Career Growth Made Easy
224 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★★ - 8 ratingsCraig Ancel knows what it's like to be unemployed. After a sudden job loss he dealt with the struggles of learning how to create a winning resume, write effective cover letters, and confidently prepare for and succeed in an interview. He reveals all of his performance growth strategies and leadership tips so you can achieve next level results. From building resumes to earning promotions and everything in between, tune in to start growing today! Https://CraigAncel.com [email protected]
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Episodes
#102: Becoming A Business Owner with Makenzie Oliver
May 16, 2022 04:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBBecoming A Business Owner with Makenzie Oliver Don't let fear of the unknown cripple you when it comes to starting your own business. Makenzie Oliver, our guest on the Career Growth Made Easy podcast shares how she overcame and succeeded. Makenzie transitioned from public school teacher to micro-school/homeschool teacher. Learn more about her micro-school and find out if she still has seats available for your child this fall! Maybe you're a parent looking for a better approach to elementa...
#101: Change Your Money Mindset with Vladimir Iovu
May 09, 2022 04:00 - 40 minutes - 27.6 MBChange Your Money Mindset with Vladimir Iovu Our 100+ episode celebration continues on Career Growth Made Easy with another guest. Please welcome Vlad Iovu, fellow podcaster and YouTuber, from Yes To Money. One of Vlad's shows that peaked Craig's interest was "Double Your Money in 2022". In today's second guest episode Craig talks with Vlad about how our mindsets are critical for success. Our mindsets can be affected by our peer groups. Listen to find out how your networks can help and ha...
100th Episode Special with Digital Manager, Madison Ancel
May 02, 2022 04:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MB100th Episode Special with Digital Manager, Madison Ancel This show marks 100 episodes of Career Growth Made Easy! To celebrate, I brought on my daughter and digital manager, Madison, to talk about some of her favorite moments. We talk about the real-life inspiration behind several episodes as well as what it's been like working together for nearly 2 years. We touched on so many topics. It was such a blast to have her on the show! Let us know what you think of this week's special episode. I...
#099: 10 Tips for Presenting at Work
April 25, 2022 04:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MB10 Tips for Presenting at Work Did you know that you are always presenting? You don't have to be in front of a large crowd with a projector. Everything you do reflects back on you. When you recognize this, with the help of this podcast, you may find ways to make better choices. These better choices can be easy to implement and help you stand out for the better! Whether you're having an in-person conversation, communicating by phone or virtually, or presenting to an audience these 10 Tips f...
#099: 10 Tips for Presenting at Work
April 25, 2022 04:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MB10 Tips for Presenting at Work Did you know that you are always presenting? You don't have to be in front of a large crowd with a projector. Everything you do reflects back on you. When you recognize this, with the help of this podcast, you may find ways to make better choices. These better choices can be easy to implement and help you stand out for the better! Whether you're having an in-person conversation, communicating by phone or virtually, or presenting to an audience these 10 Tips f...
#098: How to Find Your Weak Spot - Part 2
April 18, 2022 04:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBHow to Find Your Weak Spot - Part 2 When communicating, it's important to remember silence is a tool. If you feel uncomfortable with a pause at the end of a conversation, you may blurt out filler words and crutch words to fill that awkward gap. There's a great quote by Stephen R. Covey, "People don't listen with the intent to understand, they listen with the intent to reply." Imagine all the new opportunities that could open up if you started listening more intently, reducing or removing y...
#097: How to Find Your Weak Spot - Part 1
April 11, 2022 04:00 - 17 minutes - 12.2 MBHow to Find Your Weak Spot - Part 1 Everyone has a weak spot; it may be difficult to find or admit it. But, we all have one. If you don't know what your weak spot is, or you're certain you don't have one, then you won't want to miss this 2 part mini-series: How to Find Your Weak Spot. Weak spots can come from internal and external sources. Externally, your networks can play a role in lifting you up and supporting you or dragging you down. What kind of network do you have? Internal weak spot...
