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Kevin Dumcum

10/7/20 – Kickstart Your Job Search

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Written by Gary Matsuda

Kevin Dumcum

No doubt about it, losing a job is emotional. But now you are out of work and automatically, magically you’re supposed to switch focus from whatever job you had been doing to something we rarely have to think about – job hunting. Unfortunately, we are not used to doing that because few of us are experts in searching for a new employer. The good news is that you are not alone in your experience and there many options for finding assistance.

Kevin Dumcum from Arizona@Work Maricopa County lays out 10 lessons for taking action.

KEYNOTE

Kevin Dumcum, Kickstart Your Job Search

Kevin feels your pain. He has had his share of career setbacks and successes including layoffs during the last great recession to now where his career is helping others get their job search kickstarted. To get us going quickly, here’s Kevin’s whirlwind of 10 quick tips and advice:

Lesson I. Recognize job loss is traumatic. It’s hard to accept that your employer no longer needs you. It can be as agonizing as losing a loved one since our identities are often closely tied to our occupation. Your feelings are valid but don’t let them guide you. Recognize them for what they are and let it help you through the grief process.

Lesson II. On the logical side, job loss is the company’s loss too. But as much as business tries to put value on employees, they must be a functioning organization and make a profit in order to provide jobs. Positions can be eliminated due to no fault of your own so it’s best you take control of your own career.

Lesson III. Be responsible for your own set of skills and take advantage of any coursework, training, classes, reading available. There are more opportunities than ever to get training, so be prepared and go for it.
It is great if companies try to meet your professional growth needs, but if they can’t provide the resources you need then be ready to fill in any skills gaps on your own time and initiative. The next job might not be your last and the job search might start again, so always look to improve skills.

Lesson IV. Take care of yourself. How can a full-time job search effort be sustained without burning out? Your spouse might be working from home, kids need help while distance learning, you can’t see friends or relatives which can all be distracting and stressful so it’s essential to find ways to take care of yourself.
Whether you’re in a full house with multiple generations or just on your own, get connected with someone trustworthy and supportive. Talk to someone who is a good listener, share thoughts and feelings.
Many of us are getting things done around the home too. Doing physical work around the home/garden gets us some exercise while feeling productive and can give our minds respite and recovery. The job search can be a long slog so stay fit by maintaining health and keeping a good frame of mind.

Lesson V. Decide what you really want. While taking care of yourself during those much needed breaks, deeply held values may come to mind and you might get a chance to reevaluate your purpose and mission. Take this time to find out if your values, skills and experience match with what you could be doing.
To find out what you were put on earth to do, go read the mother of all books on career advice, the classic ‘What Color is Your Parachute?’. Updated with annual revisions, this can’t be passed up no matter where you are in your career.
Especially check out the self-discovery exercises where you’ll do an evaluation on your interests, skills and where they can be best applied.
To find out how you are wired, a few of the most well-known tools are: DISC, StrengthFinders and Myers-Briggs.
DISC is a behavioral assessment tool that measures your balance among four personality traits: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Conscientiousness. Find how interests and skills align so you can have more effective working relationships in any career. Plus, through Career Connectors the DISC assessment is free!
StrengthFinders. For $15 on their website it will identify your top innate strengths (not skills which can be learned/change). If you know your strengths you can capitalize on them to find success. Don’t use them and you’re more likely to find frustration. There’s also a book but it’s easiest to go to website for the test to get immediate results.
You might as well be doing something you enjoy so that’s where Myers Briggs comes in. It’s a proctored assessment so there can be a fee associated with this test. It measures for preferences but not traits, ability or character. The scored personality type can also identify possible occupations and career and training paths. However, it can’t specify exactly what career is best for you, for that you’ll have to analyze the results (best done with a professionally trained coach).
Onetonline.org lets you enter a target job through its occupational quick search and list related or trade adjacent occupations to give ideas on what jobs to consider. It also gives an outlook for local area employment outlook 6 to 8 years out. Their short 15 minute quiz identifies strengths and suggests occupations that align with those strengths.

For the Phoenix area there is the ‘Book of Lists’ on Bizjournals.com/phoenix or at your local library. While it doesn’t describe what the listed businesses do, it does include number of clients, employees, total income and it’s a great way to get a list of the largest companies in the local market.

BestcompaniesAZ.com profiles top companies and ranks them by customer satisfaction scores. It’s a good basic overview of verified major companies in Arizona.

Then there’s always Google. But go a little further and research news about companies by going to the 2nd page.

Lesson VI. Get help. The job search is different than what it used to be 5 to 10 years ago so don’t fret about now knowing how to find a job, it’s not something we practice every day, so it can be intimidating to anyone.

Arizona@Work meets regularly with employers to find out hiring needs and provides services and resources for job seekers. The Public Workforce Development program for the State of Arizona does resume reviews, interview workshops, career exploration, assessments, Linkedin profile set up and connects you with employers. But because of Covid, try reaching out to them online first.

Help doesn’t have to be from the obvious places. Goodwill AZ of Central and Northern Arizona is not just a thrift store but a career resource! Let them help you with resume writing, training services and career prep.

Don’t neglect your local Public Library, which may have good (and expensive) resources. It’s quiet, friendly and free!

