Written by James Tousek
Career Connectors is all about networking your way to a new career. I love attending these events because first and foremost it forces me to get up, get dressed, and get out of the house. Maybe some of you can relate! I have mentioned in a previous blog that I am an introvert, so attending these events takes some courage for me. Once I am here though I forget I am an introvert because the staff, volunteers, and attendees make us all feel so welcome.
Welcome & Intro
Jessica Pierce, Executive Director of Career Connectors, kicked off the event by inviting us to get up and meet 3 new people we have not met yet. Afterward, Jessica discussed Career Connectors’ core values, and mission including a success story of a participant who just accepted a great job in HR as a result of her networking through Career Connectors.
Keynote Speaker
Get the Job Fast: How to Find a Great New Job in Half the Time!
by Dave Sherman
It is all about networking, and our keynote speaker Dave Sherman shared his story of transition from a successful entrepreneur and businessman, to out looking for new opportunities after the Great Recession in 2007. Dave Sherman has been a professional trainer, speaker and best-selling author for the past 20+ years. Throughout his training and speaking career, the following words have been used to describe Dave: Empowering, Uplifting, Motivating, Entertaining, Invigorating, Passionate, Amazing, Hysterical, Fantastic, Dynamic, Genuine, Personable, and Authentic.
He is a subject matter expert in the following topics: networking, marketing, sales, public speaking and career transition. Dave gave his audience some “tough love” along with some indispensable tips which are both motivating and practical.
Tip #1 – Get Out of House
- Stops the voices! (that internal critic)
- Maintains a networking routine
- Promotes socialization
- Go to a coffee house, restaurant, library, (any where there is internet)
Tip#2 – Hang out with employed people
- Hang out with people that have jobs, those are the people that have the most active connections that can help you find a new job.
Tip#3 – Join more networking events
- Chambers of Commerce
- Associations – Dave suggested if you cannot afford to attend association meetings, call them and let them know you are in transition and ask the Director if they will let you attend for free or at a discounted rate. Also, ask if they need help and volunteer – you just have to get in the room!
- LinkedIn – spend at least 30 minutes a day on LinkedIn, send every 1st level connection an In-Mail: “Hi [Name], we are first level connected and I am reaching out to you to ask if you know [Hiring Manager Name] with [XYZ Company]. I just applied for the {position} there, and I was hoping you would be so kind as to send him/her an in-mail recommending me for an interview. Thank you in advance for your help!
- Business Groups
- Networking Groups
- Career Transition Groups
Tip#4- STOP LOOKING FOR A JOB! (when attending events)
- Be Genuine
- Smile
- Be likable
- Be interested, not interesting….
- Do not go to events “looking for a job” – instead be interested in others – make connections
- Find commonality- ask a lot of questions – Hometown? Hobbies? School? Family, Friends?
Tip#5 – Four most important words – WHO DO YOU KNOW?
- Ask everyone!
- Be Specific – not, “I want to get into IT” , or, “I want to get into management” {too vague}
- I want to get into IT, specifically Network Administration at WellsFargo, who do you know there?
- Use WHO DO YOU KNOW all the time
- Don’t give up
Dave closed by saying he knows where we are, and he knows it’s hard. I appreciated his tough love at the beginning of the presentation when he said, “stop whining and stop complaining about the situation and get out of the house and do something about it!”
Hiring Companies
Intel
Gil “GW” Williams, Lead Talent Manager
@Intel
Intel, founded in 1968, created the world’s first microprocessor in 1971 and is now the world’s innovator in processing technology. Gil enlightened us on other industries we do not often think of where Intel has had an impact on our lives, such as check out scanners at retail stores, and technology at the airport. Intel offers a 4 week PAID sabbatical after 4 years of service, and exceptional medical, dental, vision, retirement benefits. Intel has a variety of openings, most of which are engineering related.