#096: The Best Ways to Brainstorm
April 04, 2022 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBThe Best Ways to Brainstorm Mental burnout can negatively affect your ability to brainstorm. If you find yourself facing the same problems day after day, it may be time to find a new way to approach them. So let's brainstorm! Today, we'll talk about the different methods you can use and the benefits of each type. Working alone on a solution can be limiting. When you can't see past yourself, your brainstorming power will suffer. This means you may not be able to come up with a new or creativ...
#095: Acceptable vs. Exceptional Resumes
March 28, 2022 04:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MBAcceptable vs. Exceptional Resumes When it comes time to apply for your next job or potential promotion, will you be ready? Do you have a resume? Do you know where it is? When was the last time you updated it? Just knowing you have a resume is not good enough. If you want to make the best impression and have the greatest chance of winning the interview, your resume needs that extra edge to take it from acceptable to exceptional. As a bonus, in today's episode, I answer questions from a new...
#094: It's All in Your Message
March 21, 2022 04:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBIt's All in Your Message Today's show complements our recent Episode 91: How to Market Your Best Self. You can market yourself strongly but still struggle. The key is to make sure your messaging is consistent, too. With consistent marketing and messaging, you're set up for success - you can be on the road to Career Growth Made Easy. So don't sell yourself short. If you've been working hard and putting in the effort, but not seeing results fast enough, it may be time to improve your messagi...
#093: Multiply Your Mentorship
March 14, 2022 04:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBMultiply Your Mentorship Your growth can be accelerated when you multiply your mentorship - but did you know there are different kinds? In today's episode, I talk about the 4 types of mentorship and how they can help you boost your career growth. Most people are aware of the mentor and mentee relationship, but it doesn't stop there! You can expand your network and accelerate your growth by using more advanced approaches. Tune in now to find out which of the 4 mentorship types is right for ...
#092: Pros and Cons: Being A Jack of All Trades
March 07, 2022 05:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBPros and Cons: Being A Jack of All Trades It's great that we each have our own special knowledge and experiences to share. But what happens when you are a perpetual learner and always picking up on details? You could end up being a Jack of All Trades. When you’re a Jack of All Trades, it can be a blessing and a curse. It’s great to be able to share life's experiences and the knowledge you have gained, but it can also be a hindrance. The more you know, the more you might want to do, despite ...
#091: How to Market Your Best Self
February 28, 2022 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBHow to Market Your Best Self If you’re up for a promotion, looking for a new job, switching career paths, or just trying to rebrand yourself, this episode will help you construct an improved, professional self-image. Use the resources around you to boost your marketability and this will help your confidence skyrocket. Don't overlook something that's available every day and for free - social media. You can share relevant posts/articles to gain exposure and even start conversations - you ne...
#090: 7 Deadly Sins of Management
February 22, 2022 23:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MB7 Deadly Sins of Management You may have heard of the 7 Deadly Sins, but did you know they can apply to management? We'll walk through each of these today and talk about how they apply to your work life. You might learn something about yourself or how you're being managed at work. You'd be surprised how easily these things can happen! But when you're armed with knowledge, you can make better-informed decisions. See if any of the 7 Deadly Sins of Management are negatively affecting you or y...
#089: Taking Back Your Workday
February 14, 2022 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.1 MBTaking Back Your Workday Regardless of where you work and what you do, we can all become bogged down and even get into a rut. It's normal to feel stuck at times, but if that feeling is prolonged, it should be a sign of concern. This episode will help you recognize some of these warning signs. Once you recognize them, you'll know how to deal with them and some steps you can take to get back on track. Don't lose hold of hope. Don't let your dreams fall by the wayside! Get inspired by today's...
#088: A Guide to Great Performance Reviews
February 07, 2022 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MBA Guide to Great Performance Reviews Don't let another performance review cycle pass you by without taking action! You have the ability to positively influence your next performance review - more than you know. It all starts with taking proactive steps now. Today's episode also touches on how inflation and COLA (Cost of Living Adjustments) affect you and your wages. Understanding these factors can help you get the most out of your job or promotional offers. Listen to the episode, then down...