Lesson VII. Let’s get to work finding work! Most job seekers start with the well-known job boards like Indeed, Localwork.com, Glassdoor, and Google Jobs but here are a couple often overlooked:

AZjobconnection.gov At this time there are 65,000 jobs and 12,000 posted resumes. With a 5 to 1 job openings to resumes ratio, this looks encouraging!

Linkedin Jobs –Optimize your profile. The jobs link on LinkedIn will tell you how closely you match job postings on Linkedin.

On social media, follow the companies you are interested in and get a sense of their culture and direction they’re headed. (Be sure to limit your time to online networking because you know how social media can be a potential time sink.)
Hiring events have moved to virtual and can be industry specific or general purpose events. Sign up for the Arizona@Work email newsletter to get alerts of upcoming hiring events and the most recent 5000 local job postings.

The Hidden Job Market
Most jobs are posted online but it’s estimated almost half of all open or potential open jobs are not publicly advertised. That’s because it can take some time to go through the process of writing, approving, uploading, and updating a formal job description. But increasing your chances of landing the right job will require networking. That means meeting new people and maintaining old contacts, which is something you should be doing whether looking for work or not so you won’t have to start from scratch every time you need to find a new position. As a book said, ‘Dig the Well Before You’re Thirsty.’

But be specific when asking for help so that others will have a better understanding of what you are looking for and how you are helpful. Be reciprocal in relationships both personal and professional so that it’s not all about you.

Networking Phoenix, Eventbrite, BestCompaniesAZ and of course Career Connectors are a few networking organizations built around connecting the right people together. Pay attention to the make-up of the hiring companies or attendees to make sure you’re making the most your time by getting exposure to the type of people you would like to meet. If you’re asked to volunteer, go for it! To be stationed at the registration table is one of the best places to work. You’ll be visible to everyone coming in and there’s connection opportunity with every attendee.

Don’t overlook social groups where participation centers around personal or social interests. Get to know people just to make connections over shared interests. You never know who you’ll meet or who knows someone who has a job opportunity. At least there’s the benefit of personal enrichment as well.

Lesson VIII. Surrender and give yourself away at volunteer opportunities.
Everyone needs a little help, so don’t forget there are those who are in need of basic skills or necessities where you can make a difference by putting your experience or skills to use.

Volunteering counts as experience even if you are unemployed. Not only can it give you additional skills, it can show others what you can do with what you have. Do something different, get out to meet people, lend your expertise, and gain new skills, experiences and connections. Check these organizations out and you may find your calling:

HandsonPhoenix.org
Volunteermatch.org
Volunteer.phoenix.gov

It’s a great way to fill gaps on resume and good for the soul too.

Lesson IX. Expect Rejection. No matter how much work you put in you’re going to get rejected. Keep moving forward as each rejection is just one step closer to that first “Yes”.

Rocky Balboa says, “…it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”

Lesson X. Success breeds success. And just one yes is needed to make all the difference in your confidence!

“You don’t have to be great to start. But you have to start to be great” – Zig Ziglar

HIRING COMPANIES

Windsor, Charles Villafranca, Executive Director

Windsor does all they can for residents. To accomplish that, they help employees get the training they need. Windsor has several Senior living, Senior healthcare, behavior health and dementia care facilities in Arizona and 30 locations in California. If you’re looking for a career change they have training programs including OTJT for CNA. If you want to advance from CNA to nursing there are scholarships (and experience) available. Fill out an application and get an immediate interview!

Lifewell, Wendy Flynn, Recruiting Coordinator

As the name implies, Lifewell is here to help enable their clients lives to the fullest. And that includes you the employee. Lifewell provides treatment services and support for low income individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. From assistants to director levels they are hiring. Employees are offered learning and development opportunities in anything to do with healthcare at several locations in Phoenix and Mesa.

Apply at lifewell.us/careers.

TTEC, Erika Flanders and Stephanie Thomas

At TTEC you have more than just a job, you’ll become more like family. The bridge between technology and human connection is here through their expertise in customer service and sales. Together TTEC creates a positive experience for the client, the caller and you. You’ll be empowered to lead everyday, to seek first to understand and do the right thing.

Now hiring for an Inbound Customer Service Rep supporting Blue Shield of CA.

To apply or for more info, go to TTECjobs.com to apply for other temp and FT positions, or text ‘TTEC’ to 97211.

RESOURCES

Joe Bourcier, the Health Insurance Pro, US Health Advisors
Offers help with the best match between health, dental, vision insurance for you, your family or business. They’ve received multiple awards for business excellence, so they’ve got to be good!

Contact:
Joe.bourcier@ushadvisors.com

BestCompaniesAZ
Career Connectors partners with BestCompaniesAZ. Altogether in one place you can find VERIFIED, trusted companies who have tens of thousands of jobs open now. Check them out here if any listed hiring companies match your values. Visit https://bestcompaniesaz.com/covid-19-resources/.

Free DISC Assessment
We all like free, so at no cost to you find your behavior traits (which may help point to your values) and what kind of job will likely fit you through our online DISC assessment at: https://careerconnectors.org/DISC/.

For details about upcoming Career Connectors events, click here to visit the events section on the website for times, dates, and details about hiring companies and keynote topics!

