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9/14/17 – Resume Mythbusters: Certified Resume Writer Panel

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Resume Mythbusters

Certified Resume Writer Panel:
Brenda Cunningham, Donna Tucker, Martha Rockwell, Leslie Fountain and Amanda Collins

Written by Mark Salcido

September is International Update Your Resume Month and Career Connectors along with the Resume Writers Council of Arizona (RWCA) offered the timely panel discussion presentation: Resume Mythbusters, moderated by Career Connectors’ own Jessica Pierce. The panel of Certified Resume Writers with over 100 years of combined resume writing experience provided a wealth of information regarding the writing of resumes as it has evolved over the last several years with the advent of technology including Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” was a statement provided by Martha Rockwell, one of the panelists during the introductory overview segment of the panel, which then opened into an informational session of current standards for resumes. The following section provides a sample of the questions and answers provided during the panel discussion.
What is Most Important on the Resume?
The most important component of a resume is clarity. Be clear and concise in your resume regarding your experience. Your experience needs to be supported with clear details and examples of your accomplishments. Your capabilities need to be clearly stated and substantiated by the words in your resume. As discussed by the RWCA panel members, “Quantify results” and the impact you had on the company while at the same time “Qualify yourself” for the position by clearly stating your qualifications.

What are the Key Mechanical Components of a Resume?
Among the Best Practices of Current Resume Writing things to remember are:

  • Resume should be one or two pages (if a second page is needed to show experience)
  • Font needs to be kept to 10 to 12 Size Sans Serif Font for clarity (ex. Calibri, Arial)
  • Include contact information such as phone number and email address (Do not include street address)
  • Keep employment history to 10 or 15 years (unless it is relevant to the job)
  • Resume does NOT have to be pretty – Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) do not see “pretty”
  • Pretty resumes (tables, graphics and other details) may work for in-person interviews but not for ATS
  • Don’t ever upload a .PDF file. Applicant Tracking Systems do not recognize/read PDF file accurately.
  • Customize your resume for each job – show you care
  • Personalize your resume using the top 4 lines or the top paragraph on your resume

How do you get past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
Most companies, if not all companies, are using Applicant Tracking Systems for the application processing in the initial stages of the hiring process. There are over 200 types of ATS with different levels of sophistication.

Some ideas to keep in mind in uploading a resume into an ATS are:

  • Use Key Words or Key Phrases that will be “proven worthy” by the ATS. You will find the key words and phrases in the job description. Go through the job description and highlight, red pen or underline the key words and phrases and put them into your resume. However, do NOT copy verbatim from the job description. Be creative, use name recognition such as the company name.
  • Update key words and phrases for each job, again, based on the job description.
  • ATS do not recognize Table, Headers, Boxes, Graphics or italics.
  • Be careful with “free” resume writing tools online – graphics and other formatting in those tools may not be compatible with ATS.

What is the value of paying for a resume versus talking to a recruiter to see what they want?
When looking at the value of a professional resume, one must keep in mind the Return on Investment (ROI). Is paying $500 for a $10,000 to $40,000 salary increase a good investment? Most would think that is a good investment. This is especially true if you are currently unemployed, zero salary versus a significant salary increase is worth the investment in a professional, customized resume.

Professional Resume Writers Offer:

  • Face to face interviews to glean important information that build confidence for the job seeker
  • A trusted source such as a professional resume writer will provide valuable feedback regarding the contents of your resume
  • Professional resume writers will ensure certifications and other important information is included in your resume
  • Professional resume writers will offer samples of their work
  • Resume writing fees are tax deductible

Resume Panel

Thank you to the following generous donors to the drawing held following the RWCA panel discussion:
• Martha Rockwell
• Vered Kogan
• Jeri Hird Dutcher
• Brenda M. Cunningham

Four lucky winners were the recipients of One hour of resume consultation, One hour of Job Search or Career Coaching, $175 Value Resume Services and a free Career Assessment with a one hour career assessment analysis.

Hiring Companies

EA Renfroe

Pamela Cales-Kuzel, Field Recruiter

Pamela Cales-Kuzel, Field Recruiter, discussed local and national employment opportunities in the Disaster Response field assisting people who have experienced natural as well as man-made disasters such as explosions, chemical spills, hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters.