#087: Travel Safety: Covid Reminder
January 24, 2022 05:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MBTravel Safety: Covid Reminder As I've traveled through some of America's airports, I noticed some concerning behaviors that could negatively affect our health and safety. Covid is still out there, so it's time for a reminder that some of our habits can hurt us! With so many touchpoints out there when we travel, we need to be extra vigilant and use caution with our hands and fingers. Today's episode provides a summary of some of the touchpoints you might encounter when traveling by plane. I...
#086: How's Your Attention to Detail?
January 17, 2022 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBHow's Your Attention to Detail? All too often, we can overlook details that are in plain sight. If we let this become a habit, we can start ignoring important pieces of information and miss out on a lot. From daily conversations to written emails to critical documents, like your resume, attention to detail matters. Today, I'll help you polish up your skills and immediately implement an improvement plan. In this episode, I talk about real-world examples that have happened to me. Regardless ...
#085: Work Smarter, Not Harder in 2022!
January 10, 2022 05:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MBWork Smarter, Not Harder in 2022! It's not all about the time and effort you put in. It's not about how hard you work. It all comes down to how smart you work. It's easy to become overwhelmed at work and get caught up in the day-to-day grind. Today's episode talks about where we can be consumed at work and several ways to overcome it. If email overload is your nemesis, this episode has your solution. If fear, stress, or anxiety have crept into your work life, I share some helpful tips...
#084: New Year, New You: Repurposing Your Skills
January 03, 2022 05:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBNew Year, New You: Repurposing Your Skills I'm not asking you to do more this year. Just because it's a new year, doesn't mean you need to take on even more. You don't need to make commitments to learn more, train more, or work more this year. Rather, this episode talks about digging deep inside yourself. I ask you to look at the skills, knowledge, and expertise you already have. Perhaps you've forgotten about some of your key skill areas. Maybe they are not used as often as you'd like. ...
#083: The Benefits of Career Coaching
December 28, 2021 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBThe Benefits of Career Coaching Have you ever wondered if career coaching was right for you? Regardless of where you are in your career growth journey, there's a coaching session that fits your needs. Craig Ancel has released several types of virtual coaching sessions designed to fit into different stages of your career growth journey. Discovery Coaching helps identify hidden factors affecting how you feel at work and how to improve upon them. Targeted Job Coaching helps you identify a...
#082: Are You The Weakest Link?
December 20, 2021 05:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MBAre You The Weakest Link? When it comes to your job performance, how would you rate yourself? How have others rated you? Your peers, your management? What can you learn from your performance reviews? Being the weakest link doesn't come from your training, education, or knowledge. It's about your emotional intelligence or your social communication skills. Besides effectively speaking, you need to know when to pause, listen well, and respond appropriately. Today's episode can help you improv...
#081: You Can't Always Be "On"
December 13, 2021 05:00 - 14 minutes - 9.83 MBYou Can't Always Be "On" Regardless of your work ethic and your stamina, you can't always be "on" 24/7. Our bodies need breaks and rest. If we push too hard for too long, we could hit burnout. That can eventually lead to health issues. It's important to recognize the signs of when enough is enough. Accept feedback from peers who are concerned you're been giving too much. When you hear certain trigger words or recognize burnout warning signs, make sure to take some time off to recharge. Wh...
#080: The Basics of Project Management
December 06, 2021 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBThe Basics of Project Management You don't have to be a project manager to manage a project. What does that mean? That means, no matter your position, this episode is beneficial to you! While there are plenty of aspects of project management, two key factors are required to be successful - communication and organization. From there, you'll multitask by monitoring your budget and keeping track of your allotted timetable. As your project progresses, things can easily become overwhelming, but...
