Career Connectors

Connecting professionals in career transition with hiring companies and quality resources

Subscribe Here

Charles Schwab

8/23/16 – The Power of You

by

Power of You graphicWritten by: Chris Layfield

Opening

Jessica Pierce, Executive Director of Career Connectors, opened and closed the meeting today with some key comments:

  • Take advantage of the free stuff!  The DISC assessment under the [Job Seekers] and [Resources] tabs of the Career Connectors website, and the PBJ Book of Lists
  • Get connected to the weekly email, check the event recap, and join the LinkedIn Group Discussion
  • Consider volunteering – looking for photographers, writers, A/V support, and LinkedIn Coaches

Keynote

Wade Thomas, founder and principal of Aim to Win

How can you get so comfortable in your own skin that your interviews come from the heart and not your memories of your Google searches for answers to standard interviews questions?

Like a lot of things in life, Wade Thomas says it’s easy to take for granted how much we know ourselves which leads to interviews feeling more like interrogations than conversations.  The goal of the interview should be to get the right job at the right company and not to manipulate the company to hire you for a job you’re not a fit for.  In fact, many good recruiters and hiring managers can differentiate between someone who is speaking from the heart and someone who is speaking from memorization.

Seem a little too fluffy?  Wade provided some guidance for making this real:

1) Establish your vision: You have to be career-focused, not job-focused.  If the job fits into your career plan, you seem like a “plan-ful” person in your thinking.  Hiring managers think the way you are behaving in a job search is the way you will behave in a job.  Watch out for impulse shopping on the job boards, where you think you can do this or that job, but you haven’t fit it into the narrative of your career story.

2) Know yourself:  Think about what your core values are, not what they should be – it’s big tendency to think about what they should be.  What do your core values look like?  What won’t you tolerate?

3) Know your brand: What consistently makes you unique, memorable, valuable, and trustworthy.  85% of job seekers are not thinking about their brand – just by thinking about it, you are standing out.  Don’t be one of those that develops a brand for each company – it has to be consistently you.

4) Know your talents: Talents are special attributes that allow you to do something well.  Think about stories that represent your best accomplishments and what you brought to bear to achieve those accomplishments.  You need to prove it to yourself first before you try to prove it to employers.  Don’t fall into the trap of thinking talents are just experiences and resume data.

5) Value proposition: Now that you know where you are heading and how you do your best work, you can articulate what’s in it for the company.  Turn your self-knowledge into an offer to the company:  “I help companies do X, by …”

Once you feel really good about the authenticity of your vision, your values, your brand, and your talents, you’ll ask better questions.  Unlike the questions you will find on Google, your questions are authentic and will make the recruiter think.  Don’t be afraid to turn down the offer if it’s not a good fit.

One job seeker asked, “Once you formulate your brand, what’s the best way to present it?”  Wade said it has to permeate everything – your elevator pitch, your references, and the answers you give in the interview.  If you believe it and have lived it, it will.

Hiring Companies

TriZetto

Lora Strachan, Senior Recruiter

TriZetto is a maker of healthcare software products.  TriZetto is part of the growing IT Healthcare industry, so they can offer long-term career stability and growth.  They have an office in Ahwatukee; flexible schedules and work arrangements are common.  Benefits are effective day 1.  TriZetto is currently looking for:

  • Product Owner Team Lead
  • Senior Software Engineer (TIBCO)
  • Technical Analyst
  • Senior Product Manager
  • Sales Director (West)
  • Senior Strategic Account Executive (East)
  • Associate and Senior Corporate Counsel roles
  • Team Leads for Quality Control and Data Entry

Community Bridges

Amy Little-Hall, Director of HR

Community Bridges is a fast-growing, statewide system of care for behavioral health.  They have over 29 facilities and more than 36 programs.  Due to their fast growth, 24/7 operating hours, and promotion from within, they are currently hiring for a number of jobs across the state.  Some examples of current openings in the Phoenix metro area include: Licensed Counselor, Medical Assistant, Benefits Specialist, Practice Manager, Quality Audit Administrator, Peer Support Specialist, Navigators, EMTs, Integrated Care RNs, Admissions Coordinators, and Crisis Interventionists.  At Community Bridges, you begin accruing paid time-off immediately.

You can search for jobs by starting here.