8/27/19 – Kickstart Your Job Search

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Kickstart your job search

Written by Julia Churan

When you haven’t had to look for a job in many years, you might feel
overwhelmed in a whole new world of HR technology. The solutions you used to job search 10 years ago or even 5 are likely obsolete. Terms have changed, the interview format is likely over the phone or video, and you suddenly feel overwhelmed in what seems like an impersonal way of finding a job. The reality is “making it personal” may be what helps you navigate or bypass the Applicant Tracking Systems and land the interview.

10 Lessons to Get to YES!

Keynote Speaker:  Kevin Dumcum – ARIZONA@WORK Maricopa County

Kevin has spent the last six plus years in workforce development and employment services. He’s experienced the process change first-hand and shared a guide to “Kickstart Your Job Search.“

Lesson 1: Recognize That Job Loss Is Traumatic

Feelings of anger, confusion and hurt are normal when you lose your job, no matter what the circumstances. The rollercoaster of feelings will eventually ease but they may also come in waves; so be patient.

Lesson 2: Understand How Companies Think

Companies exist for the purpose of turning a profit.  This includes decisions of restructuring and downsizing. Companies make no guarantees and you can’t assume any job will be the one you retire from now.

Think of yourself as a contractor regardless of your status and always consider what your next step might be.

Lesson 3: Control Your Own Career Path

No matter what company you take a job with, this will likely not be your last job so keep your skills sharp. Learn new skills and take advantage of any training opportunities and tuition reimbursement to learn new skills.

Lesson 4: Take Care of Yourself

Job search should not be your 24/7 focus. Find a balance and take care of yourself with hobbies, exercise, helping others or enjoy family and friends. You might not have the time very soon so learn a new skill or do something you’ve always wanted to. Learn to cook, take a home repair course or join a hiking group. These sort of activities will get you out meeting new people and help you be refreshed when you are searching for that new position.

Lesson 5: Decide What You Really Want

This might be the ideal time to consider a fresh start or career change. These resources can help you with some soul searching and provide some direction for the next chapter of your career:

  • Book: “What Color is Your Parachute” by Richard Bolles – The book provides current statistics on the U.S. job market, self-directed exercises to help you understand your “Why,” and tips to finding someone who will pay you for that purpose.
  • Book & Assessment: “Strengths Finder 2.0” This book and tool helps identify your top strengths (not skills). It will help align your skills to give you more success in life.
  • Assessment: Carl Young Personality Type – you can take this through Arizona@Work.  This helps you define your values.
  • Assessment: DISC Assessment – this tool is available online through Career Connectors and Top Talent at no cost to attending seekers. It helps you define your career trajectory and may help build your resume.
  • Assessment and Resource Website: ONetOnline.org – They offer an assessment “My Next Move” that takes about 15 minutes and gives you a range of occupations based on the results. It also allows you to type in your last occupation and get links to other related occupations that might suit you better or be something to watch for.
  • Website: CareerOneStop.org – this site should help you decide if the roles you are seeking are growing occupations. You will find valuable information like the median wage to know if your desired salary is in line and other stats about the role. The site is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor so the data may be a bit delayed, but still useful.
  • Publication: Phoenix Business Journal – there is a subscription fee for this weekly publication and daily website but it provides current information about local businesses and industries. They also publish an annual special “Book of Lists” that gives you a great start in listing top companies and key data in most industries.
  • Website: Best CompaniesAZ – This organization recognizes companies who rank as desirable places in the Valley to work based on employee satisfaction and company culture. They are profiled on the website and recognized at recruiting events throughout the year.
  • Other Online Resources: Search for specific companies on Google, Yelp, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn to see what others are saying about your target companies and current news to stay aware of the organization.

Lesson 6: Try Everything

We live in a time when resources are easily accessible. Many are at little or no cost for seekers.  Take advantage of the variety of services and don’t take an attitude that “It isn’t for me.” You just never know where that next contact might come from.  Consider:

  • Arizona@Work
  • Employment Academy
  • Goodwill of Central & Northenr
  • Maricopa County Library
  • Phoenix Public Library
  • Fresh Start Women’s Foundation

Lesson 7:  Find All the Jobs

Job Sites
The days of classified ads and Monster.com are gone.  There are job boards everywhere.  Some are specialized, some are localized and most are free. Many take out a lot of the search work by allowing you to upload your resume and they will notify you of matches.  They will quickly pollute your email box with recommendations or prospects so be prepared. Consider a special email box for your search.  Take a look at some or all of these online job boards:

  • AZJobConnection.gov
  • CareerBuilder
  • Dice
  • SimplyHired
  • Indeed
  • ZipRecruiter
  • LinkedIn

Google has rolled out a new feature.  If you type “jobs” into the search box you will get listings of jobs in your area without going directly to a specific company’s site.  You can refine the search to “jobs in Tempe AZ” or “jobs at USAA” or “engineering jobs near me.” You will still need to apply though the employer, but it is an easy way to search quickly.

Remember, the majority of online applications will not be seen by
a live person unless your resume/profile matches with the recruiter’s criteria in the Applicant Tracking System. You cannot rely on mass applying. You must leverage your network and make yourself standout.

