts, make sure that you have closed all the other applications such as facebook, whatsapp, emails etc. Any pop-up notifications from your apps or email can disturb your interview. This can also ensure your internet connection is only being used to support your video call and not also supporting background processes. Also silence your phone so that also is not a distraction.

Use your notes.

The benefit of a video interview is that you can keep notes or anything with you just in case you need them. You can keep some important notes with you, like a resume, a page summarizing key stories you often use to highlight skills, and the numbers that show results you have achieved. Using notes will mean you do not have to memorize everything you want to mention.

You are ready. Use these tips and rock your video interview!

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Career Launch When Drowning in College Debt and Under-employed.

What happens if you graduate with a college degree that you owe $100,000 for, worked really hard to get, and gave you no skills you can earn a living other than minimum wage jobs you probably could have gotten anyway, and you aren’t passionate about what you studied?

I appreciate the authenticity of this question, and unfortunately it is not an exception. This is a question that is far too common. Gen Z, those born between 1996 and 2012 (ages 7-23) are entering the workforce for the first time, and rather than this scenario be the exception I am afraid it is more the rule.

It makes parents crazy. They either feel they have failed their children, or their children have failed them. What if neither is true? What is we are not preparing students for how to find work they love that loves them back that pays the bills?

As Gen Z’s enter the workforce, many are lost without a clear vision for what is as leaders we owe them an understanding of this context and what they value, how they like to work, and how we can create workplaces that bring out their talents.

Let’s consider Patti’s story. Patti is 22. She loves animals, speaks Russian fluently, and studied biology because at one point she was going to be a doctor. She was an excellent student, and went to a small, elite liberal arts school. She got some funding, but the high cost of tuition meant she had to take on personal debt to pay for college. At some point during junior year, she realized that being a doctor was not her passion. She was someone who valued natural healing and became a strict vegan. She got a summer internship at a large hospital system in DC and found the for-profit nature of medicine antithetical to her values. Yet, she was three years into a degree that she had already racked up over $70,000 to get. She kept going. Then, she graduated. She took a job at a doctor’s office as the office manager, and then after three months quit with no plans for her future. Her parents were beside themselves. They had emigrated here from Russia, and struggled to provide a lifestyle for their family, a lifestyle they are proud of accomplishing.

Then, she found Love Sunday Nights. When Patti came to us she had been applying for jobs on job boards like Career Builder, and Monster. Those are fine, and if there is any group who should use job boards it is the entry-level cohort of job seekers. However, she was frustrated that all of the jobs she seemed to be able to get were minimum wage jobs. There was no way she was going to pay her student loans, and be able to live on her own with a minimum wage job. What was she to do?

Here are the FIVE steps to getting out of your parent’s basement:

1. The first thing to do is get clear on your financial situation. What are the obligations you have to pay to whom by when? You might not be able to do anything about them now, but just knowing your obligations is important.

Now that the boring pragmatic stuff is out of the way, the fun begins.

2. What do you love doing? Don’t worry about the voices inside your head telling you what you should love to do, what do you actually love doing?

Patti loved gardening. She was at her happiest when she was outside digging in the dirt. Over the summer after graduation she started an herb garden, and she discovered she had a green thumb. She taught herself how to make herbal tinctures based upon the healing process of the plants.

Think about times when you “lose time” meaning, you are so engrossed in the process that you literally forget what time it is. Minutes, or hours pass by and you look up blissfully unaware of your surroundings. Write that down no matter what it is.

1. What are you good at?

It just so happens Patti is good at what she loves gardening, but there is more. She was good at video production. She has always been a visual person, and was not afraid to learn something knew mostly by watching You Tube videos. As she was learning about the healing properties of herbs on line, she got the idea to create her own You Tube channel about herbs. Then, she did just that, and she started to pick up a following.

1. What can you get paid for?

While I am not a huge fan of relying on the Google to tell things, it is helpful to kick-start your discovery process. When Patti typed in “gardening jobs in Chicago” 6 pages of jobs came up. She was thrilled.

