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Charles Schwab

3/2/16 – Crush the Pink Slip: Get Back to Work in 60 Days

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Written by: Connie Huber PHR SHRM-CP

“THE PINK SLIP”

In the Chilly Willy cartoon, “little Televillian”, Mr. Stoop, tells Smedley that if he’s disturbed while reading show scripts, he would be forced to pink slip Smedley.  Unfortunately, Smedley doesn’t know the meaning of “pink slip”.  Mr. Stoop yells at him,  “It means…you will be fired!”

Unlike Smedley, many of us in today’s workforce are very familiar with receiving and knowing the ramifications of getting a “pink slip”.  Unfortunately it is a very common occurrence to get a “pink slip”.  Workers are losing their jobs due to layoffs, workforce reductions, reorganizations and terminations.

Needless to say, Brenda’s presentation on “Crush the Pink Slip: Get Back to Work in 60 Days” was a welcomed and well-received subject.

Keynote

Brenda Cunningham, @PushCareers

CRUSH THE PINK SLIP:  Get Back to Work in 60 Days

Brenda, like many of us has been the recipient of the cursed “Pink Slip”.  Brenda’s memory of the experience is still very much a part of her professional identity.  Whereas many workers are often paralyzed by the event, Brenda’s experience was a springboard for her to pursue a different career path.

WHY THE BOOK?

Brenda’s intent in writing her book, “Crush the Pink Slip:  Get Back to Work in 60 Days” and new profession was to encourage job seekers, provide a practical roadmap and help accelerate the professional’s transition.

SUCCESSFUL CAREER TRANSITION

Brenda noted job seekers seem to make the same errors in their job search.  In order to have a successful evolution, she recommends the following:

  1. Crystal clear goals.
  2. An effective game plan.
  3. Realistic expectations.

In addition to the above, Brenda encouraged us to PUSH!   PUSH meaning you need to do it and PUSHING being an action.

BRENDA’S FAVORITE DAYS

DAY 1:  READY, FIRE, AIM!  THE IMPORTANCE OF AIM

In executing your job search, you want to avoid saying, “I’m looking for a job.”  Doing so shares a vague idea of what position you are seeking.  Instead reframe the statement by indicating, “I am looking for a project management position”, for example. There are several criteria the job seeker needs to establish to have a positive outcome.  Those include desired industry, function, maximum commute time, ideal company size, target companies (5-20) and salary.

DAY 49:  STOP TWEAKING YOUR JOB SEARCH TO DEATH

Make a commitment to stick to your plan.  Rather than relying on spouses or friends to provide job search advice on such topics as your resume and strategy, reach out to a qualified resume writer and/or career strategist.

DAY 57:  DESPERATION IS NOT A PRETTY COLOR

Desperation does not lend to a positive presentation!  Brenda reminded the group that finding your desired position does take time.  And yes there will be times you will feel desperate!  To offset this feeling, Brenda encouraged us to understand that our transition will take time.  If it is helpful for you then determine how long it took others to find their new position.  Write it down noting it will take between 1 to 6 months.  Having unrealistic expectations will crush your confidence.  Interviewing and selection the right candidate is a timely process.  Practice and accept the mantra  ‘you will not settle for just any job when you are worthy of being fulfilled at work’.

BONUS ITEMS TO CONSIDER

  • LINKEDIN IS NO LONGER OPTIONAL! LinkedIn is the search tool of choice for the majority of recruiters.  Be active on LinkedIn by joining in on group discussions and posting items other members would find of interest.  Brenda reinforced that the job seeker needs to be different and stand out against their competition.  To be further effective on LinkedIn you need to be building your network and nurturing your relationships.
  • LEARN HOW TO FOLLOW UP: Effective follow up will further establish you as the ideal candidate.   A common rule of thumb from career professionals is wait about one week after applying and interviewing to inquire about a decision to hire or confirm receipt of your materials.  Thereafter, it is best to wait two weeks or heed what the hiring managers advise you to do.  In addition, it is important to do what you said you would do.
  • ASSESS YOUR SALARY EXPECTATIONS: Understand what reasonable salary expectations are for your line of work in 2016.
  • TALK TO YOUR SPOUSE/FAMILY/FRIENDS: Help them understand the situation.  Share some of the things they can do to help them better support you.
  • KNOW IF YOUR INDUSTRY IS CHANGING (AND KEEP UP): Brenda noted it is important to stay current what is going on in your industry.  Great resources for doing so are library databases, Onetonline.org, and professional publications and associations.
  • REFRAME NETWORKING: Many of us dread the thought of networking and quickly cast the activity aside.  Brenda suggests a lifestyle of networking.  Most people wait until they’ve lost a job.  Failing to establish a network may slow your efforts to return to the workforce.  Brenda highly recommends to start building your network now and keep developing it during your transition and throughout your career.  Networking is building a trusted relationship.  Begin a conversation by asking the other person a lot of questions.  Doing so will allow you to reconnect with the person again.  Networking is not always about you and what others can do for you, but rather what you can do for others and meet their needs.

In closing, we have a choice.  When you receive your pink slip you can either curl up in the corner or you can crush the pink slip and get to work in finding a new position.

