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Andy Ridley

7 Things to Wrestle Before Switching Careers

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Written by Andy Ridley
Professionally edited by Kitty Carlisle

Considering a change of employment is tough enough if you are currently employed. Beyond that, considering a complete change of career can be overwhelming. Maybe that’s why they call it a career ‘switch’ because it’s like getting spanked with that thin little branch. It’s going to sting. But, once it’s done, it could very likely be well worth the effort. Still, there is frankly quite a lot to think about beforehand. Here are 7 things you need to process before you seriously commit to a career change.

Where is your heart?
One component is truly figuring out (at least for where you are at this phase) what you want to be when you grow up. Where will your heart eventually take you? Could it be accomplished in your current career path? Is a career switch necessary to get you there? It’s essential to establish a clear destination in your career path.

Plan Backwards
Think first about the end result of your career change. Where does it position you afterward? Consider, too, where that might likely put you on a new career ladder, and how many rungs down you are willing to accept in order to make that transition. Now work the planning steps back from there. What benchmarks need to be reached along this path to reach the targeted position?

What effort will be involved?
You know you’re not going to do anything half way. So what are you willing to put into this to make it happen effectively? Do you have the necessary education or training to do it? Do you have the wherewithal to learn it or develop it?

What foundation do you have?
Do you have the monetary resources to move through a career changeover? Think about how you will provide for your needs and the needs of those who depend on you for sustenance, shelter, insurance coverages, and care. How will it affect your retirement plan(s)? Are other life things already quite a mess?

What support system do you have and how are you using them?
Taking a giant leap such as a career shift can only be done with ample resources in place. Contemplate what your professional and personal mentor(s) think about the idea. What is your career coach suggesting? When you’re not at hand, you have advocates that fight for you. What do they say? What about those who are or have sponsored you in your career advancement? Also, look into what your broader network will tell you. Don’t leave out those who make up your scaffold –family and friends – those that hold you up while you’re building.

What are the risks?
A career change move does not need to be a ‘Gotta Quit My Job’ scenario. For some, quitting now will set you up for a spiral into chaos before you can get on your feet in the new occupation. It is considerably easier to acquire a new career while you maintain your current job. Plus, you have to consider your reputation. How are you currently honor-bound? A contract? A verbal commitment? A promise to someone about your occupation over some period of time? How you weigh the risk of breaking your honor versus establishing your new career may have many long-term consequences.

Likewise, it does not need to be a ‘Plunge In’ scenario. Getting started can’t hurt anything, but you don’t have to know or do everything at the start. Learn. Grow. Evolve. But it’s okay to pace yourself. However, you definitely need to start – something. That’s always a good thing.

Balance
As with anything, altering your career requires a balance. Prepare to keep a reasonable perspective with the effort that it involves. Manage your time, your money, and your emotional investments with care. Do you enjoy entertainment time now? Will you if you switch careers?

The decision to drastically modify your career path is a major event that will affect you on multiple levels. For more on leadership, commitment, accountability, reaching financial/professional/lifestyle goals, results day-to-day and for life, find out how you can achieve more with the tools and coaching through Becoming Ideal at BecomingIdeal.com. Take your next step to accomplishing your true aspirations.

2/9/17 – How to Work a Job Fair

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How to Work a Job FairWritten by Susan Lamphiear

“Always wear cute pajamas as you never know who you’ll meet in your dreams” — not sure who said that first — but I kind of wish I’d thought to coin the phrase. Anyway, the topic is careers, so obviously you won’t see anyone on the job or at a job fair wearing slippers and pajamas except in a Dilbert comic strip. I’m thinking of all those celebrities, pictured  looking drowsy because they stepped out for some mundane reason.

Most of us, fortunately, can still take an ordinary trip to fill up the car with gas or buy groceries without being judged like a celebrity.  We’re still not recommending hair curlers (does anyone even use those these days?) or fluffy slippers, though.

