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DISC

8/10/17 – Become a Jedi Communicator in Your Job Search

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Jedi Communicator with Jennifer RojasWritten by Michelle Soracco

Keynote Speaker

Jennifer Rojas – Confirmed Star Wars geek and Influencer

Become a Jedi Communicator in Your Job Search

Use the DISC assessment to figure out who you are and what your strengths and weaknesses are. Learn how to communicate to get what you want by giving others what they want. Create more impact when talking with people who don’t have the same strengths and weaknesses that you do.

D – Dominance/Driver
People who are “D” are results-driven, task-oriented people who get to the point quickly. When interviewing with someone like this, answer the interview questions directly and to the point – no beating around the bush. Also list your accomplishments, results and goals achieved. Example of “D”: CEO, Attorney, Darth Vader

I – Influencer/Promoter
People who are “I” are open and personable with a lot of positive energy. They will get to the point, but approach it from a personal angle. When interviewing with an “I”, maintain high, positive energy, be engaged and talk about your projects and successes from a team standpoint. The interviewer is likely visualizing you working with them and their team. Examples of “I”: Director of Marketing, Public Relations Specialist, Qui Gon Jinn

S – Steadiness/Supporter
People who are “S” have a calm manner and approach. They will share a lot of information to help you best answer the interview questions in their context. They go at a slower pace, and will take time to get to know you. When interviewing with an “S”, it is of utmost importance that you be genuine, because they can spot a fake a mile away. Speak about deadlines you’ve successfully met, along with project dates. Emphasize your teamwork. Examples of “S”: Human Resources, Account Management, Yoda

C – Conscientious/Analyzer
People who are “C” are fairly quiet and of an engineering mindset. They are logical and objective, and like to critique and test things (and people). When interviewing with an “S”, be prepared for direct questions and lots of them, and provide answers in a linear, detailed format. Discuss projects where you objectively came to a conclusion, and give specifics of said conclusion. Examples of “C”: Finance, Engineering, Strategic Planning, Luke Skywalker

Before your interview, look at the interviewer’s LinkedIn profile to determine beforehand which above type they are. You can glean information from recommendations as well as their profiles.

If you get really nervous and forget everything you prepared for, try one of two calming exercises:
1. Inhale and exhale through your nose with eyes closed, paying attention to nothing but your breath and when it gets warm or cold through your nose. Repeat until calm and focused.
2. Close your eyes and focus on the pulse in your thumb and fingers. This will take a few seconds, and you must be calm enough to feel the pulse (the light side of the Force).

Hiring Companies

Maricopa County

Kelly Dixon, HR Operations Manager @MariCoCareers

Kelly manages more than 1200 employees for Deputy County Manager Reid Spaulding, supporting 11 county departments. Maricopa County has generous benefits, including a pension plan, which you don’t see very often anymore. They understand that there is more to business than the bottom line. There are plenty of job openings in a wide variety of fields, which change on a weekly basis. Some examples are: IT Project Manager, Dietitian, Interior Designer, Medical Examiner, Wireless Network Engineer, Attorney, Court Interpreter, and Polygraph Examiner. They take the job requirements very seriously, so if you read the description and don’t have all of the requirements and years of experience, don’t apply for the position.  For more information and job listings, click here.

VIXXO

Heather Kitsko, Talent Acquisition Team Lead @WeAreVIXXO

Vixxo is an integrated facilities management company that services clients such as Starbucks, Target and Michaels. They have been a Fortune 500 Fastest Growing Private Company for 8 years straight. Vixxo is a team of doers that create innovative solutions for their customers in a fast-paced environment.  They believe that their employee diversity is their strength.  Some open positions include: Customer Service Representative, Oracle DBA, Project Manager and Staff Accountant. For more information, click here.

Allstate

Jill Romanowski, Field Sales Associate
Allison Chafin, Agency Process Specialist @AllstateCareers

Allstate has been in business since 1931, and is one of the most recognizable brands in the US today. They offer a $10,000 referral to anyone who puts them in touch with someone who wants to open their own business as an Allstate agency owner. Allstate will give them all the tools they need to succeed. If owning your own business isn’t right for you, the Tempe corporate office has open positions, such as Claims Analysts, Education Consultants and Licensed Sales Producers. For more information, click here.

Closing

Kristy Bach stood in for Jessica today, and graciously thanked all of the day’s speakers, volunteers and job seekers for participating. She encouraged job seekers to take advantage of the many Career Connector services like having your resume reviewed, a free professional portrait and visiting the hiring companies.

Next event is in Gilbert on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 9am. To register, click here.

4/14/16 – Identifying the Best Career for You

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By Susan Lamphiear

Can’t decide what  you want and you’re a job seeker? You’re not alone, the experts say.  But this is a huge mistake when it comes to the job search and pretty much anything we do in life. How will you know when you arrive if you don’t know where you’re going? How many times have we heard that old adage? That’s because it’s so true, as our keynote speaker stressed today. Start by asking yourself what you want, what strengths match, and what you’re passionate about as you set out to find the work you love — your Dream Job.

Keynote

Looking back, from the time she was a young child in middle school, Keynote Speaker Lisa Phalen, certified coach and HR consultant,  recognizes  she was very good at helping people even then. Kids would call to her from lunch or ask to speak to her privately about their lives and their problems. It was a common thread. In high school, friends came to her continuously, asking for help—she would listen, ask questions and then her friends found solutions—she was coaching before she knew what it was.