IMPACT Payments Recruiting

Marc Badalucco, Head of Sales & Business Development

IMPACT Payments Recruiting is a 3rd party staffing agency focused on positions in the payments business and working with partners like Intel, AMEX, Silicon Valley Bank, and Discount Tires.  IMPACT Payments Recruiting advocates for its candidates with hiring managers throughout the talent acquisition process.  The firm is very specialized, which enables them to be very connected in their niche.

They are looking for candidates to fill current openings:

  • Senior Underwriter
  • Regional Sales Executive
  • VP of Sales
  • GM Card Services
  • Mid-Market Sales Executive (SaaS)
  • Support Engineer

Charles Schwab

Amy Munson, Talent Attraction Manager

Schwab is a purpose-driven organization, serving individual, advisor, and employer investment and asset management needs.  Schwab has two primary centers in the Valley: Biltmore has 2500 employees, and Chandler has around 1000 employees and is more IT-focused.  Hot jobs in Phoenix right now include:

  • Broker Training Program
  • Relationship Specialist
  • Estate Services Professional (for processing deceased investor estates)

Schwab is proud of its meritocratic culture, and average tenure of Schwab associates is 8 years.  Schwab believes employees should be financially fit as well and provides on-site advisors.

You can create an online profile, and search for jobs at tiny.cc/CareerConnectors.  If you see a job you are interested in, complete an application there as well.

Resources

Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants

Roger Brubacher, Director of Continuing Education

Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants is a professional certification training school with programs that can be funded through government grants, including WIOA, TAA, and GI Bill.

· Project Management and Six Sigma

· Medical Administrative and Coding

· Digital Marketing and Social Media

· IT/Networking/Cybersecurity

Class sizes are small (typically 6:1), and students may retake any class up to 6 months from start date. Look them up at www.DWWWTC.com.

 

7/06/2016 – Is Your Image a Deal Breaker or a Door Opener?

by

June Facebook Post Career Connectors Door OpenerWritten by: Connie Huber PHR SHRM-CP

SEVEN Seconds to a First Impression!

Did you know it takes only 7 seconds to make a first impression? Numerous studies have confirmed initial impressions are established within 7 seconds of meeting a new individual. Now count to 7. I know you will agree with me that time flies!!! What is even more important in understanding is that you only get one first impression. Sorry, there are no “do overs.”

According to the US News article, “The 7 Things Interviewers Notice First” by Jada Graves there are seven things the interviewer notices first.
7. Your Arrival Time
6. Your Attire
5. Your Body Language
4. Your Communication Style
3. Your Preparedness
2. Your Enthusiasm
1. Your Qualifications

Keynote

Is Your Image a Deal Breaker or a Door Opener?

Gloria Petersen, @GlobalProtocol

As a professional in transition, we invest money and time on our online presence and resume. If we fail to consider our image and its impact, our goal in securing a new position is not going to be fulfilled. Our image is quickly evaluated and the risk lies in the employer’s interpretation.

Gloria Peterson shared with the group her suggestions how to make an impact.

MAKE AN IMPACT!
• Business casual has gotten sloppy in many work environments. Gloria encouraged us to dress professionally for our interviews.
• What you wear, why you wear it , and how you wear it says a great deal about you.
• Clothing expresses your individuality, values, and aspirations.
• Women should emphasize a polished look when applying makeup. Blush, mascara and lipstick should be your staples for interviewing.
• Men’s facial hair is to be well-groomed or clean-shaven. Robust mustaches, long side burns or man buns will be distracting and risky to your professional image.
• If you have tattoos, you should cover them until you have the job.
• Consider your image portrayal and how it relates to the company’s brand.

DETAILS = DETAIL MINDED
Men are encouraged to:
• Not wear wrinkled or untucked shirts.
• Wear a current tie, not one from the 70’s.
• If dressing business casual, a nice shirt and khakis are great choices.
• Suit jackets are to be buttoned and unbuttoned when sitting.
• Belts and shoes are to be the same color.
• Shoes should be chosen to complement your suit or business casual.
Rubber=Casual
Leather=Formal
• Wear long sleeved shirt if wearing a suit.
• The tie knot should work with the spread of the collar.
• Your watch should work with the type of your attire.
• Other considerations include trimmed haircut, clean-shaven, warm smile, project confidence, formal dress, firm handshake, and correct body posture.

Women are encouraged to:
• Dress for the position.
• Consider hosiery. Flesh tones are best overall.
• Wear rubber sole shoes (easy to wear).
• Your outfit should fit.
• Jewelry should be dependent on the interview. Avoid jewelry that would be a distraction.