Sign up for the ARIZONA@WORK Job Blast Newsletters.  Text AZATWORK to 22828 to get a listing of 5000 of the most recent local jobs.

Social Media
Employers will raise questions if you aren’t visible on social media so you need to have profiles and begin building a circle of connections. You don’t have to be on every platform but be sure you are active on LinkedIn and then pick another one or two. Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram will give you a good start. This can help employers get to know you, the person, a little better. They will see if you are well-rounded. It can help them decide if you are a good fit for their organization. If community service is important in their company, they may look to see if you volunteer or have interests in that activity.

Be aware of what you are posting, however, and the viewers that may see it.

You must have a LinkedIn profile and begin to establish a robust
professional network, if you don’t already have.  There are many tips on past blog posts to help you fine tune your LinkedIn profile and build connections.  See them here. You can also get assistance at any Career Connectors event by a LinkedIn expert.

Consider posting on your social sites that you are a seeker. If these people are in your network, they will be eager to help if you are specific in what you are looking for. Do something like: “I am currently exploring new opportunities in Marketing in the Gilbert/Chandler area. I am focusing on startup technology companies with leadership opportunities in social media and brand marketing.” This won’t leave your friends guessing on opportunities.

Spend time each day building and interacting with your social network, but remember, this type of networking doesn’t equal face-to-face networking.

Live Networking
You should consider your desired companies and positions and make yourself available at events where you can make connections with someone at your target companies or in your target position. This could include attending:

  • Local Hiring Events and Job Fairs
  • Career Connectors
  • AZHire Me Job Fair
  • Jobertising.com
  • LocalWork.com
  • Arizona@Work
  • Goodwill

Always be prepared with an “Elevator Speech” or a specific introduction plan that tells who you are and what you are looking for.

A great resource for a wide variety of events around the Valley is NetworkingPhoenix.com. They publish an active calender of events to help fill up your a calendar.

The Hidden Job Market
These are high volumes of jobs that never make it to job boards and
posting sites. Many of these are with smaller businesses that choose
not to post opportunities or hire solely on referrals. Some may not
even have an HR department.  These may be jobs that you will never learn about unless you are leveraging many networking avenues. This is where getting the word out gets you consideration. It might be from social media or networking events like Career Connectors. It can be through clubs or Bunco nights or church groups. It can be wise to become a member or volunteer for trade associations or Chamber of Commerce meetings. Facebook events may be another great way to find people with common interests like jogging, wine, Dungeons & Dragons, or atheletic boosters. Through these communities you will have fun, build commaradarie and meet new friends who also have wide networks.

Lesson 8: Volunteer

Volunteering is good for your soul. It makes you feel good, feel valued, and it gets you up in the morning, engaging with others. You will have a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day and hopefully meet some new people in the process. You can look into your local school, church or non-profit associations.  HandsOn Greater Phoenix and VolunteerMatch are great services to help you find something that meets your interests.  And, don’t forget, Career Connectors is always looking for people to help with events and job seeker services. Find out more about these opportunities.

Lesson 9: Expect Rejection

No…not hiring…funding pulled…going another direction…over-qualified…under-qualified…on hold.

You will hear these and many other excuses. You will also not hear anything sometimes. You must be prepared for it! From the mouth of Rocky Balboa, “Life is not all rainbows and sunshine!” You can’t give up!

Lesson 10: Success Breeds Success

Hiring Companies

Liberty Mutual, @WorkAtLiberty

Justin Oviatt, Sr. Branch Manager

Liberty Mutual managers came to talk about opportunities they currently have in the Phoenix area.  Their new East Valley offices make them the largest employer in the City of Chandler with over 50,000 employees across 5 continents.  They are the 4th largest Property and Casualty Insurance company in the U.S. with $126 billion in assets. They foster a culture of inclusion and empowerment for their staff.

The hiring team shared specific details of openings in Inside Sales, Field Sales, Claims Management and Bodily Injury.  They also have opportunities in Consumer, Business, Investments, Legal and IT units.

Liberty Mutual offers new employees a strong benefits package including a pension and 401K. Benefits are effective the day of employment.

Resources

Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona

Ron Mack – Community Awareness Partner

Mission – Through the goodwill of others, we create the pathway to a better future for all by helping those who desire self-sufficiency.

The Goodwill Career Centers offer free career coaching, assistance with resumes, mock interviewing, employment support and digital skills training. They specialize in providing on-going support for the professional job seeker. Goodwill delivers community awareness of local employment events through onsite career centers and through the recent launch of mycareeradvisor.com (live chat available). The services are free of charge and available to all.

Career Connectors Academy

Landi Carfi, VP of Corporate Training, Brighton College

Landi shared the exciting news and details about Career Connectors partnership with Brighton College to bring affordable education and career services to participants. This will help bridge the talent gap or transition in your career search. The Academy offers a wide variety of accredited online educational programs along with many professional development classes. The focus is on quality and affordability.

A few of the best accredited online certificate programs that are being offered to Career Connectors at a reduced price are: Information Technology Certification Programs, Business Management Associate Degree Online, Paralegal Certificate, Medical Assistant School, Legal Nurse Consultant Certification and Online Professional Development Classes. Many others are also available. Career Connectors members will receive a 30% discount on the programs and certifications and payment plans are available. For more information go to the Career Connectors Academy website.