Her parents moved around a lot, including Lisa’s senior year in high school. In preparation to attend college, she was asked by Arizona State University (ASU), since they’d moved to Arizona by then, what her major was, and when she didn’t know,  they asked her,” What attracts you?”  And for some unknown reason she blurted out, “HR.” While she liked all segments of HR, she always loved the coaching part. It was part of that lifelong feeling that people came to her for help. And she liked it.

Even though she waited to pursue her dream of a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology, she has used her core strength of helping people throughout her career.These days she is finally pursuing her degree in Oranizational Psychology.

Is it any wonder, then, that she wanted to encourage us to refine our job search to take advantage of what we love doing, not just what we’re good at. So many times we default into a career because we’re told we excel in an area. Lisa gives us permission and encouragement to realize our strengths but to make sure to factor in what we’re passionate about.

The focus of her presentation today included the steps to identify and find the best job for you — that Dream Job.

Finding Your DREAM Job

Determine what your dream job really is

Research – job sites and job descriptions

Expertise —  build your expertise in your field of interest

Associations –join professional organizations

Mark your target (company)

Identifying a Career Match

  • Assessments
  • Know your bottom line
  • Funnel
  • Follow your heart
  • Assessment

Assessments

  • Career inventories – Strong Career Inventory, O-net Interest Profiler
  • Temperament Assessments – MBTI, DISC, True Colors, Kiersey*, Big Five Personality*, NERIS Explorer*
  • Strengths Assessments – Vaues Inventory*, Strengthsfinder, StandOut
  • Additional Assessments – TKI, Emotional Intelligence*, VARK Learning Style*

The Career Match Formula

  • Insights from assessments – What are your strengths?
  • Bottom line – Consider things like salary, benefits, travel, and culture.
  • Marketplace – What’s actually available in your area?

Know your Bottom Line

  • Consider things like salary, benefits, career development opportunities, flexibility, culture, work tools and resources.
  • Consider what you don’t want such as travel requirements, weekend or on call work, or excessive commutes

    The Career Match Funnel

  • No conditions
  • Qualifications
  • Work-life-balance
  • Location
  • Uniqueness

After you go through this process, step back and take stock and identify the best career for you which ideally will take into account your strengths and passions. Follow your heart.

Hiring Companies

SiteLock

Kathleen Klein, Corporate Recruiter

SiteLock, a website security company founded in 2008, and privately held by Unitedweb, has grown quickly  from 50 employees in 2014 to 200 employees today. A 24/7 business with international customers, it’s the number one provider of website security solutions; they protect about 10 million customers globally. Their mission? To protect every site on the Internet. Headquartered in Scottsdale, they have offices in Boston, MA and Jacksonville, FL. Products include malware detection, malware alert and removal tool, and credit card protection tools and more. Awards include fastest growing technology company in Arizona by the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 List and “Best Places to Work” by The Phoenix Business Journal. Company benefits include full medical, dental and vision, 15 days of PTO and 7 paid Holidays, company-paid life insurance, company-paid short and long term disability coverage, and free food—catered lunches every Friday. To gather more information or to apply, visit their website for opportunities including inside sales rep, technical support agent, and website security.

Adecco USA

Michelle Grinberg, Regional Account Director

Adecco USA, largest staffing company in the world, has presence in 60 countries and a 50-year history. Formerly clerical, Adecco USA now handles clerical and so much more including customer service, creative and marketing professionals, accounting and finance, light industrial, engineering and technology, IT, and medical and science. The company staffs for Fortune 500s along with medium and small local business clients and include temporary, temporary-to-hire, direct placement, master vendor, and more. Since 2005, Adecco has placed over 5,400 engineering and IT professionals with 264 companies in the Phoenix market. Each potential employee is assigned a recruiter. Other benefits include medical, 401K, short-term and long-term disability, and free online skills training. Training classes include management, leadership and IT. Currently located in Mesa, they are merging with Modis and will also have a location in Scottsdale or the Biltmore area. To apply, visit their website.

Revana/Teletech

Mary Ann Lopez, Recruiter

Revana/Teletech, a recognized leader, is a business process and sourcing company, employing over 1500 in their Tempe and Phoenix locations.  Some of their clients include  AT&T, Facebook, FedEx, Google, IBM, Oracle, Toshiba and Xerox. They need Inbound and Outbound Sales Associates, Sales Managers, Digital Account Executives (Google), Sr. Specialist,  Quality Assurance, Marketing-Statistician, and Data Analyst. The company offers opportunities to get a foot in the door and develop your career. They’ve won awards and recognition including the 2009 Stevie Award for Sales and Customer Service. Some of the benefits of working for the company include paid training, competitive base salary with commissions, career advancement, flexible work schedules medical and dental benefits after 30 days and more. The environment is casual. To apply, visit their website or stop by–in person– Mon – Fri between 9-3 p.m. and complete the entire employment process.