HIRING COMPANIES

Arizona@Work, City of Phoenix

Waleed Alani, Employment Specialist

Waleed shared with the group the latest unemployment statistics.  There are currently approximately 70,000 available jobs in the Phoenix area.  Opportunities include retail, hotel management, project management and nurses.  Some of the top skills being requested are bilinqual, quality assurance, IT networking, quality control and IT networking project management.  A sampling of hiring employers include Banner Health, Honor Health, Pizza Hut, CVS Health, Dignity Health, United Healthcare, Bank of America, Well Fargo and Oracle.

Waleed enlightened us with the different skill development packages offered by the City of Phoenix.  Those include seminars available to the public; Level 1 Package-Skills Match the Job Market; and Level 2 Package-Research Pathways to Higher Wages. Seminars include:  Arizona Workforce Connection (AJC), How to Create a Winning Resume, Perfecting Your Interviewing Skills, Mock Interview Lab, Understanding LinkedIn, Leveraging LinkedIn, 21st Century Job Search Seminar, and Job Clubs.  Level 1 Package; Skills Match the Job Market is for 3 days and 3 hours.  The 3-day sessions are focused on ways to jumpstart your job search.  Topics discussed are Social Skills, Creating and Implementing a Job Search Plan, Interviewing, and Long Term Career Management.  The 3-hour session emphasizes Employability.  The Level 2 Package; Research Ways to Higher Wages is a 2 day seminar.  Attendees will obtain a better awareness of their career and personal skills along with a discussion of skill gaps and training options.  Waleed also provided the group the LinkedIn algorithm that employers utilize to search for people on LinkedIn.  For more details on the Skills Development Packages, reach out to Waleed at 602-255-4628 or waleed.alani@phoenix.gov.

State of Arizona

Jan Plank, HR Manager III

Jan noted the State of Arizona employs approximately 35,000 employees in over 100 agencies, boards and commissions.  In 2016, 25% of the state’s workers will be retirement eligible.  The average age of the employees is 47.  The state is currently going undergoing a transformation by evaluating its business processes and improving them to be more effective and streamlined.  In addition to the traditional benefits, the state also offers 11% match into retirement after vesting, exceptionally low health care premiums and training opportunities.  A sampling of current positions includes Financial Reporting Accountant, Senior Auditor, Administrative Services Officer, Applications Developer, HR Manager II, Accounts Payable Specialist, Special Collections Librarian, Contract Compliance Supervisor, Behavioral Health Coordinator, Administrative Assistant III and Special Projects Coordinator.  If interested, review the open positions on line and apply online.  Jan noted it is important to differentiate yourself when applying.

Manpower

Jo Bryant, Recruiter

With more than 60 years experience, Manpower has established itself as a world leader in innovative workforce solutions, workforce solutions, connecting human potential to the ambition of business.  Manpower serves both large and small organizations across all industry sectors through four main brands and offerings; ManpowerGroup Solutions, Experis, Manpower and Right Management.  The organization operates a worldwide network of offices in over 80 countries and territories.  Manpower partners with clients to accelerate their businesses by providing people and services that includes recruitment and assessment, training and development, workforce consulting, outsourcing and career management.  Gone are the days where Manpower specialized in supplying light industrial help.  The Manpower culture has a great team of people with a common vision and goal, unlimited growth potential, and a company that cares what its employees want and asks for their input.

The company is one of the few staffing organizations offering benefits for contract positions.  Benefits include medical and dental, short term disability, holidays, 401K, shopping discount and recognition program.  Some of the current positions include Bilingual Spanish Youth Coordinator, Donor Outreach Coordinator-PT, Bilingual Customer Service Agents-PT, Document Processors, Data Entry, Production/Warehouse, Packing/Kitting/General Labor, Season Shipping/Packing and Sorting, and Administrative /Clerical roles.  To apply go to the Manpower website; create an account and attach your resume; and contact the office after registering.

Charles Schwab

Shannon Grimes, Talent Attraction Manager

Schwab sees the world through their clients’ eyes.  Schwab serves investors, advisors and employers.    Charles Schwab highlights include $2.54 trillion in client assets, Fortune 500 Company with annual revenues of $6.05 billion, 325 branch offices in 45 states and 3 countries.  The organization is headquartered in San Francisco, has approximately 15,400 full time employees and is the recipient of 15 awards in 2015 for its employee-friendly workplace.

Schwab has about 60+ positions currently in Phoenix a few “hot” jobs are Broker Trainee, Estate Services Professional, and Relationship Specialist.  Phoenix is the home of one of Schwab’s largest call centers.  Those positions in high demand are Relationship Specialists and IT roles.  Shannon 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

Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants

Roger Brudbacher, Director of Continuing Education

Dynamic Worldwide will prepare you with an edge in this competitive job market.

DWWTC offers programs and certificates in professional development, cyber security programs, advanced cyber security programs and information technology.  DWWTC was awarded the 2015 Juniper Platinum Education Partner of the Year for its award winning instruction. The facilities are state of the art and maintain a low student to instructor ratio.  Instruction is available on multiple platforms.  DWWTC is licensed by the State Board for Private Postsecondary Education; certified through Workforce Connection; and approved for Grant Programs. For more information, please visit the website.