EDMC

Bruce Branch, Talent Acquisition Specialist

Bruce Branch, Talent Acquisition Specialist, presented opportunities with the parent organization of The Art Institute, Argosy University, South, and Brown Mackie. EDMC is one of the leading educational institutions providing educational opportunities for non-traditional students since 1962. Current opportunities include admission representatives, advisors and adjunct faculty members.

OPEN

Eric Nelson, Director of National Sales

Eric Nelson, Director of National Sales presented the opportunities with OPEN – a recruiting partner exclusively dedicated to assembling on-demand, high caliber Work-At-Home teams.

Freedom Financial Network

Heather Marcom, Head of Talent Acquisition

Heather Marcom, Head of Talent Acquisition presented the opportunities available at Freedom Financial Network as it grows into a local leader in the financial market. With new facilities in Tempe and more being planned, Freedom Financial Network is in a high growth phase and seeking to fill numerous positions over the next several months. Freedom Financial Network is enjoying the recognition of being one of the Best Places to Work in the Valley of the Sun. Openings include QA Engineer, Salesforce Developer, Sr. Software Engineer, Cisco Network Engineer, Technical Writer, Underwriters, Operations Managers, Loan Servicing Supervisor, Sr. Product Manager, Debt Settlement Negotiator, and more.

Resources

New Horizons Learning Centers
Joe Rostowsky, Director of Site Operations

Joe Rostowsky presented educational opportunities for current individuals in career transition. Among the training programs available there are also opportunities for grant for job seekers to obtain certifications to increase their marketability for employers.

Closing

In her closing remarks, Jessica Pierce announced the upcoming West Valley Health Care Career Expo scheduled for September 20, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Avondale Sports Center in Avondale Arizona.

Career Connectors is also starting a new event venue in Glendale, Arizona beginning in October 2017.

Another opportunity announced was the Direct2Med program offered by Rohn Financial Strategies, Inc., providing access to health care at minimal costs to the participants: Direct2MD

If you are without benefits or have a High Deductible Medical plan, this is a great way to have Live Video access to a Doctor 24 hours/day with no copay and discounts for prescriptions.

Get more information: https://www.direct2md.com/discover-direct2md/

Enroll at Career Connectors Special Pricing: https://direct2md.hint.com/signup/rohn

Career Connectors discounted pricing is $10 per month for an individual or $15 per month for a family. There is NO co-pay when you speak with an Emergency Room Doctor and you can call as often as you need to.

 

9/6/17 – Staffing Firms Impact on Phoenix

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Staffing FirmsWritten by Michelle Soracco

Staffing Firms Panels

Panel 1: Myths About Working with Staffing Firms

Deanne Desautels, President of Staff Logic/AFP
Kristy Bach, VP of Operations for TechFinders
Christian Kaijser, President of Career Evolutions

There are three different staffing firm models: direct hire, contract to hire and contract (temp). Many temp positions become full-time hires. You can still look for work while on assignment. Building a relationship with a staffing firm recruiter is of the utmost importance, as it is all about communication. Recruiters can give you inside information, help evaluate an offer, and even negotiate a better offer for you. Let them know what is most important to you (salary, commute time, vacation time, benefits, etc.). Know what motivates you.

Recruiters get paid from professional fees, not head count. They try to get you more money, since they will get paid more if you do as well; however, they know the limits of their clients, who always pay the fees, not the candidates. They find candidates on Linkedin, Career Connectors, networking events, advertising, etc. It’s best to register with more than one firm, preferably three or more, in your specialty or niche. There are many recruiting firms out there with just as many specializations, so use the firms that will work best for you.

A lot of what recruiters do depends on their clients. They will submit three to five candidates for one position, sometimes more. They don’t always respond to candidates because of the sheer volume of calls and emails, but they are trying to do better!

Panel 2: Advantages of Working with Staffing Firms

Michelle Grinberg, Regional Sales Consultant for Modis
Kelli Perkins, Area Manager for NESCO Resource
Kristy Bach, VP of Operations for TechFinders

Companies use staffing firms for contract to hire positions – “try before you buy” on both sides. Recruiting firms have insider information, including constructive information during interviews and helping candidates negotiate the job offer.