Resources

Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants

Rodger Brubacher, Director of Continuing Education

Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants offers certification programs for career and professional development including Project Management, Six Sigma, Medical Front Office Administrative Assistant & Billing/Coding Specialist, Microsoft Office Specialist, and Digital Marketing with Social Media. Also available are Cybersecurity Programs and Certifications. For the 12th straight year the school has received the Juniper Platinum Education Partner of the Year in the Americas. Classes are kept small at a ratio of six students to one instructor. The school has onsite state of the art facilities, with over 95% of their students passing the certification exams on the first sitting. Funding is available, so feel free to contact the school or go to their website for more information or to enroll.

Closing

Sandi Ashton, Vice President of the Board of Directors for Career Connectors, closed the formal part of the meeting before adjourning to breakout sessions. She reminded everyone in attendance at Career Connectors they are eligible to take– for free– the DISC assessment. During the breakouts attendees may obtain free professional head shots, coaching in LinkedIn, resume preparation guidance, and conversations with hiring companies. She thanked volunteers for their service and Highlands Church for providing the beautiful facility.

Next event for Career Connectors will be held in Gilbert on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at 9 AM. How to Work a Job Fair will be presented by keynote speaker Andy Ridley.

The Phoenix event will be held Wednesday, May 4, 2016, 9 AM and features the topic Get Hired by the Best—Advancing your Career with a Best Company featuring Jessica Pierce, Career Connectors Executive Director and Denise Gredler, President and Founder of BestCompaniesAZ.  This event will a panel feature discussion with 8 hiring companies: Charles Schwab, USAA, DISH, Synchrony Financial, Freedom Financial Network, Dignity Health, Arizona Federal  Credit Union and Vanguard.

Then the next Scottsdale event will be Thursday, May 12, 2016, at 9 AM in Scottsdale featuring keynote speaker Kirk Wilkinson speaking on the topic The Optimist’s Advantage.

For more details including exact locations, click here.

Parting Thoughts

Towards further inspiration, check out Scott Dinsmore’s TED talk–How to find the work you love. Just in case you missed the first mention. Yes. It’s that inspiring.

“There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It’s why you were born. And how you beome most truly alive.”

~ Oprah Winfrey

2/11/16 – DISCovering Your Unique Value

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Written by Kevin Spear, MBA: @kevinhspear

Opening

Jessica opened the session. Last week at the North Phoenix event, her husband, Mark took a selfie of the group. He got a great picture of everyone else… but only got the top of his head.

We don’t always do selfies, and they are not mandatory. So if that’s not your thing, relax!

Jessica reminded us there are some good connections and possibilities online, but there is nothing like the one-on-one you get when you get out of the house and network. You never know which connection at Career Connectors, or another networking event, will lead to your next job.

Keynote

Sandi Ashton, @SandiAshton
DISCovering Your Unique Value
OptimizingExcellence.com

Sandi is Vice President of the Career Connectors Board of Directors and has been vital in its development.

In 2003, Sandi found herself in a similar position many of us have been in. She was asked to resign from her company. They didn’t have a reorganization or a layoff. They wanted someone with an accounting degree and she didn’t have one. She felt at the time she lost so much, but it was the best thing that happened to her.

She now realizes her former role was not in harmony with her personality. In her last job, she was so stressed, pressured to overachieve, and be aggressive. That wasn’t her. Recently, she retook the DISC profile and now sees that her professional roles are in harmony with her personality.

Understanding yourself is critical, both professionally and personally. She gave an example of when she and her husband were going through a stressful time. Their personality and communication styles are different. It wasn’t until they both took the DISC test and acknowledged their differences that the problem was solved.

What is the DISC assessment?

  • Basis for understanding yourself and others
  • Theory of behavior styles
  • It allows you to develop strategies to meet your development goals and find the ideal workplace.
    • Your self-awareness will guide them to understand who you are.

But it is only part of your whole person. A Total Person Analysis involves the following:

  • Essence (soul and spirit)
  • Behavior (DISC Assessment helps measure this)
  • Skills
  • Values
  • Intelligence (IQ)
  • Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

There are four styles in the DISC Assessment:

  • Dominance = Problems/challenges
  • Influencer = People/contacts
  • Steadiness = Pace/consistency
  • Compliance = Procedures/constraints

Next, we went over our individual DISC profiles. If you haven’t taken one since January 15, 2016, you can take a free test through Career Connectors at this address.  It’s a new format, and worth retaking if you’ve done it in the past.

Sections of the DISC profile report:

  1. Your key competencies and preferred work style
  2. Your problem-solving and decision-making skills
  3. Your communication style
    1. If you’re having a breakdown in communication, this section will help you pinpoint why it is happening.
    2. This will help in your personal life as well as professional life
    3. File this away and use it when you are once again employed
  4. Your value to the organization will help you sell what you can contribute to the company
    1. Use them as talking points to form your success stories
  5. Communication:
    1. Flexibility and the ability to interpret the needs of others is the mark of a superior communicator.
    2. Identifying someone else’s behavior helps you communicate effectively with that person.
    3. You can identify DISC styles by sight.
    4. Tone of voice can also give someone’s style away.
    5. Use these discovery questions to determine a person’s personality and preferences:
      1. What do you do for a living?
      2. How did you get into that profession?
      3. Why do you like what you do?
      4. Are you originally from the local area?
      5. What do you like for fun?
  6. Ideal environment:
    1. Are you in an enjoyable or frustrating environment?
    2. What environment will you feel at home with?
  7. Perceptions
    1. How do you see yourself?
    2. How do others see your behaviors?
  8. Descriptors
    1. Your preferences for solving problems and meeting challenges
    2. How you influence people
    3. Response to rules and procedures set by others

Remember who YOU are matters. Your unique value makes a contribution no one else can.

