Written by: Connie Huber PHR SHRM-CP
NETWORKING RULES!!!
A recent survey conducted by Lou Adler reveals that 85% of jobs were filled through some type of networking.
Lou Adler reinforces several key learning points for a successful job search:
1. Job seekers need to use the backdoor to gain access to the hidden job market.
2. Recognize that LinkedIn is a network of over 400 million people, not just a database of them. It is not about how many people you can connect. It is about meeting a few well-connected individuals that can vouch for your ability and who are willing to refer the you to a few other well-connected people.
3. Demonstrate the ability to do the work to get the interview.
4. Be different. You want to excel in those things that make you different and allow you to achieve extraordinary results.
Keynote
“Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out”
Ted Robison
Are you LinkedIn or left out in the cold cruel world? Come in from the cold and get connected with fellow professionals that can open doors to the hidden job market. Ted or as he is known “Mr. Link-Me-In” guided us on our journey to the hidden job market of LinkedIn.
LINKEDIN FUNDAMENTALS
Why should you be on LinkedIn?
• Connectivity, raising your brand & visibility
• To be found!
Networking tool for professionals
• Over 500 million subscribers
Power of Networking-Approximately 87% of jobseekers find their new job through networking.
• Engage with people. “Connections are good but relationships are gold”.
How many connections should I have? Most people have 70 or less. The more connections you have the better off you are in finding a job. Strive to have more than 500.
• Who should be in your network? It should be someone you know including prior employment, family or friends.
Based on 3 degrees of separation. Your goal is to get your resume to the hiring manager.
WHY SHOULD I BE ON LINKEDIN?
Find jobs, people, groups & associations, target companies.
Most recruiters & hiring managers use LinkedIn exclusively.
Create your own unique URL like www.linkedin.com/in/tedrobison.
Free versus ($) Premium Accounts. You may pay more to have a premium account but the benefits outweigh the cost. But master the free version before you invest in the upgrade.
Things to consider. Privacy, contact levels, you will be searched by others. Be sure not to use your home address or phone number on LinkedIn or your resume.
PERSONAL BRAND & IMAGE PROMOTION IN YOUR PROFILE
Keywords & SEO-How do people find me?
Picture- It is mandatory to have a current professional photo.
Headline: Job Title Plus-Tag line. Headline/Tag line should avoid saying unemployed. Say such things as “open to new opportunities” or “innovating wellness into people’s lives.”
Current Job Title/Post Job Titles.
Summary: Style is most important. S.E.E.S. includes skills both hard and soft; experience; expertise & style. Do not include a resume.
Style -> Value Proposition -> Differentiation.
Wow Factor/Brand
Skills & Experience: Endorsements, try to get 8 altogether. Include 2 bosses, 2 peers, 2 customers, & 2 subordinates.
Recommendations: (4-6). Should be 2 bosses, 2 peers, 2 subordinates and 2 clients.
Status update-Home Page-Posts, blogs.
GROUPS & ASSOCIATIONS
How many groups & associations should I have? 30-50
3 reasons to join a Group or Association.
Target Market-Personal Interests-Professional Association.
How can groups help me raise my brand & image?
Participate in discussions, demonstrate & promote yourself as a subject expert.
Build your own group.
Used for “job title” keyword.
Raise your visibility.
HIDDEN JOB MARKET – TARGET COMPANIES
Hidden Job Market – 80%
Create a Target Company List (30-50)
Build Relationships at Target Companies.
Create leverage.
Follow Target Companies.
Phoenix Business Journal – Book of Lists
PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS
Research Interviewers – Helps you connect.
Know their hobbies, jobs, groups & interests.
Research Company:
Product, Services, Competitors.
Perform Informational Interviews.
Know how you fit culture & core values.
Know your Value Propositions.
Give reasons to hire you vs. just experience & skills.
Sorry you are Over Qualified: Respond by asking the interviewer to give you 2 reasons you are overqualified. Or respond that “I am absolutely qualified” & then share why you are qualified: Here is why you want to hire me. Give the interviewer value-value-value.
Transferrable skills.
Certifications, classes, seminars, tutorial.
