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09/13/18 – Expert Tips on Performance Interviewing

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Martha Rockwell Interviewing TipsWritten by: Connie Huber PHR SHRM-CP

Your Job Search … Statistically Speaking

  • “On the average, each corporate job offer attracts 250 resumes. Of those candidates, 4-6 applicants will get called for an interview, with 1 applicant getting the job.” – Glassdoor
  • “1 out 6 candidates who applied for a job were asked for an interview.” – Jobvite 2017 Recruiting Funnel Benchmark Report
  • “Recruiters take an average of 6 seconds to scan a resume.” – The Ladders
  • “Job seekers will spend an average of 11 hours a week looking for work.” – CareerBuilder
  • “91% of employers prefer their candidates to have work experience, & 65% prefer the candidates to have relevant experience.” – NACE Job Outlook 2017
  • “51% of recruiters noted there were 3 interviews before an offer.” – 2017 Recruiter Sentiment Study MRI Network
    from “Top 99+Recruiting & HR Statistics HR Pros Must Know in 2018” by Natalie Severt

Keynote

“Expert Tips on Performance Interviewing” – Martha Rockwell

You found the perfect job.  You crafted a cover letter and resume that promoted your skills & experience.  Eureka!!!  You get a call from the company’s recruiter for an interview.  It’s now time to rock the interview!  Are you ready?

Martha shared with the group the types of interviews to expect.  Among them are the pre-screening/third party, one-on-one, sequential and panel.

ADVANCED INTERVIEW PREPARATION CHECKLIST

As you prepare for the interview, Martha encouraged us to do the following:

  1. Introduction/Elevator speech:  Be sure to tailor your speech to meet the needs of the company.  Rehearse, but do not come off as not being natural.
  2. Create answers to interview questions & practice, practice & practice. Write out the answers, since most of us are visual learners, this will help you learn your answers.
  3. Research the company: Review details for the company by visiting its website, Glassdoor, LinkedIn & recent press releases.
  4. Research salary: Determine the salary range for the open position.

PRE-PLAN YOUR INTERVIEW

  1. Pre-plan prior to the phone call:  Use flash cards to record anticipated questions & answers.  Have four questions ready to ask during the interview.
  2. What to wear: Determine what you will wear to the interview.  Dress professionally.
  3. What to bring:  Extra copies of your resume.  Be sure to have enough for all participating in the interview.  Carry the resumes in a professional portfolio.  Have paper to take notes.
  4. During the interview: Take notes so you can track the context of your conversation.

CHANGE YOUR THINKING

Frame your attitude or thinking in a positive manner!  Including ….

  • Business discussion of areas where there is a mutual interest.
  • Company wants resolutions in areas of potential concern.
  • Rather than looking for ways to disqualify you from the process, think in terms of what you can offer the employer.
  • The hiring decision is mutually depending on whether it’s a good fit.
  • Rather than emphasizing your meeting as an “interview”. Refer to it as a “business discussion”. Doing so will release emotion!

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

  1. Have a good introductory statement.  “Tell me about yourself.”
  2. Know the difference between negative & positive questions. Think of those interview questions you might be asked & identify them as negative or positive.  Your responses should be positive.
  3. Be ready for the weakness question. “What are your weaknesses?”  Think of a good positive answer.  Highlight what you learned & what you changed.  Limit your response to “1”!

THE PAR SYSTEM

Your responses should be established using the PAR system.

  1. P = Problem or project
  2. A = Action
  3. R = Results

Include what you learned or how you changed.

HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEWER

Always…..

  1. Have a list of good questions to ask the interviewer.
  2. Make sure to research & ask a question using information found on the company’s website.

CLOSING THE INTERVIEW

Ask for a timeline.

  1. Will there be a second interview?
  2. When is a decision expected to be made?

Follow up on established timelines!

INTERVIEW POST ANALYSIS

After the interview, go to a quiet place to debrief & analyze how the interview went.

THANK YOU

Send a thank you within 24-48 hours!  Pre-screen interviews should also receive a thank you, along with each person that participated in the interview.

“Failure doesn’t mean you are a failure – it just means you haven’t succeeded yet.” – Robert H. Schuller

 

HIRING COMPANIES

Shamrock Foods Company
Brianna Juarez, Talent Acquisition Specialist
Nicole Heckaman, Executive Recruiting & Development Manager

Shamrock was started 95 years ago as a family business.  Today Shamrock remains family owned & is the 7th largest foodservice distributor in the US.  Business segments are represented in foodservice distribution, dairy production, cooking oil production & retail stores.  Shamrock strives to “treat customers as friends & associates as family”.  The average tenure for employees is 20 years.  The company’s culture & growth opportunities are key factors making Shamrock a desired employer.

