Written By Susan Lamphiear
LinkedIn remains the go-to source for job recruiters who are searching to fill a variety of positions. However, it’s not enough to simply post your profile on LinkedIn. That’s just the start. Career Connectors’ keynote speaker recently offered specific tips for making better use of LinkedIn as a must-have resource.
Keynote
Author of Crush the Pink Slip: Get Back to Work in 60 Days, Brenda Cunningham today is a career and job search expert. After working nine and a half years in corporate America as an engineer, she successfully transitioned into her current role helping individuals communicate their value to potential employers.
Brenda knows the importance of LinkedIn for today’s job seeker, including anyone who is transitioning into another field. You MUST have a presence on LinkedIn today. Period.
“All of us can have access to the people and possibilities that LinkedIn brings,” Brenda said when she spoke to the online audience of Career Connectors. She reminded everyone who’s still not convinced– “LinkedIn is NOT just for CEOs and VPs and super-duper decision makers” though she assumes at the outset everyone has already accepted on some level LinkedIn’s importance.
THE CASE FOR LINKEDIN
- Building your professional network/connections!
- Job board availability
- Getting found by recruiters
- Professional development
- Salary research
- Expectations by corporate America
- Powerful search tool
- Employer research/interviewer research
- Showcasing your expertise
- Staying connected with your professional colleagues!
Brenda emphasizes the case for LinkedIn STARTS with connection and ENDS with STAYING connected.
Once you’re on LinkedIn, what next?
Brenda was in corporate America long enough to see whole departments eliminated! That alone is a compelling reason to build and maintain your network on LinkedIn. Recruiters use LinkedIn as their number one source of specific job needs, so, hey, stop hiding out! Make your presence known on LinkedIn. Don’t be the world’s best kept secret!
Tips for making best use of your 15 minutes per day on LinkedIn
- Spend five minutes scanning your news feed. “Like” things pertinent to your brand. What do you want people to know about you? Demonstrate this by “liking” articles others post. Or post an article yourself you’ve carefully selected because it shows who you are and what you value. If you’re in IT, for example, post or like or give a response to someone else’s post that targets your field of interest. Brand yourself by what you post. Like, share, post and comment on what supports YOUR image. Be in support of that THING you want to be known for. Brenda transitioned into her new career path primarily by establishing herself as a career manager on LinkedIn.
- Spend four minutes searching and inviting. Search for companies you’re interested in. You can invite key people into your network after researching and customizing your request. Think of this as a long game strategy. And remember you have to EARN the right to ask directly for help. Instead, reach out and become known by sharing information. Build relationships before you even think of asking anything of your contacts. ALWAYS personalize your invitations to connect. For example, remind them how you met or when you heard them speak.
- Spend two minutes saying “Hello.” If you see an opportunity for someone or if you see an article you think they’d enjoy or appreciate, reach out. Keep in touch by sending personalized messages. Ask for favors ONLY after you’ve established a relationship with them.
- Spend four minutes on groups. Research and post information and respond to information you find there. Use groups as an interactive way to communicate. Ask questions and respond to questions. Share information and post articles pertinent to the group. Start by joining Career Connectors Group on LinkedIn!
Set Yourself Up for Success!
- Photo–Make sure you have a professional, quality photo on your LinkedIn profile.
- Include a meaningful headline.
- Be sure yours is a content-rich profile. Remember to use key words.
- BEWARE. Use Ready to Work Badge feature with care. It can result in discrimination.
- Use Spellcheck AND proofread. They are NOT the same thing.
- Ask for strong (and specific) recommendations. If someone is writing you a recommendation, request a particular area or areas you’d like emphasized. Ask them to be specific.
Remember what Brenda advises. LinkedIn is all about establishing, then nurturing professional relationships. Building relationships happens over time, not overnight. “LinkedIn is NOT MAGIC. Put in the work to reap what you sow.”
Hiring Companies
Terros Health
Heather Cepek, Recruiter
Terros Health, offering integrated health care, was founded in 1969 in one small building in Phoenix to help individuals with addiction issues. A nonprofit, Terros has continued to grow and expand over the past 50 years.
Besides locations throughout Maricopa County, Terros offers recovery for individuals through a mobile crisis unit. A recent grant as of February, 2021, allows for expansion of Terros’s services throughout Arizona.
Inspiring changes for life, Terros focuses on the whole person. Terros has helped over 65,000 individuals.
Terros offers a number of benefits to employees including great work/life balance, continued growth opportunities, no 90-day waiting period for benefits, continued training, and an Honor Scholarship Program for individuals working on a master’s degree. Health benefits include medical, dental and vision via Blue Cross/Blue Shield with choices from 10 different plans. A generous PTO program, employees receive four weeks PTO in their first year.
A number of positions are available including clinicians, assessment clinicians, recovery coaches, and care coordinators. Clinicians throughout Arizona require an MA in Behavioral Health. For more information, or to apply, visit their website.
Willscot Mobile Mini
Jordanne Ringwald, Director, Talent Acquisition
Willscot Mobile Mini in 2020 completed a merger, joining forces to bring together the leaders in modular space and portable storage and tank solutions. With one call, one order, one delivery and one bill, customers get everything they want for their site: buildings, storage, fixtures, furnishings, services, everything.
The merged company has recommitted to the following values:
- Dedicated to Health & Safety
- Committed to Inclusion and Diversity
- Driven to Excellence
- Being Trustworthy & Reliable
- Devoted to their Customers
- Being Community Focused
Their company culture rewards excellence, integrity, and innovation. More than 4,000 employees strong, they are always looking for new talent to add to their team.