Closing

Sandi Ashton, Vice President, Career Connectors Board of Directors, closed the meeting by thanking North Phoenix Baptist Church and the volunteers.  The next Career Connectors meeting will be in Scottsdale on Thursday, March 10, 2016 and features Kevin Dumcum as speaker for the topic “Activate Your Job Search”. For additional information on this event and future events, please visit the website.

 

 

2/24/16 – Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out

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Written by James Tousek, SHRM-CP: @resultsresumes

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Ted Robison (aka Mr. Link Me In), @tedrobison

“Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out”

Ted Robison is a subject matter expert on networking and creating powerful LinkedIn Profiles that help people get hired. Mr. Robison’s passion for helping people in transition was immediately evident as he took the stage and began his presentation. He is a dynamic speaker and he quickly engaged the audience with his energy and humor.

He stated his one and only goal is to help get us a job!  He then emphasized the importance of not simply having a LinkedIn account, but having a professional LinkedIn profile that will capture the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. The statistics he mentioned are eye-opening:

  • 87% of us will get a new job through networking!
  • The odds of landing a job through a job board is approximately 3%!
  • 80% of job are not even posted on job boards, and exist in the “hidden job market”

I do not know about you, but I am somewhat of an introvert, so networking and building relationships does not exactly come naturally for me. But when I heard these numbers there was a definite shift in my attitude toward networking with LinkedIn. Ted said, “Networking is good, but relationships are gold!” Most recruiters and hiring managers use LinkedIn exclusively to find top talent, he went on to explain.

Ted, also known as Mr. Link Me In, went on to distinguish the difference between getting in front of the hiring manager at your target company, versus working with a corporate recruiter who is often too overwhelmed vetting hundreds of resumes. LinkedIn is the social media platform to tap this hidden job market, and approach hiring managers directly using 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree connections for introductions.

Many people ask Ted if they should have a Premium account.  He suggested the free account, especially if you are new to LinkedIn. There are some features and benefits to the Job Search Premium service which you may consider in the future. You need to weigh the monthly premium with the benefits you might receive.  Sign up for the free trial month and maximize its use for the first month.  If your resources allow it perhaps you will want to continue with the premium job search account. You can cancel at any time.

Key things we learned in this presentation for an effective LinkedIn profile are:

  1. Use Keywords: How can I be on the top pages of LinkedIn’s search engine?
  2. Picture: a must have and make it a professional headshot (attend a Career Connectors event for a free professional headshot)
  3. Headline: Job Title + Tag line
  4. ***Current Job Title***/ Past Job Titles
  5. Summary – S.E.E.S. (Skills, Experience, Expertise, Style)
    1. Style -> Value Proposition -> Differentiation
    2. WOW Factor! / Brand
  6. Skills & Experience: Endorsements
  7. Recommendations: (4 – 8)
  8.  Interests: Business Interests & Personal Interests
  9. Status Update – (Home Page – Activities)

The Summary section is where you place your value proposition statement or branding statement. This is a powerful 3 to 4 sentences similar to your elevator speech. Some people get confused around identifying Value Statements. Being a “hard worker” is not really a value. Also, I am a “professional” is over used. Mr. Robison recommends dropping the clichés like professional, driven, and strong work-ethic. Your value is who you are in your field. For example, if you are a Manufacturing Engineer, your value may be that you are “crazy about quality and leveraging lean manufacturing best practices to increase profitability.”

Other great suggestions included:

    1. Create your target company list? You can use LinkedIn, or go to the library and look at the Business Journal’s Book of Lists
    2. Join 30 to 50 groups in your industry, and actively participate in at least 2
    3. You can create your own group within LinkedIn
    4. Get 3 to 4 recommendations (these should be from your managers and supervisors) the higher up in the organization the better – for credibility
    5. Work on getting endorsements for skills and experience

HIRING COMPANIES

AOT360 – Arizona Office Technologies

Presenter: Octavio Duarte, Corporate Recruiter

AOT is a Xerox company focused on cost effective and efficient document management technology solutions. They were voted #11 Phoenix Best Places to Work in 2014. Octavio is looking to fill key positions including Major Account Executive and a Sales Account Executive. If you are interested in either of these positions please visit their website.  As a Xerox company, AOT offers excellent and comprehensive benefits including Health, 401K, Paid Time Off, Life and A&D, Long-term and Short Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Xerox Credit Union, and GM Supplier Discount.

Derive Talent

Presenter: Sharon Milmont

Derive is a high touch recruiting agency specializing in matching IT professionals with Fortune 1000 companies. They specialize in IT, but Sharon emphasized there are many other positions open outside of the IT field. Sharon is very approachable, and encouraged us to get support during our transition including friends, relatives, and church. She even offered her own time to hear you out if you need to vent. She said, “I want to be your cheerleader!”

This company offers a lot of support all at no charge including interview preparation, resume reviews, and matching you with the right company.

Opportunities exist in the following areas

• Information Technology

• Accounting & Finance

• Professional

• Call Center

Charles Schwab – “Bringing Wall Street to Main Street”

Presenter: Shannon Grimes

Charles Schwab is headquartered in San Francisco with offices throughout the United States including Phoenix and Scottsdale. This company is the recipient of 15 awards in 2015 for their employee friendly workplace and employee-centric culture. Employees, known as Schwabbies, and are engaged in work that matters guided by shared values. Advancement is based on merit and performance, and Schwabbies are highly encouraged to use the financial services offered at Charles Schwab.

