Career Connectors

Connecting professionals in career transition with hiring companies and quality resources

Subscribe Here

Kevin Spear

Add Mobile Power to Your Search

by

Written by Kevin Spear

Professionally edited by Kitty Carlisle

When you are looking for your next opportunity through LinkedIn, there is a handy tool that can make your search even easier. It is their Mobile Job Search App. There is an iOS as well as Android version. Keep in mind this is a separate app from the primary LinkedIn mobile app. LinkedIn has thirteen separate apps in the iOS app store. I would encourage you to check them all out.

There are nine listed on LinkedIn’s Mobile Apps page. Among these apps are:

LinkedIn’s Job Search app takes the job searches you have performed on the site, and creates custom job search alerts. When you update your search on mobile or the Web, the searches are updated on the other platform as well.

You sign in with your LinkedIn credentials. Be sure you use the same sign-on so everything is updated on the site as well as in the mobile app. This will also allow you to apply to jobs directly with your mobile app.

 

Linked In Sign-In ScreenSign-on Screen

When you sign in, you will see any job searches you have saved in LinkedIn.com. You will also see alerts for new job openings. When you tap on a new opening for the first time, you will get a reminder that your job search activity is private and your network won’t see your search or any jobs you apply for.

 

Search Screen

LinkedIn Search ScreenDepending on the company, you will be given the option to apply through their web site or with your profile. If you apply with your profile, you will see a window that has your email and phone number already filled in. You have the option to attach a resumé. If you use Dropbox Google Drive, iCloud, or other cloud service, you can upload your resume directly from the app. When you upload your Word or PDF file, submit the application and you have just applied for the position. You will see a notice that you have applied for the job and receive a notice through your email. Yes, it is that easy!

 

 

LinkedIn Apply ScreenApply Screen

One of the key features of this mobile app is it does not notify your LinkedIn network that you are applying for jobs. That is key if you are still employed or prefer to keep it private that you just applied for your sixth job in a day. However, keep in mind if you have alerts set to show on your locked screen, anybody could see it come through your phone.

 

Notifications Screen

Linked In Notifications ScreenThe LinkedIn Job Search app makes it very easy to check and apply for new jobs when you are on the go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Cards, Evernote & LinkedIn, Oh My!

by

Written by Kevin Spear

Professionally edited by Kitty Carlisle

Business CardsBusiness cards and LinkedIn are important tools in a job search. Business cards are vital for giving a tangible reminder of your visit. LinkedIn is your virtual resume and the primary way recruiters search for talent. If you use Evernote, you have a way to make them work together for you.

Evernote’s camera feature has come a long way. It recognizes when you are taking a picture of a business card. It will find the contact information in the card. But what is even more powerful is it will use that information to find your new contact on LinkedIn and give you the option to connect with them. You can even send your information to your new contact.

This feature should work on Android as well as iOS phones and tablets. For more information, Evernote has good documentation.

In order to enable this feature, you can do the following on you iOS device.

  1. Tap on your settings in the top left
  2. Tap on General
  3. Tap on Camera
  4. Tap on Business Cards
  5. At the top is the LinkedIn logo. If you are not connected, tap “Connect.”
  6. Enter your LinkedIn email and password. Now you should be connected.
  7. Go back and tap on “My contact info.” Check and edit your information. You will be able to send your information to the person’s email address on the business card.

Now you are ready to use Evernote to keep your scanned business cards. When you receive a card at an event, you can do the following:

  1. Set the business card on a contrasting background. A white card should be on a dark background so the camera can find the edges of the card
  2. Take a picture of the business card. The app should recognize the card as such.
  3. If the card is two-sided, you can take a picture of both sides.
  4. The app should recognize the text and fill in contact fields. Always check the text to be sure the app accurately converted the text. There is also a chance text will be added to the wrong fields.
  5. The app will let you know if it finds a match on LinkedIn. It is based on the email address the person has entered on LinkedIn.

As with any feature, it may take some experimenting and testing to make it work for you. But when you take the time to learn this new feature, you can save several steps in gathering and recording your contact information.

2/11/16 – DISCovering Your Unique Value

by

Written by Kevin Spear, MBA: @kevinhspear

Opening

Jessica opened the session. Last week at the North Phoenix event, her husband, Mark took a selfie of the group. He got a great picture of everyone else… but only got the top of his head.