Benefits are robust at Shamrock.  Open positions include:  Sales, Bid Specialist Contract Pricing Analyst, Sr. Financial Analyst, Credit Manager, Director of Finance, Cost Analyst, Executive Asst., Customer Care Specialist, & Sr. Software Engineer.  To apply go to Shamrock’s website.

Choice Hotels
Pauline Crone, Talent Acquisition Manager

Choice Hotels “connects the world through hospitality”.  Choice Hotels are franchised, individually owned & operated.  The organization has over 6,800 hotels located in over 49 countries.  2017 provided revenues over $4.1 billion & 22 million customers.  Choice also is recognized for SkyTouch which is a comprehensive hotel operations platform.  The company was recognized by Forbes for being a 2018 America’s Best Mid-Size Employer & values its employees.  Benefits include:  health, fun & fitness, life, wealth, community & employee recognition.  Some of their current open positions are:  Software Engineer, IT Programs Manager, Customer Support Specialist, & Sales Force Business Analyst.  You can find a complete job listing here.

Allstate
Steve Morin, Senior Sourcing Consultant

Allstate was established in Chicago in 1931 & has been in business for 80 years. Allstate is #81 on Fortune 100 list & has an employee population of 70,000 employees in the US and Canada. The SW region is composed of AZ, OK, NV, NM and UT. Allstate is one of the most recognizable brands in America & has 47 products to help serve its customers’ needs.

Available positions in the Tempe Regional Office include IT, Human Resources, Product, Claims, & Sales Management.  Other opportunities are Financial Specialist, Agency Owner, & Licensed Sales Producers. The company is military friendly & offers free education to veterans & a bonus award of $500. In addition, Allstate has a $10,000 referral award. To learn more about their careers, visit the Allstate site.

CLOSING

Sheila Coulam, Vice President of Operations, Career Connectors, closed the meeting by thanking Highlands Church & the volunteers. Career Connectors & WESTMARC will be presenting the West Valley Healthcare Career Expo on September 20, 2018. The next Career Connectors meeting will be in Gilbert on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 & features Norris Thomas, as speaker for the topic “Your Why Defines Your Try.”  For additional information on this event & future events, please visit the Event Schedule.

08/09/18 – From Transition to Triumph!: Mentally Regrouping in the Midst of Career Change

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Written by: Connie Huber, PHR SHRM-CP

Keynote

From Transition to Triumph! Mentally Regrouping in the Midst of Career Change
Bridgett McGowen-Hawkins

As we conduct our search to find our next opportunity, we will experience a roller-coaster of emotions. One day we will be coasting and have a “can do”/positive attitude and find our positive mindset results in good things coming our way. The following day we may be spiraling downward and filled with guilt and depression. No longer are we rewarded with the riches of success, but have few if any.

We may have an awesome resume, an “All Star” rating on LinkedIn and other social media platforms, but our mental attitude needs to be a positive one to be a success. As we shift to a positive mindset, our confidence level rises. Being confident is knowing what you’re good at, the value you provide, and acting in a way that conveys that to others. Bridgett enthusiastically shared her road to success in reframing your mental outlook.