Keynote

Dressing the part, while important in the job search, is only one important part of showing up prepared for a job fair, says keynote speaker Andy Ridley. Andy coaches individuals, groups and corporations towards reaching their goals and Becoming Ideal. He’s also trainer for Arizona@Work, Maricopa County (Formerly Workforce Connections).

Andy transitioned into his current career after spending many years in education. But his most lucrative job got its start indirectly via a job fair. He had applied for a job in a nearby school district, but imagine his surprise when someone at the job fair said, “You’re THE Andy Ridley?” Months before he’d applied for a job but hadn’t even received an interview.  But for some reason that application gave him name recognition. Voila. One of Andy’s most important pieces of advice—you never know who you might meet at a job fair.

Know why you came to the job fair

  • To Learn — What jobs are available, hours, what is the job, who is the employer, who else is looking for work?
  • To Meet – What employers are there? Meet them or their representatives. Meet other job seekers.
  • To Impress – Dress appropriately, and shake hands by matching the other person’s grip, leaving a good impression.

Know why employers attended the job fair

  • Not to hire on the spot
  • To learn what potential employees are available, how many hours they’re available and what tasks they’re willing to do
  • To meet people who are looking for new employment. Maybe they’re the right people for the positions available
  • To impress you, the potential employee, with what they have to offer, showing only the best side of their business

Based on his years of experience, Andy tells us to have a game plan but to remain flexible.

Making the most of the job fair

  • Figure out what you want.
  • Be proactive. Find out who’s attending — what employers will be there?
  • Create a short list of booths to visit.
  • Research your short list (Make your prep notes right on your short list).
  • Get to the event early, before it even starts (you can probably leave early when everyone starts packing up to go home).

Prepare

  • Have a resume and several copies even though most companies won’t take a paper copy.
  • Use sticky notes to separate the resumes according to various skills for various job opportunities.
  • Be prepared with questions to ask recruiters.
  • Dress as a professional. Andy suggests dressing one step above the position you want.

Be Nimble

  • To allow yourself to shake hands and not be weighted down, carry a notebook-size portfolio—make it serve as your wallet. In the wallet keep several type business cards that highlight your best qualifications, your name and contact information. Vistaprint offers affordable cards online. Put your car keys in there, too.
  • Pass up the bags and chip clips they might give out. It bogs you down. Concentrate on meeting people so you can get a job and buy your own chip clips!

Poise

Be confident, be  mature, smile, make eye contact, and be professional (put that cell phone away!)

Make a Connection

  • Briefly introduce yourself (elevator speech).
  • Tell them your name last (or first and last).
  • Offer a copy of your resume.
  • Shake hands, matching their grip.

Engage them by making a statement about the company

  • Listen and take notes.
  • Market yourself. Be positive. No negativity.
  • Be a good listener.
  • Take notes.

Watch your time

  • Limit time at each booth.
  • Walk away from booths if you know you will not be interested in working there.

Tricks

  • Introduce yourself to other candidates and to a booth rep that you feel may benefit from knowing the job seeker. It gives you another opportunity to present yourself to the company.
  • Carry blank thank you cards. Return later and offer the card with another hand shake. Put your name/contact information/ and thank them for their time.

Follow up

Go home and email the best prospects. Remember every meeting and connection is a form of an interview. And your day was a success if you met one new connection. You win if you go because you’re bound to learn at least one new thing, meet at least one new person and possibly impress one contact.

Hiring Companies

Discover

Amy Aubey, Talent Acquisition Leader

Discover offers credit cards, consumer banking, and a global network. Their mission? To help people spend smarter, manage debt better and save more so they achieve a brighter financial future.

Located at approximately 101 and I-17 (2402 W Beardsley Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85027), the company currently employs 3000 people and has 200 job openings including home equity-loan processors, bankers; full time customer service agents; full time collections agents; consumer lending and banking operations including personal loan agents, student loan agents, and deposit product agents; and full time fraud agents. Benefits are included Day 1 including 401ak, fitness center, cafe, parking, and tuition assistance up to $5000 per year.