We don’t always do selfies, and they are not mandatory. So if that’s not your thing, relax!

Jessica reminded us there are some good connections and possibilities online, but there is nothing like the one-on-one you get when you get out of the house and network. You never know which connection at Career Connectors, or another networking event, will lead to your next job.

Keynote

Sandi Ashton, @SandiAshton
DISCovering Your Unique Value
OptimizingExcellence.com

Sandi is Vice President of the Career Connectors Board of Directors and has been vital in its development.

In 2003, Sandi found herself in a similar position many of us have been in. She was asked to resign from her company. They didn’t have a reorganization or a layoff. They wanted someone with an accounting degree and she didn’t have one. She felt at the time she lost so much, but it was the best thing that happened to her.

She now realizes her former role was not in harmony with her personality. In her last job, she was so stressed, pressured to overachieve, and be aggressive. That wasn’t her. Recently, she retook the DISC profile and now sees that her professional roles are in harmony with her personality.

Understanding yourself is critical, both professionally and personally. She gave an example of when she and her husband were going through a stressful time. Their personality and communication styles are different. It wasn’t until they both took the DISC test and acknowledged their differences that the problem was solved.

What is the DISC assessment?

  • Basis for understanding yourself and others
  • Theory of behavior styles
  • It allows you to develop strategies to meet your development goals and find the ideal workplace.
    • Your self-awareness will guide them to understand who you are.

But it is only part of your whole person. A Total Person Analysis involves the following:

  • Essence (soul and spirit)
  • Behavior (DISC Assessment helps measure this)
  • Skills
  • Values
  • Intelligence (IQ)
  • Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

There are four styles in the DISC Assessment:

  • Dominance = Problems/challenges
  • Influencer = People/contacts
  • Steadiness = Pace/consistency
  • Compliance = Procedures/constraints

Next, we went over our individual DISC profiles. If you haven’t taken one since January 15, 2016, you can take a free test through Career Connectors at this address.  It’s a new format, and worth retaking if you’ve done it in the past.

Sections of the DISC profile report:

  1. Your key competencies and preferred work style
  2. Your problem-solving and decision-making skills
  3. Your communication style
    1. If you’re having a breakdown in communication, this section will help you pinpoint why it is happening.
    2. This will help in your personal life as well as professional life
    3. File this away and use it when you are once again employed
  4. Your value to the organization will help you sell what you can contribute to the company
    1. Use them as talking points to form your success stories
  5. Communication:
    1. Flexibility and the ability to interpret the needs of others is the mark of a superior communicator.
    2. Identifying someone else’s behavior helps you communicate effectively with that person.
    3. You can identify DISC styles by sight.
    4. Tone of voice can also give someone’s style away.
    5. Use these discovery questions to determine a person’s personality and preferences:
      1. What do you do for a living?
      2. How did you get into that profession?
      3. Why do you like what you do?
      4. Are you originally from the local area?
      5. What do you like for fun?
  6. Ideal environment:
    1. Are you in an enjoyable or frustrating environment?
    2. What environment will you feel at home with?
  7. Perceptions
    1. How do you see yourself?
    2. How do others see your behaviors?
  8. Descriptors
    1. Your preferences for solving problems and meeting challenges
    2. How you influence people
    3. Response to rules and procedures set by others

Remember who YOU are matters. Your unique value makes a contribution no one else can.

Remember to take the free DISC assessment through Career Connectors.

Hiring Companies:

VIXXO (Formerly First Service Networks)
Heather Kitsko, Senior Recruiter

It’s the first time they can publicly announce their new name.
They are a leading technology-enable asset management and business insight company

  • They have 1,000 associates and fifteen locations.
  • Headquarters are in Scottsdale
  • For seven years, Inc. Magazine named them one of America’s fastest-growing private companies.
  • Their purpose is to keep the world’s business running smoothly so the brands you love continue to inspire.
  • Their goal is to anticipate disruptions in equipment and fix them before they break down.
  • They’re going to an Agile management throughout the company
  • The site: www.vixxo.com is now live

International Cruise & Excursions, Inc,
Jason Brambier, Corporate Recruiter
@ICE_Careers