“LOOK OF AUTHORITY” FORMULA
• High quality fabrics should have exquisite tailoring plus contrasting colors to project the look and feel of power.
• Wear what makes you feel good.
• Approach with confident posture.
• Your gestures or movements should support your verbal message. Be sure to shake the interviewer’s hand at the beginning and end of the interview.
• A person’s eyes and smile, set the tone of an interaction.

BEHAVIOR IMPRINT
Deal breakers include:
• Cell phone present.
• Raises voice when on cell phone.
• Interrupts conversation.
• Self-serving.
• Ungrateful.
• Gloom and doom attitude.
• Contradicts
Door openers include:
• Cell phone on mute & out of sight.
• Conscious of voice volume.
• Listens for comment opportunity.
• Aware of others.
• Demonstrates appreciation.
• Engages the up-side.
• Supports.

POWER OF THREE
1. When greeting, pay close attention to your personal presentation.
2. When interacting, pay close attention to body language & conversation cues.
3. Start planning your follow-up.

Remember, you have 7 seconds to make an impression!!!

HIRING COMPANIES

Convergys
Gregory McKinley, Sr. Specialist of Talent Acquisition

Convergys provides customer management and information management products to primarily large corporations. Customer management products include agent assisted, self-service and care software tailored to the communications, financial services, technology, retail, healthcare and government markets. Information management provided by Convergys includes billing and business support system products and services like revenue management, product and order management, and customer care management to telecom, utilities, and cable/satellite/broadband service providers. Convergys delivers quality customer experiences in 58 languages and from more than 150 locations around the globe. Employee population is 125,000 and growing.
One of Convergys’ values is to “grow as a team”. The organization prioritizes teamwork and develops its people. Convergys has received numerous industry accolades. The culture is employee based and includes fun activities with employee participation. Benefits include health, dental, vision, 401K and tuition reimbursement. Available positions are Customer Service, Chat, Retention, Sales Positions, Site Director, Sr. Manager of Operations, and Talent Acquisition.
Apply at Convergys.

Mobile Mini
Dave Sherman, Solutions Specialist

Mobile Mini is the largest portable storage company in the world. The organization has been in business over 33 years and is the 7th largest public company in AZ. Mobile Mini has approximately over 21,000 employees and has over 150 locations in the US and 20 UK locations. Mobile Mini is focused on safety first, outstanding customer service, its employees, being results driven, community involved and pursuing continuous improvement.
Currently, there are approximately over 110 jobs available; 17 are in the Phoenix area. The company offers traditional benefits along with a wellness program, 2 weeks paid vacation, 5 paid personal days, 8 paid holidays and 401K with company match.
If interested go to Mobile Mini.

NESCO Resource
Kelli Perkins, Area Manager

NESCO is a national firm offering services in staffing, direct hire, and a host of other staffing and recruiting solutions. The company was established in 1956. NESCO has over 90 locations throughout the US. NESCO serves the following markets: Information Technology, Engineering, Industrial & Manufacturing, Administrative, and Accounting & Finance.  Company culture starts with cultivating employees and working together for you.  Most positions are temporary to hire or contract to hire.  They include Software developer, Buyer, Procurement Management Specialist, and Loan Processor.  If interested, go to the NESCO website and apply.

Charles Schwab
Sarah Timms, Talent Advisor

Schwab sees the world through their clients’ eyes. Schwab serves investors, advisors and employers. The organization is headquartered in San Francisco, has approximately 13,100 full time employees and was the recipient of 13 awards in 2013 for its employee-friendly workplace. Schwab has about 75+ positions currently in Phoenix a few “hot” jobs are Broker Trainee, Client Service Professional, and Relationship Specialist. Phoenix is the home of one of Schwab’s largest call centers. Most employees have been with the organization for 9 years and the organization has been one of the few not to downsize during the recession. Sarah encouraged attendees to complete an application online. Schwab initially reviews those candidates who have completed applications before sourcing other candidates. Create your online profile and upload your resume at tiny.cc/CareerConnectors.

Resources

City of Phoenix
Jessica Pierce provided an overview of Arizona@Work’s resources, as Waleed was unable to attend. Many resources are available through Arizona@Work, City of Phoenix, including: job search assistance, grant funding, workshops, skill match with a career advisor, and mock interviews.