  1. Make a statement of your worth, __AND__, BUT THEREFORE. An example is the following:
    STATEMENT OF WORTH
    “It’s hot outside and it is important to stay hydrated in this kind of weather.”
    __AND__
    “But conveniently getting a quality beverage made from the freshest of ingredients can be a challenge.”
    BUT
    “Therefore, I operate a lemonade stand that offers a refreshing homemade beverage with great service and a smile!”
    THEREFORE
  2. Get comfortable with displaying awesomeness! It is difficult for many of us to openly share how great we are to those who need to know. Don’t be shy in communicating your achievements and what a great professional you are. If you fail to do so, many will not know just how awesome you are.
  3. Do something that excites or scares you. Get out of your rut and tackle new endeavors! Ideas are returning to school, starting a blog, collaborating with someone on a project, selling a service or starting a business.
  4. Get MORE uncomfortable. Keep pushing yourself to try new things.
  5. Be ready with a response. You will be asked time and time again why you left your former employer. Think about what you are going to say to someone who asks this question. “The company closed its office/made some changes/did some reorganizing. I am actively looking and networking but am not ready to talk about my search at length. I appreciate your concern and will be sure to keep you updated.”
  6. Mark the past. Find a way to let go of your past. Look at the pros of what you encountered with your previous employer. If necessary, have a ritual of letting go of the past. Cortez burned his own ship! Letting go prevents you from being stuck.
  7. Respect the past (position, company, etc.). Friends, family or potential employers do not want to hear about your terrible experience with your former employer. The more you engage in the negative the longer you hold on to your past and ill feelings.
  8. Avoid burning bridges. You may want to march into your former boss’s office and give him/her a piece of your mind, but don’t do it. You never know who your former boss knows or those organizations that may share contacts that might open doors for you.
  9. Burn some bridges. Get rid of the negative mojo in your life. Take a moment and make 2 lists. 1. Who are the people, things, ideas you need to keep. 2. Those you need to toss.
  10. Use power words, not wimpy words. Remember power words are way more impactful than wimpy ones. A powerful vocabulary makes your awesomeness sparkle. Examples include establishing the stronger statement such as “I can do that” versus “I might be able to do that”; or “Let’s review this challenge;” instead of “Let’s review this problem.”
  11. Give great eye contact. Pretend there is an inverted triangle between the eyes of the person you are talking with. Focus your attention on their eyes first the left then the right. Avoid looking away from the individual.
  12. Avoid giving reasons for actions or decisions.
  13. Respond to criticism only when/if necessary.
  14. Don’t just talk about it; be about it. Demonstrate the commitment of your thoughts by showing action. Things do not have to be perfect before taking action.
  15. Make others feeling incredibly important. They should feel as though they are a VIP.

“Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.” – Napoleon Hill

HIRING COMPANIES

vCandidates
LT Ladino, CEO/CMO, Founder
vCandidates is a three-pronged solution for the staffing marketplace. The company’s focus is to buildup small to medium recruiting and staffing firms while giving candidates the ability to create the best presentation of themselves. The recruitment tools used expedite the search, screening and presentation process eliminating the use of costly job search boards. vCandidates is not another database but a marketplace of pre-screened candidates by the organization’s recruiting and HR team members. The company is a true subscription-based career ecosystem for candidates and active recruiting professionals. The cost for the service is $50 to sign up and $25 per month. For more information go to here.

Amazon
Elia Gal, TSC Solutions Team Lead

Amazon’s work environment has employees handling many sizes of packages, requires comfortable shoes, emphasizes safety, and earns the trust of customers by making promises and keeping them. Jobs allow employees to move around and feel comfortable while working in relaxed clothing. Employees must be able to lift up to 45 pounds, stand/walk for 4-10 hours a day and may be asked to drive powered industrial trucks. Benefits begin day one for full time employees and include medical, time off options, extra time opportunities and multiple shift options. It is important to know most of the available jobs are part time and focus in fulfilling the customer promise by moving small to medium packages, lifting, bending and standing for long period of times. Shifts are varied and can be 4-day work weeks, full or part time, and day or night; 5-day work weeks, full or part time, day or night; or flexible work week, days and night, part time. Current job postings can be found here, or you can begin the hiring process by texting PHXNOW.

Equality Health
Blanca Sandoval, Director of People and Culture

Equality Health is an Arizona based integrated, holistic healthcare delivery system focused on improving care delivery for under-served populations with culturally-sensitive programs that improve access, quality and patient trust. Through an integrated technology and services platform, a culturally competent network and a unique cultural care model, Equality Health helps managed care plans and health systems improve care for diverse populations while simultaneously making the transition to risk-based accountability. The company’s mission is to see health disparities disappear and working relentlessly to do its part.
Benefits include a variety of health plans and supporting programs as well as paid time off. Offerings include multiple PPO and high deductible medical plans, dental, vision, wellness incentives, employee assistance program, 15 paid days off in year one and paid leave benefits. Current opportunities include senior software developer, senior MySQL developer, credentialing specialist, production development specialist, behavioral health counselor, development operations analyst, physician, pain specialist, quality assurance analyst, call center representative, director, clinical quality improvement, behavioral health, medical assistant, network data coordinator, and business analyst. If interested, please visit Equality Health.

Allstate
Steve Morin, Senior Sourcing Consultant

Allstate was established in Chicago in 1931 and has been in business for 80 years. Allstate is #81 on the Fortune 100 list and has 70,000 employees in the US and Canada. The SW region is composed of AZ, OK, NV, NM and UT. Allstate is one of the most recognizable brands in America and has 47 products to help serve its customers’ needs.
Available positions in Tempe Regional Office include IT, Human Resources, Product, Claims, and Sales Management. Other opportunities are Financial Specialist, Agency Owner, and Licensed Sales Producers. The company is military friendly and offers free education to veterans and a bonus award of $500. In addition, Allstate has a $10,000 referral award. To learn more about careers visit Allstate’s website.