  • Their headquarters are in Scottsdale
  • They are a large travel brokerage serving the cruise industry and other travel companies.
  • How do they work?
    • Call former cruise customers and offer cruise discounts.
      • The customer gets a year to decide details when they take a discount.
    • Customers also call ICE to make plans for their next cruise.
  • Median wage is $55,000 annually
  • Voted Best Place to work in Phoenix Business Journal 2013 and 2014
  • Benefits:
    • Discounted travel 50%-75% off cruise packages
    • Free trips for top performers
  • Nonsales jobs include:
    • In-house counsel
    • Telecom analyst
    • Branding Strategists
    • Director of Digital Lead Generation
    • Data entry
    • Web designer/developer
    • Accounting Clerk

For more information: www.iceenterprise.com

All About People,
Meredith Hall, Sr Account Manager
@allaboutpeople

  • It is a full service Hiring Organization.
  • Founded in 2002 and is one of the fastest growing companies according to Inc. Magazine.
  • They have positions locally as well as across the nation.
  • They hire for:
    • Contract
    • Temporary
    • Full-time
    • Executive Searches
  • They do coaching with their candidates so you can be presented in the best light.
  • They have a great breadth of companies they work with.
  • They opened ten locations across the nation in the last year.
    • They are in most major markets.
  • They have a high offer acceptance-98%of offers extended to candidates get accepted.
  • They have several open positions from higher level to data entry:
    • Sales Positions
    • They have city and state contracts in the area.

For more information: www.allaboutpeople.net

Freedom Financial Network,
Linda Luman, VP HR
@freedomFamily

Linda experienced a layoff last year, so she knows what it is like to be without a position. She emphasized the importance of networking. She said, “Before you leave today, be sure you network with three to four people. Someone that you least expect may connect you to someone that changes your life.”

  • Freedom Financial helps people transform their financial lives.
    • They serve people who experience debt and are being harassed by collectors.
    • Freedom Financial helps the customers to consolidate, reduce debt and fix their debt situation.
  • It was founded in 2002 when Stanford classmates were experiencing too much debt.
    • Today, they have over 1,000 employees.
  • Their locations are in Tempe and San Mateo, California.
  • They don’t believe their values belong on a wall but in the hearts of employees.
  • But one value that stands out is compassion. They can train everything else, but either you care about people or you don’t.
  • They’ve been recognized by Phoenix Business Journal as a Best Place to Work winner.
  • Benefits:
    • They have a recognition program.
    • Volunteer day for an organization or a worthy cause.
    • Monthly appreciation lunch
    • Freedom Family Fund gives the ability to help coworkers.
    • They celebrate employee’s birthday with four hours off.
  • Some positions include:
    • Account Executives
    • Compliance Analyst
    • Business Intelligence Analyst
    • Product Managers
    • Senior Software Engineers
    • 32% of positions filled are through internally
    • Over 50% of positions filled externally are through referrals

For more information: freedomfinancialnetwork.com/jobs

Resources:

City of Phoenix Workforce Connection
James Jones, Career Advisor
@CityofPhoenixAZ

James works out of the North Phoenix office. They are planning to make all locations offer the same programs in the coming weeks.

They offer Skill Development Packages:

  • Phoenix Workforce Connection Seminars – Public
    • They have mock interview labs that help you polish your skills and figure how you can improve your presentation.
    • Job Clubs allows you to network with other people.
    • 21st Century job search seminar
  • Level 1 package: Skills that match the job
    • 3 + 3 Package: Three days and three hours to get a job
    • This is if you are marketable and don’t need any training
  • Level 2 package: Research Pathways to Higher Wages
    • Personal and career awareness
    • Determine if you need additional training
  • Arizona Job Connection
    • Helps you get access to 50,000 positions.

The current Phoenix unemployment is 4.7%! It’s a good time to find a new job!
They are changing their name to Arizona at Work next week

One piece of advice James has is to be happy and do the things with family to build happiness. Employers will notice your demeanor.

 

Canyon State Institute
Sherri Carparelli, President & CEO

Sherri recommends going to all three Career Connector events through the month. Each one is unique and gives you more networking opportunities. Then she reminded us when you are unemployed, you are eligible to receive a grant for certification and education.