Canyon State Institute
Sheri Carparelli, President/CEO

Sheri is responsible for establishing Canyon State Institute and developing it to an outstanding education venue in the Phoenix area. Canyon State Institute has locations in Phoenix and Chandler. Various certification programs are offered through Canyon State Institute that allow professionals to increase their marketability, increase success when employed, stay competitive in a changing job market, and experience growth opportunities with high demand certifications. Some of the benefits of attending CSI are small classes (limited to 6 for most programs), short term (4-16 weeks in length), graduates are encouraged to audit classes while studying to pass national exam, instructor-led only classes and career and business development specific to the labor market. Certification programs include varied IT certifications, Project Management, CCMA, ASQ Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and SHRM Professional in Human Resources. Canyon State Institute offers job placement assistance through Career Advisors available at the Career Service Center. Call 602-266-6630 for a tour or visit them at the CSI 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, July 14, 2016 and features Kevin Dumcum as speaker for the topic “LinkedIn’s Power of Connection”. For additional information on this event and future events, please visit our event schedule.

6/9/16 – Up Yours! Up Your Power, Up Your Performance, Up Your Personal Pitch!

by

Career Connectors Up Yours eventWritten by Susan Lamphiear

What do superstars Taylor Swift and Michael Jordan have in common? Well, for starters, they’ve both gone on record as not wanting to be average. And most people would agree they rank as top achievers in their fields. Taylor says, “I’m intimidated by the fear of being average.” And Michael echoes that same refrain — “All I know is that I never wanted to be average.”

After seeing the cover of our guest speaker’s book, Average is an Addiction, I’ve been thinking about the phenomenon and googling the topic of “average.” The experts seem to agree that high achievers have particular attributes besides talent and intelligence that make them excel.

Keynote

Deborah Dubree, our keynote speaker, has a lot to say about being average, in her book,  and in her presentation today. Deborah appears anything but average. But years ago, she started out with low expectations for herself. Armed with a high school diploma, she took a job as a receptionist but after six months was bored to tears.  Urged to apply for an upcoming promotion with the construction division of the company (come over to the dark side, they said), and knowing nothing about accounting, or construction for that matter, Deborah applied, interviewed for a position that appeared to require both, and was hired. The rest, as they say, is history.

Deborah has learned so much over the years about success. She wrote a whole book about being average after she observed  many truly talented and educated people somehow fell just short of success, often when they were teetering on the brink of a breakthrough. She wondered why.

Deborah began her career as a receptionist, but gradually through research on herself, and research on success, came to be known as an expert. She received numerous certifications, educated herself in the science of the brain, and finally pursued her role coaching NFL players and others who wanted to stand out from the crowd.

People fundamentally make three mistakes, Deborah says.

  • They wonder why what they’re doing isn’t enough. But have they stayed focused, identified who they are and taken meaningful action? Have they learned their strengths and tapped into how to reach “the zone,” that often illusive peak performance high?
  • They complain, “But I’m not average.” But everyone has areas where they’re average. It’s just not possible to be average in your chosen field if you’re going to be successful, though.
  • They settle for False focus. For example, in the job search, if you focus only on resume, LinkedIn profile, business attire, professional photo and research, those are comfortable and don’t necessarily lead to that great job. While these areas are important, the bulk of your time is better spent in riskier areas like attending events, making phone calls, engaging in impromptu conversation, doing interviews, and making follow-up calls.

You have to know what you believe, and if your beliefs are justified, and then stay focused.

Lots of people out there are talented, Deborah reminds us. But the thing key that makes the difference is  successful people handle stressful situations well and manage their emotions. They also take meaningful action because they have a plan.

Deborah’s challenge to everyone in attendance: Go out there and do ONE THING that scares you. When you’ve taken risks and succeeded, despite fear, then you’ll wonder, “If I can do this, what else can I do?”

When Deborah first entered her career as a coach, someone suggested she first talk to high school athletes. But she said, “No, I want to work with NFL players.” Sometimes you’ve gotta take a LEAP, she stresses. “Sometimes just a slight pivot” at the right time can take your career higher than you’d ever imagined.

More Tips from Deborah (but only if you want to be a high achiever)

Tame and Train your BEAST

B Beliefs impact our behavior. Make sure you know what your beliefs are, including beliefs about yourself.

E Emotion All decisions are based on emotions. So be able to manage your emotions and therefore mange stress.

A Acute Awareness—This includes being aware of yourself and others.

S Self Identify Who are you?

T Talk and Walk  Body language and verbal language are equally important.