RESOURCES

Grand Canyon University
Kyle Richardson, University Counselor
In today’s job market, 58% of all new jobs are in STEM. Computing jobs are the #1 source of new wages in the United States. To help you get the necessary skills to compete in this job market, GCU is now pleased to be offering Immersive Java Boot Camp. The camp includes more than 600 hours of project-based collaborative instruction, accelerated path to employment, competitive pricing for an on-site experience, and transferrable college credits.

CLOSING

Kristy Bach, Board of Directors, Career Connectors, closed the meeting by thanking Grand Canyon University and the volunteers. The next Career Connectors meeting will be in Scottsdale on Thursday, August 16, 2018 and features Sean O’Neil, as speaker for the topic “Be Unforgettable.” For additional information on this event and future events, please visit the Event Schedule.

07/31/18 – Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out

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Get LinkedIn or get left outWritten by Cindy Nowack

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out
Ted Robison

Ted Robison, also known as “Mr. Link-Me-In,” has been coaching LinkedIn techniques for the past nine years at Career Connectors, church ministries, universities, colleges, companies and recruiting firms. 87% of job seekers will find a job through networking, and Ted provided many helpful techniques and tactics for making the most of your LinkedIn connections. You should be on LinkedIn for creating connectivity, raising your brand and visibility, and to be found.

While aiming for more than 500 connections on LinkedIn, you should also be engaging with professionals and online groups within LinkedIn. Ted says “connections are good, but relationships are golden.” There are more than 500 million subscribers on LinkedIn, where engaging with others is based on three degrees of separation. Ask for introductions when one of your first level connections is connected to a 2nd level that you would like to get to know. Offer to take that person to coffee or lunch to ask them about their company and its culture.

Within LinkedIn, you can maximize its benefits in the following ways:

  • Find jobs, people, groups, associations, and your target companies
  • Create your own unique URL – elevates you in Google searches
  • Understand the benefits of free vs. Premium accounts
  • Consider your privacy, contact levels and how you can be searched by others

Your profile page on LinkedIn is your personal brand and image promotion. Customize it!

  • Add keywords and search engine optimization (SEO) so you will be found
  • Your picture is a must
  • The headline should reflect your job title/industry/tagline
  • Your summary should include S.E.E.S. – skills (hard and soft), experience, expertise and style
    • Your style is what can differentiate you in your LinkedIn profile and in an interview
  • You should have 4-8 recommendations – 2 managers, 2 peers, 2 subordinates (if you are a manager), and 2 clients
  • Join 30-50 groups and associations to expand your visibility
  • Provide status updates, posts, blogs, articles – raises your brand and visibility

There is a hidden job market that accounts for 80% of the jobs. Create a list of 30-50 target companies. Use the Phoenix Business Journal Book of Lists and Reference USA to learn more about your target companies. You can then build relationships of the employees who work at these companies by reaching out to those 2nd and even 3rd level connections through your own LinkedIn network. Companies offer referral bonuses, so build your connections of employees at your target companies, and, when a job is available, your connection can refer you. It’s a win-win situation. If you’re hired, you have a new job and your connection receives a referral bonus.

Once you have an interview, you can continue to use LinkedIn to prepare. Research the company to know their products, services, competitors. Know the company’s culture and core values to determine if you would work well in that environment. Also, research your interviewers. Knowing their hobbies, work history, and common groups will help you connect in the interview. LinkedIn also has a new learning section to brush up on skills that may be needed in the role for which you are interviewing.

In summary, Mr. Link-Me-In provided a review of several action items to make the most of your LinkedIn account:

  • Build and strengthen your profile with key words
  • Meet people and increase your network
  • Create and search your target companies
  • Join associations and groups
  • Research the company and its employees in preparation for interviews
  • Talk to the hiring manager if possible. Take friends or colleagues out to lunch (ask about the company, and if they can pass your resume along to the hiring manager)
  • Know your value propositions – what differentiates you?
  • Network, network, network!

You don’t want to be left out in today’s job market, so be sure you are linked in on LinkedIn.