  • They are the only locally owned certification company in the area.
  • They have locations in Phoenix and Chandler.
  • Why get certification?
    • Defines your knowledge
    • Increases your marketability
    • Enables you to answer what you have been doing while unemployed with a positive answer.
  • 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 Pierce reminded us If you haven’t taken your DISC assessment in the last ten days, be sure to take it again because it has changed.

1/26/16 – Success for the Seasoned Search…The Benefit of Being Overqualified

by

Written by Kevin Spear, MBA: @kevinhspear

 

Opening

Jessica Pierce opened the event by saying she had family in and they took a trip to Rocky Point. Her kids wanted to check in to the resort’s Kids Club and Jessica got to relax on the beach. She realized how much she needed some down time to recharge and refocus.

She asked us, “Have you taken a day or even an hour to carve in some peace?”

Yes, searching for a job stinks! And like me, you may think you don’t have the time for self-reflection. But it is critical you take the time to sit down and think things through:

  • Where are you going?
  • What are you skilled at?
  • Where do you want to go?
  • How will you get there?

Sit down and think through your job search. Find a babysitter if you have kids. Find some time to get focused on what you really want for your job search.

Keynote

Abby Kohut,
Success for the Seasoned Search…The Benefit of Being Overqualified
LinkedIn | @Absolutely_Abby

Abby has been a corporate recruiter for twenty years. She observed the problem with being a recruiter is you can’t tell job seekers why they didn’t get the job. It’s the legal department’s mandate.

So she started AbsolutelyAbby.com

She decided if she had to reject a million job seekers, she would now help a million job seekers.

In 2012, Abby decided to start driving around the country and help job seekers. So she got an RV and began driving around the country. She asked us “Is there was anybody here from last year?”

Nobody raised their hand.

“Of course not,” she said, “because everyone from last year is working now. So I don’t want to see any of you next year either because you will all have jobs!” The crowd giggled at that.

Then she asked us, “How many of you have heard from somebody really smart that a resume should be only one page? Two pages? Three pages?” She said, “It depends on what you are applying for.

“There is no resumé policeman. There is no Pope of resumes. It should be the size you want it to be. There is no one way to get a job, so be the captain of your own career.” Abby Kohut

Abby asked us, “How many of you are overqualified? What does that mean?” Some of the answers the crowd gave:

  • Too much experience
  • Too much education
  • Higher salary requirements

Question: Why would an employer NOT want to hire someone overqualified?
Answer: FEAR!

  • You will have a “been there—done that attitude.”
  • You will eventually leave to pursue a higher salary/title
  • Your colleagues and manager will feel threatened
  • You will want to/need to be promoted quickly
  • You will keep looking…

Recruiters are worried about all those things because they’re afraid you will quit.

Instead of overqualified, how about…
absolutely qualified?

Five reasons why recruiters should hire the absolutely qualified:

  1. Dependable, reliable, mature
  2. Problem-solving experience
  3. Shorter learning curve
  4. Proven track record of success
  5. They have worked with different personalities

Develop your 2-Part Strategy

  1. Develop “Absolutely Qualified” collateral materials
    1. Resumé
    2. Cover Letter
  2. During the interview, elaborate on why you are “Absolutely Qualified”

Being overqualified is correlated with age, yet is not caused by age.

Rarely do you see want ads that ask for twenty years experience. Usually, you see 5-10 years. Every year over 31, you’re naturally going to be overqualified for these ads.

Absolutely Resume Tips

  • How many years do you put on your list?
    • There is no right answer. Do what makes you most comfortable.
    • However, avoid mentioning  the number of years.
  • Graduation dates?
    • There’s no rule. You decide. However, if you’re trying to hide your age, there are tools like pipl.com that allow recruiters to find out. (Yes, it had my information!)
  • If you have managed a large team, omit a number of direct reports. Say “manage a team,” “manage a department.”
  • List technical and tactical skills.
  • Dumb down your resume.
    • Stress your basic day-to-day skills, not every item
  • Do NOT lie about your titles.
    • Recruiters do background checks
    • They will find out. if you’re VP, don’t say you were a manager.
    • On unusual titles, you can put the more common title in parenthesis so recruiters will find you easier.

Think of all the reasons you are absolutely qualified and weave the stories into your interview.