Closing

Jessica Pierce, CEO and Founder of Career Connectors, closed the event encouraging attendees to visit the many resources available at no charge to seekers at Career Connectors events: LinkedIn and resume assistance, professional photos, DISC assessments, career and financial coaching. These and all Career Connectors services would not be possible without the generous time of Staff, Volunteers, Sponsors and Partners. Also, a huge thank you to the Central Christian Church for hosting the Gilbert event. Attendees were encouraged to network and take advantage of the many services.

The next two events are:

  • Sept 5 – Instant Likability by Dave Sherman at Grand Canyon University
  • Sept 12 – Resume Mythbusters: Certified Resume Writer Panel at Highlands Church in North Scottsdale

Details are available on the Events Page.

02/22/18 – Activate Your Job Search

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Activate Your Job SearchWritten by Miriam Spinner

I know how it feels. I was there not knowing how to job hunt after an extended time in the workforce. And, it isn’t fun. This time might seem incredibly difficult. But, believe me, in the long run, you will remember this transition period as a lightening rod in your career path. I knew one thing: if I my job strategies were the same as in the early 2000, this journey will last a long time.

So what is different?

Keynote Speaker

Kevin Dumcum told us how to re-think how we search for our next opportunity with “Ten Lessons”.

Lesson I – Recognize that job loss is traumatic

It seems like a normal day – in the beginning. You get the call from HR, and you start to feel your heart pump real hard. Research shows that losing your job has similar traumatic ranking as the death of a loved one. You will likely move through a series of emotions – doubt, fear, anger, shame, sadness and finally empowerment. Kevin tells us we will have good days, and not-so-good days.

Take time to process your emotions so you can move forward and inject positive energy in your job search.

Lesson II – Understand how companies think

Companies don’t exist to provide employment. They exist to create profit for their shareholders, right? Companies are affected by the economy such as a technology disruption or mergers. They can’t guarantee job security, so don’t take it personally.

Separate your self-worth from your company’s collateral damage of cutting costs. You define you, not the company!

Lesson III – Control your own career path

It is your choice to protect yourself with re-tooling your skills, or seizing a new career path. When you lose your job you are tempted to grab on to the next opportunity, and ignore the warning signs. Give yourself permission to hold out for a good fit if you can, and try consulting, a bridge job or even a side hussle.

Don’t jump from the frying pan into the fire.

Lesson IV – Take care of yourself

You sleep until 9:00 am day 1 after you received your pink slip, and you open up the computer to apply for jobs. Go for a hike instead. Discover what calms you. Embrace the hobbies that you love.

You need to recharge – but with the right balance of work and play.

Lesson V – Decide what you really want

Kevin tells us that when he was laid off he reviewed the job boards and applied for jobs he thought he could do – an office manager, maybe an HR role (I can do that!). But when he hit submit, he knew it wasn’t a good fit.

You have been given a gift to think about your career, and to course correct. Think about your values and challenge yourself – What do I really want to do?

Honor where you are now, and take the opportunity to determine your purpose.

Check out these resources to help you:

✓What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles
✓Self-directed exercises – visual representation of what you want to do
✓Strengths Finder – identifies top 5 strengths; $15.00 assessment; 45 minutes.
✓Myer Briggs – identifies your personality type; 3 versions
✓DISC – free option with Career Connectors
✓ONetOnline.org – government site; tells you what is required to be successful
✓CareerOneStop.org – provides hiring trends in your area and average salary
✓Phoenix Business Journal – list of companies by number of partners, sales, and more.
✓BestCompaniesAZ.com – compiles an engagement survey for local companies.
✓Arizona@Work – government owned; resume writing workshops; interview skills
✓Goodwill – private; 18 career centers
✓Library – multiple resources at no cost

Lesson VII – Find all the jobs

Is clicking “apply” over and over helping you reach your job searching goals?
Check out the resources below for better job search strategies:

✓AZJobConnection.gov – state wide; apply for jobs directly on the company site
✓Job Boards – Indeed; Careerbuilder; Dice; Simply Hired; Snagajob
✓LinkedIn Jobs – Recruiters post positions on LinkedIn first!
✓Social Media – If you are not on it perception could be that you are hiding something, or you don’t know how to use it. Use it wisely!
✓Google – enter “jobs” and a list will pop up!; Use the Chrome browser
✓Facebook – enter “jobs”
✓ Job Fairs – Tips: 1 )Ensure you ask “How do you see me fitting into to your organization?” 2) Get to know recruiters – they know each other! 3) Know yourself and the problem you want to solve

Hidden Job Market

Some positions are never posted. Maybe someone put their notice in recently, or the organizations want to keep the position private.

Find your target companies that you know and like.

Networking

Networking is an important part of your job search strategy. But, attending happy hours or just showing up will not help you when you are not clear on what you want.

Kevin provided 3 surefire resources for networking.

✓Networkingphoenix.com – has an amazing calendar of events. Some are fee based vs. member associations.
✓Belong to a professional industry association. As them “Can I attend if I volunteer”?
Let them now you are in a job transition. How about volunteering at the registration desk
(easy way to meet people!)
✓Facebook events – professional groups and social groups. Find something you enjoy.