RESOURCES

vCandidates
LT Ladino, CEO/CMO/Founder

Technology advancements have hurt the hiring process and alienated qualified people. If you have worked with staffing firms but haven’t been thrilled with the results, vCandidates is launching a subscription-based platform in October connecting recruiters with candidates. The company will foster open communication, candidate engagement and organization, with platform key features beyond the popular job boards. The candidate can present themselves in their own voice. This new recruiting tool will combine technology with the human touch.

Grand Canyon University (GCU)
Rob Loy, Head of Non-Degreed Technology Programs

In the job market today, 58% of all new jobs are in STEM, and computing jobs are the #1 source of new wages in the United States. To help you get the necessary skills to compete in this job market, GCU offers an Immersive Java Bootcamp. In 16 weeks, the bootcamp is more than 600 hours of project-based collaborative instruction and your accelerated path to employment. The courses completed within the bootcamp are part of GCU’s existing, regionally accredited programs. These courses are transferrable to a GCU bachelor’s program, or eligible for transfer at the discretion of other regionally accredited U.S. institutions.

HIRING COMPANIES

Wells Fargo
Meghan Pringle, Recruiting Manager

Wells Fargo has more than 5,000 employees at the Queen Creek and Price location. There are 10 lines of business within the company, more than just bank locations. Current Arizona openings include:

  • Analytic consultant
  • Bankruptcy specialist
  • Business Initiatives Consultant
  • Implementation Consultant
  • Quality Assurance Analyst
  • And many more.

There are also Enterprise IT career opportunities in numerous IT disciplines. Go to www.wellsfargojobs.com for a complete list of available positions here in Arizona, and in other locations. If you don’t see what types of openings appeal to you, you can set up a job search agent online, which will notify you when an opening is available that matches your criteria.

Northwestern Mutual
Joe Morris, Managing Director

Northwestern Mutual began in 1957 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company offers an array of financial products including mutual funds, disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance. In addition to a supportive team environment and a strong industry reputation, a 5 year mentoring program of new advisors is a valuable benefit for joining the company. Current opportunities at Northwest Mutual are:

  • Financial representative/advisor
  • Assistant financial representative

More information about these position plus other orporate career opportunities can be found at www.northwesternmutual.com/corporate-careers/.

Or reach out to the Director of Recruitment and Selection, Megan Wotton, on LinkedIn.

Allstate
Nate Smith, Senior Recruiting Consultant

There are more than 70,000 Allstate employees in North America, plus employees in Belfast and northern India. At the Tempe regional offices, Allstate is hiring for a number of positions including:

  • IT (4)
  • HR (2)
  • Product (1)
  • Claims (6)
  • Sales management (2)
  • Exclusive financial specialist

You also have the option of becoming an agency owner. Allstate has a 90% retention rate because as you grow your business, you build your success and own your equity. There are no royalty fees or franchise fees. A minimum of $100,000 spendable start up capital is required, but the advantages of being an Allstate agency owner are no inventory, repeat revenue, and competitive compensation in a high demand field. You can earn what you are worth, with a recognizable national brand backing you up. You can even begin without insurance experience or your license. Allstate will help prepare you for your new career.

Contact Nate Smith or visit www.allstate.com/careers for additional information.

CLOSING

Thank you to our premier and corporate partners for their continuing support. A special thank you as well to our host facility, Central Christian Church.

Our next event is Thursday, August 16 at Grand Canyon University when Bridgett McGowen-Hawkins will speak about “From Transition to Triumph: Mentally Regrouping in the Midst of Career Change.” Check the Career Connectors website for the topic and location of each week’s meeting and other resources for job seekers.

7/19/18 – Expert Tips on How to Navigate the ATS

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ATS TipsWritten by Susan Lamphiear

Inundated with too many job applications to handle, companies of all sizes are routinely turning to the ATS–the Applicant Tracking system–for help. Frustrating as it is for the job seeker, this ATS has become one of several strategies companies use to electronically and quickly screen resumes for open positions. So the savvy job seeker today must understand the ATS and then design a resume that can be as ATS proof as possible– to have a fighting chance of nabbing one of the coveted job interviews. And maybe the job.

Keynote

An ATS is not inherently bad, though, as our keynote speaker Jackie Schierenberg explained to attendees. But last year Dignity Health reviewed over 550,000 resumes, so they regularly use the ATS.  She came to Scottsdale Career Connectors to give job seekers tips for getting noticed during the job hunt—including getting past the ATS screening.  Working for Dignity Health for 14 years, and in Talent Acquisition for over 20 years, Jackie leads her current team of 10 to fill both those hard-to-fill positions as well as leadership positions. Her team scours the internet in search of talent. The ATS has become a very important tool.