Now here is where most job seekers go wrong. Most people looking for work are savvy enough to use Google in this way. They see the six pages, and scan them over. Then, they immediately go to Indeed.com (a job Board) to apply. 9 times out of ten nothing happens. I have had students who have been using this approach for months, and the only response they receive is the automated email from the applicant tracking system thanking them for applying to the job.

The next steps is where the magic happens, and it is a step most people don’t consider or if they consider it don’t do their homework to really know how to position their unique skills in today’s workplace.

1. What does the world need?

Upon first hearing this, you might think this is a spiritual question which for some job seekers that might be true. How Love Sunday Nights defines it is what are the current trends impacting the functions or industries you have identified that you love that you are good at. This is a step many people don’t understand the significance not take the time to explore. This is why people end up stuck for months alone in their house wondering what they are doing wrong. Here is an example of trend facing technology today:

The rise of the Customer Success role has created a new hybrid between technology, hunter and account manager. Big tech companies are leading the charge, but this new approach is cascading down across all sales roles creating new jobs where people’s purpose and passion play a bigger role than just their sales acumen.

10 Experts' Tips for Negotiating Pay

Most of us work to live, not live to work. For most of us, pay is a fundamental consideration of working life. As such, negotiating your starting compensation package and asking for a raise are a critical determining factors when deciding to take a new job and feeling valued in an existing position. Yet, nobody ever got a raise by shouting, “Show me the money!” These 10 tips from executive coaches and other career experts can help you polish your negotiating skills and get the pay you deserve.

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Know what you’re looking for

“Determine two thresholds: Your ‘slam dunk’ offer, which would make you immediately say yes, and your ‘basement’ offer, [which is] the bare minimum of what you need to work for the company. Everything that exists between your ‘slam dunk’ and your ‘basement’ is negotiable. But remember that a successful negotiation means you do not compromise beyond the point of a win-win.” —David B. Nast, business leadership coach and corporate trainer with Focal Point Coaching in Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Do your research

“Every gig has a fee range. Spend the time to discover it, then don't be afraid to ask for more than the top. If [an employer] is asking for your help, that means they think you’re worth it. Asking for top dollar confirms that you’re a top player.”—Ted Leonhardt, negotiation consultant in the Seattle area. You can also use a free service like payscale to find out what a person in your position in your area makes.

Be honest about your salary needs

“Be upfront with your interviewer. A firm that is seeking to hire the best person for the job needs to understand what you are all about. In any kind of relationship scenario, if expectations do not measure up, both sides end up regretting the better opportunities that passed them by. So it’s better to state what you need salary-wise and let the chips fall where they may.” —Alex Twersky, co-founder at Resume Deli, a career management and coaching firm in Hoboken, New Jersey

Show how you can contribute to the bottom line

“Demonstrate your value through contributions you’ve made throughout your career, especially in your current role. This should emphasize experience and results you achieved driving revenue, savings, efficiency and productivity, with examples relevant to the organization or role. The employer will find concrete evidence of business growth is difficult for an employer to ignore.” —Lela Reynolds, senior career consultant with Resume Strategists in New York City

Speak up

“In general when it comes to pay raises, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Some companies are great at recognizing standout employees and dole out raises whenever they can, but solid employees who may be flying under the radar should be asking for one, too. Be prepared to ask for a specific number, and quantify it in some way. Keep emotion out of it; just stick to the facts.” —Michele Mavi, director of internal recruiting and content development with Atrium Staffing in New York City

Make the first offer

“Don’t wait for [an employer] to mention a figure. Traditional advice says to never be the first to mention a salary target, in case they were planning to offer you more than your wildest dreams, but let’s be realistic—they’ll throw a low number out to see if you’ll take it, and once that small figure is on the table, it may be uncomfortable to go after anything substantially larger.” —Elizabeth Becker, client partner with PROTECH in Charlotte, North Carolina

But don’t make demands

“When asking for a raise, it should never be presented as an ultimatum. You may get the extra money, but the opportunity cost could be steep if you jeopardize any or all of the goodwill you have accumulated. Set the stage for your request by expressing gratitude, then highlight your key accomplishments and contributions. When you’ve established that your boss agrees with you, then—and only then—do you tell him what you want.” —Roy Cohen, career counselor and executive coach in New York City

