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What Employers Look For On A Resume: 12 Hiring Managers Share Their Tips

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There is a lot of information swirling around the internet about resume creation. But why not go straight to the source? After all, if anyone knows what makes an effective resume, it’s the people doing the hiring. In this article, 12 business leaders from varying industries share exactly what they look for in candidate resumes. 

So if you’ve ever wondered how to make your resume stand out, read below.

Make Your Resume Results-Driven

The first thing I look for on a resume is how well it’s creatively put together; the overall design. The way the resume is designed speaks largely for the type of person they are. The second thing I look for is how the bullet points are written under each job. If someone is vague or cliche, I rarely consider them. I’m a results-driven individual, I like to see passion, results, and leadership in the bullet points–don’t just tell me you influenced the company’s overall revenue. Tell me how you did it and what the metrics were. A candidate that can show me real results gets an interview every time.

Janelle Amos, Marketing Manager

Nail the Interview

I actually am not a fan of the resume. I will briefly look to make sure they at least have the basic competencies, but I find my candidates in the interview. Passion and curiosity are the two biggest traits I seek. I figure if they have those, any deficiencies (within reason) will be overcome. I would rather have someone that will spend a weekend YouTubing things to learn than someone that is complacent with three degrees.

Eric Rutin, Rutin Marketing

Show How You’ve Advanced Your Skills

Regardless of employer or position, I really look for what you’ve contributed and how you’ve advanced your skills. A great example of this would be our marketing coordinator. A recent grad who worked at FedEx managing event shipments, we hired him on to manage our trade show coordinator. On top of that, we knew that he had a passion for web development and design outside of his job. Seeing passions and applicable skills being developed on his own time, we knew he would be an amazing fit. 

Megan Chiamos, Cannabis ERP Software 

Keep It Accurate and Concise

Organization is essential to organizations. Make sure that everything presented on your resume is accurate and concise. Resumes must fit all on one page, one side. Too much information, sends a message of disorganization. Employers want their employees to represent the values of the company. We hire on energy and attitude more than experience and aptitude. One resume tip is to have business owners, that you trust, review your resume and provide constructive feedback. 

Dr. Levi Nelson DC, Scottsdale Chiropractor

Include Numbers and Timelines

Recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds looking at a resume, so you’ve got 6 seconds to impress. The worst thing you can do is load your resume with menial, vague accomplishments. Edit, edit, edit. Distill your resume down to one page that highlights specific, meaningful wins. Include numbers and timelines. Bonus points if you can make it look pretty. Once you feel like your resume is complete, flip it upside down and see if it looks readable. If you find that it’s still too blocky and dense, edit it again then pass it on to a few friends to edit as well. This is your moment to brag about yourself, just make sure it’s delivered in a palpable way.

Emily Bosak, SEO Marketing Company

Customize for Each Application

Have they customized their cover letter and resume for our company? We receive a lot of response to our career opportunities with candidates who are sending their resumes to as many companies as possible. Sometimes, you can even tell when a candidate resume comes in with a file name of, “JONATHAN-GENERAL-RESUME.” The resumes that stand out are ones that have been customized to our company (“JONATHAN-GENERATED-RESUME”). When candidates take the time to look at our company, we will take the time to evaluate their resume.

Jonathan Cohen, Industrial Recycling Services

Have a Good Elevator Pitch

Resumes can catch my attention if they can summarize their expertise in the first few sentences with a good elevator pitch. I look for people that make lateral moves, spent time in the military, and volunteer as indicators of the desire to be of service to their community. It is essential that people are dynamic and can demonstrate that they are open to learning.  Working for different companies can be an indicator of adaptability.

Erica Scott, Civilian Connections

Make Sure Your Resume Matches Basic Qualifications in the Job Description

There was a time when companies would look for transferable skills or someone who was “ready next”. To successfully make it past the initial computer “screen” it is important that your resume maps to all of the basic qualifications listed in the job description.  Hence, in this time of heavy competition, you want to first ensure that you meet the basic qualifications.  After that, list your achievements against your responsibilities and quantify them wherever possible.