Tips for Getting that Job Interview, including Surviving the ATS “Cut”

  • Leave out what used to be called the “objective” section on a resume. Instead, spend time describing how you add value to the company. Use active verbs.
  • The Skills section is THE most important section from the standpoint of the ATS.
  • Do your homework.  Create your resume carefully. For example, find out if the company you’re targeting uses the term “nurse” or “RN” so the ATS system understands you. Make sure you’re using the recent lingo of the industry–or of that company in particular.
  • Read the minimum requirements and then make sure you use key words on your resume to describe–in those terms where possible– your qualifications.
  • Font type— Don’t get fancy or the ATS might not recognize what you’re saying. Same with bullets.
  • Sometimes ATS can’t read PDF files so consider submitting just a regular MS Word file.
  • Remember– Recruiters can specifically target the experience section. It’s Jackie’s favorite place to search. So craft this section carefully.

Q & A with Jackie and Scottsdale Career Connectors Attendees

  • As a recruiter, she’s paid to be on the phone, so she advises–be bold–call recruiters and hiring managers. Jackie said she will take your call even if it’s only five minutes and at least give some advice. As part of your homework, find hiring managers via linked in and then google to find their phone numbers.
  •  Cover letters can be great, but integrate them into one document that includes the letter and the resume. This forces the reader to look at the cover letter. It’s not reviewed like a resume, but if there’s something compelling that’s not in your resume, then include it in your letter. As a recruiter, Jackie says she reads very few cover letters. But there are always exceptions. Her husband included a cover letter to explain why he went into architecture. I believe he got both the interview and the job.
  • Dignity Health uses an ATS that can search the resume, the attachments, and experience sections.
  • The ATS system looks for specific “hard” job skills. But not soft skills. The company will figure out your soft skills in the interview.
  • Number of pages in a resume. Just be sure your experience on the resume is recent or relevant. She doesn’t believe in a limiting one-pager resume. Instead, she suggests you include enough to get the point across.
  • Address versus no address on the resume. She sees many resumes without addresses. She personally doesn’t include an address on her resume, but her cell phone indicates where she lives anyway. With pre-screening questions, distance from work is often revealed;  in nursing, for example, at times a nurse might be required to come to the hospital within 30 minutes after being called. So location becomes important.
  • Dignity doesn’t use a personality test as part of the application. That tended to bog down the application process for them. But Dignity relies heavily on the behavioral interview instead.
  • In some states, employers are no longer allowed to ask what salary you currently make. But they can ask what your salary expectations are. That’s different than “What are you making?” She reminds us of the well-known phrase that “The one who talks money first, loses.” But as a candidate you can answer by asking the question, “What salary do you feel is commensurate with my skills and experience?”

Jackie tells us the company she works for, Dignity Health, doesn’t use robots—yet.  But they use the ATS. And as they say, ATSs are definitely trending now.  Jackie advises job seekers  to be prepared and realize ATS systems are being used by many companies of all sizes. She recommends you design your resume with the ATS in mind so you’ll be able to compete for that dream job.

Hiring Companies

Bank of the West

Doug Deyo, Corporate Recruiter

Bank of the West has a location in Tempe starting in October of 2017, but employs 10,500 team members across 23 states, servicing over two million customers. Open positions span a variety of areas including managers and analysts, customer service, Admin/Human Resources, accounting, IT, and loan officers.

The company prides itself on a diverse culture, encouraging team members to share their voice/opinion to help advance the organization. The company offers several benefits including complete medical, tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off, company holidays, and discounted banking rates.

For more information on the company or to apply, visit their website.

IMPACT Payments Recruiting

Marc Badalucco, Managing Partner

IMPACT Payments Recruiting has been around since 2000, focusing exclusively on the payment and cards industries worldwide. They specialize in working with senior to executive-level roles, both on a permanent and contract basis. They employ 15 in-house employees across the U.S., with more than 130 contract employees in Arizona.

IMPACT works within every area including product, sales, marketing, compliance, IT, and operations. Many benefits to working with IMPACT include the company working closely with you throughout the entire process including resume prep, interviewing, and salary negotiations.  IMPACT has many contacts in place with companies in the Valley, and those offering remote work.

Current openings include VP of Technology, Account Manager, Sr. Web Developer, Sr. Risk and Credit Specialist, Director of Underwriting, Sr. Director of Risk, Net Developer, Data Scientist, Sr. QA Automation Engineer, and Technical Architect.