Play the long game

“You’re not always going to get the salary you want. When that happens, politely and respectfully ask your potential new boss—rather than the HR person—if you can sit down together to determine what specifically you need to do to earn the raise in the future. Work out deliverables that are as specific as possible, and pin down a time frame. Take notes, let your new boss see that you’re taking notes and work up something in writing you can both agree to. Then report your progress regularly. Once you’ve met those goals, it will be very difficult for your boss not to grant your raise, or at least to fight for it on your behalf.” —Barry Maher, owner of Barry Maher & Associates in Corona, California

Don’t leave empty handed

“Most people only think about salary, but there are more items up for negotiation, such as a preferred work schedule, vacation accrual, external and internal training opportunities and tuition reimbursement. If the company says they can't meet your salary requirements, ask them what [is needed] to earn that salary. If it's a financial issue on their end, you can still negotiate the other previously mentioned items. If it's an experience issue, or something else you can change in the short or long term, discuss what you will do to grow in these areas, as well as provide examples of how you've overcome challenging situations previously and how that applies to this company/role.”—Anu Mandapati, Founder and CEO at IMPACT Leadership for Women in Austin, Texas

Honor your worth

“Don’t undersell yourself. You are your own best ambassador, so aim for a competitive deal that you are happy with. Employers will respect this, especially if you are looking at a leadership role.” —Jonathan Astbury, associate partner at Newington International in London

Informational Interviews Questions: 50 Ways to Find Your Way

You can get scoop AND make a good impression, and maybe find your dream career. You’ve landed the informational interview. But what do you talk about once you’re actually face to face over coffee? While you won’t be able to ask all of these questions in an informational interview, the answers to these questions will give you insight into your mentor’s career path, the possibilities for your future, and the industry outlook.

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50 Ways to Find Your Way

Their Career Story

1. Was there a specific event that happened that made you interested in this field?

2. What was your first opportunity in this field?

3. Did you consider any other career paths before deciding on this one?

   College/ Internships

4. Did you go to college? Why or why not?

5. Did your college experience affect your current career?

6. Did you have any internships in college?

   Day in the Life

7. What does your average day look like?

8. Who do you depend on daily?

9. Who depends on you?

10. What kind of problems do you solve on a day-to-day basis?

    The Ups and Downs

11. Why do you like doing what you do?

12. What is the most fun part of your role?

13. What are your biggest day-to-day challenges?

14. What are some of the projects you’ve been working on lately?

15. What aspect of your position surprised you when you started?

16. What are some unexpected skills that your position requires?

17. Do you have any advice for someone my age looking to do what you do?

    Mentoring

18. Do you have any mentors that have helped shape your career?

19. Would you describe the mentoring relationship as formal or informal?

    Career Ladder

20. What is a logical first job in the industry?

21. Are there skills you learned there that you still use?

22. If you could go back in time, is there anything you would do differently?

23. Do you mind my asking about the salary range of jobs in this field?

24. Would you say that our city has a lot of employment opportunities in this field? If so, what companies should be on my radar? 

25. How can I get started gaining relevant experience?

26. What skills should I be honing now to prepare for this career path?

27. Are there any soft skills I should focus on?

28. What is an appropriate role for someone with my skillset?

29. What does that role generally consist of?

    Hiring Tips

30. Have you been a part of the hiring process?

31. What are you looking for on resumes?

32. What are the biggest resume or LinkedIn red flags?

33. What’s the difference in what you’re looking for on a resume and what you look for during interviews?

34. Would you recommend any particular keywords to include on my resume or portfolio?

35. Is there specific work experience or are there portfolio pieces that translate well from my other work experience?

36. If I send you my resume, would you mind taking a quick look at it?

    Company Scoop

37. What makes your company different from its competitors?

38. Can you give me a quick breakdown of what each department here does?

39. How would you describe the mission of your company?

40. Does your company generally hire from within?

41. Would you recommend I speak to anyone else here to learn about your organization?

    Industry Scoop

42. How have challenges changed since you got started in this industry?

43. What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in this industry?

44. What are some of the long-term trends you expect from your industry?

45. What big industry changes do you expect in the next few years?

46. What advice do you have for me navigating into this industry? 

47. Can you recommend three people, like you, who are well-connected and can help me on my career journey?

    Follow-up Asks

48. Is it okay if we stay in touch?

49. Can I add you to my LinkedIn network?

50. Are there any questions I haven’t asked that I should?

Sorting through the Mid-Career Priority Shift

It is normal to rediscover your values 20+ years in. Crossing into your 40s has its advantages. At this point, you’ve had more than 20 years of work experience with plenty of success and lots of twists and turns. You have a richer perspective, and if you had kids, they are likely old enough that you have some time to yourself. Work is still incredibly important to you. However, what’s most important for you now is different than when you were in your 20s or 30s.