Kelly Chapman, Kegelbell

Keep it Straightforward, Concise, and Thoughtful

When I look at a resume I look for brevity and I look for results. When a candidate takes the time to craft a resume that is straightforward, concise, and thoughtful — it shows! It shows they can speak to the most important aspects of their work and it shows they value the hiring manager’s time.  I also look for quantitative results. Show me your success in numbers or in major accomplishments. I want to know by what percent you increased blog traffic at your last job, or how much money you added to the pipeline, or how much you improved the open rate of your email campaigns. Make your resume one page and really pack it full of the successes your hiring manager likely wants to replicate. And of course, be honest.

Marisa Krystian, Content Marketing Manager

Include Clear Outcomes

You cannot argue with results. I look for clear outcomes over a vague indicator of participation. The single biggest tip I could give someone is to make it crystal clear that you not only have the skill set that a company is looking for but you know how to transfer that knowledge into real value to that organization. It is one thing to say that you “know JavaScript” it is another thing to say that you “increased performance by 32% using component driven architecture in a JavaScript application.”

Lukas Ruebbelke, BrieBug

Include a Relevant Cover Letter

When screening candidates, the first thing I look for is a cover letter that highlights their skills or accomplishments that relate to the role they are applying for. It shows that they took a few minutes to read the description and look at the company website. In the past we’ve even asked applicants to provide their favorite YouTube video to see if they read the whole job posting.

Michael Ashbaugh, Coplex

Tell a Helpful Story

Great resumes tell a helpful story showing me a candidate has solved the exact problems I need him or her to have solved in order to help me. This isn’t done with buzzwords, but with clarity on specific actions taken and (measured) results achieved. Job seekers should take the time to tell the hiring manager just the relevant story or stories to get a call back – or otherwise just don’t bother.

Yuri Kruman, HR, Talent & Systems

The Courage to Turn Down a Job Offer

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Courage to Turn Down a Job Offer
The Courage to Turn Down a Job Offer

Written by Brenda Cunningham

Professionally edited by Kitty Carlisle

Of all the things on your mind as job seekers, turning down a job offer is rarely one of them. However, with 70% of our waking lives being spent at work, isn’t it crucial that we accept the right opportunities?

I often speak of avoiding desperation and being unwilling to do just anything. Your career is important and it will be tested. You will be given opportunities to do all sorts of things; some will align with your career plan and some will not. Your job is know what you want out of your career and to only accept those things that are right for you! Here are a few things to consider when assessing the worthiness of a job offer:

  1. Are you accepting this job out of desperation? Or is it a genuinely good fit? (Note: sometime we have to do what we have to do, and if you’re one week away from homelessness, take the job regardless of fit).
  2. Do I see myself fitting into the culture of this place? Is the commute something I can tolerate long term? Is the salary at a respectable level, in line with the marketplace, such that I won’t grow to resent my job?
  3. Will I be expected to work 60+ hours each week? Is this ok with my family obligations?
  4. If I take this job, out of necessity, will there be time for me to continue my search and schedule interviews during normal business hours?

Saying no, can be scary, but sometimes it’s absolutely essential for your sanity and the future of your career. Taking a job just to have one can ultimately work against you when you’re interviewing for your next, career-related position. Questions like, “What have you been doing for the past year,” can haunt you if the answer does not help you position yourself as an expert in your actual career field. As frightening as it is to be out of work, it is far scarier in the long run to just take a job that’s completely unrelated to your profession. So please be strong and courageous, and exercise your right to tactfully decline offers—and better yet, stop applying to positions—that are not right for you. You will get back to work, just don’t stop looking in the right places.

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

10/15/15 — Get the Job Fast

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Written by Susan Lamphiear

If your heart starts pounding in the middle of the night, say, three a.m., could be you hear a burglar, or you drank too much caffeine. Or maybe you’re looking for a job! After hearing our keynote speaker, I’m recalling a famous quote that for a while, in my twenties and before the Internet, I thought maybe I’d coined the line. (I must have been experiencing some twenty-something angst.) It was F. Scott Fitzgerald’s lines going something like this: “In the dark night of the soul, it’s always three o’clock in the morning.”

I hated to start the blog with such a dreary thought,  but something our keynote speaker said made me think of the quote. Confident, competent, funny, outgoing, even our famous Dave wakes up breathless sometimes, panicky, in the middle of the night when he’s contemplating his own career search. So, it must be a common, though disturbing, phenomenon.