There are over sixty openings in Phoenix including:

• Broker Training Program (AFSP)

• Client Service Representative

• Estate Services Professional

You can learn more about these positions and apply at on their website.

RESOURCES

Jian Boldi, Certified Financial Planner with LPL Financial

Top Ten Financial Considerations

Jian was awarded the Five Star Financial Professional Award for 3 consecutive years, and he was included in the September 2015 issue of Phoenix Magazine. Jian began his career in finance after graduating from ASU with a degree in Business Management and a certificate in Entrepreneurship. He loves helping people with their finances and investments. Jian is very active in the community. In addition to volunteering with Career Connectors, Jian is a member of the Chandler Lions Club and a volunteer with Fresh Start Women’s Foundation.

Being unemployed comes with many stressors, not the least of which is, how are we going to pay the bills?

Jian’s Top 10 financial considerations are:

    1. Understand your unemployment benefits, and apply for them sooner than later.
    2. Do NOT forget to keep paying your taxes!
    3. Job hunting expenses are tax deductible.
    4. Go back to school to advance your skills and learn something new
    5. Become underemployed – take a job in another industry and work your way up.
    6. BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET
    7. If your 55 or older rule 72t states you can take money penalty free from your IRA. (you still must pay taxes on this money)
    8. You can purchase health insurance premiums with IRA money penalty free. You still have to pay the taxes on this money, but that 10% penalty can be significant.
    9. Consider reversing a contribution to your IRA.
    10. Ask for help.

Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants
Roger Brubacher, Director of Continuing Education

DWTC strives to be the best and preferred source for computer training.  They offer courses and certifications for professional and career development. This school is licensed by the State Board of Postsecondary education, and approved for grant programs like Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) and the GI Bill.

Some of the benefits of attending include:

    • Low student to instructor ratios (usually 6:1)
    • Post-graduation placement assistance
    • My Optimal Resume & Personal Branding Program
    • Online certification test preparation materials are provided
    • State of the art facilities with modern computers running current software

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, March 02, 2016

Crush the Pink Slip: Get Back to Work in 60 Days

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Phoenix, AZ)
Open Networking Begins at 8:30 AM

PRESENTERS:

Brenda Cunningham, Crush the Pink Slip: Get Back to Work in 60 Days

HIRING COMPANIES:

State of Arizona, Jan Plank, HR Manager II

Manpower, Jo Bryant, Recruiter

Charles Schwab, Shannon Grimes, Talent Attraction Manager

FREE RESOURCES:  Resume Review, Hiring Company Networking, Business Portraits, LinkedIn Coaching & Educational Opportunities

1/14/16 – Finding Your Internal GPS

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Written by Kevin Spear, MBA: @kevinhspear

Opening

Jessica began the event by announcing she was on ABC15: Sonoran Living this week. She discussed Career Connectors and gave three points to jump start your career search.

  1. Know yourself
  2. Make a list of the top ten companies you want to work for
  3. Have great collateral such as a resume and a good LinkedIn profile.

And of course, networking is key too. She encouraged us to meet someone we had not met before and discuss our career goals before the speaker began. This transitioned perfectly into the keynote speaker’s topic.

This was a great transition into the keynote speaker’s topic.

Keynote

Paula Shoup, @InternalGPS
Use Your Internal GPS To Stay Positive and Productive In Difficult Times

Paula said, “Whether you’re going for a new or different career, this will work for you.”
Ask yourself these three questions:

  1. Where are you now?
  2. Where do you want to go?
  3. How will you get there?

Where are you Now?

When Paula thinks of resilience, her Aunt Irene comes to mind. She had a rare form of cancer. The surgery left her disfigured at 28 years-old. She came through, but the recovery was tough. Through it all, she had a great sense of humor. She was incredibly resilient. She went through ten years of reconstructive surgery. Some of the tools Paula suggested, her Aunt used.

When we face trials, it’s very easy for our brains to go into a downward spiral. Our survival instinct is wired to look for danger. Then we see everything as a potential danger. Fear makes us want to keep things the same and not change.

Paula mentioned the work of Brené Brown. (I also recommend her TED Talks.) In her studies, Brown observed we tend to avoid resiliency as an answer because we want a quick fix and to be done with it. It’s the “Seduction of the Quick fix.”

One of the tools Brené uses is writing permission slips. It’s a great tool to use when you feel stuck. You write, I give myself permission to…

What do you need to give yourself permission to do?

  • Let go of _____
  • move forward with _____
  • forgive him/her/myself for _____

Many times we go to our strengths, but neglect our values. If you get a match between you and a company’s values, then you will be successful.

Stuck on some good value words? Paula suggested googling images of values to brainstorm values.

For strengths, Paula suggested  StrengthFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath

Where Do You Want to Go?

When you don’t know which way to go, Paula suggested Brene Brown’s Rising Strong. It talks of the reckoning, rumbling, and the revolution.

Reckoning: Emotions will drive you whether you acknowledge them or not

Rumbling: What is your story? Own it! What is the truth of your story versus what are you making up in your head?