Miscellaneous tips:
-Use as many job search options as possible.
-Interview your staffing firms to find the right fit.
-How candidates can prepare: resume copies, online job search on website, use Linkedin to research recruiter, research company, ask questions.
-At the end of the interview, always let the interviewer know that you want the job–ask about next steps in the process, do they have any hesitations about hiring you, and if so, you can address these issues then and there.
-Recruiters do what they do because they are career matchmakers; they want to connect individuals to great jobs.  In the end, they like helping people, and no two days are ever the same. Their world changes on a day-to-day basis.

Resources

Goodwill of Central & Northern AZ

@GoodwillAZ

Carter Ellis, ‎District Manager, East Valley Career Services

Goodwill works with all job seekers, not just those looking for retail work. Their services are free for both job seekers and companies. Their goal is to end unemployment. They have on- and off-site employment events. They provide additional resources for job seekers, such as career advice, resume preparation and mock interviews. Goodwill’s job board has many internal leads from companies in the Valley. For open positions, click here.

New Horizons Learning Center

@nhphoenix

Joe Rostowsky, Director of Site Operations

Career Connectors has partnered with New Horizons as their only WIOA-funded school. New Horizons is an international training organization that serves the needs of top companies to help individuals enhance their current skills and go to the next level in their career. They offer courses in IT, Office Mgmt, Healthcare Records and Management, Project/Production Mgmt Certifications. Classes are conducted live in a classroom, live online and self-paced online courses, depending on the student’s needs.  Joe’s best job seeking advice is to keep up with your skills, and don’t blow off an interview!

Closing

Jessica graciously thanked all of the day’s speakers, volunteers and job seekers for participating. She encouraged job seekers to take advantage of the many Career Connector services like having your resume reviewed, a free professional portrait and visit all of the staffing firms. She also encouraged everyone to view the career blog, which is up and running and has a lot of good career advice.  As always, network, network, network!

The next event is in North Scottsdale on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 9am. Click here to register.

8/22/17 – Activate Your Job Search

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Activate Your Job SearchKeynote Speaker

Kevin Dumcum
Activate Your Job Search
Just when you thought you knew everything there was to know about looking for a job, in walks Kevin Dumcum, Business Account Coordinator with Arizona@Work. As the keynote speaker at the August 22 Career Connector event, Kevin Dumcum shared a bevy of job hunting related information to the group. He started out with a brief introduction that included his past work experience. At the University of Minnesota, he went to the Career Center and saw a job listing for a marketing research call center to which he was hired. By the time he graduated he had several job offers doing what he loved. Several years later he had the ideal job and everything was rosy until 2008. That’s when everything changed. Armed with experience and a high degree of persistence, he sought out to reinvent himself. Luckily for us, he ended up helping others find a job with the intention to teach us about the various job sites and resources available.

He brought with him several lessons that we can all use when looking for a job. I’ve highlighted three of those lessons below:
1) Recognize that Job Loss is Traumatic: His first thought was to tell us about the emotion of looking for your next job. You’re feeling sadness, fear, rejection, and uncertainty. Just know that it has NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU.
2) Understand How Companies Think: The “company” is responsible for driving profits. And sometimes that means that companies need to do the hard things that make a profit for the company and their shareholders. BUT we can turn that around to our advantage by keeping up with our job skills. Companies are looking for people with skills that will take them into the next century. We need to be prepared for that next great opportunity. Remember that you need to give your present company the best you can give them even if you’re not happy there. Give yourself permission to improve yourself.
3) Control Your Own Career Path:An often overlooked facet to taking control of your job success has to do with taking care of yourself! Eat well, exercise, and developing your mental preparedness is just as important.Update Your Resume. There are resources available all over the valley including Arizona@Work that offer free resume workshops. Your skills may be outdated and may need tweaking for the next great opportunity.

Kevin did a fantastic job of providing some great tools and resources that are available if you just ask. He strongly suggested visiting your local library as well as some of the following local job resource centers:

  • Arizona@Work – 7 locations across the valley, career mapping, resume and interview workshops, company visits, grant funding
  • Goodwill Career Centers that offer several centers across the valley
  • AZJobConnection.gov – job board (he encourages to do that so that we can match up skills with your resume) Remember, Success Breeds Success!