#079: 2 Years of Career Growth Made Easy
November 29, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MB2 Years of Career Growth Made Easy Thank you for 2 years of the Career Growth Made Easy Podcast. Your feedback has helped us serve up fresh, new content every week. It's hard to believe, but this show was launched back in December 2019. Today, we're on track to hit 100+ episodes. Check out our top 10 most listened to episodes over the past 2 years. We've even included some bonus episodes that didn't make the list, but are worthy contenders. We hope you enjoy this episode recap as much as...
#078: Evaluate Your Inner Circle
November 22, 2021 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.89 MBEvaluate Your Inner Circle As we enter Thanksgiving holiday week, it's a great time to stop and evaluate our inner circles. We should recognize and appreciate those that are close to us: family, friends, coworkers. Each person plays a vital role and possesses unique skills and experience. Not only can you lean on them in tough times, but you can also be there for them when the tables turn. There may be people in your inner circle that don't know each other. You could play a vital role ...
#077: What Got You Here Won't Get You There
November 15, 2021 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBWhat Got You Here Won't Get You There Today's podcast was inspired by a lunchtime conversation with a Fortune 500 Vice President of Finance. When a challenging situation was brought up, she commented recalling something similar nearly 20 years ago. That got me thinking. Change is inevitable, but in some cases, it may need to be forced. Sitting by and waiting will only lead to more repetition of the same. I suggest we move from reactive mode to proactive. One way to do that is to up our ...
#076: Throw Away Your Resume
November 08, 2021 05:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBThrow Away Your Resume If you have a resume, that's great! But, do you know where it is? Do you know the last time you updated it? To be prepared for your future you should always have an updated resume. That means updating it at least once a year. But, that doesn't get you off the hook. If you truly want to make a great first impression and grab that interview your resume should be customized to every targeted job you apply for. That means you're creating a unique resume for every job yo...
#075: Resume Trends of 2021
November 01, 2021 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBResume Trends of 2021 What are some of the popular resume trends happening this year? Today's episode shares some research on this topic. If you can't clearly convey your value to a potential future employer, you may have a hard time getting an interview. So let's polish up your resume. Find it, dust it off, and update your resume today. It's best to be prepared should that unfortunate day come when downsizing, a reduction in force, or reduced hours come your way. You can also make your r...
#074: Is This Job a Trick or Treat?
October 25, 2021 04:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBIs This Job a Trick or Treat? If you're looking online for jobs don't get baited into applying for a loosely worded job description. There's a number of reasons you avoid certain postings. Make sure you fully understand what is being asked of you and that you're qualified and interested in performing the listed activities. If there are any questions in your mind, make sure you address them in full during the interview. If a job sounds too good to be true, it likely is! Listen to today's e...
#073: You Know What Others Don't
October 18, 2021 04:00 - 14 minutes - 9.98 MBYou Know What Others Don't Don't undervalue yourself by thinking others know what you do. Each of us is unique and applies our learning, experience, and abilities in different ways. Even if you're new to the job market or entering into a new role, you still bring value. Learn a few ways you can boost your value for your current job. Also, find out how to listen more carefully and pick out potential growth opportunities. Craig touches on his 3P Rule, Powerfully Placed Pauses, and how stron...
#072: Doing This Will Lose You The Interview
October 11, 2021 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBDoing This Will Lose You The Interview So you've been searching a while and finally found a job you're interested in applying for. You dust off your resume and fill out and submit the job application. But what you do next could make or break your chances of winning an interview. If you're going to send a follow-up letter after your job application and resume submission - you should think again. In today's episode, I share a real-world example of how one applicant's interview chances quickly...
#071: I Just Started a New Job and I Hate It
October 04, 2021 04:00 - 14 minutes - 9.97 MBI Just Started a New Job and I Hate It So you've started a new job, but it's not what you expected. What options do you have? Hopefully, the interview vetted out any of your concerns. Still, what if things just don't feel right after you start work? Maybe the environment is different than you thought. Maybe there's a coworker that you find difficult to work with. Regardless of what is causing you to hate your new job, know that you have options. Tune in to today's episode to find out what ...
