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5/6/2020 – Networking from Home

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written by Gary Matsuda

Dave Sherman networking

You might have it pretty good at home – a roof over your head, access to a refrigerator and eternally running episodes on Netflix. It may have taken some time to get used to the lockdown, but if you’re looking for a job (which is now even more challenging), staying in place might be the last thing you want to do.

To help make networking from home work for you, Career Connectors brought in the esteemed ‘Networking Guy’ Dave Sherman to show us how do this successfully from having the right attitude to follow up.

Keynote

There’s plenty of negative news around to convince us that our situation is hopeless, but Dave refuses to let that influence his attitude. He’s reminded that blessed with family, friends and living in Arizona, he’s living in one of the sunniest places in the world and it’s only going to get better from here!

But time are a Changin’

‘Back-to-normal’ gatherings aren’t coming back anytime soon, so now is the time to get familiar with video conferencing as it’s use becomes more common and accepted. With over 300 million daily users on Zoom alone (one of the more popular products available) virtual meetings are here to stay.

If you’re not accustomed to video conferencing, it will feel strange to feel as if you are talking to yourself, especially if participants don’t enable their video. Therefore, treat virtual meet apps as if they were live in-person meetings, prepare to be presentable and keep your camera and pants on!

For an effective virtual meeting:

  • Have good lighting on yourself so that the viewers can see facial expressions clearly.
  • Don’t get too close to the camera (you don’t want viewers looking up your nose).
  • Keep the camera eye level and sit back in a more natural position.
  • The clearer your image the better your chances of exhibiting trust and competency.
  • Smile on camera, relax. People are attracted to happy people.
  • On Zoom, you can set yourself apart (or just to hide a messy room) by changing the background. Keep it appropriate, non-distracting and be aware of colors that may cause distortions that can create ghostly images.

Now – Curb Your Enthusiasm

We get it, you’re desperately in need of a job, but too many people put pressure on themselves and others to get hired as fast as possible. When you meet someone for the first time, don’t expect a job on the first meeting. They might be asking themselves subconsciously, ‘Why might you matter to me?’ and ‘How much effort will this take on my part?’ With their guard up they’re not quite ready to listen to your needs, so it wouldn’t be wise to start talking about yourself. We all desire meaningful connections, so try to find common ground and get to know them and comment on their interests.

Make it an easy two-way conversation, not just ‘I need a job’, but instead ask ‘Who do you know?’. Chances are the first person you meet is not likely going to be the one who hires you. While they might not be able to help, they may be able to provide the name of someone who can help.

Answer the Question, ‘What are you looking for?’

If you are open to anything, that will increase your chances of getting a job, right? Wrong. That will decrease your chances because you will sound desperate, lost, and unsure of what you really want. When asking for help, be as specific and as simple as possible to make it easy for the listener to engage and remember.

During Dave’s presentations, he sometimes tests his audience by asking them to list 3 companies they would like to work for. Using that list will help define a clear goal of where exactly you want to work. Saying something like ‘looking for something in I.T.’ would be too general. What is ‘something’? What does I.T. even mean? Tell them what you want to do and where? Make it easy for others to understand your needs, fill in the blanks for them, don’t leave the possibility of unanswered questions.

How long will it take to find a job?

It depends your effort. It’s hard work, it’s drudgery, and sometimes boring. If you’re only managing to put in an hour or two a day into your job search it will take a lot longer than putting in 5 or 6 hours a day. Bump it up to a crazy 8 hours a day and Dave says you’ll find something in 2 weeks!

Lots of job are out there, you will just have to put in the work. New technology has made it easier than ever to find available work but unfortunately the old adage is still true, that looking for a job is itself a full-time job.

Not sure what you’re looking for?

While searching for a trainer position, Dave searched job boards for ‘training manager’ and the results were revealing. Training departments might now be called ‘Sales Enablement’ and there are new terms like SDR (Sales Development Representative). On job boards, try searching for anything that comes to mind even if it sounds ridiculous (only you and Google will know). Go ahead, type away to generate some ideas and get up to date on current terminology in your target industry. Look through possible similar job descriptions and see what resonates or triggers your thought process.