For more information or to contact them, visit their website. Send your resume and one of their executive recruiters will contact you.

Allstate

Nate Smith, Senior LSP Recruiter

Allstate offers a variety of insurance products throughout the United States and appears #84 on the Fortune 500 list. The company has over 10,000 Alllstate Agency owners. The company always seeks employees in information technology, HR, product, claims and sales management, plus exclusive financial specialists, agency owners, and licensed sales producers.

Advantages to owning your own Allstate Agency include no franchise fee (though there is a startup investment) and the ability to leave the business to heirs. Because Allstate is a national brand, agency owners benefit from the big marketing plan which gives credibility to their individual offices. For anyone who has no insurance experience, Allstate will help prepare owners for their careers–including licensing.

Allstate also offers a Military Program for veterans. Click here for more information.

For more information on all other positions, or becoming an Allstate licensed sales professional, visit their website.

Resources

Woz U

John Bernard, Director of Business

Woz U was founded October 17, 2017 by one of Apple’s founders, Steve Wozniak. Woz U seeks to bring opportunities in the technology field to the masses, provide quality education to their students, launch students into a technology field, create a community of developers who help one another during the program and beyond, and offer lifetime support to each of their students.

The school teaches Java, JavaScript, .NET, Ruby on Rails, Data Science, and Cyber Security. Except for Cyber Security, all programs are entry level and required no background or experience.

John showed a video showing the success story of a Phoenix technology student who became homeless during his course of study, received assistance from the school, and went on to accept a great job as soon as he completed the Woz U program.

For more information, visit their website.

Closing

Executive Director of Career Connectors Jessica Pierce closed the formal part of the meeting and thanked the host, Highlands Church of Scottsdale; guests including keynote speaker and hiring companies; and volunteers. She then invited attendees to take advantage of the breakout sessions: meeting with hiring companies and training resources, getting advice from resume writers and LinkedIn coaches, and receiving free professional headshots from the professional photographer on site.

The next event for the Scottsdale location will be held Thursday, August 16, 2018, at 9 AM.

For a complete list of events along with times, locations, and speakers, see the information to the right of this blog. Or go to the events’ section of this website.

05/10/18 – Becoming Unstoppable

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Jean Briese UnstoppableWritten by Cindy Nowack

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Becoming Unstoppable

Jean Briese

Jean Briese is extraordinary in her field. She is an award winning business leader, as well as Arizona’s highest ranked and most reviewed motivational speaker and business coach. She speaks and blogs about leadership, high performing cultures and empowering women, and she is the executive director and founder of a non-profit for families of law enforcement officers. Jean has identified five moves, or superpowers, that are shared by all those who are extraordinary in their field. She also provides practical ideas that we can use to become extraordinary and unstoppable. When you are your best self, you are unstoppable.

Superpower 1 – The Power of Habits

Michael Phelps credits his Olympics success to his habits. He has banished the words, “I can’t.” He also realizes the power of visualization. He visualizes obstacles in his way or competitors beating him, and visualizes how he fights back to regain the lead.

How do you start your day? We are what we repeatedly do, so make sure you start your day in a positive, proactive way. Go to the gym, meditate, pray, enjoy nature. Looking at email or social media is reactive and negative. Responding to email makes us think we are busy, but we are not being productive. Instead, schedule time for your non-negotiables and time to check your email throughout the day. Also, consider removing the notifications from your phone.

Adopt a growth mindset. If you’re doing things the way they’ve always been done, then nothing will change. Take a look at your daily life and figure out your best habit. See how you can improve and banish those negative thoughts. Also, consider spending a portion of your time and/or money in helping others – life gets better when you do. Zig Ziglar said, “You can have anything you want as long as you help enough other people get what they want.” Don’t wait for the future.

Superpower 2 – The Power of Purpose

Each of us has been given gifts for a specific purpose. Do you know your gifts? Send an email to 5-7 people and ask them to share your top 3 strengths and 1 thing you can improve. Be aware of your weaknesses, but don’t focus on them. Now pick one strength that speaks to you and become amazing at it. Look at the things you are passionate about, and you will find your purpose.

Superpower 3 – The Power of Your Beliefs

A belief is an acceptance that something is true. We have limiting beliefs that aren’t always true. Some common beliefs are “I can’t,” “What if I fail,” or “I’m not ____ enough.” You can fill in the blank. These things may not be true, but these limiting beliefs lead us to that conclusion anyway. You can use visualization in your struggle with limiting beliefs. You can be like Michael Phelps, who imagines competitors taking the lead in the pool and what he does to take that lead back. Once you visualize a limiting belief, imagine instead that you will not fail and see how your vision changes.