We’ve recently worked with a number of people who seem to be experiencing some of the same shifts in their lives. Folks who have created admirable careers and racked up countless accomplishments are asking themselves, 15+ years in, if they are on the right track. Many are considering a complete career change, or are questioning if their current paths were ever right in the first place. Some are experiencing more subtle changes, like a reprioritization of their values. While others just feel, well, different.

And we are seeing some common themes emerging with that we call "mid-life revelations." If you’re reading this and it rings true, you are not alone. Here are some of the mid-life revelations we’ve encountered with our community members and ourselves.

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Purpose

Finding deeper meaning or purpose in work has become much more important. Other benefits of work could be sacrificed in exchange for knowing that your work is making a greater, positive impact. A former colleague with a successful career in finance in the biotech industry decided that while her career afforded her a desirable income, something was missing. She felt she wanted to make a greater positive impact and decided to go back to school to get a master’s degree in social entrepreneurship. Now in a community-building, she makes a fraction of her previous salary but says she is fulfilled by being able to help others each and every day.

Balance

Many parent early in their careers are looking for work/life balance to raise a family.  During mid-life, balance is just as important and includes a heightened focus on discovering, or re-discovering, themselves. Many of my clients are trying new hobbies, joining clubs, contributing through volunteerism, training for half marathons, or traveling more. A huge bonus is that building or nourishing life outside of work can actually help your career !  A client with impeccable style is a partner in a successful Public Relations firm and has a new found interest in photography. She created an Instagram page showcasing her favorite lifestyle pictures. She’s encouraged to continue to explore her love of style and photography with over 1000 followers on her page and counting!

Reflection

Speaking of re-discovering, there is definitely a theme of self-reflection . Throughout the early years of climbing the career ladder and raising children, it’s easy to get lost. Taking time to evaluate where you are and where you want to go often becomes more deliberate during mid-life. After completing the StrengthsFinder , one of my clients realized that while she identified with two of her strengths, achievement and discipline, she wondered if they were innate or if her family expectations caused her to excel in these areas. She is an incredibly successful physician at a prominent hospital. She said growing up in her family, the choice was clear: become a doctor or a lawyer. She is still processing what all of this means and says she does not regret becoming a physician, but is looking for a deeper understanding of herself and who she is outside of her family’s expectations.

Appreciation

More than ever, people at this stage want to know that they are valued at their workplace. Some are less interested in promotion while others are still moving quickly toward the top, but all want to do so in an organization that truly values them and what they have to bring. Recently, a dear friend shared with me that she had accepted a role in HR with a new company. She had grown tired of feeling as if her previous company of over a decade did not value professional development and was regularly cutting her budget and resources. She wanted to be a part of an organization that valued her expertise and did not make her continually justify the importance of her work. She left some potential bonuses on the table and her new job is farther from home, adding to her commute, but that’s a trade-off she was willing to make.

Do you Love your Job? 7 Questions to Reflect On

That’s Gretchen Rubin on happiness, routine, and mindfulness, but at Love Sunday Nights, it’s how we think of careers. The average person spends 13 years and two months of their lives at work (add an additional year and two months if you work overtime), and we want to know that time is well-spent. “What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.”

You might attend a conference that inspires you once, but what are you doing every day to ensure you’re happy and healthy in your work life? Do you know your career goals and how you plan to achieve them? Are you actively prioritizing the values that matter to you at this stage in your life and career?

Consistent and critical self-assessment is key to helping you understand where your career is. Use these questions to take a thoughtful look at how you feel now, then ask them again in six months, a year, five years, 10, every day to see whether you need to readjust your priorities.