Revolution: How do you show up to choose what you want to do? How do you change? A good book about change is  Switch: How to Change When Change is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath.

Get clear about where you want to go. focus your search on:

  • Your desired
    • Industry
    • company
    • Type of people
  • Values match
  • Your needs and wants

How will you get there?

Paula suggested reading The Gifts of Imperfection. Brene Brown.
Hope is really a cognitive process that can be taught

  • Set realistic goals
  • Move forward and recalculate
  • Belief in your ability to arrive

What is your mindset? There is a difference in belief versus wanting. Belief is knowing with certainty versus wishful thinking of wanting. It is a shift in what your thinking and how you are feeling.

You have control over where you are going.

For shifting to a positive mindset, Paula recommended Barbara Fredrickson’s Positivity and the  3:1 Positivity Ratio.

  • Three positive emotions to one negative emotion
    • Negative emotions are much more powerful. You need to outnumber the negative with more positive emotions.
  • You can’t be in denial and stuff your negative emotions. But you can shift your daily habits. It will make a huge difference in how you show up.

Think about your daily routine. Where do you have opportunities to shift?

Re-write your story

  • Resilient people dispute their story like a lawyer
  • What is the reality of what happened versus our interpretation of the events?
  • How can you re-write that story to a more positive way?
  • Write a new ending

Identify your strengths

From The Gift of Imperfection: here are the five most common factors of resilience:

  1. Resourceful—Problem Solving Skills
  2. More likely to seek help
  3. Belief in managing feelings and coping
  4. Social support available
  5. Connected with others: Friends/families
    1. You can connect in many different ways
    2. Connecting with ANYBODY along your path will help you feel better
  6. Most important: Share laughter!

For more information on Paula and to visit her blog, go to www.internalGPS.com.

Hiring Companies

Paychex,
Andrea Olson, Recruiter
@Paychexcareers

  • Based in Rochester, NY and now reaching into the Phoenix area.
  • They provide any solution and HR department would do.
    • Employee benefits,
    • time-off requests, etc.
    • Not every company would have a system for themselves.
  • Niche is helping companies with fifteen employees or less
  • Hire from entry-level to IT security and management
  • They also hire for sales positions, national and virtual sales opportunities
  • Located at I–17 and Bell
  • nettime solutions is part of Paychex and is near Loop 101 and Chaparral Road

Aetna
Le Nguyen: Director, Recruiting Operations
Dani Sykes: Senior Recruiter
@Aetna

Le encouraged us to look for companies that know why they do what they do. Do you want to work for a company with a product or with one that makes the world a better place?

  • In Arizona, Aetna has seven Phoenix area locations with an eighth in Tucson. They have seven thousand employees in Arizona.
  • The core of their culture is the people they serve. It drives what they do every day.
  • Aetna made a social compact with their employees in 2015
    • Raised the minimum salary of all employees to $16 an hour
    • Enhanced medical benefits with lower out-of-pocket costs
  • Their goal is to reshape the future of health care by making it more affordable and accessible
  • Across the country, they have one thousand career opportunities today.

To apply, visit aetna.jobs.

TEKsystems
Nick Bielinski, Technical Recruiter
@TEKsystems

They are part of Allegis Group and are one of seven divisions. If you are not specifically in the tech industry, they may have other roles.

  • TEKSystems works with 50 to 60 positions in the area
  • Supplies companies with IT talent with all types of skills
    • Applications
    • Network Infrastructure
    • End-user Support
    • Communications
  • They seek especially project managers and software developer skills

Charles Schwab
Shannon Grimes, Talent Attraction Manager
@SchwabJobs

Schwab believes in the power of investing. Chuck began the company forty-three years ago and wanted to create a bridge between the average person and investment.

Careers at Charles Schwab:

  • They have over sixty openings in Phoenix. a few “hot” jobs:
    • Broker Training Program (AFSP)
      • In-bound, phone training position
    • Client Service Representative
      • Much of Schwab’s banking is online and phone. You become the customer’s banking expert
    • Estate Services Professional

Their culture:

Why Schwab?

  • Engage in work that matters
  • Meritocracy
  • Financial Fitness
  • Work life balance

To apply, go to http://tiny.cc/careerconnectors and set up your profile.
Look at their talent board even if you don’t see a position you want right now.

Resource

Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants
Roger Brubacher, Director of Continuing Education

DWTC is a professional certification training school. They have several certification including digital marketing and social media strategist as well as cyber security certifications.

  • Work with several partners including Project Management Institute
  • Located in Tempe, off the Rural Road exit
  • Teach in multiple platforms including online and hybrid classroom and online options.

Benefits include:

  • Low student to instructor ratio
  • Post-graduation placement assistance
  • Over 95% of students pass their exams on the first try.
  • Financial aid available through WIOA and is certified through the Arizona Workforce Connection
  • GI Bill compliant

Closing

Jessica Pierce reminded us to take a free DISC assessment through Career Connectors and Top Talent Consulting.

Upcoming Events:

The next Career Connectors Event will be in Gilbert on Tuesday, January 26. Abby Kohut will be speaking on “The Benefit of Being Overqualified.” Career Connectors is also partnering with Best Companies AZ to bring the Military Career Event on February 17. For more information, please visit the events page.