Lesson VIII – Volunteer

Kevin suggests it is good for the soul. It can help you gain skills, and you can put on your resume, secure a letter of recommendation, and even introductions.

Lesson IX – Expect rejection

Kevin’s story

Kevin found a contact on LinkedIn that reported to the hiring manager of a market research organization that he had an interest. He secures the first interview, and kills it!
But the scope of the worked changed, and they wanted someone at the VP level. After 2 minutes, the opportunity evaporated – poof!

His backup plan was to work in an area that he had experience – a call center. He was thinking “ I just need to have my foot in the door”. There were no openings.

Kevin recharges himself through quiet time. He forced himself to network (uncomfort zone for sure), and volunteered to help present marketing events for job seekers. He also volunteered for homeless shelters to help people secure jobs. He looked up nonprofits, and was engaged with Career Connectors in the beginning of the launch. At the end of the event, Jessica Pierce shared with the group a list of job openings. When Kevin heard Goodwill, it registered. He contacted them and was hired!

Lesson X – Success breeds success

“Get hit and keep moving forward!” Rocky

Hiring Companies

Department of Economic Security
Nancy Stanford, HRA Recruiting Manager

DES has multiple divisions, and the top 5 active are 1) Aging and Adult Services 2) Benefits and Medical 3) Child Support Services 4) Development Disabilities, and 5) Employment Services, Job Training, Disabled Veterans . There are 2700 team members, and $4 billion is invested annually. The culture is about helping people, so they look for candidates that care about humans.

Quick Tips

 Know your Job ID
 Know the close date
 Know your contact name, number and email, and follow-up.
 Use key words in the beginning of your resume

Contact Nancy at AZStateJobs.gov, and for open positions. Currently this includes Paralegal, Budget Analyst, System Testing Analyst, Mainframe Applications Engineer, Payroll Supervisor, Special Investigator, QA Analyst and many more.

HonorHealth
Robin Ersland, Talent Acquisition Sourcer

HonorHealth is a nonprofit and has deep community based programs. They employ 12,000 workers. They are affiliated with Desert Mission and NOAH services. Employees are passionate caregivers, and they value a top patience experience. HonorHealth has stellar health care benefits, including onsite childcare services.

There are currently 500 job openings including Applications Analyst, Chief Information Security Officer, Case Manager, CT Technician, Surgical Technician, Behavioral Health Counselor and more. Go to www.honorhealthjobs.com for more detail.

Resources

Department of Economic Security/Unemployment Insurance
Jim Sorenson, UI Client Advocate Manager

Every state has their own legislative rules and laws. States outside of Arizona may pay more unemployment compensation. If you worked outside of AZ, you may want to apply for unemployment in a different state. If you received severance, unemployment compensation eligibility starts the week post the last week you receive severance. For example, if you received severance for 6 weeks, you are eligible at week 7. Benefits are up to 26 weeks in a 52 week period.

Check out the WIA program for eligibility.

Do you have more questions? Click here for more detail.

Thank you, Jim for singing your original song entitled “What are You Waiting For”

WOZ U
Scott Caruso, Admissions Advisor

Inspired by Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer, WOZ U specializes in technology and career-based programs designed to get people into the workforce quickly and affordably. Led by higher education experts, students will learn the skills necessary to take flight within the technology industry and receive a certificate of completion upon graduation.

WozU teaches Java, JavaScript, .Net, Ruby as well as Data Science and Cyber Security. To learn more, attend one of their upcoming Byte Clubs or Demo Days– or visit the website.

Closing

Sheila Coulam, Director of Operations for Career Connectors, reminded us to download portraits, and for no-cost resources check out the event recap and career advice blogs.

The next Career Connector event is on Tuesday, February 27 in Gilbert, AZ. Keynote speaker Cary Pfeffer will speak on “Telling Your Story”.

Something for Everyone at the West Valley Healthcare Career Expo

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Written by: Kevin Dumcum,  Arizona@Work Maricopa County
Professionally edited by Kitty Carlisle

West Valley Healthcare Career Exp
Attend the West Valley Healthcare Career Expo to learn more about the wealth of opportunities in Arizona. Register today.

The occupational outlook in the Greater Phoenix region is hot! As of January 2017, the Region’s unemployment rate was 4.5%, which is lower than the State of Arizona (5.0%) and the United States as a whole (4.8%) for the same period.

Greater Phoenix has made great strides to diversify its economy beyond leisure and hospitality, retail, and construction. The Region currently boasts being one of the fastest-growing in the nation in terms of Aerospace and Defense, Advanced Manufacturing, Finance, and Insurance.

And by a large margin, Health Care career opportunities in the Valley are exploding exponentially.

The West Valley Healthcare Career Expo focuses on bridging the gap between health care professionals and West Valley health care employers by bringing them together in one place.

