Written by Julia Churan
Sometimes landing the perfect job means thinking outside the job seeker box and getting into the mindset of the hiring team. Career Connector’s own Executive Director Jessica Pierce turned the hospitality role over to Director of Programs, Sheila Coulam, while Jessica took the stage as the keynote speaker this week to share her 15+ years of recruitment expertise.
Keynote
Jessica Pierce, @JessicaPierceAZ
Jessica in her ever-energetic manner warmed up the crowd by sharing her family’s story that led to the launch of “the” premiere career transition non-profit in the Greater Phoenix area. She went from 10 years as an HR professional for one of the area’s largest tech employers to starting her own staffing firm to being unemployed during the worst economic period of the last 40 years. She took a totally different approach, however, and decided to put her talents to work coaching others to improve their marketability. Today the efforts of Jessica, her team and a large group of supporters have helped over 20,000 people get their careers back on track.
Understanding the hiring process from the corporate perspective will help you alter your game and have less frustration while looking. Blindly submitting resumes and applying online is not necessarily your best option in the process. Sixty percent of new hires are made through referrals. Hiring managers begin with their inner circle. They ask… “Who do I know for this role?” “Who does my circle of trust know?” “Who might our internal resources know?”
Sixty percent of job placements are made through referrals. The job you want today may never be posted!
The 3 most common connection points to a job are:
- Social Media
- Relationships
- Job Boards
Today social media is the biggest asset in matching talents and needs. Never dismiss the power of LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. They can help you land or lose a job if you aren’t careful with your images.
Fifty-five percent of recruiters have reconsidered a candidate based on their social profiles while 61% have also reconsidered negatively after looking on social media. Avoid politics right now. You just never know how it may be received.
Also, swallowing your pride during the process can keep you from closing future doors. Two big mistakes to avoid are:
- don’t ever criticize a company on social media
- don’t be rude if you don’t hear back right away
Chemistry + Character + Competence = Culture Match
Hiring managers consider all three qualities when finding their perfect match.
Competence
Do you have the right training, experiences and expertise? If not, get training. Consider the areas you should brush up on. If you are lacking in an area, start researching or go to the library. If a new skill might round out your abilities, consider getting a professional certification. Utilize grants and GI funds whenever possible.
Volunteering or consulting may also help you gain a more current skill set. It may allow you to add new expertise to your resume. If social media would look appealing to hiring managers in your field, start a blog about something you are passionate about. If you struggle with nerves when public speaking, join a Toastmasters group.
Apply for just the jobs that you will be competent in — not every job you see!
Character
These are the features and traits that form your individual nature. Understanding your strengths and weakness will help you establish a personal brand and play up your strengths.
Look at the traits that are important in the job and the company you are looking for. Be sure your skills, traits and values align before you waste effort applying.
- Document your personal traits.
- Ask your friends and family what they feel are your best character strengths.
- Take the DISC assessment through Career Connectors or other tools that may be available to you.
- Make note of action words in the assessment results and be sure to include them in your resume.
- Research the company’s culture before the interview or ideally before you apply
- Highlight the traits you have that match with theirs in your correspondence and conversations.
- Don’t say yes to an offer until you know the culture matches yours.
Chemistry
People want to work with people they like!
When you finally land that interview, you have to hit a home run in the first minutes of the interview.
Be real, but do your research.
- Prepare to utilize what you learn about the organization and people you are meeting.
- Connect with your interviewers through LinkedIn before the interview.
- Be present in the moment and leave distractions AND you phone in the car.
- Know your resume and prepare based on what their role is seeking.
- Dress to impress.
- Make a good introduction.
- Have a good handshake – match their pressure, web-to-web, pump twice. Don’t hold on — it is creepy.
- Followup with a professional thank you note.
You have a choice! You need to like them, too!
With the current market, over a hundred applicants apply for any job within days of posting, you must stand out in the crowd. You have to get out of your comfort zone and start connecting.
Hiring Companies
Local Motors
Gwendolyan Dasher, HR Manager @localmotors
They offer a global team of enthusiasts, hobbyist innovators and professionals working together to solve problems and create some of the coolest machines. Gwendolyan described Local Motors as an intimate family company that fosters team-work and personal input. They employ 150-200 team members and are growing internationally with a new facility in Germany. They proudly promote a casual, pet-friendly working environment with a great benefits package and employee discounts. Positions are available in clerical, engineering, and IT.
Cenlar FSB
Blanca Sandoval, HR Site Manager
Cenlar is a trusted mortgage and loan servicing provider headquartered in New Jersey with a growing office in Tempe. They plan to expand to 500 employees in Arizona by September.
They pride their success on five key factors:
- Customer Service
- Teamwork
- Integrity
- Initiative
- Work-Life Balance
They offer a competitive benefits package including employee stock purchase and low turnover. Current opportunities include: HR, Customer Care, Loan Servicing, Foreclosure and Loss Mitigation.
NESCO Resource
Kelli Perkins, Area Manager, @NescoResource
NESCO is a contract staffing firm founded in Cleveland, Ohio with five offices throughout Arizona. Kelli reinforced Jessica’s words of advice about companies and cultural fit.
NESCO began as an Engineering staffing firm but have expanded into IT, Administrative, Manufacturing and Finance with an award-winning reputation. They currently have hot jobs locally in purchasing, mortgage processing, IT and call center.
They encourage applicants to look at all positions on their site and apply online or drop by to set up an appointment.
Education Management Corporation
Mark Pierce, Talent Acquisition Manager
EDMC is made up of five institutions for higher learning including Argosy University, The Art Institutes and South Univerisity locally. They are a for-profit, post-secondary program with 1400 employees and 3000 faculty who provide programs in both brick & mortar facilities and online. EDMC offers a complete benefits package as well as outstanding tuition benefits. Positions are available in the Gilbert and Chandler facilities in Admissions, Academic and Financial Counseling. Apply at www.edmc.edu/careers/. He closed out his presentation with a group selfie.
Resources
Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants
Rodger Brubacher, @DWWTC_AZ
DWWTC offers professional certifications and desktop application training in a beautiful state-of-the-art facility in Tempe. Their certification programs include PMP, Six Sigma, Medical Billing & Coding, Digital Marketing with Social Media as well as many IT and Cybersecurity programs.
Rodger reinforced financial aid programs through the AZ@Work WIOA grants and GI programs.
He also offered a free MS Office course by contacting Rodger and referring to Career Connectors and the offer.
Closing
Sheila closed the event by promoting the Top Talent – DISC Assessment to assist in establishing your personal brand. Professional photographers are available at each event to offer a free business portrait. LinkedIn and resume experts will meet with members to help improve professional profiles. The Phoenix Business Journal – offers a free copy of the annual Book of Lists to all Career Connectors members. Finally, she offered a huge thank you to the volunteers who help make these events possible and the Central Christian Church family for opening their doors monthly for these events. Anyone interested in expanding their volunteer efforts may visit the Volunteer Center.
Future events
Join us at the next Career Connectors event in North Phoenix with Stephanie Clergé presenting on Start Strong, Finish Stronger: Your Best Self in Your Next Chapter. Wednesday, Jun 01, 2016, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