Keynote

Get the Job Fast — How to Find a Great New Job in Half the Time

Entrepreneur and small business owner for a couple of decades, Dave Sherman now wants to help job searchers more than ever before because he’s been both fired and laid off in recent years and now he really “gets it” in a way he didn’t before.

“Being fired or laid off sucks!” says Dave.

Prior to recent times, Dave’s only brush with being fired was in 1975 from The Red Barn, what he refers to as a “terrible restaurant.”

Referencing that proverbial career path , Dave said his path has been more like a mine field, a tar pit or a forest fire.

Still, his continuing advice throughout his presentation is to stop complaining, whining and moaning. Instead, take action, he says. This doesn’t mean Dave doesn’t wake up in the middle of the night in a panic. Actually, he’s very specific to say he often wakes up about 4 a.m. thinking, “What’s wrong with me? What did I do?”

Still, Dave has some very specific tips about the job hunt. After asking those of us in attendance how many would rather be somewhere else today, he dives into his tips, pausing a couple of times to complain he needs more time as he tries to catch Jessica’s eye from the back. “No?” He says he asks for more time than 45 minutes each time he speaks, but it’s not happening.

After singing praises to Career Connectors and other networking adventures, Dave admits, “Looking for a job online sucks. It feels like you’re throwing your resume into a black hole.”

Dave’s 5 Tips for Finding and Landing a Job in Half the Time!

  • Get out of the house!  It helps you maintain a routine and forces you to socialize so you don’t lose your habits and skills when you get a job. It also stops those voices in your head like he’s experienced from 4-4:30 a.m. when he starts to hyperventilate. The voices hide in your house, so you’ve got to get dressed up and get out every single day.

But where should you go? Anywhere there’s Wi-Fi, says Dave. Paradise Bakery, for example, but he learned there’s Wi-Fi at a dog park and even at his gas station! He personally loves going to hotel lobbies where they have comfortable chairs and air conditioning set at a comfortable 68 degrees.

  • Hang out with employed people who have more connections and are more likely to be open to helping you.
  • Start attending more networking events including Chambers of Commerce, associations, business groups, networking groups and career transition groups. Show up early, bring plenty of business cards, know what you want, and ask for help.
  • Stop looking for a job. Instead, work on your likability and commonality factors. To be more likable — smile, be genuine (Dave said he’s the same person presenting as he is talking one-on-one), and be interested not interesting — Meaning—Ask questions and then LISTEN. To establish commonality, talk about hometowns, hobbies, schools, family, friends and favorites (like sports teams).
  • Four of the most important words EVER: WHO do you know? Ask everyone, be specific, ask this all the time, and don’t give up.

If you’re feeling weird about all this networking, feeling you have nothing to offer, Dave asks you to consider this: When you were employed, were you only your job? Unless the answer is yes, then you’ve plenty to talk about besides jobs. Feeling weird about going to Chamber events (Dave tells us most of these allow you to go to two events free), remember that 85% of the people you’ll find there are there for networking.

Whenever you think of a reason why you can’t possibly follow Dave’s tried and tested tips, Dave wants you to ask yourself, “How badly do you want it?”

Hiring Companies

Freedom Financial

Linda Luman, VP of Human Resources

Freedom Financial, launched in 2002, provides financial services and education to consumers to help them resolve their debt and achieve financial freedom they never dreamed possible. They offer the normal benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401K, life and LT disability, plus everyone gets the four-hour afternoon of their birthday off. Also, employees receive vacation, paid holidays, employee discounts and paid time off for volunteer activities. Available positions include telecom engineer, PMO manager, network administrator, inside sales agents and bilingual customer service agents. To learn more about the company or to apply, visit their website.

Tech Finders

Kristy Bach, VP of Branch Operations

Tech Finders is committed to matching exceptional tech talent with the right company culture. They provide resume tips, interview preparation and guidance through questions and throughout the entire job search process. Job seekers receive access to unlisted job opportunities. Opportunities include project managers, front end developers, java developers, .net developers, security engineer, IT manager, and IT sales.  At the executive level, opportunities exist for recruiting coordinator, HR manager, HRIS analyst, HR business partner, VP President-Talent Acquisition, and recruiter. Go to their website for more information on the company and to apply.