More than a dozen employers will participate in the April 19 event at the Peoria Sports Complex, recruiting for a variety of occupations in health care, including:

Registered Nurse –There is a large demand for Registered Nurses (RNs) and the demand is expected to grow; the US Department of Labor projects 3,500 new positions created in Arizona each year for the next several years. Starting annual salary for a Registered Nurse is around $52,000. Many entry-level Registered Nurses can qualify with the equivalent of a two-year Associates Degree or through an accredited nursing school, though some medical facilities now require a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Medical Assistant – A high occupational growth is expected in this field, with about 800 new positions added per year in Arizona for the next several years. Entry level annual salary averages around $23,500. Training can be completed in as little as 7 months, earning a Certified Medical Assistant certification.

Nursing Assistant –About 1,000 new positions are expected to be added in Arizona each year for the next several years, with an entry level annual salary of about $21,500 (well above the national average). Training for a CNA requires a high school diploma or equivalent and 120 hours of training. Many health care workers use CNA training as an entry-level gateway to advancing in other health care career pathways.

Medical Billing and Coding –Arizona expects to add 300 new Medical Billers and Coders per year for the next several years, with an entry-level average annual salary around $25,000. Most commonly, Medical Billers and Coders qualify with some college or an Associate’s Degree, along with specific certification training.

Caregiving –Caregiving is also another avenue to other healthcare careers, requiring only a high school diploma or equivalent. Because of the huge demand, many home health agencies will provide paid training. The US Department of Labor expects over 800 new positions per year in Arizona. The wages for Caregivers are on the low-end, often just slightly above minimum wage and are affected by the State Prop 206 Minimum Wage requirements.

In addition to these and other clinical positons, employers will also recruit for non-clinical positions such as environmental services, IT, business support, finance and accounting, and food service. Positions may be full time or part time, with competitive wages and benefits.

Literally, there will be positions that appeal to just about every applicant.

Plan to attend the April 19 West Valley Healthcare Career Expo!

Sources:
https://www.careeronestop.org/
https://oeo.az.gov/
https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.az.htm

West Valley Healthcare Career Expo
Arizona’s top employers and educational institutions will be available to meet talented people interested in advancing their career in the healthcare field.

When: April 19, 2017
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where: The Colonnade at Peoria Sports Complex
Address: 16101 N 83rd Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85382

Register Today!

3/10/16 – Activate Your Job Search

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Written by Jim Tousek– MAOM, SHRM-CP

My wife and I attended the Bruce Springsteen concert last Thursday. What a show! The Boss is going on 70 years old, and he gave a non-stop 3 and half hour heart pounding performance. His energy and passion was immediately contagious. I took a valuable lesson away from that night which has taken me 40 years to learn. We all know the saying, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work another day in your life”. Springsteen’s “work” is testimony to this fundamental truth.  Looking at his expressions on the huge monitors, it was clear how much he loves what he does, and that he is doing what he was born to do. Most of us are not fortunate enough to know what we were born to do at an early age. The great news is that it isn’t too late to CREATE this next chapter of our lives by taking this time of transition and change to explore our passions, values, and motivators. Today’s keynote speaker encourages us to do just that.

Keynote

Kevin Dumcum
Activate Your Job Search

As a Business Account Coordinator with Arizona@Work Maricopa County, Kevin is able to fulfill his passion for helping all job seekers, especially low income and homeless job seekers. He is a matchmaker of sorts, matching Maricopa County businesses with job seekers by assisting employers with their recruitment and screening efforts through AZJobConnection.gov and coordinating on-site recruitments and job fairs.

Kevin has been affiliated with Career Connectors since 2009, and he is a Career Connectors success story! He found meaningful work through Career Connectors after he lost his job working for the same company for many years. He received a phone call and was told his services were no longer needed due to the shut down of the company’s Phoenix location.  We have all experienced similar scenarios of being “right-sized”, “down-sized”, laid off, or let go due to a “reduction in force”. If you have not personally experienced it, you certainly know some one who has.

Kevin reassured us that it is okay to grieve your job loss, and there are some valuable lessons to learn:

Lesson #1: Recognize job loss is traumatic.  Take some time to grieve your job loss, but set a deadline and get back in the game. Your new full-time job is finding that next new opportunity!

Lesson #2: Understand how companies think. It helps to detach emotionally from what happened to you by accepting that companies exist to make a profit, not to give you a life long career. This may seem harsh, but it is a truth that when fully embraced allows you to move on knowing that the company’s decision to let you go was not personal.

Lesson #3: Control you own career path. Your job security comes, not from your employer, but from your skills, experience, education, and talents. Use this time to get additional training and education, take on temporary or contract work, volunteer, start your own business, start a professional blog, make connections with others. Well, you get the picture.

Lesson #4: Take care of yourself. Some of Kevin’s suggestions included: getting out and exercising (running, hiking, swimming, cycling, weight lifting, yoga), having balanced and nutritious meals,  and getting enough sleep. Join a support group and network.

I enjoyed and learned from Kevin’s story about the site meetup.com. This is a social site, and no one thinks of it has a networking site. But, here is some out of the box thinking from Kevin: You go to meetup.com because you love hiking, and you would love to hike with like minded individuals. You find a great hiking group and you go on your first hike.  Before you are half way up Camelback Mountain the fellow next to you asks you what you do for a living. Wow, there is your opening to strike up  genuine heart felt conversation about your situation. Now this fellow may not have a job for you, it is true, but he might know some one who does. So here you are just taking care of yourself on a lovely hike, and yet, the Lord works in mysterious ways. Be open to possibility!