Hiring Companies

Dignity Health

Marcos Day, Talent Acquisition Consultant
Kindness Heals!
That was the message Marcos Day, recruiter for Dignity Health wanted to share with us. As an employee of Dignity Health for two years, he praised the history and the importance of the Dignity family of hospitals. Dignity treats every patient with respect and kindness because they know it goes a long way in the recovery of each patient. Founded in 1986, Dignity, a faith-based hospital, is in 22 states and prides itself with having the first hospital in all of Arizona, St. Joseph’s in Phoenix.
Dignity is currently looking for both patient facing and non-patient facing positions. A partial list of open positions include patient positions such as: Registered Nurse, Rehabilitation Therapy, Radiology, and Patient Transportation. Non-patient facing positions include Food Service, Facilities, and Information Technology to name a few.
They offer an outstanding benefits package including Medical, Dental, and Vision after 30 days of employment among many others.

Rigid Industries

Jim Shaw, Director of Human Resources
Jim Shaw, Director of Human Resources at Rigid, told the Career Connectors crowd that it was only two months ago that he sat in the very same seats looking for full time employment. After a brief video introduction of his company, Jim went on and told us all about Rigid. The Gilbert-based company engineers, designs, and manufactures a line of heavy-duty LED lights for off-roading vehicles. He told us they stand behind every product they sell by offering a life time warranty. They welcome new employees that want to be a part of a rapidly growing company that prides itself with excellent products.
Opportunities are available in all areas of the business including: Optical Engineer, Project Engineer, Assemblers, Sales, and Shipping with a lot more listed on their website.
They offer free medical insurance, 401k with company match up to 5%, incentive bonus programs, and even celebrity visits.

Staff Logic

Heather Eden, Senior Vice President of Recruiting
Staff Logic provides quality-driven employees in a variety of industries. They focus on workforce management solutions by cost-effectively placing highly-skilled professionals in a variety of positions. They are committed to their customers by creating environments that allow them to express their ideas. They support the development of their employees’ careers. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Staff Logic offers a wide variety of outsourcing services as well as temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire options. Staff Logic is currently seeking employees in the IT, Engineering, Medical, Administrative, and Customer Service fields to name a few.

Chase

Lekheythan Malone, Senior Recruiting Professional
If I could pick one word to describe Lekheythan Malone, Senior Recruiting Professional at Chase, it would be Passion. Lekheythan gave an inspirational talk about not only what Chase was looking for in its employees, but also offered advice for anyone looking for work. Know what you want before you apply to just any job. Chase offers a myriad of positions and Chase prides itself for assisting with a candidate’s long-term goals. Lekheythan stressed how diversity and inclusion are a natural part of how they run their business. Diversity is the core value of how Chase works, how they interact with others, and how they deliver the products and services they offer. The pride for his company spilled over into his unstructured presentation. He admitted he was humbled when he first began his career at Chase. An MBA in his pocket, he found himself at an entry-level position at Chase. With a lot of hard work and persistence, he grew to be a very well-liked employee and the position that he holds today was actually created for him based on his personality and because of how he saw the good in others.
“If you know what your role is and how you can make a difference with the company, that’s how you’ll fit into the company,” Malone stated. If you humble yourself and go into the thinking that this is a start (customer service). Chase doesn’t want you to think of it as an endpoint. They want you to start there so they can see you grow.
Chase wants to:

• Make a difference

• Do What’s Right

• Define New Paths

• Create the Future
Chase’s benefits package offers a competitive benefits package for the whole family.

 

 

 

8/10/17 – Become a Jedi Communicator in Your Job Search

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Jedi Communicator with Jennifer RojasWritten by Michelle Soracco

Keynote Speaker

Jennifer Rojas – Confirmed Star Wars geek and Influencer

Become a Jedi Communicator in Your Job Search

Use the DISC assessment to figure out who you are and what your strengths and weaknesses are. Learn how to communicate to get what you want by giving others what they want. Create more impact when talking with people who don’t have the same strengths and weaknesses that you do.