The 7 Cs of Excellence

  1. Choice
  2. Consciousness
  3. Change
  4. Courage
  5. Confidence
  6. Commitment
  7. Consistency

Hiring Companies

International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. (ICE)

Jason Brambier, Corporate Recruiter

International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. (ICE), a global travel and leisure organization, provides cruise and vacation fulfillment services. Headquartered in Scottsdale, the company has been awarded Best Places to Work 2013 and 2014 by The Phoenix  Business Journal and the Spirit of Enterprise Innovator Award by the ASU W.P. Carey School of Business.  The culture there is casual and offers numerous perks including onsite wellness clinic, onsite massage therapists, free onsite Fitness Center and so much more. Employing both inbound and outbound sales for all vacation travel, other non-sales positions currently open include software engineers, member marketing, graphic designer, help desk analyst, and creative director. For a complete list of positions and to apply, visit their website.

TEKsystems

Nick Bielinski, Technical Recruiter

TEKsystems specializes in staffing for technical positions but they can point non-tech job seekers in the right direction since they are part of the family of Allegis, the largest private talent firm in the world. TEKsystems offers the largest global network of credentialed IT professionals. Recruiters in the company, dedicated to specific skills sets, also actively engage with the community so they share market knowledge with job seekers including who is hiring and who’s experiencing hiring freezes. Positions available through the company include project managers, business analysts, network engineers, QA engineers and more. For more information on their staffing services or to submit your resume, visit their website.

Charles Schwab

Curtis Crawford, Sr.Talent Adviser

Charles Schwab believes in the power of investing for everyone.  The company services investors, advisors and employers. Headquartered in San Francisco, Schwab employs 15,400 full-time employees and has received 15 awards in 2015 for their employee-friendly workplace. Opportunities in Phoenix include the broker training program, relationship specialist, and estate services professional operations. The culture of the company is strength-based and offers everyday wellness, employee resource groups and employee development programs. To apply, visit their website, submit your resume, and answer qualifying questions. After those steps, a recruiter will review your resume and qualifying questions and contact you if there’s a strong match.

Resources

New Horizons Learning Center

Zack Hiscock, VP Learning & Development

New Horizons Learning Center is one of several State-of-the-Art Training Facilities which teams with Career Connectors to offer training to adults upgrading their skills or adults seeking to gain competitive skills in their job search. Located in Phoenix near the airport, the school offers three modalities for training including traditional, instructor-led classroom training, online LIVE learning, and online ANYTIME learning. They offer a six-month free retake policy on all classes and boast four brand new classrooms and a virtual lab. Classes include information technology, office management, healthcare records, PMP, and Six Sigma, to name a few. After classes are completed, the school also helps students find a job. For more information on classes or funding, visit their website.

Closing

Jessica Pierce, Executive Director for Career Connectors, thanked attendees, hiring companies, volunteers, and host for the event, Highlands Church.  She announced that after the break, informal breakout sessions would give participants an opportunity to meet hiring managers, receive free professional head shot photos, and talk to experts about resume writing and LinkedIn.

The next Career Connectors event will be held in two weeks due to the calendar this time.

  • The very next event will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2016, at 9:00 AM in Gilbert.
  • The next Phoenix event is scheduled for Wednesday, July 6, 201, at 9:00 AM.
  • The very next Scottsdale event will be held Thursday, July 14, 2016, at 9:00 AM and will feature keynote speaker Kevin Dumcum on the topic “LinkedIn’s Power of Connection.”

For detailed information or to register for any or all events, click here.

 

 

5/4/16 – Get Hired by the Best

by

Written by: Connie Huber PHR SHRM-CP

“Are You the Best Employee”?

We hear frequently about organizations being an Employer of Choice or winning accolades declaring them a Best Company. In fact, many companies put much time and energy into having an outstanding work environment and culture.

But are you an extraordinary employee? Do you have the qualities that set you apart from your fellow employees? What does your boss want from you to exceed the performance of average employees? INC magazine shares in its article “How to Be Extraordinary: 9 Qualities Only the Best Employees Possess” by Jeff Haden. After reading, challenge yourself in deciding if you truly are the best employee.

Keynote

Denise Gredler, Founder & CEO, BestCompaniesAZ, @BestCompaniesAZ

Denise is the founder and CEO of BestCompaniesAZ. The organization has been at the forefront of building sought-after employer brands and prestigious workplace awards programs since 2003. BestCompaniesAZ helps award-winning employers position themselves as great places to work. In addition, BestCompaniesAZ also supports employers in talent attraction and recruiting; and employee engagement. Best employers are represented by financial services, healthcare, technology and service/solutions industries. BestCompaniesAZ knows what it takes to win workplace awards. As a job seeker, BestCompaniesAZ is a valued resource in finding a winning position with a Best Company. Open positions are listed on the organization’s website along with event specifics to meet Arizona’s best employers and profiles of those companies.