Remember to take the free DISC assessment through Career Connectors.

Hiring Companies:

VIXXO (Formerly First Service Networks)
Heather Kitsko, Senior Recruiter

It’s the first time they can publicly announce their new name.
They are a leading technology-enable asset management and business insight company

  • They have 1,000 associates and fifteen locations.
  • Headquarters are in Scottsdale
  • For seven years, Inc. Magazine named them one of America’s fastest-growing private companies.
  • Their purpose is to keep the world’s business running smoothly so the brands you love continue to inspire.
  • Their goal is to anticipate disruptions in equipment and fix them before they break down.
  • They’re going to an Agile management throughout the company
  • The site: www.vixxo.com is now live

International Cruise & Excursions, Inc,
Jason Brambier, Corporate Recruiter
@ICE_Careers

  • Their headquarters are in Scottsdale
  • They are a large travel brokerage serving the cruise industry and other travel companies.
  • How do they work?
    • Call former cruise customers and offer cruise discounts.
      • The customer gets a year to decide details when they take a discount.
    • Customers also call ICE to make plans for their next cruise.
  • Median wage is $55,000 annually
  • Voted Best Place to work in Phoenix Business Journal 2013 and 2014
  • Benefits:
    • Discounted travel 50%-75% off cruise packages
    • Free trips for top performers
  • Nonsales jobs include:
    • In-house counsel
    • Telecom analyst
    • Branding Strategists
    • Director of Digital Lead Generation
    • Data entry
    • Web designer/developer
    • Accounting Clerk

For more information: www.iceenterprise.com

All About People,
Meredith Hall, Sr Account Manager
@allaboutpeople

  • It is a full service Hiring Organization.
  • Founded in 2002 and is one of the fastest growing companies according to Inc. Magazine.
  • They have positions locally as well as across the nation.
  • They hire for:
    • Contract
    • Temporary
    • Full-time
    • Executive Searches
  • They do coaching with their candidates so you can be presented in the best light.
  • They have a great breadth of companies they work with.
  • They opened ten locations across the nation in the last year.
    • They are in most major markets.
  • They have a high offer acceptance-98%of offers extended to candidates get accepted.
  • They have several open positions from higher level to data entry:
    • Sales Positions
    • They have city and state contracts in the area.

For more information: www.allaboutpeople.net

Freedom Financial Network,
Linda Luman, VP HR
@freedomFamily

Linda experienced a layoff last year, so she knows what it is like to be without a position. She emphasized the importance of networking. She said, “Before you leave today, be sure you network with three to four people. Someone that you least expect may connect you to someone that changes your life.”

  • Freedom Financial helps people transform their financial lives.
    • They serve people who experience debt and are being harassed by collectors.
    • Freedom Financial helps the customers to consolidate, reduce debt and fix their debt situation.
  • It was founded in 2002 when Stanford classmates were experiencing too much debt.
    • Today, they have over 1,000 employees.
  • Their locations are in Tempe and San Mateo, California.
  • They don’t believe their values belong on a wall but in the hearts of employees.
  • But one value that stands out is compassion. They can train everything else, but either you care about people or you don’t.
  • They’ve been recognized by Phoenix Business Journal as a Best Place to Work winner.
  • Benefits:
    • They have a recognition program.
    • Volunteer day for an organization or a worthy cause.
    • Monthly appreciation lunch
    • Freedom Family Fund gives the ability to help coworkers.
    • They celebrate employee’s birthday with four hours off.
  • Some positions include:
    • Account Executives
    • Compliance Analyst
    • Business Intelligence Analyst
    • Product Managers
    • Senior Software Engineers
    • 32% of positions filled are through internally
    • Over 50% of positions filled externally are through referrals

For more information: freedomfinancialnetwork.com/jobs

Resources:

City of Phoenix Workforce Connection
James Jones, Career Advisor
@CityofPhoenixAZ

James works out of the North Phoenix office. They are planning to make all locations offer the same programs in the coming weeks.

They offer Skill Development Packages:

  • Phoenix Workforce Connection Seminars – Public
    • They have mock interview labs that help you polish your skills and figure how you can improve your presentation.
    • Job Clubs allows you to network with other people.
    • 21st Century job search seminar
  • Level 1 package: Skills that match the job
    • 3 + 3 Package: Three days and three hours to get a job
    • This is if you are marketable and don’t need any training
  • Level 2 package: Research Pathways to Higher Wages
    • Personal and career awareness
    • Determine if you need additional training
  • Arizona Job Connection
    • Helps you get access to 50,000 positions.

The current Phoenix unemployment is 4.7%! It’s a good time to find a new job!
They are changing their name to Arizona at Work next week

One piece of advice James has is to be happy and do the things with family to build happiness. Employers will notice your demeanor.

 

Canyon State Institute
Sherri Carparelli, President & CEO

Sherri recommends going to all three Career Connector events through the month. Each one is unique and gives you more networking opportunities. Then she reminded us when you are unemployed, you are eligible to receive a grant for certification and education.