D – Dominance/Driver
People who are “D” are results-driven, task-oriented people who get to the point quickly. When interviewing with someone like this, answer the interview questions directly and to the point – no beating around the bush. Also list your accomplishments, results and goals achieved. Example of “D”: CEO, Attorney, Darth Vader

I – Influencer/Promoter
People who are “I” are open and personable with a lot of positive energy. They will get to the point, but approach it from a personal angle. When interviewing with an “I”, maintain high, positive energy, be engaged and talk about your projects and successes from a team standpoint. The interviewer is likely visualizing you working with them and their team. Examples of “I”: Director of Marketing, Public Relations Specialist, Qui Gon Jinn

S – Steadiness/Supporter
People who are “S” have a calm manner and approach. They will share a lot of information to help you best answer the interview questions in their context. They go at a slower pace, and will take time to get to know you. When interviewing with an “S”, it is of utmost importance that you be genuine, because they can spot a fake a mile away. Speak about deadlines you’ve successfully met, along with project dates. Emphasize your teamwork. Examples of “S”: Human Resources, Account Management, Yoda

C – Conscientious/Analyzer
People who are “C” are fairly quiet and of an engineering mindset. They are logical and objective, and like to critique and test things (and people). When interviewing with an “S”, be prepared for direct questions and lots of them, and provide answers in a linear, detailed format. Discuss projects where you objectively came to a conclusion, and give specifics of said conclusion. Examples of “C”: Finance, Engineering, Strategic Planning, Luke Skywalker

Before your interview, look at the interviewer’s LinkedIn profile to determine beforehand which above type they are. You can glean information from recommendations as well as their profiles.

If you get really nervous and forget everything you prepared for, try one of two calming exercises:
1. Inhale and exhale through your nose with eyes closed, paying attention to nothing but your breath and when it gets warm or cold through your nose. Repeat until calm and focused.
2. Close your eyes and focus on the pulse in your thumb and fingers. This will take a few seconds, and you must be calm enough to feel the pulse (the light side of the Force).

Hiring Companies

Maricopa County

Kelly Dixon, HR Operations Manager @MariCoCareers

Kelly manages more than 1200 employees for Deputy County Manager Reid Spaulding, supporting 11 county departments. Maricopa County has generous benefits, including a pension plan, which you don’t see very often anymore. They understand that there is more to business than the bottom line. There are plenty of job openings in a wide variety of fields, which change on a weekly basis. Some examples are: IT Project Manager, Dietitian, Interior Designer, Medical Examiner, Wireless Network Engineer, Attorney, Court Interpreter, and Polygraph Examiner. They take the job requirements very seriously, so if you read the description and don’t have all of the requirements and years of experience, don’t apply for the position.  For more information and job listings, click here.

VIXXO

Heather Kitsko, Talent Acquisition Team Lead @WeAreVIXXO

Vixxo is an integrated facilities management company that services clients such as Starbucks, Target and Michaels. They have been a Fortune 500 Fastest Growing Private Company for 8 years straight. Vixxo is a team of doers that create innovative solutions for their customers in a fast-paced environment.  They believe that their employee diversity is their strength.  Some open positions include: Customer Service Representative, Oracle DBA, Project Manager and Staff Accountant. For more information, click here.

Allstate

Jill Romanowski, Field Sales Associate
Allison Chafin, Agency Process Specialist @AllstateCareers

Allstate has been in business since 1931, and is one of the most recognizable brands in the US today. They offer a $10,000 referral to anyone who puts them in touch with someone who wants to open their own business as an Allstate agency owner. Allstate will give them all the tools they need to succeed. If owning your own business isn’t right for you, the Tempe corporate office has open positions, such as Claims Analysts, Education Consultants and Licensed Sales Producers. For more information, click here.

Closing

Kristy Bach stood in for Jessica today, and graciously thanked all of the day’s speakers, volunteers and job seekers for participating. She encouraged job seekers to take advantage of the many Career Connector services like having your resume reviewed, a free professional portrait and visiting the hiring companies.

Next event is in Gilbert on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 9am. To register, click here.

8/2/17 – Get the Job Fast – Find a Great New Job in Half the Time

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Find the Job Fast Written by: Connie Huber PHR SHRM-CP

JOB SEEKER: “Magic 8 Ball, Magic 8 Ball, when will I find a job?”
MAGIC 8 BALL: “Concentrate and ask again.”