Today’s presentation was comprised of 8 award winning companies. These companies offered us an inside look at what it takes to ‘get hired by the best.’

PANEL 1: CHANGING THE CULTURE OF CALL CENTERS
FACT….There are 400 call centers in Phoenix!

Charles Schwab, Shannon Grimes, Talent Acquisition Manager
USAA, Latasha Cousey, Director, Phoenix Operations
DISH, Elizabeth Reed, Work at Home Coach
Synchrony Financial, Ignacio Bejarano, AVP Operations Manager

QUESTION: Please give an overview of your company and what you like best about the culture.
• CHARLES SCHWAB, Shannon: “Schwab is a financial services firm. Employees come to work each day to reach Schwab’s goals. Employees feel empowered to make a difference. It is a special place to work.”
• USAA, Latasha: “USAA provides full financial services to military and military families. USAA is a member-based company. All employees believe in USAA’s mission and serving those in the military.”
• DISH, Elizabeth: “DISH offers TV and Internet services. The company has a work at home program. The workforce is a tight knit one. DISH offers lots of technologies to serve customers. Employees take pride in customer service interactions. DISH supports their employees by providing them with a variety of opportunities.”
• Synchrony Financial, Ignacio: “I began working at Synchrony in January 2011. The company has a heritage of 80 years. Synchrony provides promotional funding to its customers. Customers’ voices are valued by the organization. Synchrony is experiencing continued growth and adding sales and fraud divisions. I like the level of engagement and diversity programs.”

QUESTION: What advice would you give to prospective employees?
• Synchrony Financial, Ignacio: “Synchrony is a career center rather than a call center. There is networking taking place within the company. There are diversity networks available. Cross state networking meetings are established and an active part of the employee population.”
• USAA, Latasha: “I echo the networking going on within USAA. I got my job at USAA through a contact from a previous employer. Make sure your resume stands out from the competition.”
• Charles Schwab, Shannon: “Your resume is important in securing a job with Schwab. Also need to have self-awareness of your skills and experience. Take advantage of available self-assessments such as DISC and Myers Briggs. They are great resources. Need to be confident in yourself and interview. Practice your interview skills and how to apply your skills to the job you applied for.”
• USAA, Latasha: “No member experience can be greater than the employee experience at USAA. USAA has a unique and employee centric environment filled with numerous perks. There is an on site gym, childcare center, break rooms that are focused in having employees relax. Most employees do not want to leave the campus. USAA takes care of its employees. If you choose a healthy meal at the cafeteria you are given a discount for eating healthy food.”
• DISH, Elizabeth: “Employees are given a flexible work environment. I work at home like many others. DISH is maximizing its head count with limited space restrictions. Employees will do a split schedule; working 4 hours in the morning, taking a break to run errands or take care of personal needs and then work 4 hours at night. Work at home employees are paired with a coach with like skills. Those at home are made to feel a part of DISH and engaged in their roles.”

QUESTION: Did you have any assumptions about call centers that were shattered once you joined a call center organization?
• Charles Schwab, Shannon: “I had worked in call centers prior to joining Schwab. Those centers were metric driven. Schwab is not metric driven and emphasizes high level of customer service. I watched one employee at Schwab who worked with a client that had $30 in their account. The employee’s manager complemented the employee on a job well done. Schwab maintains a professional environment with employees calmly helping clients.”
• USAA, Latasha: “I assumed an opportunity at USAA had to be filled with someone with prior experience. This is not true. Opportunity presents itself to employees. Career progression is allowed to take place.”
• DISH, Elizabeth: “DISH does not have the stigma of a call center. A number of opportunities are available to employees. It feels like home at DISH. The environment is very friendly and offers a lot of support. Employees have the opportunity to move up in DISH”.
• Synchrony Financial, Ignacio: “The environment at Synchrony keeps me there. Opportunities are available for employees. There is one culture for employees. Career paths are offered along with tuition reimbursement.”