Hiring needs are shifting rapidly, so be realistic about your industry’s future. Some jobs are gone, some are going away and especially because of technology there are new types of jobs that didn’t exist until recently.

Follow up

Close the loop with your new contacts and be generous with your appreciation. Also be specific in your response to show you have been actively listening to your past conversation. Make your follow up easy to read, short, direct (but be nice). Showing courtesy and respect is important because you never know what an individual is going through. Treat everyone as if they are going through their own struggles and you’ll come across as empathetic and it’s more likely that you’ll be remembered. Make the most of every opportunity and leave a good impression.

There are plenty of free job hunt tools available, so don’t keep your next opportunity waiting. Just because the world is on pause for now, working on your personal and professional network doesn’t have to be.

Hiring Companies

National Bank of Arizona
Lisa Marcus, Director, Talent Acquisition

NB/AZ has been proud to be a responsive supporter of small business during the coronavirus crisis. With 60 branches all over Arizona NB/AZ builds local relationships and provides exceptional award-winning customer service to clients, neighbors, and business owners. From helping small business in your neighborhood to employees volunteering at the local community center, NB/AZ is committed to creating opportunities.

Positions open throughout Arizona include: Personal Bankers, Tellers, Operations Supervisor. Check here for a complete listing. Benefits include competitive health insurance for FT and PT employees, 401k and profit sharing.

Cenlar
Ann Pierce, Sr. Corporate Recruiter

Cenlar is an employee owned company where there are great opportunities to grow through training and mentoring. They are serious about growing from within, after the first 6 months employment you can apply for internal positions. And check this out, since 1912 there have been no layoffs ever!

Open positions are in customer service, collections, claims, loss mitigation, HR, leadership and research. Go the their website for a complete listing.

Resources

Career Connectors Academy

Through a partnership with Brighton College, Career Connectors has allowed the opportunity to grow your skills online while you are at home waiting out this lockdown! Get a unique learning experience customized through surveys and assessments that identify your natural talents.

If covering tuition is an issue, for those who qualify, there are free IT certifications, federal grants and payment programs set up to make the financial burden lighter. Go here to for further information.

Arizona Covid-19 Resources

Career Connectors has partnered with BestComapaniesAZ, Arizona@Work, Arizona Commerce Authority and PipelineAZ to provide resources for both job seekers and employers. Please visit this page for detailed resources including companies now hiring.

DISC Assessment

We all like free, so at no cost to you, complete the assessment to find your gifts and what kind of job will likely fit you through our no cost DISC assessment.

Professional Coaching

Thanks our Career Connectors volunteers, we can provide professional coaching in the following areas:

  • LinkedIn review
  • Resume review
  • Career Coaching/Development
  • Financial Coaching
  • Mock Interviews

Complete a brief form on our website to request coaching.

You can find details on upcoming and past events, as well as additional resources at CareerConnectors.org.

4/22/220 – Preserve Your Well Being During Chaotic Times

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Written by Michele Rock

Lisa Barrington

On March 11th, Governor Doug Ducey of Arizona issued a declaration of a Public Health State of Emergency to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. On March 15th, a temporary statewide school closure was issued and was later extended through the end of the school year. On March 17th, the CDC issued updated guidance that included cancelling or postponing gatherings of 10 or more people; recommending telework and other alternatives, restricting access to nursing homes and long-term care facilities and providing recommendations to restaurants and eating establishments to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission. On March 19th, Governor Ducey required restaurants in AZ counties to provide dine-out options only and required all bars, gyms and movie theaters in those counties to close. That same day all elective surgeries were halted to free up medical supplies and resources. Since March 31st, Arizonians have been under an Executive Order encouraging them to limit their time away from their place of residence or property, except to conduct or participate in essential activities.