11/12/15 – The Power of You

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Written by Kevin Spear, MBA: @kevinhspear

Jessica Pierce (@JessicaPierceAZ) opened our session with an encouragement to find five connections while at Career Connectors. After all, this is all about connecting with people!

Jessica noted people stop looking for jobs during the holidays. Don’t stop! Employers are not taking the holidays off. It may be a good time to search while other job seekers are taking a break.

Keynote

Gloria Petersen, CPP (Certified Protocol Professional)

The Power of You

Gloria is founder of Global Protocol, Inc. She has appeared on numerous television shows and served as etiquette judge on The Learning Channel. Gloria has a series of books entitled, The Art of Professional Connections.

Gloria began with an encouragement to make it about us and project a commanding first impression. She brought up a participant to tell a little about himself. He was dressed sharply, with a suit and tie. He also had a good elevator speech.

Gloria encouraged us to go back when you were a child and write down what you were really good at, that gave you joy, that was your escape. That is key to where you should be today.

The Inside

When you were in school, what course of study were you really good at? What class did you really struggle at? These are the keys to your success. You were born with a gift of knowledge.

You are on the wrong track if you go after something just for money, for prestige, or just to get a job. Don’t make yourself something you were never meant to be!

When you look at a job you’re applying, peel the layers and see if the role has what you really want, what you are really good at.

Opportunity Not Happening?

You need rejections to find out what you’re made of. Does anyone want to hear that? Not as much as we need to hear it!
Determination is what it takes to beat the odds.  When Gloria went through a trial, she had to persevere to make it through the other side. That is the power of each one of us.

Reassess your image. You have to help people see what is on the inside of you with what message you are sending on the outside: perceptions

Make challenges work for you, not against you!

How can you stay determined?

  • Acquire: the skills
  • Utilize: your newly acquired skills
  • Learn: strategies to get beyond any uncertainties

People make perceptions on what they think they see: Perception

Don’t let your knowledge die with you. Write down your knowledge and experiences.

The Strategy Behind a Tie

When you have the perfectly tied knot, people tend to focus with what you are saying. For women, a scarf can give a similar effect. And remember: Posture sells confidence!

Seven Steps to Impressive Greetings and Confident Interaction

  1. Check your appearance and stance
    • You should dress for an interview more formally than the job you are applying.
    • Wear your confidence like a power jacket. In fact, wear a power jacket, whether you are male or female, a business jacket makes you look more powerful and confident.
  2. Exchange names
    • Greet to acknowledge someone’s presence
    • A person’s eyes and smile set the tone of an interaction
    • You never know who you are greeting
    • You are at an advantage when you actively meet and introduce people to others
  3. Repeat names accurately
    • Include the last name along with the first
    • Yes, it’s hard to remember names, but so crucial. After all, we’re scared of last names
    • Beware of international names and respect name preferences
    • Repeat the name at least three times
  4. Deliver a confident handshake
    • Don’t get rushed!
  5. Make a courtesy comment
    • Ask about their position or title
    • Discover a commonality
  6. Ask for the business card
    • Ask for theirs before you offer yours
    • If you don’t have a business card, get at least a name card for yourself
    • Include your LinkedIn profile
  7. Take your leave and follow-up

These seven steps will help anyone exude confidence in an interview.

Hiring Companies:

International Cruise & Excursions, Inc.,
Jason Brambier, Corporate Recruiter
@ICEJobs

Jason said that ICE has a similar model as Expedia, except for cruises. They are located in Scottsdale. Some of their benefits include a gym, nail salon, and massage therapist. They sent 200 employees to travel on one of the new Princess Cruise ships. Employees can take cruises for up to 50% off retail price.

They also do many charity events such as Christel House and Phoenix Animal Care Coalition.  They have a large sales center. They assist inbound callers with their travel plans. Average inbound sales rep makes $50,000 a year. Outbound callers can make six figures.  Jason explained you are selling fun and vacations, not boring necessities!

Besides sales roles, they are looking for:

  • Director of Purchasing
  • Procurement
  • Senior Accounting Clerk
  • Accounts payable
  • Administrator coordinator
  • Software developers
  • Executive Director of Talent Management
Workway
April Miller, Market Director
Gina Gumaskas
Recruiting Manager
@Workway

Workway performs staffing and recruiting, specializing in finance and administration.  They focus in the banking and credit union industries.

Why work with Workway?

  • They are expert in marketing your specialized skills
  • You won’t pay a fee
  • They guide employees and follow up during your job search and hiring process
  • It is a candidate-focused model
  • They offer tutorials and training within and outside the company

Current opportunities:

  • Underwriters
  • Tellers
  • Loan processors
  • Client Care Specialist
  • Director of Marketing
  • Controller within the Hospitality industry
  • Branch Manager
  • HR positions

You can join their network without an intensive application process. The application is all online at www.workway.com.

State Farm,
DeAnne Prigmore, Recruiter
@StateFarm

DeAnne began at an entry-level position with State Farm.  State Farm’s mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams.  They have very competitive benefits including 401K and pension, work life, and wellness.

