• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Career Connectors

Connecting professionals in career transition with hiring companies and quality resources

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Career Connectors eUpdate
Subscribe Here
  • Job Seekers
    • Events
      • Event Schedule
      • Webinar Recordings
      • Event Recaps
      • Prepare for an Event
    • Resources
      • PipelineAZ
      • Community Updates
      • Career Chats
      • DISC
      • Business Portraits
      • Career Advice
      • Trusted Resources
      • LinkedIn Basics
    • Featured Companies
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Volunteer Application
  • Employers
    • Hiring
    • Outplacement Services
    • Partners
  • About Us
    • Donate
    • Applause & Testimonials
    • In The News
    • Mission Statement
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact

06/20/19 – Tackling the Job Search Obstacle Course: Age, Race, Gender

Jun 24, 2019

Written by Susan Lamphiear

Keynote

Brenda Cunningham

“Be excellent” advises keynote speaker Brenda Cunningham, speaking to a room full of job seekers looking to regain their spot in the workplace due to either layoffs or career change. Being excellent – it’s the best all-around antidote to any possibility of discrimination whether motivated by race, gender and sexual orientation, age, or educational background.

Sure, discrimination exists in 2019, Brenda admits, adding, “And it’s illegal.” Bottom line is this: “Why would you want to work for someone who’s going to discriminate against you?” As a young child she was no stranger to discrimination and was actively called the “N word” in fourth grade.

Fast forward to Brenda and her children having fun at the pool. The towel manager came to her twice (she was reading a book while her kids were playing) saying they were getting complaints from members and asked them to keep it down. “We’re members, too,” Brenda said. She noticed other people were loud but no one called them out. After all, it was a swimming pool. “Aren’t people supposed to have fun?” Of course, she said, sometimes the right thing to do is to speak up in the face of discrimination.

Brenda is Black and she is a woman. She also holds a degree in electrical engineering with nine years of experience. As an engineer she was the only person of color at her company. Brenda lists all the things that help define her, explaining she’s married to a 400+ pound man with dreadlocks, has natural hair, is a Christian, is over 40, and has no degree in career management, though she has certifications in the field.

So what? All of these things that describe her, or any of us, can become our obstacles. STOP! Don’t let any of these descriptors hold you back. Instead, let your abilities and excellence, your “awesomeness,” define you.

If something is holding you back in your career search, maybe it’s not about your race, gender/sexual orientation, education or age? Instead, could it be about a lack of connecting with your audience?

To better navigate today’s job search, update your resume, get relevant experience if you don’t have it, and be creative in the search through active and consistent networking with real live people, not just job boards.

Words of Wisdom from Brenda

  • Today’s job search is different and harder than it used to be or has to be.
  • Application tracking systems are a fact of life. Learn to live with it by understanding how it works. For example, if you’ve completed at least a semester of coursework in your chosen field, add it to your resume, because the tracking system will pick it up.
  • If you don’t have relevant experience, obtain it through free training, certifications, or invest in yourself and get the education you need. Volunteer somewhere to keep current in your chosen field, whether it’s your same field or a new one. VOLUNTEERING creates relevant experience and IT COUNTS! Stay relevant!
  • Brenda’s philosophy: Experience trumps formal education.
  • When you add a college course or certification to your resume, it demonstrates your ability to learn at that level.
  • Focus on how awesome you are, not what you lack. If your resume does not reflect how awesome you are, fix it by going out and obtaining the necessary credentials, and then adding these certifications, courses, or volunteer experience to your resume.

Tips for Handling AGE on Your Resume (or In Person)

  • Leave off college graduation date. It’s not necessary.
  • LinkedIn recruiting does not see age–it’s blacked out. So assume the employer can’t see it and don’t give away information that’s not requested.
  • Avoid the words or phrases that might hint or give away your age such as “retired” or “seasoned” or “35 years of experience.”
  • Participate in social media (which employers often check) but Brenda threatens, “I’d better not see you talking about the good old days on social media!”
  • Use energetic language on your resume and in your interview. Do not speak disparagingly about technology, for example!
  • Help show potential employers your willingness to learn and grow–that you still have “fuel in the tank.”
  • Learn how to explain the impact you’ve had in the workplace. Be specific. On your resume and in person.