During these unprecedented times there are actionable steps we can take to reclaim our emotional comfort. Career Connectors brought in Lisa Barrington, Certified Coach and Certified HR Professional, to help us maneuver through this difficult time together.

Keynote

What We’re Feeling & Why
Lisa shared several models of cycles, or stages, to help us understand what we are feeling right now. The Kubler-Ross “Grief” model includes Denial, Anger, Depression, Bargaining and ends with Acceptance. It is about “Loss”. The Bridges Transitions model follows a similar dip, beginning with an “Ending” of some kind, which dips during the “Transition Zone” and begins to incline with a “New Beginning”. It is about change and transition.

Kubler-Ross Grief & Bridges Transitions

Using the two models above, Lisa developed the COVID-19 Roller Coaster model which gets into the nitty gritty. Lisa pointed out that this is not a proven model, but a proposal of what she’s observed combined with existing models. While we might not experience all the emotions listed, or we might experience different emotions, we will all move through the steps in our own timeframe. During this time we are jumping all over the model due to confusion and constantly changing guidelines. We are probably at the bottom of the model right now. It is normal to feel this way. Embrace it and feel free to share your feelings. The good news is, “at some point we should all be able to climb back up the curve” to a new reality or “The New Status Quo”. Hopefully, this will be a better place.

Covid-19 Roller Coaster

Actions for Improved Well Being (Commit to at least one thing!)

  • Socialization is so important and there are many creative ways occurring right now:
    • Driveway Parties
    • Facetime, Video or ZOOM Parties (Happy Hours, Wine Tastings, Cooking, etc.)
    • Watercooler Moments – Look for opportunities to replace the informal chats with people that occurred when you used to walk in the building, or before a meeting, etc.
    • Walk using video and/or earbuds with people who are outside of your personal quarantine group
    • Watch Parties (i.e. Netflix Party) replace the interactions that used to occur at Social Events
    • Join an established Exercise Class or start your own
  • Less social or introverted individuals looking for a job should strive to break out of their shell and reach-out to their Network. Always keep in mind to offer something in return when you ask for help.
  • Our “Sympathetic Nervous System” is turned on because all we are hearing right now is negative information and our body feels the “threat”. This is bad for our immune system since our bodies weren’t designed to handle the constant increase of our Adrenal glands or high Cortisol levels. To turn off the Sympathetic Nervous System – Take Deep Breaths and Breathe! This will turn on the “Parasympathetic Nervous System”. Examples are:
    • Focus on the positive and what you can control for 1 minute at a time, which will help alleviate depression
    • Fill your body with oxygen
    • Yoga, meditation, stretching, even just walking around helps
    • Intentionally avoid exposure to what puts you in flight or fight mode
      • Limit exposure (COVID-19 updates) to 15 minutes once a day or 5 minutes twice a day
      • Turn off devices at bedtime or put them in silent mode 30 minutes before bedtime
    • Eat Healthy and boost your immune system
      • Some foods remind of us a special time or bring on good memories. This can bring us joy!
    • Get enough “restful” sleep
    • Daily write down 3 things you are grateful for, this helps increase endorphins and dopamine
      • Enhance your happiness by looking for the positive
    • Look for ways to help others. These acts of kindness also help us
      • Send meals to elderly
      • Send text to friends and family
    • Keep in mind the positive is coming. The New Normal is coming
    • Identify what brings joy to your life and make sure those activities are part of your day. Our chat discussion had some great ideas, included below:
      • Uplifting Music
      • Cooking
      • Conversations with a friend
      • Stroll or walk
      • Crafts or projects
      • Volunteering – great distraction and serving people/causes
      • Check out “Some Good News” with John Krasinski on YouTube for some fun and positive stories
      • Sewing (masks) to focus on something positive and creative
      • Cakebread Winery has a cooking class on Facebook live
    • Remember the Job search will be better if you take care of yourself!
    • Adjust or renegotiate boundaries within your quarantine area as needed to ensure you set yourself up for a positive transition