QUESTION: Do you have established career paths/how do employees move throughout the organization?
• Charles Schwab, Shannon: “Schwab has a little bit of both. A lot depends on the employee. An employee can transfer in and out of a department. Most of Schwab’s recruiters and trainers started in a call center. I am leaving my current position in talent acquisition and moving into a social media role. Employees need to make the right connections within the organization and consistently be an advocate for the self.”
• USAA, Latasha: “We are responsible for are own careers professionally and as an employee of USAA. Employees are given an opportunity to talk to senior management. If you do well in your role, new open opportunities will become available. Employees should not place themselves in a silo but be open to career progression and opportunity.”
• Synchrony Financial, Ignacio: “Synchrony has several different programs. Employees need to seek out mentors within the organization. Skill training and employee based training are available. Those individuals who want to move ahead need to carry themselves well. Everyday you are interviewing in Synchrony’s work environment.”
• DISH, Elizabeth: “DISH has very structured careers. Employees should demonstrate an eagerness to learn. It is to the employee’s benefit to be consistent and advance in the company. DISH dedicates time to those who want to stay in the same position or move ahead.”

AUDIENCE QUESTION: What does a typical day look like in a call center? Do employees spend 100 percent of their day on the phone?
• USAA, Latasha: “Employees spend a lot of time on the phone. Metrics are not used to evaluate performance. Employees get two 20-minute breaks and 35-minute lunch and have a structured schedule. There are times when time is permitted to work on projects and research client issues.”
• DISH, Elizabeth: “Employees are mostly on the phone so they can develop their skills.”

QUESTION: Tell us some of the hot jobs you have available.
• Charles Schwab, Shannon: “There is the need for Broker Training candidates. It is a great entry-level position. If the Broker performs well, he/she is usually moved into another role in 18 months. Other openings are for Participant Services and Client Services. ”
• USAA, Latasha: “USAA is seeking Customer Service Representatives. Candidates do not have to have served in the military. Training for the role consists of a 12-week training period. Other opportunities are available in claims and for Financial Advisors. Benefits start on the employee’s first day of employment. For further details see website.”
• DISH, Elizabeth: “Work at Home program is looking for employees and coaches. DISH is growing fast and has a high need for qualified candidates.”
• Synchrony Financial, Ignacio: “Every job at Synchrony is a great opportunity. Benefits begin on day 1 of employment. To see openings go to Synchrony’s website.”

PANEL 2: NEVER EXPECTED TO BE WHERE I AM TODAY
Freedom Financial Network, LLC, Linda Luman, Vice President, Human Resources
Arizona Federal Credit Union, Eric Givens, Sr. Director of Digital Banking
Vanguard, Tyler Craig, Manager Personal Advisor Services
Nextiva, Amanda Dziuk, Talent Brand Manager

QUESTION: Please give an overview of your company and what you like best about the culture.
• Freedom Financial Network, LLC, Linda: “Freedom helps clients eliminate debt through debt settlement and consolidation. The team is filled with empathy.”
• Arizona Federal Credit Union, Eric: “The organization was started in 1936. Arizona Credit Union is a financial services leader. Routine coaching sessions take place at the credit union. Members make their money about their dreams. It is a fun place to work.”
• Vanguard, Eric: “There are 17,000 employees at Vanguard and offices around the world. 3,000 employees are based in Phoenix. Numerous opportunities are available. Vanguard is a client owned company. Employees put the needs of the client first.”
• Nextiva, Amanda: “Nextiva was started in 2008. The employee population has grown from 250 to 400 employees. The company focuses in technology and is currently expanding its IT and financial services. It is one of the fastest growing companies in Phoenix.”

QUESTION: What are the skills you need to land a job with your company?
• Freedom Financial Network, LLC, Linda: “Freedom is growing and expanding; and has numerous opportunities. Potential employees need to be flexible, have a sense of caring, be empathetic and able to bring compassion to the table.”
• Vanguard, Eric: “Candidates need to be positive, have a high energy level, and effective in having a positive influence on the entire membership. Company maintains an open door policy. Upper management loves feedback.”
• Arizona Federal Credit Union, Tyler: “Desired candidates need to have a passionate desire to help people. There is not a defined skill set sought in securing the right candidates. Employees need to connect with people effectively. There should be a desire to learn and grow; and enjoy the learning process.”
• Nextiva, Amanda: “The company provides good service to one another and clients. Employees need to have passion, a desire to learn products, open to change and being nimble.”