To learn more about the company or to apply, visit their website.

VIXXO

Heather Kitsko, Talent Acquisition Team Lead

VIXXO, a full-service asset management and maintenance solutions company employs 1000 associates across the US and Canada, and serves brands including Starbucks, PetSmart, and 7-Eleven. It’s been named INC 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies for over eight years.

A team of doers, the company’s strength lies in their diverse backgrounds and experiences, thriving in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. Open positions include director of product development, director of software engineering, lead generation specialist, senior accountant, coffee technician, customer service representatives, change management consultant, and data warehouse developer. For more information or to apply, go to their website.

Express Employment Professionals

Denzel Mason, Business Developer

Express Employment Professionals is a locally-owned and operated staffing company located in Tempe. The top three benefits of the company include job resources, flexibility, immediate eligibility for medical benefits including medical, dental, vision, short term disability, life insurance and holiday and vacation pay.

The company, a member of both the Tempe and Mesa Chambers of Commerce, provides skills assessment, connections to local employers, and proactive marketing of candidates. A one stop shop, they offer resume review, interview advice and wage negotiations. Positions open include part-time, full-time and contract work.

Current openings include staff accountant, full charge bookkeeper, customer account supervisor, bilingual Spanish content editor, Special Education Teacher (Casa Grande), art process technician, P&C licensed sales rep and CSR, enrolled agent/office manager (Cave Creek), CPA/Tax Reviewer. Internal at local Express Office needs outside sales/business developer; bilingual front office coordinator; and part-time contract recruiter. For more information, check out their website.

Resources

Goodwill of Central Arizona

Carter Ellis, Professional Career Advisor

Goodwill of Central Arizona is a non-profit organization working as a positive catalyst for eliminating unemployment. They also transform gently used donated goods into services to help thousands of Arizonans. They provide on-site career development via Goodwill Career Centers and connect local talent with Valley employers including Prescott and Yuma.

Serving the community, Goodwill partners with employers and collaborates with community resources. Goodwill provides career coaching, resume critiquing, and mock interviewing.  They provide on-site services. You may connect with them through employment events, talent sourcing and Goodwill Job Board. In holding job fairs, Goodwill is more interested in quality than quantity – They like to match what job seekers are looking for with what companies need.

To learn more about Goodwill, and details of what they offer, visit their website.

Closing

Closing the formal part of the meeting, Sheila Coulam, Director of Operations for Career Connectors, thanked everyone, including volunteers and our host, Highlands Church. She reminded everyone of the Career Connectors website which has lots of resources such as the new career advice blog which includes a blog on how to transition from the military to civilian jobs.

Sheila pointed out the resources on hand after the formal meeting — the opportunity to talk with hiring companies, to consult with LinkedIn and resume preparation experts, and to meet the professional photographer to take free business heat shots.

She pointed out that the next Scottsdale meeting is the third Thursday of the month in March , March 16 (NOT the usual second Thursday).

For other upcoming Career Connectors events, more details, and to register, click here.

 

 

 

4/25/16 – Winning the Job Fair Game

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Written by Julia Churan

Jessica Pierce welcomed attendees with an introduction of the Vision and Core Values of Career Connectors and the agenda for the day.

Keynote

Andy Ridley, @AndyRidleyAZ
How to Work a Job Fair

Job fairs can be overwhelming events, like speed dating for jobseekers, but being prepared and having the right expectations will make you stand out as the right candidate for your next employer.

Andy shared his wit and personal insights from being on both sides of the career search to help candidates feel confident and “win” at the job fair game.

Why do candidates go to a job fair? You won’t get a job there! To learn about top companies, make connections and impress a future employer.

Why are employers at job fairs? Not to hire! They are there for the same reasons – to learn about the job pool, meet prospective employees and show what their company offers.

