Career Connectors

Connecting professionals in career transition with hiring companies and quality resources

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Job Advice

7/17/2013 – Linked Up on LinkedIn

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Written by Donna Rittenhouse

Keynote Speaker

Jessica Pierce

Who do YOU know?   More than over 2 Million employees, perspective employees, and 170 industries belong to LinkedIn.  I joined LinkedIn this past year after losing my job and was amazed to find friends, co-workers, managers, and even CEO’s are in this social network.  LinkedIn is the largest professional social network with 2 new people joining ever second.  Over 4 billion people are on LinkedIn. One needs to focus on results.  The most important element the hiring manager wants to  know is what were the results you achieved at your last positions.

Linked in can be used for:

  • Managing your information from your profile.
  • Finding a hiring company
  • Connect with the decision makers
  • Ability to be found by hiring companies.

Jessica explained when she lost her job she joined LinkedIn and has never looked back only forward to make her connections, profiles, and checked to see who else she may want to connect with: “Who do you know?”

I know that  I was surprised to find so many of past co-workers, hiring managers and even some people that I have interviewed with over the past 10 months.

My first job when I get home from an interview is to log onto the computer send a thank-you email to the person I spoke with and then add the company and the interviewer to my linked in account.

You are also are able to see who has been looking at your profile and pick the top 20 companies for who you are passionate about working.  It can’t be stressed enough with social media: “Who Do You Know?”

Jessica shared a story about a friend, who had just finished RN school and was unable to  find a job.  She knew a friend that knew someone at Banner help , but she was reluctant to ask for help.  Her friend reached out several times and she is now working in a place she loves for a company that she wanted to work for.  Ask for help most people are more than willing to help a friend in need.”

Some other bullet points you may want to consider:

  • Make sure you have an All Star Profile.
  • Make real connections.
  • Check LinkedIn job board.
  • Join in group discussions.
  • Use Keywords – like experienced Business analyst when applying.
  • Remember to ask friends and former employees for recommendations and endorsements on LinkedIn.

Hiring Companies

Paychex

Jill Johnson, Talent Acquisition Manager

Jill found her job on linked in.   Paychex is one of the best place to work in Phoenix.  In 1971 Tom Golisanon started up his own business with Paychex hoping for 40 clients and it has since grown to 50,00 clients nationwide.  A Fortune 500 company and revenue exceeds 21 million dollars .  They are located in 100 locations in 39 states and Germany;  They are a leading company as third party vendor for .Payroll,Human Resources, Benefits and taxes.

You can reach their website go to jjohnson3@paychex.com

Renaissance Personnel Group

Laurel Piel, Owner and Cheryl Compton, Recruiting Manager

Laurel in 1999 was the marketing director to the Winter Olympics. They have now move to Phoenix and are doing career consulting , recruiting making a change for the better.  Renaissance offers temporary contracts, long term contracts, as well as direct placement.  They have positions in Administration and IT

EDMC

Amy Aubey

For a profit education with several schools in Phoenix which include  EDMC and the Art Institute.  There agenda includes Education on line and classroom, strategic focus, quality academics.  They have over 26,00 employees. and a faculty of 4,00.  Benefits include Healthcare, Dental, Vision , 401k and free tuition.

Revana

Elaine Sportbert, Talent Acquisition Specialist

Revana is hiring account managers, electronic direct marketing, consumer accounts.

Closing

Sandi Ashton from Career Connectors Board of Directors, thanked volunteers, Career Connectors’ Partners and North Phoenix Baptist Church, which hosts the Phoenix events.

5/28/13 – Handling Your Job Search Like a Project

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Written by Trudy Jo Ware

Jessica Pierce enthusiastically brings us all to the table rolling up her sleeves telling us it’s time to get to work. Nodding our heads in agreement she shares Career Connectors and the event presenters of the day who bring career coaching techniques and up-to-date job opportunities. It’s time to look at our job search goals; are they clearly identified; are they achievable. I agree, the vision is the essence and attainable. It’s time to work.

Keynote Speaker

Lenora Holmsten has 15 plus years of success and a passion for pulling pieces together as a collaborative strategist and change implementer while coaching seekers to Handle Their Job Search Like a Project.

Managing any project whether it’s having the first cup of morning coffee, or going to the gym uses tenets of Project Management (PM). The requirements are planning, organizing, of course motivation and an ability to control resources to achieve the goal. For someone like myself, I appreciate that the endeavor is temporary so I can start at the beginning and work through the tasks until the goal is completed. However, there needs to be an awareness of constraints: scope, time, and cost.