Staffmark
Wendy Kasrawi, Branch Manager
Jessica McGrath, Practice Director
@Staffmark
Staffmark is one of the largest staffing firms in the US. The company places 40,000+ temporary workers weekly. The average tenure of Staffmark’s top 20 clients is approximately 13 years. The Phoenix group has been in operation for 20+ years and has local expertise with direct and temporary hires. The team caters to professional services, call center, and administrative positions. Contract employees are offered a benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage; immediate entry to 401K; and holiday pay. Open positions are available for direct hire and contract positions. Direct hire opportunities include Recruiter-40k-45k plus commission; Financial Advisors; Research Associates-35k-40k; and Sales Assistant-30k. Contract positions are: Inside Sales-$18.75 per hour; Contract Recruiter-$40-$45 per hour and OSP Engineer-$16-$20 per hour. If you work for Staffmark as a contract worker, the company offers benefits.
State Farm
DeAnne Prigmore, Recruiter
@State Farm
The State Farm mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. State Farm is building a 2 million square feet campus in Tempe by ASU and will house 8,000-10,000 employees. It will consist of four buildings and house varied retail outlets along with restaurants and fitness center. The organization has great benefit offerings including a pension plan and base salary plus commission. A sampling of open opportunities includes entry-level positions such as Claims Associate for Initial Loss Reporting, Express and Interpretation Representative, Customer Care Service and Sales Representative. Also, Bank Support Representative, Loan Representative, and Mortgage Loan Processor. Systems/IT opportunities include Data Scientist, Infra Analyst-Network, Object Oriented Software Development. To apply visit their website.
Freedom Financial Network
Nicole Durkin, HR Business Partner
@FreedomFamily
“We transform clients’ lives–help along the road to financial freedom.” Launched in 2002, their mission is “to provide financial solutions, services and education enabling consumers to resolve their debt and achieve financial freedom.” There are 980 employees and locations in San Mateo, CA and Phoenix, Arizona. Freedom Financial Network is growing! Benefits include medical, dental and vision along with vacation, paid holidays and four hours off on your birthday! Available positions include Account Executive (with no cold calling, the leads come in), Legal, Business Intelligence, Product Management and Technical. An extra perk is the Freedom Family Fund. Employees can pay $3 to wear jeans on Friday then the company pays $6 into a fund that goes right back to employees in their time of need.
For more information: freedomfinancialnetwork.com/jobs
Resources
Canyon State Institute
Sherri Carparelli, President & CEO
Canyon State Institute was started in April of 2004 as Data Entry Institute by Sheri Carparelli, who is the President/CEO of CSI. Sheri has over 35 years of employment services experience in the Phoenix area. CSI’s reputation is very strong within the business community, employer contacts made over the years and the associated membership organizations. The training is up-to-date and constantly changing to meet the needs of employers. They offer high demand certification training in the industries that require national certification for employment consideration.
CSI maintains small classes in a non-customary classroom setting. All of the instructors are certified with experience in their field of instruction. They offer hands-on training with 100% instructor-led programs.
Call 602-266-6630 for a tour of either of our two facilities, whether you reside closer to downtown Phoenix or in the East Valley.
- Different programs include:
- Microsoft Office
- Medical Support Specialist
- Information Technology
- Project Management
- Human Resources
- Process Improvement
- All courses lead you to taking and passing a certification exam.
- All of their programs are high demand.
- Includes career service center.
- Funding available through:
- WIOA
- Veterans
- DES Vocational Rehabilitation
For more information: canyonstateedu.com
Closing
Jessica thanked everyone for attending today’s event, and mentioned we can get connected and join the conversation through LinkedIn Career Connectors, Facebook Career Connectors page, and twitter @careerconnected, as well as www.careerconnectors.org where you will find valuable resources like a FREE DISC behavioral assessment, event recaps, upcoming events, LinkedIn Basics, job boards, and much more.
Career Connectors is seeking volunteers in the following areas:
- Photographers
- Writers
- A/V Support
- LinkedIn Coaches
Go to www.careerconnectors.org/volunteers for more information.
Lesson #10: Success Breeds Success! All you need is one Yes!