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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- Deliver a confident handshake
- Don’t get rushed!
- Make a courtesy comment
- Ask about their position or title
- Discover a commonality
- 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
- 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.