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1) Do I like my role in my office? 

Maybe you’re the go-to techie when IT isn’t around. Maybe you’re always the project lead because you’re more organized than Marie Kondo. Maybe you plan every office event because you have glitter in your veins. These are good shoes to fill, but whether you like playing that “part” in the office is what matters. Each takes time away from the job you were hired to do and might cause extra stress. Look at the extracurricular tasks you pick up and ask yourself if they add value to your work life. If they do, wonderful. If they don’t? Kindly start saying, I want to focus all my energy on this project right now. Can you ask someone else?

2) Who benefits from the work I do?

It’s easy to forget why your job matters when you’re firing off emails all day long. But no matter what you do, there’s always someone who directly benefits from your tenacity—and hopefully you’re proud of that. Remind yourself of the person, the community, the big picture. Even if all you can think is, I make someone’s day easier, you win. You did that.

3) What’s my least favorite part of my job and why?

We all have parts of our jobs we don’t enjoy. You might hate writing up quarterly reports or loathe the lighting in your office. Those are expected and manageable dislikes. If your answer to this question is something larger, my pay or my hours, then you have reworking to do. Ask for a raise or negotiate flexible hours. Do what you need to do to get back to the point where your biggest negative is that you need to buy a better office lamp.

4) What bad habits have I picked up that aren't helping me or those around me?

Just like when you spend too much time with a friend and start using their favorite words or phrases, the longer you work in any role or office, you’re bound to develop habits—some good, some bad. Self-reflection is about celebrating, yes, but it’s also about evolution. Think about ways you’ve been cutting corners or have been negatively contributing to your work life. Be honest, but don’t be overly critical. It’s normal to gossip with coworkers too much sometimes, get a lazy with paperwork, or respond to emails too slowly. Recognize the problem, acknowledge how it could impact your career, and plan how you’ll change that behavior. Easy peasy.

5) Am I living my values? 

Values are simply what you’ve deemed to be important in your life (travel! kids! working for a mission you believe in!), and they’ll change throughout your career, which is why continuous self-assessment is so important. You need to know what your priorities are and be able to adjust yourself when they shift.

Try asking yourself the basic, What is important to me? Then look at how your career and job align or diverge with your answers to that question.

• Do you value a company with a mission and often feel like your job doesn’t impact lives they way you’d like it to—or perhaps compromises your integrity in some way?

• Do you need a more flexible time-off policy so you can get your bucket-list travels in?

• Do you value self-care and wellness highly but not think your current company meets those needs?

• Decide how you can best live up to these values and talk to your manager. And if you can’t achieve them while working where you are, start taking steps to make a career or job change. 

6) How can I better help others succeed, especially those who often go unnoticed?

Part of having a fulfilling career is building other people up. Scientists consistently study this feel-good-do-good phenomenon, and it’s as important at work as it is outside of it. How are you finding ways to make sure other people on your team are recognized and taken seriously? You don’t have to be a mentor necessarily, but you should find consistent ways to support others in both big and small ways. Did you read over your intern’s resume before they started applying to full-time jobs? Did you give coworkers kudos when you admire their work? Do you speak up when you see discrimination or harassment taking place in your workplace? Ask yourself whether you’re doing enough to bolster success and break down barriers to advancement.

7) Am I happy?

Sometimes when you ask yourself this existential question, it can feel like you’re staring unknowingly into a void. But the question of happiness at work is less metaphysical than it implies. What you’re really asking is, Do I like what I do? Do I like who I work with? Do I like the company I work for? Do I enjoy work more than I dread it? (You will dread even your favorite job sometimes.) And finally, Am I getting everything done that I want to do?

That last question can be tricky because it’s not always about work. It’s also about carving out time for whatever it is that matters to you: your kids, your partner, volunteering, that book that’s been on your shelf for three years, more work. All valid responses. All worth pursuing.

15 Reasons Results-Producers Feel Trapped in their Jobs & How to Break Out!

It happens to the best of us. Over the course of a career, jobs will stop fitting for many reasons. We have heard many stories for many people over the years and synthesized the themes into these 15 reasons.

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In Love Sunday Nights you can talk to other results-producers about their careers and read more articles like this about results-producers navigating work.