Absolutely qualified interview tips:

  • Expect a young interviewer.
    • They may be right out of college. Don’t be surprised.
  • Check your ego at the door
    • If you’re going for a salary position, say you can do “A-W” when you can really do “A-Z” (Don’t say you can do everything!)
    • Discuss active activities you do
      • Running
      • Triathalon
      • Swimming
      • Hiking
      • When they ask, “What’s your greatest weakness?” You can fit it in by saying, “That’s a great question, and I was thinking about that while I ran-mountain climbed-swam, etc.
  • Mention technology- bring your iPad, Kindle, tablet
    • If you were a VP, someone was doing technology for you. You need to prove you can handle today’s technology

Abby talked about her grandmother who worked well into her nineties. She said you need to emphasize, Live forever, and work forever. You need to assure the interviewer you are not just working until you can retire as soon as possible.

You can mention relatives that worked way into their nineties. If you don’t have an example, Abby gave us permission to use her grandmother as an example we want to strive for.

Abby closed by saying, “Being overqualified is actually a blessing in disguise. It is a blessing because you know the objection and can anticipate it. You can even put this in your cover letter.

  • Write out the “here’s why…” and bring it up when the interview asks if you have any questions.
  • Whatever the reason, you have to have the reason thought out ahead of time. Write it out and be sure it is true.
  • Clever comebacks to “overqualified”
    • If you were having open heart surgery, would you prefer a qualified doctor or an overqualified one?
    • If you were a passenger on a plane, would you prefer a merely qualified or an overqualified one like Captain Sully?

It is impossible to BE overqualified unless YOU believe you ARE overqualified.” – Abby Kohut from an RV across America.

To help you in your search, you can send an email to audience@absolutelyabby.com.
You’ll get back a document that has thirty-forty ways to stay positive.

You can also receive a cover letter template when you send an email to:
tips@absolutelyabby.com.

Hiring Companies

Chase Card Services
Jim Hoepf, Vice President Operations Leader
Shari Milano, Corporate Liability Division Leader
@Chase

Jim has been with Chase for six years. in 2009, he was laid off then came to Chase. So he understands the challenge of being overqualified. They are recruiting for the corporate liability division.

Among their benefits, they have a pension fund, fully funded by Chase.

Open Positions:

  • 417 openings in the Phoenix area.
    • 353 of those are entry level
    • In 7 lines of business

Search and apply on-line at chase.com/careers

Arizona Department of Transportation,
Brennan Atwood, HR Specialist
@StateofAZJobs

Today, The Arizona government is all about lean process and management. If you have that experience, make sure you mention it when you apply.

Their mission is to provide a safe, efficient, cost-effective transportation system to the State of Arizona.

The Department of Transporation oversees these areas:

  • Motor Vehicle Division
  • Road Construction
  • Port of Entry

Higher level positions available:

  • Accounting
  • Engineers

ADOT provides matching retirement of 100%.

To search and apply: azstatejobs.gov

Clique Hiring Solutions,
LT Ladino, Sr Managing Partner

Clique Hiring Solutions is a talent-driven hiring agency. LT chose recruiting after an illustrative career because she loves to help recruit others. She likes working with the seasoned candidates. Her clients want to know the potential candidate has the talent they seek. LT doesn’t like to push a candidate out there. She likes to find what the candidate is looking for and match a company with a similar culture.

They specialize in talent management for:

  • Senior Healthcare
  • Creative Services
  • Finance
  • IT
  • Local Labor
  • Executive Management
  • Event Promotions

Clique Hiring Solutions Referral Program:
They will pay you $500 if you know someone that would be a fit for one of their positions.

Revana, Mary Ann Lopez, Recruiter
@RevanaNow

Revana is a professional inside sales and marketing organization.  They cover business-to-business as well as business-to-consumer sales.  They have inbound and outbound sales associate openings as well as a sales manager.

Go to revanajobs.com to search and apply.

Resources:

New Horizons of Phoenix
Zack Hiscock, Vice President of Training
@NHPhoenix

New Horizons empowers people around the World to succeed through learning.  They will view a candidate’s skills, review the job requirements and match the candidate with the right program and opportunities.

They have:

  • Traditional, instructor lead training
  • Online LIVE training
  • Online ANYTIME training

They give tools to help retain course materials.  Their facilities are near Sky Harbor and they moved in about four months ago.