FINAL COMMENTS
According to a recent LinkedIn Survey, the top three things a recruiter looks for in a candidate are motivation, execution ability & cultural fit.
Ted encourages you to view Ted Trembath’s LinkedIn profile for an outstanding example.
“Networking is marketing. Marketing yourself, marketing your uniqueness, marketing what you stand for.”-Christie Comaford-Lynch
Hiring Companies
Desert Schools Federal Credit Union
Angie Coulter, Recruitment Specialist
Desert Schools Federal Credit Union is a federally insured and chartered credit union based in Phoenix, AZ that operates 47 branches and service centers throughout Gila, Maricopa and Pinal counties in Arizona. Desert Schools is the largest credit union in Arizona. Its commitment to service is part of its culture and the community is the foundation to its success.
Benefits include competitive medical, dental and vision insurance; 401K, pension plan; carpool reimbursement, life insurance, tuition reimbursement and generous vacation time. Some of the positions that are currently available are HRIS Analyst; Sr. Recruiter; MSR (Member Solutions Representative) multiple openings are available as MSR; Network Engineer; Sr. ACH Originator; and ebranch Coordinator. For more information and to apply go to DesertSchool.org/Careers.
Maricopa County
Kelly Dixon, HR Operations Manager
Maricopa County has 13,000 employees serving over 4 million customers. The county’s mission is to provide regional leadership and fiscally responsible, necessary public services so that residents can enjoy living in a healthy and safe community. Some of the services provided by Maricopa are Animal, Health, Services, and Utility Services; Education and Youth; Election & Voting; and Justice Services. The values supported at the county are measure results, accountable, relentless improvement, this is where I fit in, communicate & collaborate, open & honest, public interest first, and achieving to your full potential.
In addition to traditional benefits, a sampling of additional benefits includes Employee Life Insurance, Ergonomic Evaluations free, onsite Fitness Facilities and Wellness programs. Current openings include Net Developer (Recorder Superior Court), Business Analyst (Sheriff), QA Analyst (Superior Court), Professional Development Coordinator (School Superintendent), Forensic Pathologist (Medical Examiner), Community Dietician (Public Health) and Sr. Telecomm Engineer (Office of Enterprise Technology). Visit Maricopa’s career site.
Revana/TeleTech
Mario Parra, Recruiter
Revana is a professional inside sales organization and recognized leader in outsourced sales and marketing solutions for industry leading clients, generating over $5B in annual client revenue. Revana is owned by the global outsourcing and customer experience leader Teletech. Revana has over 1,500 employees in their Tempe and Phoenix locations. The organization provides revenue-generating solutions such as professional inside sales, account management, integrated marketing and electronic direct marketing. Revana has won numerous awards and has been recognized by other leading industry professionals for its outstanding sales performance. The organization provides a number of benefits after 30 days of employment such as paid training, competitive base salary with commissions, career advancement, flexible work schedules and medical and dental benefits. A sampling of current opportunities for Revana includes Inbound Sales Associate, Outbound B2B Sales Associates, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Sales Managers, Digital Account Executive (Google), Marketing and Data Analyst. TeleTech has opening for Inbound Sales Associates, Outbound B2B Sales Associates, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Data Analyst, Manager, Sales Service Delivery and Customer Service Representative. For Revana opportunities apply here; and TeleTech positions can be found at the TeleTech site.
Resources
Coder Camps
Jason Jones, Sr. Admission Advisor
Coder Camps prepares students for a career in software development with immersive coding boot camps, online instruction, and career placement support. Graduates are equipped with a practical knowledge of full-stack software development, interview skills and a portfolio demonstrating their abilities. Coder Camps’ accelerated learning programs are offered full-time, part-time and online. The school is the only code camp to offer graduates lifetime access to all courses, a community of developers, and career services for free. For more information or to apply, visit their website.
Closing
Jason Isaak, Board of Directors, Career Connectors, closed the meeting by thanking North Phoenix Baptist Church and the volunteers. The next Career Connectors meeting will be in Scottsdale on Thursday, October 12, 2017 and features Naomi Buckta, as speaker for the topic “Lost my Job, Now What”. For additional information on this event and future events, please visit the Event Schedule.