Lesson #5: Decide what you really want. Maybe you did not like the job you had anyway. In fact, maybe you hated your job. This is a time to reflect and determine what you really want. Kevin recommended a great book What Color is Your Parachute 2016 by Richard N. Bolles. There are effective exercises in this book to help you discover your core values and motivators so your next career is rewarding and fulfilling. Other resources include Strengths Finder 2.0, DISC (free through CareerConnectors.org), OnetOnline.org, Business Journal Book of List (free at your public library).

Lesson #6: Try Everything! 

  • Career Connectors
  • Stengths Finder 2.0
  • Phoenix Business Journal Book of Lists
  • BestCompaniesAZ
  • Hoovers a D&B Company
  • Arizona@Work
  • Public Library
  • Goodwill Career Centers
  • Fresh Start Women’s Foundation
  • Job Fairs! That is where the employers are!

Lesson #6: Find all the jobs! Create profiles on the major and industry specific job boards, create/update online profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, FaceBook, attend job fairs (Kevin says that is where the employers are!! So yes, job fairs are effective if worked properly), Network! 

Lesson #8: Volunteer – Five Ways Volunteering Can Help You Find a Job or Advance Your Career

Lesson #9: Expect Rejection. You will get rejected by e-mail, by phone, and simply by just never hearing back from the employer. It happens, it is not personal. Keep moving forward! Kevin likes this quote from Rocky:

Rocky Balboa quoteLesson #10: Success Breeds Success! All you need is one Yes!

Hiring Companies

Nextiva
Amanda Dziuk
Talent Acquisition Specialist
@Nextiva

Nextiva, headquartered in Scottsdale, provides cloud communication across the country. They offer award winning service with the goal to make owning and running a business easier, less costly and more profitable through the use of VoIP Phone systems. Nextiva has a great culture with perks such as prizes and awards for employees, appreciation days, office olympics and, most importantly, premium employee benefits. As they continue to grow, they  have positions that must be filled ranging from business development (account executives, inside sales managers, marketing associates),  operations (technical specialists, technicians, account managers), and development (software engineers, front end developers, and more). Visit their site for more information and be sure to check out the Nextiva Culture!

Northcentral University
Jennifer Prilliman and Becky Neal
Talent Acquisition Specialists
@NorthcentralU

NCU is regionally accredited, 100% online University and is comprised of the School of Education, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and School of Business and Technology Management. Courses are taught by an experienced, all-doctoral faculty. NCU’s mission is to educate professionals throughout the world and provide an accessible opportunity to earn a US regionally accredited degree. Northcentral mentors students one-to-one with a highly credentialed faculty via advanced delivery modalities. NCU commits to helping students achieve academically and become valuable contributors to their communities and within their professions. Northcentral offers a comprehensive benefits package and supports the professional growth of its team through free education benefits. NCU is currently looking for Enrollment Advisors, Financial Aid Advisors, Academic Counselors, IT professionals and others. If interested, apply at www.NCU.edu/Careers or contact the Human Resources team at careers@ncu or 855-552-2010.

NESCO Resource
Kelli Perkins
Area Manager
@NescoResource

Nesco Resource is one of the leading national staffing and employment agencies offering services in temporary staffing, direct hire, and a host of other staffing and recruiting solutions. Through its branch office network, Nesco Resource offers clients and employees services ranging from Temporary Staffing, Permanent Placement, Recruitment Process Outsourcing, Onsite Management Services and more. Nesco Resource is an employment agency with dedicated offices supporting Engineering & IT, Clerical & Light Industrial, and Accounting & Finance specialties.

Call (480) 898-9452 for an appointment. Visit the site and know what position you are applying for before your call.

Resources

New Horizons Computer Learning Centers
Zack Hiscock
VP of Training
@NHPhoenix

Whether you’re looking to change careers or advance in your current one, there’s a voice in your head telling you there’s something bigger and smarter you could do with your career if you had the right IT training. New Horizons has fueled the ambitions of more than 30 million people, providing the technology training demanded most by companies looking to hire, retain and nurture top technology talent. As the world’s largest independent IT training company with 300 centers in 70 countries, New Horizons has the global presence, course accessibility and experience to help you thrive in a rapidly evolving IT job market. They call it a human upgrade—a more capable, productive, valuable version of yourself (Source: http://www.newhorizons.com/CareerTraining.aspx

Depending on your situation you may qualify for FREE training at New Horizons through a grant program offered through Arizona’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Trade Adjustment Act (TAA)

Closing

Jessica Pierce closed the event with a big thanks to Highlands Church who graciously provides their spacious and beautiful facility for these events. Jessica, the staff, and volunteers at Career Connectors pray for us that we will find work soon. Also, be sure to take advantage and utilize the many free services offered at these events like LinkedIn Coaching, free business portraits, resume coaching, and my personal favorite, the DISC profile offered free in partnership with Top Talent Consulting. This behavioral assessment will help you conduct a stronger interview, increase your understanding of your strengths and value to a company, and even help you integrate key action word and phrases in to your resume. Take your DISC assessment today at CareerConnectors.org/disc/

See you at the next event!!