Some of their benefits:

  • Tuition includes everything through the WIOA grant
  • Job placement- Lifetime benefit
  • Majority of their business is through the corporate clients
  • Military/Veterans, Top IT certifications approved through the GI bill
  • Several funding programs
  • Free classes through Microsoft Office
  • Includes everything for the class

See them for a free consultation at NHPhoenix.com.

Closing

Jessica Pierce
@JessicaPierceAZ

Jessica closed by saying Career Connectors is working with Top Talent consulting for the DISC assessment. There is a new address:

https://careerconnectors.org/disc

Even if you took it before, take it again. The new test is smaller and quicker.  Jessica would like us to take it because the next event in Scottsdale will use the assessment to help you in your job search.

Next events:

1/14/16 – Finding Your Internal GPS

by

Written by Kevin Spear, MBA: @kevinhspear

Opening

Jessica began the event by announcing she was on ABC15: Sonoran Living this week. She discussed Career Connectors and gave three points to jump start your career search.

  1. Know yourself
  2. Make a list of the top ten companies you want to work for
  3. Have great collateral such as a resume and a good LinkedIn profile.

And of course, networking is key too. She encouraged us to meet someone we had not met before and discuss our career goals before the speaker began. This transitioned perfectly into the keynote speaker’s topic.

This was a great transition into the keynote speaker’s topic.

Keynote

Paula Shoup, @InternalGPS
Use Your Internal GPS To Stay Positive and Productive In Difficult Times

Paula said, “Whether you’re going for a new or different career, this will work for you.”
Ask yourself these three questions:

  1. Where are you now?
  2. Where do you want to go?
  3. How will you get there?

Where are you Now?

When Paula thinks of resilience, her Aunt Irene comes to mind. She had a rare form of cancer. The surgery left her disfigured at 28 years-old. She came through, but the recovery was tough. Through it all, she had a great sense of humor. She was incredibly resilient. She went through ten years of reconstructive surgery. Some of the tools Paula suggested, her Aunt used.

When we face trials, it’s very easy for our brains to go into a downward spiral. Our survival instinct is wired to look for danger. Then we see everything as a potential danger. Fear makes us want to keep things the same and not change.

Paula mentioned the work of Brené Brown. (I also recommend her TED Talks.) In her studies, Brown observed we tend to avoid resiliency as an answer because we want a quick fix and to be done with it. It’s the “Seduction of the Quick fix.”

One of the tools Brené uses is writing permission slips. It’s a great tool to use when you feel stuck. You write, I give myself permission to…

What do you need to give yourself permission to do?

  • Let go of _____
  • move forward with _____
  • forgive him/her/myself for _____

Many times we go to our strengths, but neglect our values. If you get a match between you and a company’s values, then you will be successful.

Stuck on some good value words? Paula suggested googling images of values to brainstorm values.

For strengths, Paula suggested  StrengthFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath

Where Do You Want to Go?

When you don’t know which way to go, Paula suggested Brene Brown’s Rising Strong. It talks of the reckoning, rumbling, and the revolution.

Reckoning: Emotions will drive you whether you acknowledge them or not

Rumbling: What is your story? Own it! What is the truth of your story versus what are you making up in your head?

Revolution: How do you show up to choose what you want to do? How do you change? A good book about change is  Switch: How to Change When Change is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath.

Get clear about where you want to go. focus your search on:

  • Your desired
    • Industry
    • company
    • Type of people
  • Values match
  • Your needs and wants

How will you get there?

Paula suggested reading The Gifts of Imperfection. Brene Brown.
Hope is really a cognitive process that can be taught

  • Set realistic goals
  • Move forward and recalculate
  • Belief in your ability to arrive

What is your mindset? There is a difference in belief versus wanting. Belief is knowing with certainty versus wishful thinking of wanting. It is a shift in what your thinking and how you are feeling.

You have control over where you are going.

For shifting to a positive mindset, Paula recommended Barbara Fredrickson’s Positivity and the  3:1 Positivity Ratio.

  • Three positive emotions to one negative emotion
    • Negative emotions are much more powerful. You need to outnumber the negative with more positive emotions.
  • You can’t be in denial and stuff your negative emotions. But you can shift your daily habits. It will make a huge difference in how you show up.