During our transition, one of the consistent themes heard among job seekers is “How long have you been out of work?” Most of us know eventually we will find a job. Unfortunately, magic 8 balls, horoscopes, fortune tellers, your Mom/Dad and your spouse cannot predict when you will secure a new position. As a result, professionals seeking new opportunities are anxious to come to an end in their job search and move on in their new role.

KEYNOTE

Get the Job Fast – Find a Great New Job in Half the Time!
Dave Sherman

Like most of us in career transition, Dave has also found himself unemployed due to today’s workforce challenges. Fortunately for us, Dave shared with us what has worked for him to find a new job in half the time. His key take-aways include:
• Being fired/laid-off SUCKS.
• Looking for jobs online SUCKS.
• Very few alternatives.
• Stop complaining, whining and moaning!
• HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT IT!

TIP #1: GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!
WHY? You maintain a working routine. It promotes socialization, and STOPS THE VOICES!
WHERE SHOULD YOU GO? Coffee house. Restaurant. Library. ANYWHERE WITH INTERNET!

TIP #2: HANG OUT WITH EMPLOYED PEOPLE!
Hanging out with employed professionals leads to learning about current and future openings. Career transition groups are also beneficial.

TIP #3: START ATTENDING MORE NETWORKING EVENTS
Employed people hang out at networking events. To learn of Phoenix networking events & groups  at Networking Phoenix.

WHERE SHOULD YOU GO?
Chamber of Commerce: Most Chambers allow attending 2-3 times before being asked to join. Associations. Business groups. Networking groups. Career transition groups.

SPECIAL NOTE: Networking and prospecting are done at events. The more people you tell you are looking for work or talk to will accelerate your efforts in finding a job faster.

SUGGESTIONS for attending events: Show up early. Bring business cards. Know what you want. ASK FOR HELP!

HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT IT?

TIP #4: When attending events, STOP LOOKING FOR A JOB!

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? Work on Likeability and Commonality. These traits are the foundation in life and the key to everything!

LIKEABILITY includes: Smile. Be genuine. Be interested, not interesting. By being interested it will increase your odds to get a job.

COMMONALITY could come through: hometown, hobbies, school, family, friends, favorites.

“WHO DO YOU KNOW?”
Be as specific as possible. There is such a thing as 6-degree of separation. According to Wikipedia, it is “the theory that everyone and everything is 6 or fewer steps, by way of introduction, from any other person in the world so that a chain of ‘a friend of a friend’ statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of 6 steps.”

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!!!!
In order for people to help you, identify and know what you are looking for!

TIP #5: FOUR MOST IMPORTANT WORDS

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!
Be specific and identify what you are looking for so people can help you better.

FOUR MOST IMPORTANT WORDS: “WHO DO YOU KNOW?”

Ask everyone!
Be specific.
Use all the time.
Don’t give up.

HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT IT?
Remember your profession/position are an investment in yourself!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WRITTEN BY DAVE:
“50 Top Tips: A Simple Guide to Networking Success”
“Breaking the Ice”
“Elevating Your Elevator Speech”

“A DREAM DOESN’T BECOME A REALITY THROUGH MAGIC; IT TAKES SWEAT, DETERMINATION AND HARD WORK.”-Colin Powell

Hiring Companies

Benchmark Electronics
Mark Bradley, HR Manager

Benchmark Electronics is a global engineering, design and integrated electronics manufacturing company. Benchmark provides contract manufacturing services and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Intermedics. The company is in the process of moving its corporate office from Angleton, Texas to Phoenix. Benchmark focuses on medical, high-end computing, industrial controls, telecom, test measurement, and military/aerospace. The company has a new CEO who is enthusiastic in making the company more dynamic.
Benefits embrace a “Cadillac Plan” and are robust in their offerings. An emphasis is placed in developing/growing its employees in their career. For more information and to apply to Benchmark go to the website.