Remember we are each complex individuals, making the workforce stronger because of the diversity we bring. Brenda gives the example of the much criticized error the Red Cross made in design of their swimming safety poster in 2016. “Somebody should have caught that,” Brenda said. “But it’s funny, so look it up.” She cites it as a cautionary tale of the importance of diversity, which can shine light on an issue or a project from multiple points of view and could have probably avoided the embarrassing pool safety poster error.

Hiring Companies

Modis

Michelle Grinberg, Regional Solutions Consultant

Modis is an IT and engineering staffing company – part of Adecco Staffing, who partners with Career Connectors. Started in 1986, the company has maintained a presence throughout the United States with offices in Canada, Europe and South America.

The company places candidates in a range of positions from information technology to director positions, including the aerospace industry. Info tech is their primary focus, though. Big in the industry right now are JAVA, data analysis, and artificial intelligence.

Candidates registering with Modis are assigned a recruiter who follows them throughout their career path. Part of the process includes tech and accounting evaluations and professional reference checks.

Once you’ve registered with Modis as an employee, you’re eligible for their 300 free courses in their learning enter, ranging from leadership to software development. You’re also eligible for benefits, payroll deductions, vacation holiday pay, and retention and referral bonuses.

No employee ever pays a fee for these services. Open positions include System Administrator, JAVA Developer Sr, Entry-level Tech Support, and Network Engineer.

To learn more about Modis, visit their website.

Honor Health

Robin Ersland, Recruitment Partnership Manager

Honor Health is a hospital system with three hospitals in Scottsdale, two in Phoenix, and medical offices throughout the Valley, known for community service and outstanding medical quality. The system employs 11,000, staffs 4,500 volunteers , and includes over 70 primary and specialty care practices and more.

The hospital system offers generous perks, including a variety of healthcare benefits to both FT and PT employees; plus a robust PTO program, fitness facility, tuition assistance, 403(b) retirement plan and 529 college savings plan. They also offer continuing education assistance, child care centers and in-home sick child care, paid time off for vacation, personal, sick and holidays; short term and long-term disability; discounted bus passes, fitness facilities, pet insurance, legal plans; and much more. For more information visit their benefits section of their website.

Positions available include an ongoing need for nurses plus registration and scheduling. Featured careers this week include Patient Care Technicians, RNs and Therapists, Food services, Social Workers and Care Managers, Customer Navigation Coordinators, Financial Services, Security Services, and Logistics/Supply Chain Services. Visit their website for more information.

USAA

Courtney Fuller, Director, Bank Underwriting

Everything at USAA starts with their mission. Their mission is to facilitate the financial security of its members, associates and their families through provision of a full range of highly competitive financial products and services. In doing so, USAA seeks to be the provider of choice for the military community.

USAA prides itself on its diversity and inclusion. Also, because military members are their primary focus, at least 30% of new hires are veterans or military spouses.

USAA offers comprehensive financial services, including banking, investments, property and life insurance, and financial advice. In Phoenix, USAA is located at Happy Valley Rd. and I-17. Jobs include customer service, insurance, banking, and IT software developers.

Perks and benefits include PTO (accrued by years of service); maternity and paternity leave; two volunteer days per year; wellness program including a fitness center, energy/relax zones, healthy points program; 401K match (up to 8%); bonus potential; and education assistance – all available on day one.

Apply online at their website.

Resources and Closing

Executive Director of Career Connectors Jessica Pierce reminded attendees they are eligible to take the DISC assessment online free at the Career Connectors website.

Thank You to Highlands Church for hosting today’s event!

Check out these relevant TED talks on diversity, unconscious bias, and excellence.