Think about your daily routine. Where do you have opportunities to shift?

Re-write your story

  • Resilient people dispute their story like a lawyer
  • What is the reality of what happened versus our interpretation of the events?
  • How can you re-write that story to a more positive way?
  • Write a new ending

Identify your strengths

From The Gift of Imperfection: here are the five most common factors of resilience:

  1. Resourceful—Problem Solving Skills
  2. More likely to seek help
  3. Belief in managing feelings and coping
  4. Social support available
  5. Connected with others: Friends/families
    1. You can connect in many different ways
    2. Connecting with ANYBODY along your path will help you feel better
  6. Most important: Share laughter!

For more information on Paula and to visit her blog, go to www.internalGPS.com.

Hiring Companies

Paychex,
Andrea Olson, Recruiter
@Paychexcareers

  • Based in Rochester, NY and now reaching into the Phoenix area.
  • They provide any solution and HR department would do.
    • Employee benefits,
    • time-off requests, etc.
    • Not every company would have a system for themselves.
  • Niche is helping companies with fifteen employees or less
  • Hire from entry-level to IT security and management
  • They also hire for sales positions, national and virtual sales opportunities
  • Located at I–17 and Bell
  • nettime solutions is part of Paychex and is near Loop 101 and Chaparral Road

Aetna
Le Nguyen: Director, Recruiting Operations
Dani Sykes: Senior Recruiter
@Aetna

Le encouraged us to look for companies that know why they do what they do. Do you want to work for a company with a product or with one that makes the world a better place?

  • In Arizona, Aetna has seven Phoenix area locations with an eighth in Tucson. They have seven thousand employees in Arizona.
  • The core of their culture is the people they serve. It drives what they do every day.
  • Aetna made a social compact with their employees in 2015
    • Raised the minimum salary of all employees to $16 an hour
    • Enhanced medical benefits with lower out-of-pocket costs
  • Their goal is to reshape the future of health care by making it more affordable and accessible
  • Across the country, they have one thousand career opportunities today.

To apply, visit aetna.jobs.

TEKsystems
Nick Bielinski, Technical Recruiter
@TEKsystems

They are part of Allegis Group and are one of seven divisions. If you are not specifically in the tech industry, they may have other roles.

  • TEKSystems works with 50 to 60 positions in the area
  • Supplies companies with IT talent with all types of skills
    • Applications
    • Network Infrastructure
    • End-user Support
    • Communications
  • They seek especially project managers and software developer skills

Charles Schwab
Shannon Grimes, Talent Attraction Manager
@SchwabJobs

Schwab believes in the power of investing. Chuck began the company forty-three years ago and wanted to create a bridge between the average person and investment.

Careers at Charles Schwab:

  • They have over sixty openings in Phoenix. a few “hot” jobs:
    • Broker Training Program (AFSP)
      • In-bound, phone training position
    • Client Service Representative
      • Much of Schwab’s banking is online and phone. You become the customer’s banking expert
    • Estate Services Professional

Their culture:

Why Schwab?

  • Engage in work that matters
  • Meritocracy
  • Financial Fitness
  • Work life balance

To apply, go to http://tiny.cc/careerconnectors and set up your profile.
Look at their talent board even if you don’t see a position you want right now.

Resource

Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants
Roger Brubacher, Director of Continuing Education

DWTC is a professional certification training school. They have several certification including digital marketing and social media strategist as well as cyber security certifications.

  • Work with several partners including Project Management Institute
  • Located in Tempe, off the Rural Road exit
  • Teach in multiple platforms including online and hybrid classroom and online options.

Benefits include:

  • Low student to instructor ratio
  • Post-graduation placement assistance
  • Over 95% of students pass their exams on the first try.
  • Financial aid available through WIOA and is certified through the Arizona Workforce Connection
  • GI Bill compliant

Closing

Jessica Pierce reminded us to take a free DISC assessment through Career Connectors and Top Talent Consulting.

Upcoming Events:

The next Career Connectors Event will be in Gilbert on Tuesday, January 26. Abby Kohut will be speaking on “The Benefit of Being Overqualified.” Career Connectors is also partnering with Best Companies AZ to bring the Military Career Event on February 17. For more information, please visit the events page.