12 Strategy Tricks to Approach a Job Fair 

Your Goal

Figure out what kind of job you want, what kinds of things you like to do (take a DISC assessment) and where you see yourself working.

Be Proactive

  • Find out what employers are attending.
  • Create a “short list” of the booths you want to visit.  Find a map of the exhibitors, select 10 – 12 targets, so you can work from the back of the room to the front to get more quality facetime with companies.  Most people will crowd the front companies right away.
  • Do your homework and research your short list.
  • Make prep notes and custom resumes for your short list.
  • Go early!

Be Prepared 

  • Resumes – Have some resume copies in case recruiters allow you to leave one.  Have ones for your “short list” marked with sticky notes separating personalized ones that match various skills/traits/companies for differing job opportunities
  • A portfolio stocked with several business cards, a notepad, thank you cards and a couple pens
  • Answers for common questions in case you get an impromptu interview

Dress as a Professional

  • Nice shoes (closed toe) — No flipflops, unless you are applying to be a lifeguard 😉
  • Corporate level – suit
  • Construction/Labor – polo and clean jeans

Be Nimble

  • Carry only a zippered, letter-sized portfolio
  • Women – leave your purse at home or in the car trunk
  • One car key – you don’t want a bulging or jingling pocket
  • Leave your cell phone in the car.
  • Avoid the freebie giveaways – get yourself employed and buy your own!

Be Poised

  • Show confidence and professionalism – you are a mature adult.
  • Smile and make eye contact.
  • Don’t be the person pushing the baby stroller or dragging a buddy around.

Make a Strong First Connection

  • Briefly introduce yourself (Practice the 30 Second Elevator Speech) Talk about your successes. Tell why you are there. Tell them our name LAST. They remember the first and last thing you say.
  • Engage them with making a statement about the company (something you learned in your research).
    • Why you would like to work there.
    • Have the mindset of the people who work there.
    • How great their products are.
    • How you are a customer.
    • How committed to their products you are.
  • Offer them a copy of your resume. If they reject, offer your card. If they still reject return to introduce a friend and play up the company.

The Hand Shake

  • Make contact – up-down, up-down and out.
  • Connect with a web-to-web shake.
  • Meet their grip – Strong and firm.
  • No sweaty hands.
  • Shake again when you say goodbye.

Listen and Take Notes

Be a Good Listener – write down keywords and names before you get to the next table and get distracted.

Watch Your Time

Target where and who you want to talk to before you go into the fair so you can make the most of your time.

  • Limit your time to each booth but be there long enough to make an impression.
  • Listen to conversations ahead of you. Pay attention to the terminology and don’t re-ask questions.
  • Walk away from booths — if you know you will not be interested to work there or the line is too long.
  • Do not hang with your buddy!

Follow Up

  • Go home and connect on LinkedIn and Follow them on Twitter
  • Next day: Email the best prospects

Tricks

  • Get a Second Meeting  – Introduce other candidates to a booth that you feel may benefit from knowing the job seeker. If you had to walk away or they wouldn’t take your resume or card – return with someone to introduce. You reintroduce yourself. You appear helpful and eager to help the company and a buddy. Play up the value of the company to your friend.  Everyone wins!
  • Thank You Notes – Employers may not take a resume or even a business card, but “it would be rude to turn down a thank you card.” Return later and offer a handwritten card with another hand shake. (this is another chance to introduce yourself. ) Write something like: “NAME, It was a pleasure to meet you today, I look forward to hearing from you. I am very interested to discuss the JOB position that you have. Sincerely, John Doe, 555.555.5555, johndoe@gmail.com”.

Meeting just one new person at a career fair counts as a success!  Learning one new thing, you scored! Impressing one person or company, you win!

Andy Ridley serves as an enthusiastic trainer for Arizona@Work – Maricopa County, guiding seekers toward career solutions. He also coaches individuals and groups to reach goals through Becoming Ideal.