They have more than agency positions in Phoenix:

  • Claims
  • Customer Care Center
  • Systems/IT LinkedIn contact: Rich Ortiz, Recruiter
  • Creative Services: Graphic Designer

You can apply at http://www.statefarm.com/careers.

The Marina Heights campus is under construction but one building is occupied. It will have five buildings and 2 million square feet. It will hold 5,500 employees. It will be open to the public and will have shops in the courtyard as well as wifi.

Charles Schwab,
Shannon Grimes, Talent Attraction Manager

Charles Schwab’s mission was to bring Wall Street to Main Street. Today, they’re still true to the original values, yet have expanded.  They like to see the world through clients’ eyes.

They serve:

  • Investors (9.5 million)
  • Advisors (7,000)
  • Employers (1.5 million workers served)

Schwab has their largest employee base in the Phoenix Valley. They were the recipient of 18 awards in 2014 for employee-friendly workplaces. They close the gap between the power of investing and their clients’ ability to experience it.

Careers:

  • Broker Training Program (AFSP)
  • Estate Services Professional
  • Senior Specialist, Operational Risk

In Phoenix, they hire for almost every area of the company.

They also have:

  • Technology Roles
  • Operations
  • HR
  • Public Relations

Values:

  • Meritocracy: Schwab is very open to rewarding those who do a great job
  • Financial Fitness: Access to programs that help you become financially fit
  • Sabbatical: After four years of service

You can apply at http://tiny.cc/careerconnectors.

Resources

Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants
Rodger Brubacher,
Director of Continuing Education @DWWTC

DWWTC is a certification training school preparing students for the workforce.

  • Professional Development
  • Project Management
  • Six Sigma
  • Medical Front Office Administrative
  • Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
  • Digital Marketing & Social Marketing Strategist
  • Information Technology
  • Cyber Security

They have prime partnerships through various institutes.

They have instructor lead programs as well as hybrid online training and virtual classroom platform.

  • Low student to instructor ratio (typically 6:1)
  • Post graduate assistance
  • Online certification test prep materials
  • 95% of students pass certification exams on the first sitting
  • They use Pinterest to supplement materials

There are funds through Workforce Development, Veterans and Trade Adjustment Act.

Closing

Jessica Pierce closed the session with these announcements:

Our next events will be:

New sponsor: New Horizons Learning Center

Ted Robison has the LinkedIn Workshop on Wednesday, November 18th, 1–5PM at the City of Phoenix Business Services Center. The event is full, but there is a wait list.

9/22/15 – Social Media: Your Job Search Secret Weapon

by

Written by Debbie Webber

Career Connectors is all about connecting with good careers. And did you know the Career Connector’s LinkedIn group page  has job postings? Once you’ve landed on the page, click on “jobs” at the top of the page, and then “search all jobs” on the left side to see posted jobs.

Keynote

Today’s speaker was Dr. Carl Forkner. He has been a Career Connectors volunteer for two years, and is currently the Director of Marketing and Special Projects at Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants, a position he connected with through his association with Career Connectors.

Context is everything – do you want a job or a career? A job is simply something to fill your time, while a career is an investment in YOU that will provide you growth, salary, optimism and retirement benefits. Social media is your job search secret weapon.

Social media consists of websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.   It’s a wide spectrum of formats and activities. Various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube are the most widely used, but if you’re looking for a career, you should focus on the professional parts of social media.

The internet now has billions of individuals online, with huge worldwide penetration. And, thanks to cell phone use, social media use has also exploded. As a matter of fact, the number of individuals on mobile social media is actually higher than the actual population, due to individuals using more than one device to participate in social media.

The five sites in 2014 with the most active users were Facebook (1.7 billion), LinkedIn (322 million), Google+ (300 million), Twitter (284 million) and Pinterest (70 million). In addition, over 50% of these users are in the job-searchers “sweet spot”—working professionals between the ages of 18-44.

And here’s even more data: 90% of hiring managers and recruiters use online information about job applicants before making a hiring decision and 70% of those individuals said they had rejected candidates based on information they did – or didn’t – find online.

So—given all the data you’ve just read, do you still doubt that you need an online presence?

Now let’s talk about the quality of your information. Over 85% of employers think candidates should make their profiles more employer-friendly and 60% think candidates should take steps to hide personal pictures with inappropriate subjects. 56% believe you should delete objectionable posts, even if you didn’t write them. And 36% of employers think candidates should omit political/religious views from their profiles. Obviously, employers expect to see you in social media.

So what makes you a good social media prospect?
  • Candidate conveys a professional image
  • HR got a good feel for the candidate’s personality
  • Candidate was well-rounded and showed wide range of interests
  • Candidate’s background supported professional qualifications
  • Candidate was creative
  • Great communication skills

Over half of HR managers said they also found something to convince them NOT to hire an individual.

What makes you a bad social media prospect?
  • Candidate posed provocative or inappropriate photos or information
  • Candidate’s social media included info about drinking or using drugs
  • Candidate badmouthed a previous employer
  • Candidate has poor communication skills
  • Candidate made discriminatory remarks on race, gender, religion
  • Candidate lied about qualifications
The Big Three

Employer-preferred social media sites include Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Facebook
Many people are not aware they can find a job on Facebook. Simply use the Facebook search window just as you would the Google search window.  Many companies post open positions on their company Facebook page. Type in “Phoenix Jobs” or search for a specific company name. Look for a “careers” or “jobs” link on their Facebook site. Often these links lead to job descriptions with a link directly to the application area of the company’s website.