What Baby Boomers Can Learn from Millennials at Work–And Vice Versa-Chip Conley

3 design principles to help us overcome everyday bias-Thaniya Keereepart

Looking for a job? Highlight your ability, not your experience-Jason Shen

We all have implicit biases. So what do we do about it?-Dushaw Hockett

It’s About Time We Challenge Our Unconscious Biases-Juliette Powell

Unconscious bias: Stereotypical hiring practices-Gail Tolstoi-Miller

Dare to Be Extraordinary-Dr. Christine Riordan

Susan Lamphiear

Filed Under: Event Recaps Tagged With: Honor Health, USAA, brenda cunningham, Modis

Primary Sidebar

Recent Event Recaps

05/03/23 Superior Career & Hiring Expo Recap

2/10/22 – Getting My Career SHIFT Together

1/27/22 – Show Out When You Show Up

11/18/21 – A 7 Step Career Amplifier

More Event Recaps

Career Advice

Tech, Tac, Toe: Winning Strategies for your Job Search

12 Ways Interview Candidates Are Shortlisted

Employment Outlook: The Great Rebalance Workforce Trends

10 Ways Innovation May Affect Recruitment in 2023 and Beyond

17 Interview Tips That Anyone Can Implement

More Career Advice

Footer

Socialize with us!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Testimonials

Career Connectors is dedicated to bring the job seeker to reputable employers in the valley. I appreciate their professionalism and their consistency to continue to provide great leads.
Leslie B.
I wanted to take the time to write you to express my sincerest gratitude for all that you and those who work with you do for so many of us!I lost my job due to our medical office being closed. Your company came highly recommended by an HR person who worked with us as employees to help give us a hand up to become employed again through a very generous program provided by my employer. I am employed again in a job that I really love. It came with wonderful, kind, encouraging management and coworker… Read more
Ann Marie H.
I just wanted to reach out to you and say Thank you to you, Career Connectors and the whole Team! So let me explain why, while I’ve known of Career Connectors for many years, I never thought that I would need employment services or guidance before. On September 19th 2019 I found myself being let go from my job. I later the next day saw the Career Connectors event at Central Christian Church Gilbert Campus coming up on Facebook and signed up for it. While attending my first Career Connectors even… Read more
Brian P.
After a company layoff thrust me into the job market, Career Connectors was exactly what I needed to develop my networking skills. Networking is a job in itself, and the skills I learned helped me to land a temporary position just three months later that is now permanent. I believe in the Career Connectors mission and continue to volunteer as a way of expressing my appreciation for their support during a very tough time…thank you Career Connectors!
Diane N.
Networking helps, especially when you do not directly know anyone at a target company. I have attended 4 of your meetings and at one of them a company representative and recruiter presented. I was already familiar with this company, but she also said some other things in the presentation that made me take notice and created more interest on my part. I spoke with the recruiter at your event and she followed up the next week and from there I went on several phone interviews and on site interview t… Read more
Todd S.
After one year of unemployment, I have been employed with an excellent company at a job which is perfect fit for my experience and desires for many months, through the efforts of the devoted volunteers at Career Connectors. I and my family are eternally grateful. Sincere thanks!
Jeff A.
Thank you for all you do! I’ve been nine loooong months looking for a full-time position and Career Connectors was a real life-line. I was pretty discouraged by the time I found your organization on-line and first visited. The speaker provided some great information but most importantly, encouragement and hope. The panel discussion on resumes was incredibly helpful! Last month I had the opportunity to sit with Brenda and she suggested I really pare back all but the last 10 years of experience an… Read more
Robin C.
This was terrific! Very successful. I’m glad I came!
Maggie D.
Career Connectors has given me the courage to move forward and the mindset to move out of this moment. I have gained encouragement, opportunity, and a stronger skill-set in each meeting I have attended. This interaction has given me the vision to see my God given talents, the realization of how much I still have to offer, and the ability to put value in my career, instead of only seeing value by a job.
Anonymous
If you are a job seeker in transition or looking to find that new great position I highly recommend Career Connectors. The search process has changed significantly over the years and Career Connectors will provide you many tools that will allow you to stand out and demonstrate your unique value to potential employers. At each event I had the opportunity to “sharpen the saw” through top notch expert presentations on image portrayal, positive attitude, networking, social media presence, job… Read more
Joe C.
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Services

© 2023 · Career Connectors. All Rights Reserved.