  • They are the only locally owned certification company in the area.
  • They have locations in Phoenix and Chandler.
  • Why get certification?
    • Defines your knowledge
    • Increases your marketability
    • Enables you to answer what you have been doing while unemployed with a positive answer.
  • Different programs include:
    • Microsoft Office
    • Medical Support Specialist
    • Information Technology
    • Project Management
    • Human Resources
    • Process Improvement
  • All courses lead you to taking and passing a certification exam.
  • All of their programs are high demand.
  • Includes career service center.
  • Funding available through:
    • WIOA
    • Veterans
    • DES Vocational Rehabilitation

For more information: canyonstateedu.com

Closing:

Jessica Pierce reminded us If you haven’t taken your DISC assessment in the last ten days, be sure to take it again because it has changed.

12/10/15 – Start Strong, Finish Stronger: Your Best Self in Your Next Chapter

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Written by Susan Lamphiear

Keynote

Stephanie Clerge, @StrengthsPro

Remember that scene from the movie Kindergarten Cop when Arnold Schwarzenegger asks the children to tell what their dads do for a living? That flashed into my mind when today’s keynote speaker described her four-year-old son’s public remarks.

Proud of her own and her husband’s careers and educational backgrounds, the speaker described her own shock when her son announced his aspirations at his preschool graduation. When asked, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” he said, “I want to kill vampires and zombies!”

Upon further reflection, after the shock wore off, our keynote speaker decided it actually might not be such a bad idea to metaphorically kill vampires and zombies like the zombies, the walking dead, in the work place, the information-hoarding, energy-sucking backstabbers.

Maybe those energy-draining employees referenced in her opening story  never really got in touch with their career passions by becoming aware of their strengths.  Stephanie Clergè, a certified career coach, referenced Gallup poll results suggesting what makes people great.

You’re six times more likely to be successful if you know your strengths. Respondents were also three times as likely to say they have a high quality of life if they focused on their strengths. It appears knowledge of your strengths makes you happier and reduces stress.

To demonstrate our strengths, Stephanie asked everyone to sign their names. Then she asked attendees to sign with their opposite hand and asked for feedback on how that felt. “Awkward, challenging, frustrating” were some of the responses.

“We work on our weaknesses so much of the time—maybe we never get good at it.” What if, instead, everyone spent more time working on their strengths?

But how do you know what your strengths are? Stephanie tells us it’s those things which bring us energy. Your strengths are the part of you that make you unique and special. It’s basically your “personality muscles” she says. The Gallup poll suggests that your talents are reflected not  just in your outwardly visible behaviors but also in how you think and feel.

Talents are the basis for strengths but she goes a step further. Some people may have a strength in a particular area but that talent doesn’t necessarily bring them joy or energy. Energy is the key.

The DISC assessment, free to Career Connectors’ attendees, is one way to discover your strengths. Other assessments are out there, too. To find your strengths consider Ease, Energy and Excellence. Your strengths are areas where you excel but also which you do with ease and they produce energy, not drain your energy.

HIGHLIGHTS OF STEPHANIE’S ADVICE

Know Yourself

Know your strengths

  • via DISC* and other assessments
  • Ease, energy, Excellence indicators

Plan Your Work

Define Your Strong Career

  • The 4th E: Experience — Ask yourself, “In the past, what did I LOVE?” When did I love the job/task, the team, the manager, the culture, the industry, the learning or other things like commute, travel, benefits?
  • Think Out of the Box — Look for your strengths in other parts of your life including internships, volunteer activities, side projects/businesses, clubs/organizations, and hobbies.
  • Strengths in Action: Homework . . . Create One Strength Statement. Pick something that energizes you. Create a sentence with key elements of your talent contribution that you use to complete that task. Example: My best contribution is a quality mindset. I can spot areas to improve quality and provide ideas to make processes or products move from good to excellent.

Develop Your Tools

  • Resume: It should be easy to read and it should be clear where you should be working next.
  • LinkedIn Profile: Use a clear, concise headline (not cheesy or needy), in the summary, show a bit of your personality, list a contact email and answer InMail promptly.
  • Questions:  Always have questions to ask in the interview. She’s found in her experience many job candidates simply do not ask questions. Ask questions like, “What would the first 90 days on this job look like?”
  • Stories: If you have a gap in between jobs, recruiters want to know why. Have your remarks planned so this does not catch you off guard. Also, be prepared to articulate your greatest accomplishments on the job. You’re very likely to be asked this question: “Tell me about a time when…” Stephanie suggests having three solid stories of your accomplishments which should ideally be recent (can be older if you are changing careers), should be work related, and should address your leadership and technology skills. In a strength statement, tie your strength to a goal. For example, if you excel in creative use of graphics, explain the creative graphics help influence customers.

Work Your Plan: Include daily steps. For example: review industry websites for job postings, follow up with a former boss for a recommendation, attend one event per week, apply to X number of jobs a week, and call my accountability partner.

The Solution IS SMART– It should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. Remember these key words:  Impact, Information, Inspiration, Strengths, Strategies, Support.

Hiring Companies

Nautilus Insurance Group
Kathleen Sandow, Senior HR Specialist

Nautilus Insurance Group provides commercial insurance (not personal insurance), specializing in excess and surplus lines of commercial property and casualty insurance coverage. Things they insure include shopping centers, exercise and health clubs, llama caddies, sea turtle watchers and doves released at weddings! Affiliated with W.R. Berkley Corporation, which is huge, Nautilus has the perks of a huge company and the autonomy of a small company. Located in Scottsdale Airpark, they employ 260 people, mostly in this location. The dress ranges from formal to summer casual.