Culture Fit in the Job Search    

Lisa recommended we watch Bob Chapman, CEO of St. Louis, MO-based Barry-Wehmiller on YouTube. He is a perfect example of what a “leader” should be! She reviewed several aspects to consider when evaluating the cultural fit of a company:

  • Mission/Vision
    • Check a company’s website to determine if they are focused on finances or people
  • Values/Ethics
    • What do they highlight?
    • Are they “walking the talk”?
    • Are employees and customers treated as stakeholders?
  • Is Sustainability part of the culture?
  • Management Style?
    • Google (i.e. Glassdoor)
    • Check out News or articles (i.e. Best Places to Work, Linkedin, etc.)
  • Company Rituals
    • Dress
    • Communication
  • Practices, Policies and Procedures
    • Do they support or restrict?
    • How do employees behave?
    • What is their belief system?
  • At the end of an interview ask the interviewer to provide an example of where the company culture was “positively” exhibited? Where it didn’t show up?

Hiring Companies

TEK Systems
Nicholas Bielinski, Direct Placement Service Manager

TEK Systems, is obsessed with technology and its power to change everything. Technology fuels their passion and commitment to helping organizations reach their goals. They bring fresh ideas that help businesses galvanize performance. With 250+ local employees, located in 3 offices, partnering with 125+ Arizona customers like Bank of America, State Farm, America Express and ASU, TEKsystems is bringing in the teams and support needed for their partner companies to thrive. Current openings exist for Project Managers, Software Engineers, Helpdesk/Desktop Support, Database Programmers/Engineers, Field Technicians and Information Security. Check out all their open positions. Feel free to reach out to Nick on LinkedIn. He is very interested in helping others navigate the Job Search Journey with his company or another company.

Connected Vehicle Optimization,
Patty A Mazerolle, Director of HR at CVO

CVO is an industry-leading technology provider and has been in business over 25 years. They champion innovation in transportation safety and efficiency and provide solutions that enable their customers to make informed, cost-effective decisions. Check out their Technology, Operations and Finance openings on LinkedIn here, an easy apply option has been set-up. You can also email your resume to careers@cvo.com. Make sure you include the position you are interested in and highlight that you heard about the opportunity via Career Connectors. Some of their open positions are Systems Analyst Manager, Billing Support Specialist and Data Warehouse Manager. Even if CVO doesn’t have an open posting in your area of interest, Patty is happy to assist you in connecting with others in her network.

Resources & Closing

Jessica Pierce, CEO/Founder of Career Connectors closed by inviting attendees to use the resources available through Career Connectors, including those listed below, as well as joining the online events on Wednesday mornings from 9-11.  Jessica also thanked the awesome volunteers that make these events possible!  

BestCompaniesAZ

DISC Assessment

Who’s Hiring Right Now – LinkedIn

Virtual Coaching via Career Connectors Professional Volunteers

Career Advice

4/9/2020 – How to Make Decisions in Calm, Crisis & Chaos

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Written by Connie Huber SHRM-CP PHR

Kristi Staab

A couple of weeks ago we all blinked and our lives changed at warp speed to a new landscape. The workforce has changed drastically. Many are now jobless and the economy is suffering. We now are being asked to stay home and self-isolate. In addition, many have loved ones that are struggling with COVID19 and some of us may have the virus and not know it. Who could have predicted toilet paper and hand sanitizers would become scarce commodities! Our days and nights are filled with fear, worry, and doubt. Thank goodness our speaker, Kristi Staab, MBA-Chief Rock Star, Author, Executive Coach and Trainer gave us tools to make effective decisions during this time of chaos, crisis and calm.

Keynote

Kristi quickly established why she is known as “Chief Rock Star.” Her enthusiasm and positivity were well-received as we stumble through the chaos we are experiencing. The goal of her presentation was to guide us on how to make decisions in calm, crisis and chaos. In addition to changing our decision making skills, Kristi noted we also need to establish our near, short- and long-term goals.