Chase
Lekheythan Malone, Sr. Recruiting Professional

Chase, the largest bank in the United States, and one of the largest in the world, prides itself as having a culture striving to help the community, and who is looking for leaders who want to grow with the company. Chase works with individual customers, small businesses, corporations, financial institutions, non-profits and governments. The organization’s global reach allows employees to get where they want to go. Whether the candidate wants to sharpen their skills or gain something new, they will have the experience that offers flexibility to move to another division or country if desired. Chase’s workplace is where you feel welcomed and valued; and creates diverse, inclusive teams that support Chase’s business and each other. Chase is heavily invested in its communities and encourages employees to do the same. Benefits include health care and insurance plans, retirement savings programs, wellness programs, employee programs and family care. A sampling of current jobs in demand are customer service, collections, business development sales, loan underwriters, client services advisors, relationship and private client bankers and tellers. To apply go the Chase website.

Vanguard
Renee Brown, Senior Recruiter

Vanguard’s rich heritage is powerfully evoked by its logo, the image of a ship. The company is named for a distinguished 18th-century vessel. Meaning “in the forefront,” the name has proven quite fitting as they have grown to become a leader in serving investors. From its start in 1975, Vanguard has stood out as a very different kind of investment firm. Vanguard was founded on a simple but revolutionary idea—that a mutual fund company should not have outside owners. Founder John C. Bogle structured Vanguard as a client-owned mutual fund company with no outside owners seeking profits.
Vanguard has 16 locations worldwide with more than 14,000 crew members. The Scottsdale location has 3,000 employees. Positions are entry level to management and include openings such as client relationship specialist, processing associate, retirement plan service representative, and financial advisor and team leader roles. Most jobs require a license. Benefits begin on day 1 and are robust including some unique offerings such as pet insurance, cell phone discounts, car services and dining. Great efforts are taken to assure that employees have a work life balance. To learn more about employment opportunities at Vanguard go to its website.

Freedom Financial Network
Heather Marcom, Head of Talent Acquisition

Freedom was launched in 2002 by Stanford classmates, Bradford Stroh and Andrew Houser. Freedom’s mission is to provide financial solutions, services and education enabling consumers to resolve their debt and achieve financial freedom. The organization has 980 employees with locations in San Mateo, California and Phoenix, Arizona. San Mateo is host to the company headquarters. Freedom has received numerous accolades including #1 Best Place to Work in Phoenix 2016. The Phoenix location is expanding very quickly to reach 1,200 employees. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401K, Life, LT disability, vacation, paid holidays and volunteer activities, employee discounts, and recognition. Top career opportunities include positions in Analytics, IT/Engineering, Leadership the in Call Center. If interested, apply here.

Resources

Coder Camps
Jason Jones, Admission Representative

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

Jessica Pierce, Executive Director, 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, August 10, 2017 and features Jennifer Rojas, as speaker for the topic “Become a Jedi Communicator in Your Job Search”. For additional information on this event and future events, please visit the Event Schedule.

 

Event Schedule

Gilbert - Salary Negotiation - Make More Money | Hiring Companies: Coder Camps/Codigo Connect, Northern Trust, Vanguard, State Farm

Tuesday, Sep 26, 2017 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM


Phoenix - Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out | Hiring: Desert Schools Federal Credit Union, Maricopa County, Teletech

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2017 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM


Scottsdale - Lost My Job, Now What | Hiring Companies: Vanguard, TBA

Thursday, Oct 12, 2017 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM


Glendale - You've Got This!: Real, No-Nonsense Ideas for Mentally Regrouping After a Layoff | Hiring Companies: Staff Logic, AZ Department of Health Services, TBA

Thursday, Oct 19, 2017 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM


Gilbert - Courage to Communicate: Interview with Confidence | Hiring Companies: Allstate, Freedom Financial Network

Tuesday, Oct 24, 2017 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM


3rd Annual Diversity & Inclusion Career Event

Wednesday, Nov 01, 2017 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM


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Local Job Board

Testimonials

Career Connectors made the pivotal difference in my search for employment after a layoff lasting a full year. Their dedication to providing a consistent, local and no-cost program and venue to search, network and learn, ultimately provided not only an excellent fit in a new job, but also the ability to regain dignity and the ability to achieve financial independence once again. I am forever grateful to all of the volunteers that produced a program so vitally important to our family
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