Lenora asks, “How big is the bread box and how long can I afford to do what I’m doing”? All of a sudden, I feel a sense of urgency. So much to do and so little time. My thoughts are interrupted by her statement of methodology for achieving the job which she says is similar to accomplishing a project.

The PM methodology process consists of five steps that address initiating the project, planning, executing, monitoring and accomplishment – or success. Creating the “Plan” is an area where most people get tangled up. Someone from the audience questions the need to follow the sequential PM method. He, too, is not obtaining expected results from his methodology. Lenora assures from her experience it works if a job seeker is diligent. She identifies specific building blocks and suggests organizing tools within reach of the internet, such as, mind maps, Gantt Charts, and project spread sheets for planning, dates and accountabilities.

She emphasizes the need to include networks of professionals/organizations to support our career planning process and assist with job search, resume process and interviewing skills. Lenora underscores her statement by mentioning Dave Sherman who testifies that networking and the power of connections are essential to job acquisition; and Jason Alba, the Linkedin guru, whose videos demonstrate the importance of social media networking. [Note: Visit www.jibberjobber.com for job search management] The plan is amiss if special thought and consideration isn’t given to risk factors, the potential of something going wrong with the need to build a related contingency. The old adage, “plan your work and work your plan,” is a truism in the PM process. In addition, PM success relates to monitoring the plan and inserting check points utilizing accountability groups for feedback and course correction. Looming is the question, “How to measure success and the answer is similar to the methodology, one step at a time.”

After reviewing Lenora’s information, I realize that if I follow the steps and the process is not so difficult. So, pen to paper, I tweak my plan according to areas of dominance and weakness, and fill in the blanks with professional networking all of which, I believe, add the plusses I’m looking for. I’m at work.

Hiring Opportunities

Maricopa County

Loretta Price, HR Consultant

Maricopa County, the public agency services almost 4 million of the 6.5 million Arizonians. The County’s strategic goals address needs of a growing population. Maricopa County provides regional leadership and fiscally responsible, necessary public services, so residents can enjoy living in a healthy safe environment. The County’s priorities mean jobs; jobs in areas ensuring safe communities, access to an effective integrated justice system, public health and community safety; opportunities for education; environmental sustainability; regional economy; transportation; public services; sound financial management; and a diverse workforce. Jobs are available. 52 leading departments and 1300 employees service the county. Jobs, job training, substantial benefits and competitive salaries are available. Loretta explains, the current 9 pages of job announcements listed on the website, how to access opportunities, and the application and submission process. Once received, applications are not sorted electronically by key words, but read by a department HR person. Loretta indicates that the opportunities and applying are application driven and requires the job seeker’s special attention.

MAXIMUS

Melanie Benitez, Program Services Manager

Since 1975, nearly forty years, MAXIMUS has partnered with state, federal, and local governments to provide critical health and human service programs to a diverse array of communities. The company leverages extensive experience and strong commitment to ethics to provide high quality services and solutions. A passion for public service, MAXIMUS employs staff of approximately 8,800 dedicated to providing innovative programs that improve the quality of life around the world. The for profit publically traded company is headquartered in Restin, Virginia with locations in metropolitan Phoenix. What MAXIMUS does:

  • Commit to charitable giving through the MAXIMUS Foundation. Since its founding in 2000, the Foundation has provided more than $2 million in grants to community organizations.
  • Together with government partners at the State, Federal and local levels, provides cost effective services that transform the lives of people.
  • Matches families with the right health care coverage so they can find a doctor in their neighborhood who speaks their language and meets their medical needs.
  • Help individuals find sustainable employment.
  • Improve the lives of children & their families by connecting them to vital child support services.
  • Develop education solutions so children with special needs get the services they need to succeed.

REVANA

Megan Trujillo, Talent Acquisition Specialist

Revana, once known as Direct Alliance, has achieved tremendous growth over the last 20 years and is known as a professional inside sales organization and recognized leader in outsourcing sales and marketing solutions for industry leading clients. The company is located in Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona and employs over 1,500 people. Annually the company generates more than $5 billion in client revenue. Revana’s Revenue Generating Solutions comprise:

  • Professional Inside Sales
  • Account Management
  • Lead Generation
  • Customer Acquisition & Retention
  • Integrated Marketing
  • Electronic Direct Marketing

Resources

  • Follow the news and events, locations and additional resources at Career Connectors new website. Join us and give us your fresh ideas.
  • Available at no cost is the DISC, a dynamic tool that more and more employers are using for new hire. You can use it also in your resumes, media networking, interviews and more.
  • Business Portraits provide a service of great value to today’s job seeker.

Closing

Our next upcoming event is Wednesday, June 5, 2013, 9:00 AM, Phoenix: Turning Business Cards to Gold with Jacque Zoccoli. We look forward to seeing you.