LinkedIn – the pinnacle of online job search formats
Recruiters never see candidates that are below the “all-star” level in LinkedIn because they get so many qualified prospects without going any lower.

The six critical profile components of LinkedIn are:

  • Name, Headline, Industry and Location
  • Professional Photograph
  • Summary
  • Current and Previous Work Experience
  • Education and Skills
  • Connections (50+)

You use LinkedIn to search for jobs and network for jobs. You search for companies you want to work for and once you find them, follow them. Check out job postings and apply, just like on the company website. LinkedIn will also show you how many people have already applied to the position you’re looking at, which can help you decide if you want to apply.

You can build yourself a targeted network by identifying and sending a connection request to people in companies you’ve targeted for your career. In addition, connecting with HR and recruiters may link you into companies and other opportunities.

Use your connections to get introductions for yourself and others, which can lead to connections with recruiters or HR in the company you’re targeting.

Twitter
The secret weapon for searching social media is HASHTAGS. While they became popular via Twitter, now most social platforms use them to help you find what you’re looking for.

There is a multitude of ways to search for a job on Twitter using hashtags. Try a search using #jobs, #financejobs (replacing “finance” with the industry you want), #employment or #hiring. If you already know the type of job you’re looking for, you can avoid sifting through all the other jobs to find your niche using Tweetchat.

Tweetchat.com allows you to filter the activity happening with the hashtags you indicate. This means you can open up a direct chat with whoever tweeted the job you’re looking for. Tweetchat requires you to have a Twitter account. But what if you could have jobs come to you without opening a Twitter account? Use www.tweetmyjobs.com and enter the role, industry or location you’re looking for and open positions will come to you.

Other formats
When you enter a hashtag along with your search word into Google+, it will give you 20 other options associated with that hashtag. You can also search for and find jobs posted on Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube,  which has become the second largest search network in the world. Try recording a video resume on your laptop – remember that being articulate and professional is paramount! Nextdoor.com is another site that is local to your physical neighborhood and can be valuable for making connections with your neighbors.

Get up, Get out, Get going!
The computer can only take you so far. Business is still done face to face, and networking opportunities abound in the Phoenix metro area. Google “Phoenix networking events and groups” and  you’ll find organizations like Networking Phoenix  with 75 to 120 free or low cost meetings, Meetup which is mostly free, and Executives Network  for director level positions and above.

Make sure you present a professional and articulate profile: your social media presence can be vital to finding your next career move.

Hiring Companies

Arizona Office Technologies
Octavio Duarte, Corporate Recruiter

Arizona Office Technologies (AOT) is a Xerox company that is a 30-year-old private, locally-owned company. They cover industries such as healthcare, legal, manufacturing and the public sector, with offices in Phoenix, Prescott and Tucson. AOT assesses the technology and culture of an organization to help them drive down print and production costs. Benefits include health, 401K, PTO, life insurance, and corporate discounts. They were voted a Best Place to Work in 2013 and 2014. Current career openings include Major Account Executive, Sales Consultants, Database Administrator, Assistance Controller and CRM Administrator. Apply here.

Adecco USA 
Michelle Grinberg, Regional Account Director

Adecco USA is a top global staffing agency that builds relationships with clients and companies. They have over 90,000 associates on client assignments each week across the world. They provide contract workers, direct placements and contract-to-hire. Industries covered include accounting/finance, engineering/IT, marketing, administration and medical/science. All associates are assigned a recruiter that becomes their career counselor. Adecco USA offers benefits including dental/vision, paid holidays, 401k, life/disability insurances, skills training and tuition reimbursement.

T-Mobile
Jill Fajardo, Retail Store Manager
Paul Ortega, Retail Store Manager

T-mobile culture strives to be different and challenge the status quo, which means they are searching for employees with uniqueness. As a matter of fact, they list their culture as “Unleash Your Inner Outlaw.”  T-Mobile is the third largest carrier in the world, which means there are huge opportunities for employees. Current career openings include Retail Sales Associates, Store Operations Associates, Retail Associate Managers and Retail Store Managers. Benefits include medical, dental/vision, matching 401k, PTO, stock options and discounts on T-Mobile service. Apply here.

Charles Schwab
Shannon Grimes, Talent Attraction Manager

Charles Schwab is the largest brokerage in the U.S., with a credo “We see the world through our client’s eyes.” They bring Wall Street to Main Street for individual investors, advisors and employers. Although the headquarters is located in San Francisco, Phoenix is the largest employee location, which translates to many opportunities. Current openings include Broker Training Program, Estates Services Professional and Relationship Specialists. Create your online profile and upload your resume at tiny.cc/careerconnectors. Answer the qualifying questions: a recruiter will review your resume, and if there is a strong match of qualifications to the position, you will be contacted with next steps. Shannon will follow up with you if you let her know you have started the application process.

Next Event

Wednesday, October 7, 2015 9:00am North Phoenix Baptist Church
Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out, Ted Robison
Hiring companies: Progrexion, Kforce, Christian Family Care and Charles Schwab