Our emotions may be out-of-control and running amuck. We may be feeling multiple emotions, as well as some new ones surfacing. Take a moment to review your emotional well-being. Determine four emotions you are currently feeling. Are you coming from a place of being anxious or stressed? How will these emotions serve you best? What would you rather be experiencing … joy, energized, successful, or sense of community? Where would you rather be making decisions from? Think for a moment of when there may be a period of time you felt like you were drifting. Hold on to hope and put hope in your heart. COVID19 has altered the global population.

Empower yourself, not disempower! Establish three things you have control over at all times:

  • Become the best version of you. During isolation, seize the moment to work on your personal and professional self.
  • Upgrade your skills through online courses, read books relating to your profession, and network. If you are not firm on your professional choice, explore potential options. Employers will want to hear you were productive while isolating.
  • Review your language to see if it projects a powerful you. If you think it is going to be hard, it will be hard. Focus on controlling your language and thoughts.

E+R=O translates to EVENT+RESULT=OUTCOME. Thoughts and beliefs reflect your outcome. Your outcome is influenced by your actions and behaviors. Shift your perspective from surviving to thriving! Understand that billions of people are going through the pandemic. We will get through this challenging time. We have a choice in changing the negative spiral. Ask yourself “Who do I get to become now? Who will I be when we get to the other side of the pandemic?”

Remember the times you said, “I wish I had time to___?” You now have the time to do the things you have wanted to do. Be sure you are being kind and gentle to yourself. Extend grace to others. Use the time to volunteer and give back to the community. How we respond to the pandemic is a choice. Your decision will either serve or not serve you. Focus on love not fear. Create rules to energize you.

In making decisions during times of chaos and crisis, the following will help achieve your goals. Be the calm. Consider how you are going to lead yourself and others. Stand up for yourself. Doing so will fulfill your four basic needs:

  • Be informed
  • Choose reliable sources for your information
  • Limit your exposure to TV and digital devices
  • Make your decisions from facts!

E+R=O. Thoughts, beliefs, actions will provide the outcome to the situation.
Know what motivates you! In making decisions, evaluate the opportunity for you. In addition, define the expectations. Find your calm! Determine how you will become the best version of yourself in getting to the other side of COVID19.

ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS: Kristi is holding virtual seminars every Wednesday through April. Visit Kristi’s Facebook page for additional information: Facebook or contact her on LinkedIn.

Hiring Companies

Dexcom
Patrice Baptist, Recruiter

Dexcom was founded in 1999. The company produces medical devices and is a leader in monitoring glucose levels for diabetics. The company culture is very welcoming, diverse, inclusive and fast paced. Benefits are a complete offering and available the month after completing the first month of employment. A sampling of open positions includes Production Planner, Lead Cost Accountant, Cost Accountant, QA Engineer, and Process Analyst. If interested visit their website.

Cable One
Vanessa Corona, Recruiter

Cable One (rebranded to Sparklight) offers high-speed internet; business phone service; reliable, crystal-clear cable TV services; and fiber-optic solutions. Cable One has 9,000 residential and business customers in 21 states. They have been in business for over 30 years and were publicly traded in 2015. Cable One is committed to their customers, associates and community. Benefits begin when you start your employment. Currently, there are over 20 open positions in Phoenix, including in accounting and IT. For more information go here.

Closing

Jessica Pierce, Founder & CEO of Career Connectors, closed the meeting by thanking the volunteers. In response to COVID19, Career Connector meetings will now be virtual and offered every Wednesday. The next Career Connectors meeting will be a virtual event on April 22, 2020; “Preserve Your Well Being During Chaotic Times” presented by Lisa Barrington. For additional information on this event & future events, please visit the Event Schedule.

04/01/2020 – Communicating YOUR Capabilities

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Written by Gary Matsuda

cc

Nothing is going according to plan. Things were going perfectly fine and now it seems the world is coming to a full stop. Yet, where professional networking and job opportunities seem to be dwindling, there are still some companies hiring. Logically you know this will get better, but how come we don’t feel that way? And when we do get back to normal, will you be ready? During these challenging times and beyond, now is the time to develop and communicate our capabilities.