Hiring Companies

AZ Department of Economic Security (DES)

Sheri Banner, HR Recruiter, @ArizonaDES

Sherri reinforced the tips that Andy shared about a job fair from her 30 years of representing employers at events.

Although the State of Arizona currently operates under a hiring freeze, there are roles that are considered critical to the function of the State which are presently being filled such as case managers and clerical. She shared great tips on hiring for the State.

How do I get a career with the State? Tailor your resume to meet the KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities). Use the language on the description. Open the position announcements to review the skill sets.  Resumes should be very detailed. Hiring managers make the decision on who to interview. Generally 3-5 candidates get seen but they only have to meet 2.

An easier way to get into the State. If you have a Bachelors or above, you can come in as a case manager. Once you are in, you are in, then you can move around. There is no requirement about how long you must stay in a position.

They offer bi-lingual stipends and tuition assistance.

Hotfoot Recruiters

Roy Palomo, Owner and Recruiting Director, @HFRJobNetwork

Roy shared his excitement with creating a perfect fit for clients and candidates in the world of hiring.  Hotfoot offers services from entry to C-level staffing. They began with a focus of manufacturing and production but have grown to supporting everything from aerospace/defense, construction management, engineering, marketing/sales, insurance and finance industries.  They specialize in “Perfect Fit” staffing with an award-winning team of recruiters.  They prepare applicants for interviews, do the homework with the clients and candidates to make sure there will be a long-term win for everyone.

HotFoot supports both direct hire and contract-to-hire positions and encourages individuals to get into their database of candidates.  Contact them at 480-633-3392. Email a resume to request@hotfootrecruiters.com.

Charles Schwab

Shannon Grimes, Talent Attraction Manager, @SchwabJobs

Charles Schwab is one of the valued sponsors of this event and Shannon expressed their vision of bringing Wall St. to Main St. by allowing individuals to invest in changing their future.

They focus their services in the areas of Investor Services (B2C), Institutional Services (B2B) and Advisors with over 100 open opportunities between their two Phoenix offices.  They include Relationship Specialists, Estate Service Professionals, as well as extensive Broker Training Program.

Their corporate culture includes giving back to the community through organizations like Junior Achievement and area Food Banks.  They offer employees assessment tools to teach staff to work together most effectively and become more self-aware.  Their staff has long tenure and their benefits allow employees become financially fit and have an excellent work-life balance.

To apply: tiny.cc/careerconnectors

Nationstar Mortgage

Nationstar was unable to attend.  If you are interested in learning about Nationstar Mortgage, please contact Jared Evans at 480-682-0285.

Resources

New Horizons

Zack Hiscock, VP of Training,  @NHPhoenix

New Horizons – Phoenix is one of over 300 locations worldwide that offers professional training and development services to professionals.  They are the world’s largest independent certification training organization and work with AZ@Work (WIOA) grants, GI Bill and many other government assistance programs to help professionals enhance their skills and improve their employability.   They offer traditional instructor led classes (6-15 students); online LIVE Learning; and online ANYTIME (great if you need flexibility). They also have job placement assistance for their clients.

Zack offered a free full-day MS Office class to Career Connectors’ seekers.  Their new location is now available near Sky Harbor. Call 480-736-9300 for a free consultation.

Closing

Jessica Pierce thanked everyone for their participation in the event, the generosity of Central Christian Church in Gilbert, the volunteers and the sponsors for making these events possible. She encouraged everyone to visit all of today’s supporters and take advantage of many of the Career Connectors’ benefits like the DISC Behavior Assessment Program, have your resume and LinkedIn profile reviewed by experts, take the time to get a professional portrait and network with other attendees to transition that next phase of your career journey.

The next Career Connectors event will be in North Phoenix on Wednesday, May 4 – Get Hired by the BEST: Advancing Your Career with a BEST Company.  For additional information on this and future events, please visit our event schedule.