Perks include a fitness center, covered parking, 401K, and paid vacations. The company is involved in community support including the Phoenix Rescue Mission. Current openings include Senior Claims Examiner, Data Analyst, Instructional Designer, Computer Support Specialist/Help Desk, and Senior Underwriter.  For a complete list or to apply, visit their website.

The Hartford
Harriet Darkwa, Talent Acquisition Consultant

The Hartford provides insurance to people who are usually in crisis mode because their home was flooded or their car was wrecked.  It’s a professional company who is looking to employ people who will be working with people who may not be covered and supporting customers going through life changes.  Over 200 years old, the company prides itself on both stability and innovation.

Other benefits of working for The Hartford include tremendous promotional opportunities, ongoing training and development, and pay-for-performance culture. The company offers tuition reimbursement, health insurance starting day one, and 401K.  Named “World’s Most Ethical Companies” for a seventh time by the Ethisphere Institute, it’s also been named one of the top 100 companies for remote work. Positions available include Associate Claim Representatives.  To learn more or apply, go to their website.

G/O Digital
Sean Beaudette, Sales Recruiter

G/O Digital helps businesses find their success through localized digital marketing. Founded in 2009, it’s a division of TEGNA Digital, employing over 400 people in downtown Phoenix. The culture is described as fun, diverse, and collaborative. The atmosphere is casual and  includes free snacks, ping pong, theme days and quarterly all-company events.

With a start-up feel, your voice is heard.  Inside sales (digital marketing consultants) currently shows the strongest growth, but openings also include sales development, account management, project management, PPC/Operations, Social Media, Marketing, and Finance. For more information, see them on social media or their website. To apply, visit them on their website.

Education Management Corporation (EDMC)
Mark Pierce, Talent Acquisition Manager

Education Management Corporation (EDMC), one of the largest and most diverse providers of proprietary post-secondary education in the United States, includes The Art Institutes, Argosy University, Brown Mackie College, South University, and Western State College of Law. A huge benefit to employees is free tuition for self and family at any of the schools. EDMC also prides itself on internal growth and development (96% of Admission Management team promoted from within and in five years the company has grown from 100 to over 3,000). Also the company offers 401K and 401K Roth participation, Health Benefits and more.

Dedicated to good works, the company involves itself in multiple projects such as Breast Cancer Awareness and Race for the Cure, Valley Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Adopt-a-Family.  Positions available include Admissions Representatives, Academic Counselor, and Admissions Manager. For more information or to apply, go to their website.

Resources

New Horizons
Zack Hiscock, VP of Training

New Horizons is a school that provides education for the workplace including computer training. Integrated learning solutions allow students to learn via several methods such as traditional, instructor-led; online LIVE learning; or online ANYTIME learning. The school also offers hands-on labs, reference materials, practice exams, learning guides, courseware, and exam preparation.

A state-of-the art training facility, programs there include Information Technology such as CompTIA Security, Linux +, MSCA Windows, and Office Management and/or Healthcare Records Management Programs like Pharmacy Technician or Microsoft office specialist. For more information or to enroll, check their website.

Closing

Jessica Pierce, Executive Director of Career Connectors, reminded everyone of the breakout sessions that follow the formal meeting. During those sessions, attendees have the opportunity to speak directly to hiring managers, obtain free professional head shots, and confer with experts in resume building and creating and managing LinkedIn profiles.

Jessica thanked volunteers and the monthly host for the event, Highlands Church, and invited everyone who qualifies to fill out the form for Highlands Hope Initiative. Through this program, the church presents gift cards based on income to job seekers and those in job transition. Some individuals may qualify for additional assistance provided by the church and are urged to apply.

Upcoming events include Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at 9:00 AM in Phoenix, featuring Michael Seaver, Developing and Living Your Personal Brand.

The next Scottsdale event will be Thursday, January 14, 2016, 9:00 AM. Topic for the event’s keynote address will be presented by Paula Shoup, Use Your internal GPS to Stay Positive & Productive in Difficult Times.

The next Gilbert event, Tuesday, January 26, 2016, 9:00 AM features Abby Kohut presenting Success for the Seasoned Search …The Benefit of Being Overqualified.

Click here for more details about locations and registration.

9/10/15 — Think Like a Hiring Manager and Land the Job

by

Written by Susan Lamphiear

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt

For anyone who has ever faced a challenging job search, Roosevelt’s words probably take on new meaning. Something about a sudden or unwanted job search forces most people to call on emotional strength they never knew they had.

It sure helps along the way to know we’re not alone, though, and that others have overcome challenging career roadblocks. I’ve heard so many people through Career Connectors willing to share their career journeys, and it’s beyond encouraging to know there is a light at the end of that proverbial job-search tunnel. Our keynote speaker today gave valuable practical tactics for the job search, but just as important, she included inspirational examples.

Keynote

“Why can’t they just be nice and get back to me?” Many people faced with a job hunt these days have probably at least whispered these words. Jessica Pierce, Founder and Executive Director of Career Connectors, was talking recently with many people who said they needed help in landing interviews.