Career Connectors brought in Travis Hardin, a John Maxwell certified speaker, who educates and coaches for greater personal and professional growth with proven leadership methods to help us to see how our view of the world determines what we do and how we do it.

Keynote

There’s no denying the massive impact the pandemic has had on our standard of living. But Travis underscored no matter how dark and unexplainable the current events, we still have control over how we perceive things. No matter what our situation, the light that’s deep inside of us should never grow dim. As a matter of fact, we must feed it and make this time a new season of growth by putting the following into action:

Spark the fire inside

If the little hidden fire inside you is to grow, you must honestly identify your desires, skills and strengths and how you can practically focus and improve upon them.

Develop a positive attitude by practicing a simple word shift that can change your outlook. Instead of asking yourself, “Can I do it?” which sounds doubtful and incapacitating, ask yourself, “How can I do it?”, which says you’re taking the initiative to plan the next step.

Travis was once asked what gives him so much optimism and energy. He said he doesn’t drink coffee, but since he was a kid he’s been taking Flintstone vitamins. Two a day. The ‘plus iron’ kind. Maybe not the coronavirus cure we were hoping for, but it couldn’t hurt!

Aside from the benefits gained by keeping physically healthy, Travis heartens us to try to stop the victim mindset and bring in a victor mindset that will allow us to take control over what we do next. With many of us with more down time, it’s actually a good time to start studying and training to gain or improve skills you always wished you had time for, so that when things get back to normal, you’ll be ready.

One of the major practices of those finding success over failure is setting aside time to reflect which includes introspection, evaluation, reading, learning, researching, activities that build yourself a confident foundation. Where you are now is not where you want to be, so you’ll need to have the grit to take the next steps toward improvement.

On the other hand, if we withdraw and isolate ourselves mentally, it’s easy to find ourselves carrying our burdens by ourselves and helping to create a victim mindset (‘see how much I’m suffering?’).

Communicate it

If you truly have something good within you, spread that love around everywhere you go. Your belief system should be reflected in how others perceive you, as they say, ‘your reputation proceeds you’.

Social media can reflect your belief system and values by the research you’ve done and your perspective can be seen by prospective employers. A belief system of yes, makes you attractive to others. There’s enough negativity already and positivity attracts others. So create an aura of yes around you. You’re communicating that it’s possible, there is hope. Be the neighborhood hope dealers. It’s time to act, to follow through and do something for others.

Don’t keep it to yourself

It’s certainly great to feel confident in yourself, but nothing truly gets accomplished or has impact unless we believe not only in ourselves but also believe in others.

Recently Travis worked with college students on a classroom project where he helped transform the lesson to focus not merely on an individual accomplishment but to see how it impacted others. He says it was quite something to experience when he saw students realize that each of their contributions created something greater than themselves.

Mandatory social distancing can easily send us into a downward spiral. Stay mindful of physical distance, but don’t socially disengage.

Optimism is meant to be shared by encouraging, trusting and committing to success. People are attracted to those who believe in themselves and believe in other people. But belief and affirmation without accomplishment are not enough. We might wish and hope someone succeeds but it’s the helping and doing something specific that makes a difference.

Voice your belief and trust in others, you’ll be creating value in your community by giving a little of yourself.

Choose a positive goal

Don’t just run away from something, have a definite goal that represents something better. When you give yourself in the service of others, you are not forgetting about yourself, but enhancing what you already have.

No matter what happens we have to express hope.

Hiring Companies

Voya Financial, Kristina DiMartino, Director, Talent Acquisition

Retirement planning isn’t going away and neither are the retirement services Voya offers. Their Tempe office is expanding and moving to a Chandler facility (when we’re back to normal). CEO Rod Martin creates a genuine authentic leadership culture that filters down to give attention to you, the employee. You’re never made to feel less important, even outside the office you can take time away to volunteer for your favorite charity. Pension plan – they got one! That’s extra money for your golden years in case you’ve forgotten that old school retirement benefit.

