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dress for success

11/12/15 – The Power of You

November 17, 2015 by Kevin Spear

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:

  • December 2 at North Phoenix
  • December 8, 2015: Gilbert
  • December 10, 2015: Scottsdale

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.

Filed Under: Event Recaps Tagged With: etiquette, confidence, International Cruise & Excursions, Workway, Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants, Career Connectors, career transition, Charles Schwab, dress for success, Gloria Petersen, Jessica Pierce, Job Advice, Job Interview, self-assessment, State Farm

12/11/14- Project a Commanding First Impression

December 14, 2014 by Sheila

Written by Susan Lamphiear

He’s one of the richest men in America and he hates suits. He even wrote a blog about it.  He doesn’t understand why anyone wears them. But wait; didn’t I see Mark Cuban recently all decked out  in a dress suit and tie for a group photo with President Obama and even wearing a suit on that popular TV show,  Shark Tank?

Keynote Speaker

Project a Commanding First Impression, Maintain a Dynamic Interaction, Create Permanent Professional Partnerships

Keynote Speaker, Gloria Petersen, likely would not be surprised by the contradiction between what Mark Cuban says about suits versus the reality of his formal pictures with the President. Gloria points out the obvious transformation of  jeans-clad Bill Gates to formal suit-and-tie-guy today.  Gates makes a statement with his dress. After all, power dressing in the business world still conveys strength.

Yet people  still sometimes skip certain fundamental steps. She likened appropriate business dress to building a foundation for a house. Or even remodeling a house. If the foundation is not there, the house won’t stand the test of time.

Compare your image to a foundation of a home. We want  our image to be positive and stand the test of time. (This reminds me of the old saying that you never get a second chance to make a first impression.)

Face it. Our clothes and appearance and demeanor do make statements. Gloria reminds us the “tie” dates back to at least the 1800s when men wore ascots with ruffles. Then American men wore bow ties and finally, the tie as we know it today evolved.

Did you know that the three-sided knot in a tie mimics the triangle of the throat? It indicates strength.

Gloria points out that when a CEO loosens his tie, it’s a signal to other people in the room to relax. Likewise, when a job candidate wants to project the confidence and credibility of a CEO, he or she builds the foundation for that initial impression by dressing like a powerful CEO.  Men should wear that dark suit and contrasting shirt and tie. Women, wear dark or neutral colors and a necklace or colorful scarf  near that triangle of the throat,  too,  to project strength, and draw the eye upwards towards the face.

Gloria’s 7 steps to create a lasting positive impression in professional interactions

  1. Check your appearance and stance. Aim to project a self-assured persona! Make sure your clothes fit right.
  2. Make your introduction (first and last name preferred at the onset). Your last name distinguishes you from all the others named Elizabeth or Robert.
  3. Repeat name(s) accurately (repeat again if not understood).
  4. Shake hands with confidence, extending the web of your hand first,  paying attention to the recipient’s handshake.
  5. Open the conversation with small talk (inquire–discover–ask). If that rattles you, try inquiring about their position or role in the workplace. Discover a commonality by asking questions such as their goals or needs for a particular position.  Or ask what inspired the person to go into their line of work or specialization.
  6. Keep the interaction tangible with a business card (or name card). When you present your business card, hand the card so that your name is readable. In other words, don’t hand the card sideways or upside down. Let the presentation of the card emphasize who you are.
  7. Take your leave with a confident handshake and plan your follow-up.

Gloria reminds us that people make decisions based on what they THINK they see.

Especially if opportunities are not coming your way, take another look at the way you are presenting yourself. Make sure you are visually presenting the most confident version of you — from your clothing, to your posture, to your eye contact,  to the first words out of your mouth.

Most of all, our keynote speaker has reminded us it’s all about the people. It’s about our connections. Once we walk our confident, best-dressed selves into that room, it’s all about looking an individual in the eye and really seeing them, acknowledging that each person matters, then greeting them, and talking to them. What better holiday message, especially if you’re job hunting,  that it’s all about the people.

Hiring Companies

Zenefits

John Tyler, Director of Sales

Zenefits makes software designed to help small businesses comply with regulations. And the company is growing fast. Just one year ago the company employed 20 workers but today that number has grown to 500, with plans to hire 1300 more over the next three years. Hallmarks of the company include their talent, their teamwork, and their career growth potential from within. The first 20 people hired have moved on up within the company already. Perks include no limiting PTO policy as long as you just do your job, laptops, ergonomic setup, health benefits, casual attire, and catered lunches nearly every day in each department.  The company offers a variety of positions which can be seen on their website. Click here to view the positions and apply.

UnitedWeb

Amanda Dziuk, Corporate Recruiter

UnitedWeb aspires to be the number one Cloud platform for Small to Medium (SMB) businesses.  The company brags a unique culture where they will interview you even if they don’t have a specific position–Why? Because if there’s a way  your unique talents can be put to use, they’re open to hiring you.  Currently, a number of positions are available, including marketing, sales and additional support for technology. An innovative company always open to growth and new ideas, the atmosphere is positive and collaborative. The company offers benefits including 401K and life insurance. The company continues to grow, with centers throughout the United States. For more information or to apply, visit their  website.

International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. (ICE)

Jason Brambier, Corporate Recruiter

International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. (ICE)  continues to win awards for best place to work, including one of the 25 best places for women to work. The company owns no ships, Jason explained, but they’re like the Expedia of the cruise industry. The company employs inbound and outbound agents, including 300 agents who work from home. Many agents earn an average of $55,000 with commission, with some earning three times that amount. Onsite the facility offers a café, gym, nurse practitioner, hair and nail salon, and concierge desk. Check out their website to apply and see the schedule for onsite hiring events.

Resources

During the break-out sessions, attendees were able to meet with a professional photographer for free professional headshots, get advice from  LinkedIn and Resume experts, and hold consultations with recruiters and representatives from training schools.  Anyone in attendance is also welcome to take the free DISC assessment, helpful in building a resume and providing talking points in interviews, along with reminding candidates of their strengths in the workplace. Click here for more information on free resources available.

Closing

Jessica Pierce, Executive Director of Career Connectors, commended the volunteers and thanked Highlands Church for providing our beautiful facility.

  • The next Career Connectors event will be held Wednesday, January 7, 2015, 9:00 AM in Phoenix, featuring keynote presentation The Bounce Back with Sherri Thomas.
  • The next Career Connectors event at Scottsdale takes place Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 9:00 AM at Highlands Church.
  • Click here for details on exact locations of the Career Connectors events and online registration.

 

Filed Under: Event Recaps Tagged With: Career Search, command first impressions, create permanent professional relationships, dress for success, Job Advice, maintain dynamic interaction, networking

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