Here are the top 15 we’ve heard in our coaching people just like you say, about why they want to leave their current job.

1. #UNDERUTILIZED: You don’t feel challenged. You kept growing and your responsibilities, scope, and pay haven’t kept pace. Your job feels like a waste of your time.

2. #NEWPASSION: You were struck by a lighting bolt, and your new interest is drawing your career in a new direction. Now you feel ambivalent about what you do everyday.

3. #FAMILYCHANGE: Your home life has changed. You have a new child, your children left the nest, or a family member is sick and needs caregiving. You have less or more to give than before, new requirements or possibilities need to be considered.

4. #NEWBOSS: Your boss has changed, and you aren’t getting the support and resources you were before. They aren’t advocating for and coaching you, the way you know you deserve.

5. #WRONGDIRECTION: The company has changed direction and you are not as inspired by the latest vision or are concerned about the long-term stability of the organization.

6. #THREATENEDBOSS: Your boss is competing with you, instead of supporting you. They are threatened by your skills and confidence. You feel unappreciated and undermined.

7. #BURNEDOUT: You’ve been busting it, and instead of giving you resources so you can adjust back to a sustainable pace, they keep counting on you over-delivering. You are exhausted.

8. #OVERPERFORMING: There are business issues that need resolving that you see clear as day, and you’ve started to work on them. You are now doing the work of others because it wasn’t getting done. Your efforts to influence leadership to make adjustments to give you authority to fix the problems or solve them another way just isn’t going anywhere.

9. #STUCKCOMPANY: Your business owners are not focused on growth because the business is producing a comfortable lifestyle for the owner, or is being prepped for sale. They listen to your ideas, but don’t do anything. You are tired of waiting.

10. #HELICOPTERBOSS: You work for a founder or leader who has a high need for control to his initial vision, and isn’t willing to hear your ideas and give you room to innovate and build on what they have done. The micro-management and limits on creativity are tiresome..

11. #OVERQUALIFIED: You took a role that was beneath your skills and experience level. At first, learning a new organization or industry was challenging, now you are bored.

12. #BROKENPROMISES: The company or hiring manager made promises that just haven’t been kept. You imagined things growing different over time to become more fulfilling for you, and you now see that dream you had for this role won’t be realized.

13. #TOXICCULTURE: The lack of teamwork is de-motivating. Negative energy and unneeded barriers are everywhere. You realize you just can’t be your best self at this place, and maybe in this field.

14. #DISRUPTION: The industry or occupation you’ve called home is being disrupted by automation, market, or global forces. It is bigger than your company, you need a new path.

15. #EARNMORE: You have personal goals for your family or yourself that can’t be achieved without more income. Your skills, talents, and interests can earn you more, to accomplish your dreams.

With any of these reasons, the impact on you is the same. You are growing progressively negative and frustrated. You see the impact on your sleep, habits, relationships, and stress-level and know you need to make a change. Deciding what to do can be scary. You’ve got bills, loans, and people depending on you, right? Relax. That angsty discomfort could turn out to be a great thing.  

1 #UNDERUTILIZED

You don’t feel challenged. You kept growing and your responsibilities, scope, and pay haven’t kept pace. Your job feels like a waste of your time.

2 #NEWPASSION

You were struck by a lightening bolt, and your new interest is drawing your career into a new direction. Now you feel ambivalent about what you do everyday.

3 #FAMILYCHANGE

Your home life has changed. You have a new child, your children left the nest, or a family member is sick and needs caregiving. You have less or more to give then before, new requirements or possibilities need to be considered.

4 #NEWBOSS

Your boss has changed, and you aren’t getting the support and resources you were before. They aren’t advocating for and coaching you, the way you know you deserve.

#WRONGDIRECTION

5. The company has changed direction and you are not as inspired by the latest vision or are concerned about the long-term stability of the organization.

6 #THREATENEDBOSS

Your boss is competing with you, instead of supporting you. They are threatened by your skills and confidence. You feel unappreciated and undermined.

7 #BURNEDOUT

You’ve been busting it, and instead of giving you resources so you can adjust back to a sustainable pace, they keep counting on you over-delivering. You are exhausted.