Jessica used the example of Anthony, who’d confessed to her he’d been putting in many hours on job boards, sending out hundreds of resumes, but he just wasn’t hearing anything back. Jessica suggested he reframe his brain. You can’t just send out resumes all day long. You have to get out of your house, have coffee, she told him. Network with people. Jessica had asked him, “Is what you’re doing working?” It was not, but that was about to change. Anthony told Jessica “I’ll trust you.”

Armed with Jessica’s advice that you can’t stop with the job boards, sending out hundreds of resumes, you must network and use LinkedIn, Anthony started getting out and meeting people. Fast forward a short time later and Anthony received multiple interviews, followed soon by three job offers– beyond what he ever though he could wish for. He found his job through someone who knew someone through LinkedIn.

Jessica asked how many attendees had hired employees and many in the group raised their hands. She said, “You know, then, about the recruiting cycle.”  Most employers don’t have the resources or the time and patience to go through the lengthy process. One exception is the State of Arizona that literally looks at each resume. However, that’s also why, even if you make the resume cut, it may be months rather than weeks before you hear back from someone. It takes time, money, and human resources to tackle hundreds of resumes. One woman Jessica knew had already taken another job by the time she heard back.

To think like a hiring manager, keep in mind competence is only part of the picture. Competence plus Character plus Chemistry equals a Cultural Match. Hiring managers are in a hurry to hire good people who are a match for the company.

Competence

  • Knowledge/Training
  • Experiences/Accomplishments
  • Skills/Expertise

Character

  • Document your traits by completing the DISC assessment
  • Use action words and research the company, highlighting your similar traits–including your values and behaviors.

Chemistry

Begin with a proper handshake. Then before the interview, research the employer, know your resume, and prepare and review interview notes. During the interview, dress to impress. Arrive 5-10 minutes early. Engage with everyone. After the interview, send a thank you note. Email is OK, but a personal note in the mail is better. Then connect on LinkedIn or other social media if you haven’t already. Always remember that people want to work with people they like.

NOTE: A whopping 55% of recruiters have reconsidered a candidate based on their social profile. And 61% of those re-considerations were negative. It’s not surprising, then, if hiring managers and recruiters look for easier and safer options. And, they don’t begin their process with the job boards.

When Jessica was looking to hire her Director of Programs recently, she started asking people she knew, telling them she absolutely had to have someone dependable, but if she posted it, she’d get hundreds of resumes. As she asked around, Sheila Coulam‘s name kept coming up, and that’s who she ultimately hired.

How Hiring Managers Find Employees

  1. Internal Resource (known)
  2. Prior work Relationship (known)
  3. Referred Resource (known-one off)
  4. Through Employee (known—one off)
  5. Want Ads

Where recruiters find the best candidates

  • Social Networks – 73%
  • Referrals – 63%
  • Corporate career site – 60%
  • Direct sourcing – 57%
  • Career site – 51%

Social networks recruiters use

  1. LinkedIn 94%
  2. Facebook 66%
  3. Twitter 52%
  4. Google 21%
  5. RSS (Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication) Feed 20%
  6. You Tube 15%

Employers are starting to put more money into social networks, primarily LinkedIn. “You’ve got to be on LinkedIn,” Jessica says. Google search your name. Whatever you can see, the public probably sees (She’s in the process of looking at her teenage son’s social media profile because he’ll soon be applying for scholarships, and she knows the importance of an appropriate online presence.).

Job boards are still important, but you can’t let that alone be your source for finding a job. You must connect with people through relationships and social media as well. As far as the job boards, the number one is Indeed.com. It’s a crawler, meaning that Indeed.com scours other websites for jobs. Jobing.com is our local job board and a partner with Career Connectors. Career Builder and Simply Hired are two more possibilities.

In the beginning at Intel, Jessica tells us she was making $18 an hour, so she loved those referral bonuses and practically made a second career out of those $1000 referral bonuses. There are solid reasons for those referral bonuses. Statistics show that a person who is referred usually stays longer on the job. People like to work with people they like. “So be likable!” Jessica says.

So it’s ultimately what you do AFTER you apply that really counts.

Once you apply, find someone at that company and connect on LinkedIn or find someone who can introduce you to someone who works at the company you’re targeting. Recruiters are engaging with potential candidates through social media. It’s all about how you stand out compared with the other 200 people who are applying.

Vision without action is just a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world. ~Loren Eisley

When Jessica read the above quote, she admitted she’s by nature a non-planner but stressed its importance. At one point she gave everyone a few minutes to share with each other — an intended job action from their list — to do by the end of this week. Then she reminded everyone that there’s an 80 percent chance you’ll follow through with an action if you tell someone about it. It’s a commitment thing.

History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats. ~B.C. Forbes.

Jessica knows what it’s like to suffer job loss.  The quote above, taken from a book by her friend Jerry Jerome*, comforted her during tough times.

She’d started her own staffing company in 2007 after being laid off from Intel, along with 10,000 other people. But then in 2009, she closed the doors to her staffing company due to the economic downturn at the very same time her husband was laid off from his corporate recruiting position. She launched Career Connectors despite her husband thinking she was crazy when she started volunteering to help people with their resumes even before she got another job. With an infant, and children ages two and ten, they finally sold their home and rented a house. But the week of Christmas 2009 they found a notice on the door of their rental– giving them ten days to find a new place to live.