QUESTION: How has continuing your education helped you in your current role?
• Arizona Federal Credit Union, Eric: “A lot depends on the position. It is not a requirement to have a secondary degree. One advantage to a college degree is you learn to think and talk differently. The person is more important than a degree. Need to have high energy.”
• Freedom Financial Network, LLC, Linda: “Freedom is not focused on degrees. Employees have an opportunity to learn. “
• Nextiva, Amanda: “Nextiva has an apprenticeship program. Candidates need to have an interest in technology. Software experience is desirable. A lot depends on attitude. Employees are given time to improve.”
• Vanguard, Tyler: “Vanguard hires bachelor degrees. There are opportunities to obtain the required licenses. Employees can participate in tuition reimbursement.”

QUESTION: What is the best way to get started within your company?
• Freedom Financial Network, LLC, Linda: “Interested candidates should review their network to find employees at Freedom. LinkedIn is a great resource to find contacts. Networking and referrals are great resources.”
• Vanguard, Tyler: “Referrals are a great source in finding candidates. Interested candidates should review their connections to find a possible referrals.”

QUESTION: What do you tell others looking for a career about your job/career path?
• Nextiva, Amanda: “There is the opportunity for growth and transition. Nextiva’s President was the company’s first receptionist. Employees can grow with the company. Open internal positions are posted internally.”
• Arizona Federal Credit Union, Eric: “I was a communications major in college. I started in loan sales. College helped me with critical thinking. Next position was as a Repossession Specialist and then Call Center Lead. Now oversee nerd stuff and play with different gadgets. I come from a risk management background to current role.”
• Freedom Financial Services, LLC, Linda: “I started in a call center. While going to college, I was asked to hire people. Always had opportunities in areas that were unexpected. I have a passion for people. If you are given a lead, be sure to follow up.”
• Vanguard, Eric: “I started 11 years ago in a contact center. Was out of college 5 year before going to work at Vanguard. Current role allows exposure to all areas.”
• Nextiva, Amanda: “Depends on what you want to do. Start a conversation and connect with a recruiter.”

AUDIENCE QUESTION: What are the positives in working in a call center?
• Freedom Financial Network, LLC, Linda: “Employees work a flexible schedule. Number of different types of communication used at Freedom such as texting and email group.”
• Arizona Federal Credit Union, Eric: “Employees are not attached to remain in one place. They have the opportunity to move around. Different tech groups visit locations. Environment is welcoming.”
• Vanguard, Eric: “ There is a high level of professionalism and autonomy. Employees are not solving easy problems. Simple call center jobs are not available. Roles are problem solving ones.”

QUESTION: Tell us of some of the hot jobs you have available.
• Freedom Financial Network, LLC, Linda: “Some of the current opportunities include Negotiators, Sales and IT. There is a career progression at Freedom.”
• Arizona Federal Credit Union, Eric: “There are entry level opening in branches and call center.”
• Vanguard, Tyler: “There are a number of open positions including roles at the Contact Center, 401K participants and Financial Advisors.”
• Nextiva, Amanda: “Hot jobs include Product Managers, Network Engineers and Web Designers.

ADDITIONAL AWARD WINNING COMPANIES

Revana
Revana has 75 plus openings they need to fill before May 30, 2016

Progrexion
Progrexion is looking to add 100-150 employees before the end of the year. Training is all about the person.

GoDaddy
GoDaddy is growing very quickly. The culture is one of a kind. There are 5,000 employees at the Tempe facility and approximately 3,000 at the Phoenix flagship location.

Hyatt Regency Phoenix
The Hyatt is a great place to work. Many employees are long tenure ones at 25 and 40 years of service. The General Manager has been at the Hyatt for 36 years.

Resources

New Horizons of Phoenix
Zack Hiscock, Vice President of Training

New Horizons has provided world-class training for over 30 years and over 30 million students. New Horizons recognizes that there are several learning styles and offers traditional, instructor led classroom training; online LIVE learning and online anytime learning. Learning tools are varied to meet the needs of students including hands-on labs, reference materials, practice exams, learning guides, coursework and exam preparation.
The Phoenix location is a new state-of-the-art training facility. Information Technology programs, Office Management and/or Healthcare Records Management programs, and Project/Production Management programs represent education offerings. Some of the items included in tuition are books & supplies, labs, on-going career services and 6-month re-sit option. New Horizons does provide Job Placement Assistance. The school offers top IT Certifications approved by the GI Bill. Additional funding sources are available up to $4K through the WIOA Program. New Horizons has free classes in Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Visit New Horizons today!

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, May 12, 2016 and features Kirk Wilkinson as speaker for the topic “The Optimist’s Advantage”. For additional information on this event and future events, please visit our event schedule.

4/25/16 – Winning the Job Fair Game

by

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.