Superpower 4 – The Power of People

You can’t make the journey alone. We need to be encouraged and we need to know when we have gotten off the path. You’ve heard the saying, some people are blessings and some people are lessons. We rise and fall to the level of our relationships, so figure out who you need to meet and who you need to learn from. Surround yourself with your “woo hoo” crowd. Find a mentor. If you’re going to do something you’ve never done, there will be naysayers. Ignore the naysayers!

Superpower 5 – The Power of Action

Fear is the #1 reason we do not take action. You always have a choice in how to proceed, even if the choice is only your attitude. If you don’t know your choices, brainstorm with friends, colleagues or your mentor. Above all, give yourself permission to fail. Failing is how we learn.

So now that you have these five superpowers, you need to use them in your life. Did you know only 10% will take action following this inspirational presentation? Here are four steps to help you engage so that you are part of that 10%:

  • Believe
  • Be deliberate
  • Strategically plan your time
  • Get a mentor

Commit to one goal and act on it within 24 hours.  Once you do that, you are on your way to becoming unstoppable.

HIRING COMPANIES

PrideStaff
Ann Gilbert, Owner/Strategic Partner
Angie Walton, Branch Manager, Tempe

PrideStaff is a locally owned and operated staffing agency with temporary, temp to hire, and direct hire placement opportunities. They are focused on finding out your needs and making good culture fits with you and their clients. They even offer benefits that can begin after 8 hours of employment with PrideStaff. Examples of current positions include Administrative Assistant, Accounting, Inside Sales, Customer Service Rep, and Collections. For current job openings, click here.

TTEC
Rob Briggs, Corporate Recruiter

Recently, Teletech, Revana and their family of brands merged and rebranded themselves as TTEC. TTEC is a billion dollar third party BPO (business process outsourcing) company who partners with Fortune 500 companies. They have two locations in Tempe and are currently looking for several positions:

  • Sales Representative selling digital online advertising to small – medium sized businesses; 1-2 years sales experience, good communication skills, coach ability; $15.87 per hour, plus commission
  • Online Marketing Sales Executive – 3-5 years sales experience, good communication skills; $30-40k per year, plus commission
  • Digital Account Strategist – 3-5 years sales experience, career longevity, digital marketing experience, account management or account executive experience needed; $35-45K base, plus commissions

The company is growing quickly, and looks to increase its sales staff from 30 people to 100 by the end of June for a single client. For additional job openings, go to https://www.ttecjobs.com/en-US/search.

Freedom Financial Network
Linda Luman, Sr. Vice President, Human Resources

Freedom Financial helps people in financial hardship. The founders helped their friends negotiate their student loan debt down, and realized they could help others in the same situation. The company helps its customers move from financial difficulty to financial freedom. Freedom Financial was voted the #1 Best Place to Work in Phoenix two years in a row. They have a new location at the 202 and 101 in Tempe. With more than 2,000 employees and counting, they are looking to add another 1,000 employees this year. The company is looking for compassionate, caring people to fill the following areas:

  • Call center
  • Sales operations
  • Finance
  • Loan Servicing
  • Information technology/Engineering
  • Analytics/Product

Go to the Freedom Financial site for a complete listing of current open positions.

Allstate
Taylor Mathusek, Senior Recruiting Consultant
Nate Smith, LSP (Licensed Sales Professional) Recruiter

Founded in Chicago in 1931, Allstate is a national brand that has your back. They have $125 billion in brand value and $104.7 billion in assets. Maricopa County is the fastest-growing county, so growth in customers equals a growth in new jobs. Here are their open positions in the Tempe regional office:

  • Information Technology (6)
  • Finance & Economics
  • Human Resources (3)
  • Product
  • Claims (2)
  • Sales Management
  • Exclusive Financial Specialist
  • Agency Owner
  • Licensed Sales Producers

Go here for a complete list of openings.

CLOSING REMARKS

Don’t miss our upcoming West Valley Healthcare Expo on Thursday, May 17 at the Avondale Sports Center. This event is a collaboration of all major healthcare organizations in the Phoenix West Valley to connect future and current workforce with employers and education opportunities.  To register or for additional details, click here.

Also, be sure to check the schedule for the dates of upcoming events at careerconnectors.org. A few dates have been moved to accommodate summer programs at our host locations.