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.
- 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 - 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.
- 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.
- Get MORE uncomfortable. Keep pushing yourself to try new things.
- 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.”
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.”
- 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.
- Avoid giving reasons for actions or decisions.
- Respond to criticism only when/if necessary.
- 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.
- 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.