#070: Mentors Help You Grow
September 27, 2021 04:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBMentors Help You Grow Mentors can be assigned or you can seek them out. But what value do they provide? Mentors can help you identify your weaknesses and put plans together to improve upon them. You may know your strengths, but you might be overlooking areas where you fall short. Mentors can help you grow through regular meetings. Many times, the mentor-mentee relationship provides value in both directions. This is typically called co-mentoring. It's a great way to give and receive - you b...
#069: Cover Letters Aren’t About You
September 20, 2021 04:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBCover Letters Aren’t About You Are you avoiding job postings that require a cover letter? If so, this episode is for you. Maybe you already have a cover letter, but it's not getting great results. Building one is more of an art than a science. If you can't tell a great story and entice the viewer to read on, you could be sunk. Your cover letter's job is to separate you from the competition. Your resume's job is to get you the interview. Using a generic or canned resume and cover letter wil...
#068: Are Cover Letters Required?
September 13, 2021 04:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBAre Cover Letters Required? In today's fast-paced world, you're lucky if your resume gets any time in front of a human. Most online applications are electronically scanned by software before they have the chance to get in front of a person. What about cover letters? If cover letters are required with resume submissions, don't ignore these job postings because you don't know how to effectively write one. Today's episode is here to change that. On the other hand, if you have a cover letter a...
#067: Did You Read The Job Requirements?
September 06, 2021 04:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBDid You Read The Job Requirements? Looking for work can be stressful. Don't let that stress or anxiety get the best of you by rushing through the job requirements. Not reading or fully understanding the job description can hurt you, whether you're applying internally or externally. If you're applying internally, your lack of fully reviewing the job requirements could catch up with you and affect your reputation. If you're applying externally to a large corporation, your lack of attention to...
#066: Leaders Versus Managers
August 30, 2021 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBLeaders Versus Managers It's not really about titles. It's about your inner drive and how you perceive challenges. It's what motivates you and sets you apart from others. You might have the title of manager, but you can be much more than that. On the other hand, you may not work as a supervisor. You may be an individual contributor working your way up from the bottom. Regardless, it's your personality and drive that can make you a leader. When people are chosen for supervisory roles, it's ...
#065: How to Get Bigger Tips
August 23, 2021 04:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBHow to Get Bigger Tips Another name for the food and beverage industry is the hospitality industry. When customers go out for meals and drinks there's a certain expectation for the quality of their service. If you're in the hospitality industry what are some things you can do to go above and beyond? In today's episode, I'll cover over 1 dozen tips that might help you reel in bigger tips. But don't misunderstand, there's no quick easy way. You truly need to provide a unique experience by...
#064: Your Career Growth Limitations - Part 3
August 16, 2021 04:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBYour Career Growth Limitations - Part 3 A natural part of career progression is growing in your role. Sometimes when that happens, we take on too much and can become overloaded. We need to know when to say when. We need to know our limitations. Knowing when to raise your hand for help is another sign of maturity and professionalism. So is selectively saying "I don't know" when you're asked about something outside your area of expertise. One way to improve is to set time aside for yourself ...
#063: Your Career Growth Limitations - Part 2
August 09, 2021 04:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBYour Career Growth Limitations - Part 2 We started by discussing listening skills. They're a critical part of connecting with the speaker. It’s such a common weak attribute, there's even a famous quote, "People don't listen with the intent to understand, they listen with the intent to respond." If you're curious how your listening skills stack up, tune into this week's series, part 2 of 3, Your Career Growth Limitations. I also share some key dos and don'ts when it comes to deciphering, pro...
#062: Your Career Growth Limitations - Part 1
August 02, 2021 04:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBYour Career Growth Limitations - Part 1 It's important to know your limits. Once you identify them, you can begin the process of course correction. Maybe you have a weakness in your communication or presenting style. No matter where your limitations lie, you need to address them so that you can provide maximum value to your company. Listen to today's podcast to see if you can identify some areas you might like to work on and improve in your life. Chapters [00:40] Regardless if you're an i...