T-Mobile

David Schief, Retail Store Manager

T-Mobile, a mobile phone service provider, prides itself on freeing the customer, driving growth and delivering “awesome.” The energy of their retail stores is bright and bold, featuring neon magenta that frames their counters. Current career positions in their retail include retail sales associates, store operations associates, retails associate managers and retail store manager. The company offers paid training, tailored to your learning style, plus hands-on experience. Benefits include, among others, medical, dental, vision, matching 401K, discounts on T-Mobile Service and BTO (Baby time off). For more information or to apply, visit their website.

Resources

Finances During Career Transition

Thomas Rohn and Jamey Pugh

Thomas Rohn and Jamey Pugh were here to lend support and information about dealing with financial issues while in job transition. Psychologists know that the biggest fear in job loss is money. Tom told about a friend who had been in the same company for 20 years. When asked what his thoughts were, his friend said he wondered what he would tell friends and family.

Jamey Pugh joined Career Connectors as a volunteer and then less than 12 months later her husband lost his job. She realized then that his job was to look for a job. She recommends the following tips based on what she learned personally, during the time before her husband’s return to work, which actually took a little longer than they had imagined.

  • Have a spending plan. Start with spending less.
  • Inventory your resources. File for unemployment. List your sources of income. Consider a part-time job while you search.
  • Watch your debt, including credit cards.
  • Protect yourself from loss. Avoid canceling health insurance or at least have some sort of coverage during this tough time.
  • Develop plan “B” in case the job search takes longer than you’d planned.

Take advantage of a free one-hour consultation from Rohn Financial. This can be done on the phone to maintain your privacy.

Canyon State Institute

Sheri Carparelli

Canyon State Institute offers national certification programs including PMI Project Management, ASQ Six Sigma Green Belt, SHRM CP/SCP in Human Resources, Microsoft Office Specialist and several others.  Certifications help you stay competitive and define your knowledge base, making you more marketable. All certifications offered by Canyon State are high demand, based on labor market projections. The school features small, short-term, instructor-led classes, and career development. For more information on classes or funding sources, visit their website.

Closing

Executive Director of Career Connectors Jessica Pierce closed the formal part of the meeting. She thanked volunteers and Highlands Church for providing the beautiful facility, and then announced breakout sessions. Attendees were invited to take the DISC assessment free, and then to participate in conversations with hiring managers and to consult with experts on resume writing and LinkedIn, and to take advantage of free professional head shots.

The next Career Connectors event takes place in Gilbert Tuesday, October 27, 2015, 9:00 AM featuring keynote speaker Pamela Hewerd on The Work before the Work: Box Free Breakthroughs for a new Career and Mind.

Then Wednesday, November 4, 2015, 9:00 AM in Phoenix, join the group in Phoenix with presenter Kindra Hal speaking on The Power of  Strategic Storytelling.

The next Scottsdale meeting will be held Thursday, November 12, 2015, 9:00 AM in Scottsdale and features Gloria Petersen speaking on The Power of You.

For more information about dates, directions and registration, click here.

03/13/14 – Use Your Internal GPS To Stay Positive

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Written by Susan Lamphiear

Jennifer Swenson welcomed a room full of job seekers at the Scottsdale event, reminding everyone that she’s been in their shoes. She described 2010 as the worst year of her life after a job layoff, going through outplacement, and feeling defeated because it seemed there were inadequate resources for her.

After she found the welcoming community of Career Connectors, caring people ultimately helped her find a real job again. It’s now come full circle for Jennifer, President of the Board of Directors for Career Connectors. Becoming involved has given her the ability to give back, and since her own ordeal, she’s hired many people she’s met at these events.

With that, she introduced the keynote speaker who had some timely advice for anyone going through the stress of challenging times, including job transition.

Keynote Speaker

Paula Shoup, Certified Team Advantage Coach, passionate about helping businesses and individuals, wants everyone to experience less stress along their road to success. With over 20 years of experience guiding individuals and businesses, she created what’s called the Internal GPS Process and uses the process with businesses and individuals.

The Internal GPS Process

  • Where are you?
  • Where do you want to go?
  • How will you get there?
  • How will you celebrate success?