8 #OVERPERFORMING

There are business issues that need resolving that you see clear as day, and you’ve started to work on them. You are now doing the work of others because it wasn’t getting done. Your efforts to influence leadership to make adjustments to give you authority to fix the problems or solve them another way just isn’t going anywhere.

9 #STUCKCOMPANY

Your business owners are not focused on growth because the business is producing a comfortable lifestyle for the owner, or is being prepped for sale. They listen to your ideas, but don’t do anything. You are tired of waiting.

10 #HELICOPTERBOSS

You work for a founder or leader who has a high need for control to his initial vision, and isn’t willing to hear your ideas and give you room to innovate and build on what they have done. The micro-management and limits on creativity are tiresome.

11 #OVERQUALIFIED

You took a role that was beneath your skills and experience level. At first, learning a new organization or industry was challenging, now you are bored.

12 #BROKENPROMISES

The company or hiring manager made promises that just haven’t been kept. You imagined things growing different over time to become more fulfilling for you, and you now see that dream you had for this role won’t be realized.

13 #TOXICCULTURE

The lack of teamwork is de-motivating. Negative energy and unneeded barriers are everywhere. You realize you just can’t be your best self at this place, and maybe in this field.

14 #DISRUPTION

The industry or occupation you’ve called home is being disrupted by automation, market, or global forces. It is bigger than your company, you need a new path.

15 #EARNMORE

You have personal goals for your family or yourself that can’t be achieved without more income. Your skills, talents, and interests can earn you more, to accomplish your dreams.

Decide what you need right now

We tend to think of careers as linear—climbing the corporate ladder ever upward, for example. If we’re not making more money each year and getting flashier titles, we’re not successful, right? Actually, not so much.

Careers need to bend and adjust to meet your needs at different life stages. Sometimes a secure, low-demand job is a blessing—allowing you to put more energy toward other things. Are you caring for young children or an aging parent? Longing to go back to school? Renovating or building a home? Look at the whole picture of your life. Figure out what you really need right now, and move in that direction with a solid sense of peacefulness.   

Calm down about job titles

We get so hung up on job titles that it can blind us to jobs and careers that might otherwise be fulfilling. What’s more, according to Forbes, chasing job titles might actually bring you less success over the course of your career. There are just as many advice articles arguing job titles are unimportant as there are articles promoting job title worth. Step back and focus instead on what you get to do in a job.

Recognize a bad fit

Sometimes that “dream job” doesn’t live up to your hopes and expectations. It’s a bummer, but it happens. Don’t get paralyzed. It’s time to decide how to make the best of the situation, deal with it in a professional manner, and then move on.

William Hawkins, now the CEO of medical device company Medtronic, is refreshingly up front about jogs in his career path. During a Parents Weekend event at Duke University a few years ago, he described a job that was a bad fit to aspiring engineers. He had left a position where he was very successful for what he thought would be a dream job. He quickly discovered the company culture and direction for the position just didn’t match what he wanted to do, or what he had been promised. So for two years he buckled down, did a good job, and then left for a better situation.  

Think twice about over-delivering

If you’re working well outside your job description, but there is no way the company is ever going to pay what you’re worth, then it’s time for a pause. Yes, the company loves your contributions, but how is that helping you? This is a passive way that even well-meaning managers and companies can inadvertently exploit stellar employees. Perhaps this is a reasonable way to gain new skills and experience en route to a better position. Your future at the company is something you should regularly be talking to your boss about. If you can’t envision a route you could take after discussing options at the company, this may be a signal that it’s time to make a change.

If you’re really punching above your pay grade, ask about negotiating a new job description and salary. You can also negotiate other benefits if pay is off the table.

Consider launching your own company

If you’ve always dreamed about being your own boss, a dead-end job could be the catalyst to go solo. Whether you start a small venture on the side or want to work full time on the new business, your current boring, stable job still has a lot to offer for a while. Take time to build up financial resources, develop a business plan, get incorporated, talk with other business owners, and find a mentor. Then, when you are really ready, you can close this chapter of your career.

Wondering if you’ve got the “right stuff” to be an entrepreneur? Check out Foundr’s 3 Reasons Why Not to become an entrepreneur.