#061: 10 Tips for Keeping Your Job
July 26, 2021 04:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MB10 Tips for Keeping Your Job You can't manage all the factors that impact you and your employment. But, you can control your job performance and how you're perceived in your company. Get prepared now to position yourself for the best results if reduced hours, decreased shifts or headcount reductions come your way. If you're interested in 10 tips that you can immediately apply to help keep your job, tune in to today's episode. Chapters [01:20] There can be factors outside your control that ...
#060: Feeling Stuck In Your Job
July 19, 2021 04:00 - 19 minutes - 13.8 MBFeeling Stuck In Your Job Do you feel like things aren't going your way at work? Do you feel stuck? Feeling stuck is all a matter of mindset. You have the ability to change your direction - it's all about how you view things and what actions you take. In today's episode, we'll talk about your feelings, what may be affecting you, and how to address certain slow growth situations. You may not even be aware of outside influences that negatively affect you and your daily work performance. Tune...
#059: How To Run Meetings Effectively - Part 2
July 12, 2021 04:00 - 12 minutes - 8.49 MBHow To Run Meetings Effectively - Part 2 There's an art and a science when it comes to running meetings effectively. But it doesn't mean it needs to be complicated to do. In the 2nd and final part of this series, we focus on getting to know the invitees both before and during the meeting. We also take a deep dive into the meeting notes or more commonly called meeting minutes. Successful meetings include a strong agenda, minutes, and end with well-organized and assigned action items. These...
#058: How To Run Meetings Effectively - Part 1
July 05, 2021 04:00 - 14 minutes - 9.66 MBHow To Run Meetings Effectively - Part 1. There's an art and a science when it comes to running meetings effectively. But that doesn't mean it needs to be complicated to do. In this 2 part series, you'll walk through the basics of setting up, running, and closing a meeting professionally so that you get optimal results. Today's meeting tips set you up for success whether you run one on one or larger group meetings. Chapters [00:44] With dozens of years of experience under his belt, Craig...
#057: When Things Don't Go As Planned
June 21, 2021 04:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBWhen Things Don't Go As Planned It isn't always smooth sailing ahead. Sometimes life throws us curve balls and we need to be ready to handle them. Learn what to do when things don't go as planned. In today's episode, I'll talk about 3 real-world interview examples. One of which is a success story, the other two end with lessons learned. Tune in to find out how my son's recent interview went and if he was awarded the job. Also, gain practical insight on how to better navigate certain in...
#056: Winning With Video Interviews
June 14, 2021 04:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MBWinning with Video Interviews I'm seeing a popular trend when it comes to changes with interviewing techniques. Self-recorded video interviews are making their debut. If you think this takes away the stress, fear, or anxiety - think again. You click record, read off each question, and respond. But how much time will you have? How long should it take to answer each question? What tech setup will you use? What are the do's and don'ts when it comes to winning with video interviews? Check out ...
#055: Getting Rid of Um, Ah...Filler Words
June 07, 2021 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBGetting Rid of Um, Ah...Filler Words In today's fast-paced world, it might seem like we struggle to get a word in edgewise during conversations. However, that doesn't mean we should jump at the moment there's a break. If we do, our thoughts may not be fully formed and we end up rambling. Listen to today's episode to find out how to recognize if you use filler words and how to prevent them. Also, you'll get some stage presence and presentation tips. This episode contains a free printable dow...
#054: Adding Value To Your Job
May 31, 2021 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBAdding Value To Your Job There's an old expression, "Work smarter, not harder" but what exactly does that mean? You put in a lot of hours at your job, but you may not be seeing the results you expect. This can happen because you may be focusing on the wrong activities. Your tasks, activities, and projects need to be categorized so you have a chance at success. Look at things differently through the eyes of Impact vs. Effort. Target the big wins for your job. Make your time and effort count....