Get started at any level in the organization but there’s no better place to learn about all the products and services they offer than in the call center.

For the past years Voya has earned several ethical company and great place to work awards! View openings at the Voya career site.

West Pharmaceutical Services, Ryan Rybarczyk, Manager, Human Resources

With 4 facilities in Scottsdale and Tempe, West Pharmaceutical is a leading manufacturer of injectable medicines (that means shots, needles and the vials that hold the medicines). With a rich culture that attracts and retains talent, they carry a special sense of urgency for the industry they serve. Their direct involvement with health care professionals and their patients engages their passion for the well-being of their customers and there’s no compromise in the quality of their products.

There are currently 69 open jobs for warehousing to engineers with various shifts available. Check out their website for further details.

U-Haul, Alex Taylor, Corporate Recruiter

U-Haul vehicles are everywhere. You can find them in far off places and accessible all over the United States and Canada, so that they have a central headquarters doesn’t easily come to mind. But they do and it’s right here in Phoenix! Recently U-Haul has been busy helping to move college students.

Their job opportunities cover a wide range of professions. There are openings in every field including IT, field work and at corporate headquarters. U-Haul opportunities don’t stop at transportation. They’re also affiliated with Repwest Insurance, Oxford Insurance and Amerco Real Estate so there could be a chance to cross industries as well. For details on open positions go to jobs.uhaul.com.

Resources

Career Connectors strives to be a source of hope and resources in Arizona. We are teaming up with BestComapaniesAZ, Arizona@Work, Arizona Commerce Authority and PipelineAZ to provide resources for both job seekers and employers. Please visit this BestCompaniesAZ page for detailed resources including companies now hiring.

DISC Assessment

At no cost to you, find your gifts and your ideal work environment through our free DISC assessment at: https://careerconnectors.org/DISC/

Career Connectors has a new program to get you needed remote support in these areas:

  • LinkedIn reviews
  • Resume reviews
  • Career Coaching/Development
  • Financial Coaching
  • Mock Interviews

For support from experienced pros go to https://careerconnectors.org/coaching to request a coaching appointment.

For details about upcoming Career Connectors virtual events (now weekly), click here to visit the events section on the website for details about hiring companies and keynote topics!

3/4/20 – Activate Your Strengths

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Written by Gary Matsuda

Difficult co-workers? We’re talking about those who make your life miserable by overly complicating things or leaving out essential process details. Of course, they wouldn’t have done it the way you would have, which would have been faster or more accurate by far!

While interpersonal problems could be the result of differences in personal goals and values, another potential source of conflict is not often recognized or measured. It’s part of our innate way of doing things called conation.

Stephanie Clergé, Career coach, VP of Training and Consulting at Kolbe Corp broke it down for us.

Keynote

Psychology defines 3 parts of the mind:

  1. Cognition (intellect, skills, knowledge)
  2. Affective (feeling, personality type, preferences, values)
  3. Conation (instinctive action, problem solving approaches, decision making methods)

Well-known psychological tests work with the thinking cognitive (IQ, SAT) and feeling (DISC, Myers Briggs) parts of our brain.

The third component of the mind associated with conation or how we naturally take action (or avoid action) is measured by the Kolbe test, the only validated assessment that measures a person’s conative strengths. The results are called your MO or Method of Operation. If you know your MO, you will understand your own human nature and can begin the process of maximizing your potential. You’ll also be able to describe yourself clearly and articulate how you have performed in preparation for interviews and how to thrive in your new job!

The online Kolbe test takes about 20 minutes, during which you’ll be asked 36 questions which are designed to accurately determine your conative strengths. (It’s so accurate, if you change your answers, it will track that too.)

You’ll get your results in the form of 4 numbers representing a range from 1 to 10 for each of the action modes. These are the 4 action modes:

  • Fact Finder – one’s way of gathering and sharing information
  • Follow Thru – one’s way of organizing
  • Quick Start – one’s way of dealing with risk and uncertainty
  • Implementor – one’s way of handling space and tangibles

You then interpret your scores like this for each action mode:

CounterAct – Scores in 1-3 range of the continuum
Indicates an ability to resist being in action mode or being energy saving or conservative.