Decreasing stress and increasing positive internal vibes

With deliberate actions, we can all learn to shift habits of fear which often cause so much stress during times of change. The book How to Change when Change is Hard explains that emotions are what drive us all. Determine what motivates you emotionally and use that emotion to drive you. Research shows we’re all motivated the most by our emotions.  In the job search, can you play into a potential employer’s emotional needs as well as your own emotional triggers?

Visualization is a powerful tool. In a study of three groups of students, the group seeing the most success was the group who not only envisioned getting an A, but visualized the steps they would take to get there.

Developing habits to increase your daily dose of positivity can even include ritual activities like brushing your teeth, organizing your closet, or taking a walk.  In her book Positivity, Barbara Fredrickson says research supports the three-to-one positivity ratio. People with a healthy positivity ratio were found to show more life resiliency.  The ratio basically means that during the course of a day, for example, it requires the ratio of three positive events to make up for one negative event.

  • Inventory  your own strengths. Ask friends to help you determine your own strengths.
  • Prioritize connecting with people. Don’t pass up an opportunity to connect with people in the grocery store, for example.
  • Laugh regularly. Laugh on purpose.
  • Establish routines, including exercise.
  • Be grateful. Make it a habit to thank people regularly.

Hiring Companies

Matrix Health

Colleen Roth, Team Lead Recruiter

With corporate offices in Scottsdale, Matrix Health includes a large network of nurse practitioners who conduct health assessments for seniors in their homes. The company works with Medicare Advantage health plans throughout the United States. The company includes many benefits including a 401K where you’re vested in three years. Current positions in the corporate office are listed on their website.

Echo Global Logistics

Jack Malloy, Carrier Sales Development Manager

Echo Global Logistics is a leading provider of technology-enabled transportation and supply chain management services.  The company strives to take the complicated out of transportation management. The company’s technology includes proprietary web-based technology. A non-asset based company, this means they don’t own trucks, etc. In 2013 the company received a Most Admired Companies Award from Arizona Business Magazine and BestCompaniesAZ. Their main hiring focus right now is for Truckload Carrier Sales positions. For more information, visit them online and You Tube.

Career Evolutions

Christian Kaijser, Managing Director

Christian stressed that “low balling” yourself won’t get you far. “Why are you coming to me in discount mode?” the potential employer is apt to wonder. For the experienced job seeker, Christian urges them to think like a doctor or lawyer. If you’re going in for brain surgery, of course, you’d want someone with experience! Career Evolutions is an executive search company taking  pride in assisting their clients throughout their full employment life cycle, from resume preparation to interview and the hiring process onward. More information is available at their website.

Charles Schwab

Shannon Grimes, Talent Attraction Manager

Forty years ago Charles Schwab, founded as a brokerage firm, wanted to bring Wallstreet to Main Street. Today their focus remains on integrity and the good of the client. Benefits of the company include a culture where the manager knows who you are, wellness program including a walking path and onsite yoga, and a meritocracy, where advancing is based on performance. Many opportunities are available at the company and can be found on their website.

Resources

Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants

Rodger Brubacher, Director of Continuing Education

Rodger Brubacher of Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants was on hand to remind everyone that if an employer asks you what you’ve been doing since your last position, being able to tell them you’ve received certifications can be an obvious way to answer. The school includes remote training capability and offers several professional certifications including, but not limited to, Microsoft and Project Management. For more information about classes and funding, visit their website.

Closing

Jennifer Swenson closed the formal part of the event before dismissing everyone to the breakout sessions.

The next Career Connectors event takes place in Phoenix and features Jessica Pierce’s presentation on LinkedUp on LinkedIn, Wednesday, March 19, 2014, 9:00 AM. For complete schedule, times and directions, click here.

Remember that staying positive in stressful times may require intentional steps, and that’s never more true than during a period of career transition. And that includes laughter.

It reminds me of the Al Franken character on Saturday Night Live, Stuart Smalley. Stuart is not a licensed therapist, but he is, however, a member of several 12-step programs. Stuart even made Al Gore sit in front of the mirror and repeat positive affirmations after his loss in the Presidential election. “I’m good enough. I’m smart enough. And doggone it, people like me.”  To view the segment and increase your positivity ratio, click here.