“Willscot/Mobil Mini’s Core Values continue to guide us towards not only achieving our true potential, but also creating a work environment which is inclusive and allows every person to thrive.” Brad Schultz, CEO
Headquartered in Phoenix, the following open roles are available: Customer Success Specialist, Sales Representative, Sales Trainee, Sr. Accountant, Transportation Coordinator, Collections Specialist, SAP Analyst, Corporate Recruiter, Service Desk Analyst, Transportation Coordinator, Sr. Product Manager, Inside Sales Supervisor, and Payroll Coordinator. Open roles at one of their 275 offices include the following: Inside Sales, Branch Managers, Production Supervisors, Territory Sales Managers, Drivers, and Yard Workers. This is just a snapshot of the roles available. With the merger, the company is creating lots of new positions.
Willscot Mobile Mini offers all full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package.
Follow the company on LinkedIn. Even if you don’t see a job fit, feel free to connect with Jordanne Ringwald and let her know if you apply. The company is growing so fast, a job for you may be “in the works” even as you reach out.
Go to their website for more information or to apply.
Liberty Mutual Insurance
John Walters, Senior Marketing Director
Liberty Mutual Insurance since 1912 has grown into the sixth largest global property and casualty insurer. They employ 50,000 people in 30 countries and on five continents. A Fortune 100 company, Liberty has seen steady growth.
The company has been recognized with numerous awards including Top Fifty Employers for 2021 by Equal Opportunity Magazine.
John dispels the myth the insurance industry is limited to call center and sales positions. If you’re launching a career, he urges you to consider this industry. “Tell me a background that doesn’t fit into the insurance industry,” he says. So many opportunities exist. “We need all kinds of backgrounds.” The opportunity to start and grow and advance in the industry is tremendous. The insurance industry also gives the chance to help people in times of trouble.
You need to apply to Liberty Insurance IF the following describe you:
- Drive and enthusiasm
- Experience in business development or network marketing
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to effectively multi-task
- Confidence, flexibility and reliability
- Goal oriented
The company offers all employees the opportunity to give back by providing a volunteer day each year. One of John’s favorite charities is Feed My Starving Children where he’s helped prepare food packages. Also the company will match fifty cents to every dollar an employee donates to a charity.
Liberty has created several groups within the company for employees to find a home within a home including a recently added group for employees who are also caregivers.
The company believes if they take care of employees, they, in turn, will take care of clients. Very goal oriented, Liberty wants employees to grow both professionally and personally. Toward that goal the company offers tuition reimbursement and community service.
While John is a hiring manager for sales, connect with him and he will get you to the right people regardless of your position of interest.
Visit their website for more information about the company– or positions available– or to apply.
WealthWave
Jason Wiseman, Senior Marketing Director
WealthWave, through its network of financial leaders, strives to shake up the financial industry. Their goal? To create a financially literate world. Made up of independent business owners, WealthWave professionals seek to educate the masses and make investing and financial success easier for regular families all over the world.
Concerned because he wanted to know more about financial planning and retirement, Jason Wiseman talked with his wife about their need to educate themselves for their own financial health. At one point he turned to his CPA and said, “What does it take to do what you do?”
After several years in corporate America, when Jason transitioned into his current role at WealthWave, it helped him ease into the field by working part-time–which is basically unheard of in the industry. Keep in mind, plenty of opportunities exist in this industry because many people are retiring, outpacing the numbers of career individuals needed.
Before he made the career transition, Jason and his family were doing fine income-wise, but he thought, like a lot of people, they needed more guidance regarding financial health–including retirement plans. A shocking 62% of people over the age of 55 are more afraid of outliving their money than of dying! WealthWave wants to educate people and help them navigate the world of finance so they might have more peace of mind, including when it comes to retirement.
WealthWave is different by design, seeking to assist the vast numbers of people who do not have millions to invest. The company has been featured recently on local news and 139 TV shows.
Opportunities in this industry abound, plus layoffs just don’t happen. Also, when the pandemic hit, WealthWave had already gone digital. They were ready.
Why Choose WealthWave?
- Turnkey Solution
- Licensed Profession
- Ownership
- Digital Marketing/Media
- Start Part-time
- No Lay Offs or Furloughs
- Hands on Training and Mentorship
- A long history of helping families
For more information or to apply, contact Jason Wiseman.
Resources & Closing
Director of Operations for Career Connectors, Sheila Coulam opened the meeting and later prepared the online audience for the breakout sessions. Executive Director of Career Connectors Jessica Pierce closed the first part of the meeting, thanked volunteers, and requested anyone interested in becoming a volunteer blogger to contact Sheila Coulam.
Click here to access a list of free resources available through the Career Connectors’ website, including the free online DISC assessment.
For more details about upcoming events, see the events section on the Career Connectors’ website. Check out Diversity Talks May 13, 2021, an online event to connect with award-winning companies known for their culture of inclusion, and Tempe Virtual Job Fair on May 18, 2021.
As a Career Connectors’ attendee, receive a free headshot to use on your LinkedIn profile during these online-only Career Connectors’ events. Go to this link for details and to sign up for locations throughout the Phoenix area. Gordon Murray Flash Photo makes this available. It’s certainly not required, but he accepts donations.
Parting Thought from Seth Godin: “Seizing new ground, making connections between people or ideas, working without a map–these are works of art, and if you do them, you are an artist, regardless if you wear a smock, use a computer, or work with others all day long.” Click on Seth’s name to see a thought-provoking video message for 2021.