  • Fact Finder: indicates a need to generalize, give an overview, briefly summarize, and find bottom line information.
  • Follow Through: indicates a need to do several things at once, keep things where they can be seen, take short cuts, go outside regular procedures.
  • Quick Start: indicates a need to avoid chaos, bring stability, stick with the tried and true, and reduce uncertainty.
  • Implementor: indicates a need to avoid literal construction of model, working in three dimensions, or handling special relationships.

ReAct – The in between zone 4-6
Indicating an ability to accommodate in the mode as needed. Not going to detail actions here but generally they blend between the two zones above and below.

Initiate Action – scores in the 7-10 part of the continuum
Also referred to as insistence (on performing an action).

  • Fact Finder: indicates a need to be specific, read and report details, define terms, and justify facts.
  • Follow Thru: indicates a need to be highly structured, act sequentially, and complete one task before starting another.
  • Quick Start: indicates a need to experiment, act spontaneously, and do things in new and different ways.
  • Implementor: indicates a need to touch, physically explore, move around, build, and deal with what is concrete rather than abstract.

The emphasis here is to recognize and exploit your superpowers. We all have habits we should improve, but most career coaches advise that it’s not productive to put significant effort into improving your weaknesses or abilities you were not born with. Likewise, you’re unlikely to change your team members weaknesses into strengths. Instead there is much more return on investment on developing and using natural strengths.

If you have ever wondered why the boss needs to drone on about the big picture, while you just want the details on what to do next, you’ll understand why there is a disconnect. With your Kolbe score you’ll have the basic information to start meaningful conversations and reduce stress in the workplace or at home!

Compared to most career advice that seem to focus on intelligence (i.e. good grades, certifications) and personality, the Kolbe A Index guides us further by:

  • Learning to rely on actions that instinctively work for us.
  • Helping focus time and energy to be more productive.
  • Directing more effective communication, career choices and study habits.
  • Improving relationships with friends, loved ones and co-workers because we’ll trust our instincts instead of trying to change each other.

To get help planning for your next career (or date), take the Kolbe A evaluation. If you’ve registered for this Career Connectors event, it’s free until March 15th.

Stephanie Clergé is a VP of Training and Consulting at Kolbe Corp, which specializes in assessments and interventions that increase individual and collective performance.

Company

Cenlar, Mark Pierce, Recruiter

If your strength is with people, yet you want to be behind the scenes and have immediate impact on people who need help, Cenlar needs you! For many of us owning a home is part of our country’s foundation. Behind most homeowners is a mortgage to manage and some people need assistance. Your help involves guiding customer issues from basic questions on their loan to loan structuring. You’ll get experience with many different banks and lenders so your experience can grow with you ambition! There are flexible schedules, day or night which will work with your availability! Contact Mark Pierce (mepierce@cenlar.com) for full time summer and part time positions.

Resource

Career Connectors Academy, Steven Hatch, Director of Admissions

IT careers are hot, have always been and are likely to be in demand for years to come. If you’re changing careers or building up your current one, there are many paths available through Career Connectors Academy to help you quickly get the needed education and skills! Full work schedule or commute a problem? Well you can get you training done online. If covering tuition is an issue, for those who qualify there are free IT certifications, federal grants and payment programs set up to make the financial burden lighter. Email Steven Hatch (steven.hatch@brightoncollege.edu) for more info.

Closing

Jessica Pierce, Founder and CEO of Career Connectors, closed the first part of the event and invited attendees to participate in talking to hiring managers and resume experts, finding educational opportunities, visiting Coaches Corner, and posing for a free head shot by a professional volunteer photographer. And thanks to GCU for the venue!

For details about upcoming Career Connectors events throughout the Valley, click here to visit the events section on the website for times, locations, and details about hiring companies and keynote topics.