Jessica is here to tell you that there is hope on the other side of extreme job loss. She knows because she’s been there. And back.

*Jerry Jerome donated his book, Instant Inspiration, for everyone in attendance, and books were handed out at the conclusion of Jessica’s presentation. The quotes Jessica used in her presentation she found in Jerry’s book. The quote I selected to open the blog came from his book as well.

Hiring Companies

City of Phoenix Workforce Connections

Kathy Thiessen, Senior Workforce Project Manager

The City of Phoenix Workforce Connections offers job seekers skills development, employment talent marketing and business services. Clients receive these services free, including help with online job bank registration, setting up email accounts, use of computers and equipment, referrals to community resources, public workshops, on-site events and job fairs, and youth services. Through assessment and conversations, the one-stop sites help job seekers identify transferable skills, determine your interests and work values, help with soft skills training, basic computer training and more.

Grants are available under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) with the goal of employment, transitioning back to the workforce as quickly as possible. The WIOA updated the 1998 Act and is the first legislative reform in 15 years, passed by a wide bipartisan majority in the Congress. SOAR is a program including personal and career awareness, soft skills for success in the workplace, and social media networking via LinkedIn. Its purpose is to strengthen Arizona’s economy by developing the workforce and matching employers with job seekers.

WIOA Services

  • Assess your  transferable skills, strengths, and areas needing improvement
  • Match skills/background to occupation/career.
  • Determine if training/certification is needed to increase your marketability.

Three One-Stop Career Centers are located in the Valley.

Among resources available at the One-Stop Centers include practice interviews and analyzing video tapes of yourself in order to be better prepared to market yourself for a job.

To check on exact locations and services available, visit their website.

Taser

Shelby Hagan, Recruiting Coordinator

Taser products in Scottsdale, with locations in Seattle and recently Amsterdam, include smart weapons (Tasers, electrical weapons), body-worn cameras and evidence solutions. The company prides itself on being innovative, including continually asking employees for their ideas. Taser’s culture includes the attitude that what you do matters and the importance of continual learning. Benefits include medical insurance, 401K, unlimited PTO, 12 weeks maternity leave, six weeks paternity leave and more. A variety of jobs are available and the list changes continually. “We have something for everyone,” they say. For more information about the company, or to apply, visit their website.

Aetna

Le Nguyen, Director, Recruiting Operations and Dani Sykes, Senior Recruiter

Aetna, a health care insurance provider, employs 50,000 people. In January of 2015 its CEO announced two important initiatives including increased pay for its minimum base hourly wage for its U.S. employees. The second initiative is the launch of an enhanced medical benefits program in 2016 to lower the out-of-pocket health care expenses for some of its U.S. employees.  The company is considered a leader in flex scheduling, including work schedules or telecommuting from home. Other benefits of Aetna include Paid Time Off (PTO)—three and one-half weeks vacation to start– six percent 401K match, annual bonuses and more. Currently, Aetna is in the process of acquiring Humana. Opportunities for careers include accounting, finance, human resources, customers support, marketing, sales and more. For the most current list of positions or to apply, visit their website.

Verizon Wireless

Darrin Ruof, HR Recruiter

Verizon Wireless is a national wireless provider, a technology leader with fast connections. Lots of phone support is available to its customers. Verizon cares about the community including one of their projects called Hopeline, a program which help victims of domestic violence. Benefits of working at Verizon include the opportunity to advance, health benefits starting on the first day of employment, and tuition assistance, up to $8000 per year. They have openings now including their call center, with jobs starting at an hourly rate, but most employees earn sales commissions starting at $1300 on up. For further information about positions, or to apply, go to their website or reach out through social media.

Education Management Corporation (EDMC)

Kelly Moncada, Talent Acquisition Specialist

Education Management Corporation is one of the largest and most diverse providers of proprietary post-secondary education in the United States. The corporation includes five schools:  The Art Institutes, Argosy University, Brown Mackie College, South University, and Western State College of Law. Their top value and top priority involves providing education that builds careers.  Opportunities for advancement abound and 96% of the admissions management team members are promoted from within. The company expanded from 100 employees to over 3000 in five years. Among other benefits, the company provides employees tuition benefits to any of their schools after only 90 days on the job, as well as paid time off, 401K and 401K Roth participation, life and health insurance, and more. For more information on open positions, or to apply, visit their website.

Closing

Sheila Coulam, Director of Programs at Career Connectors, closed the meeting, thanking Highlands Church for providing the beautiful facility for hosting the monthly events. She reminded everyone of the free DISC assessment available through the website.  Also, concluding the formal part of the event, attendees were all welcome to talk to hiring managers or get help with free professional head shots, resume writing and LinkedIn assistance.

Career Connectors next meets Tuesday, September 22, 2015, 9:00 AM, in Gilbert, featuring keynote speaker Carl Forkner: Social Media: Your Job Search Secret Weapon. Next up will be Wednesday, October 7, 2015, 9:00 AM, in Phoenix. Keynote speaker Ted Robison will speak on the topic of Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out. The next Scottsdale event will be Thursday, October 15, 215, 9:00 AM in Scottsdale, featuring keynote Dave Sherman on the topic of Get the Job Fast – How to Find a Great New Job in Half the Time.

For more information including specific locations and registration, click here.