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07/31/18 – Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out

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Get LinkedIn or get left outWritten by Cindy Nowack

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out
Ted Robison

Ted Robison, also known as “Mr. Link-Me-In,” has been coaching LinkedIn techniques for the past nine years at Career Connectors, church ministries, universities, colleges, companies and recruiting firms. 87% of job seekers will find a job through networking, and Ted provided many helpful techniques and tactics for making the most of your LinkedIn connections. You should be on LinkedIn for creating connectivity, raising your brand and visibility, and to be found.

While aiming for more than 500 connections on LinkedIn, you should also be engaging with professionals and online groups within LinkedIn. Ted says “connections are good, but relationships are golden.” There are more than 500 million subscribers on LinkedIn, where engaging with others is based on three degrees of separation. Ask for introductions when one of your first level connections is connected to a 2nd level that you would like to get to know. Offer to take that person to coffee or lunch to ask them about their company and its culture.

Within LinkedIn, you can maximize its benefits in the following ways:

  • Find jobs, people, groups, associations, and your target companies
  • Create your own unique URL – elevates you in Google searches
  • Understand the benefits of free vs. Premium accounts
  • Consider your privacy, contact levels and how you can be searched by others

Your profile page on LinkedIn is your personal brand and image promotion. Customize it!

  • Add keywords and search engine optimization (SEO) so you will be found
  • Your picture is a must
  • The headline should reflect your job title/industry/tagline
  • Your summary should include S.E.E.S. – skills (hard and soft), experience, expertise and style
    • Your style is what can differentiate you in your LinkedIn profile and in an interview
  • You should have 4-8 recommendations – 2 managers, 2 peers, 2 subordinates (if you are a manager), and 2 clients
  • Join 30-50 groups and associations to expand your visibility
  • Provide status updates, posts, blogs, articles – raises your brand and visibility

There is a hidden job market that accounts for 80% of the jobs. Create a list of 30-50 target companies. Use the Phoenix Business Journal Book of Lists and Reference USA to learn more about your target companies. You can then build relationships of the employees who work at these companies by reaching out to those 2nd and even 3rd level connections through your own LinkedIn network. Companies offer referral bonuses, so build your connections of employees at your target companies, and, when a job is available, your connection can refer you. It’s a win-win situation. If you’re hired, you have a new job and your connection receives a referral bonus.

Once you have an interview, you can continue to use LinkedIn to prepare. Research the company to know their products, services, competitors. Know the company’s culture and core values to determine if you would work well in that environment. Also, research your interviewers. Knowing their hobbies, work history, and common groups will help you connect in the interview. LinkedIn also has a new learning section to brush up on skills that may be needed in the role for which you are interviewing.

In summary, Mr. Link-Me-In provided a review of several action items to make the most of your LinkedIn account:

  • Build and strengthen your profile with key words
  • Meet people and increase your network
  • Create and search your target companies
  • Join associations and groups
  • Research the company and its employees in preparation for interviews
  • Talk to the hiring manager if possible. Take friends or colleagues out to lunch (ask about the company, and if they can pass your resume along to the hiring manager)
  • Know your value propositions – what differentiates you?
  • Network, network, network!

You don’t want to be left out in today’s job market, so be sure you are linked in on LinkedIn.

RESOURCES

vCandidates
LT Ladino, CEO/CMO/Founder

Technology advancements have hurt the hiring process and alienated qualified people. If you have worked with staffing firms but haven’t been thrilled with the results, vCandidates is launching a subscription-based platform in October connecting recruiters with candidates. The company will foster open communication, candidate engagement and organization, with platform key features beyond the popular job boards. The candidate can present themselves in their own voice. This new recruiting tool will combine technology with the human touch.

Grand Canyon University (GCU)
Rob Loy, Head of Non-Degreed Technology Programs

In the job market today, 58% of all new jobs are in STEM, and computing jobs are the #1 source of new wages in the United States. To help you get the necessary skills to compete in this job market, GCU offers an Immersive Java Bootcamp. In 16 weeks, the bootcamp is more than 600 hours of project-based collaborative instruction and your accelerated path to employment. The courses completed within the bootcamp are part of GCU’s existing, regionally accredited programs. These courses are transferrable to a GCU bachelor’s program, or eligible for transfer at the discretion of other regionally accredited U.S. institutions.

HIRING COMPANIES

Wells Fargo
Meghan Pringle, Recruiting Manager

Wells Fargo has more than 5,000 employees at the Queen Creek and Price location. There are 10 lines of business within the company, more than just bank locations. Current Arizona openings include:

  • Analytic consultant
  • Bankruptcy specialist
  • Business Initiatives Consultant
  • Implementation Consultant
  • Quality Assurance Analyst
  • And many more.

There are also Enterprise IT career opportunities in numerous IT disciplines. Go to www.wellsfargojobs.com for a complete list of available positions here in Arizona, and in other locations. If you don’t see what types of openings appeal to you, you can set up a job search agent online, which will notify you when an opening is available that matches your criteria.

Northwestern Mutual
Joe Morris, Managing Director

Northwestern Mutual began in 1957 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company offers an array of financial products including mutual funds, disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance. In addition to a supportive team environment and a strong industry reputation, a 5 year mentoring program of new advisors is a valuable benefit for joining the company. Current opportunities at Northwest Mutual are:

  • Financial representative/advisor
  • Assistant financial representative

More information about these position plus other orporate career opportunities can be found at www.northwesternmutual.com/corporate-careers/.

Or reach out to the Director of Recruitment and Selection, Megan Wotton, on LinkedIn.

Allstate
Nate Smith, Senior Recruiting Consultant

There are more than 70,000 Allstate employees in North America, plus employees in Belfast and northern India. At the Tempe regional offices, Allstate is hiring for a number of positions including:

  • IT (4)
  • HR (2)
  • Product (1)
  • Claims (6)
  • Sales management (2)
  • Exclusive financial specialist

You also have the option of becoming an agency owner. Allstate has a 90% retention rate because as you grow your business, you build your success and own your equity. There are no royalty fees or franchise fees. A minimum of $100,000 spendable start up capital is required, but the advantages of being an Allstate agency owner are no inventory, repeat revenue, and competitive compensation in a high demand field. You can earn what you are worth, with a recognizable national brand backing you up. You can even begin without insurance experience or your license. Allstate will help prepare you for your new career.

Contact Nate Smith or visit www.allstate.com/careers for additional information.

CLOSING

Thank you to our premier and corporate partners for their continuing support. A special thank you as well to our host facility, Central Christian Church.

Our next event is Thursday, August 16 at Grand Canyon University when Bridgett McGowen-Hawkins will speak about “From Transition to Triumph: Mentally Regrouping in the Midst of Career Change.” Check the Career Connectors website for the topic and location of each week’s meeting and other resources for job seekers.

06/21/18 – Use LinkedIn in 15 Minutes a Day

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Written by Lauren Kutsko

Keynote Speaker

Brenda Cunningham
@pushcareers

Author of Crush the Pink Slip, Brenda Cunningham, had us laughing as she clearly laid out why consistency in our job search is paramount and why LinkedIn should be utilized for at least 15 minutes a day.

The 4 reasons to use LinkedIn for 15 minutes a day:

  • It builds your professional network
  • LinkedIn is a job board
  • It is where recruiters are looking
  • We learn from other professionals in our field

We often tweak our job search to death because we fail to be consistent on a definitive strategy and instead we flit from idea to idea never fully showing up.  But by simply being consistent on social media you can build trust, prove you are an expert in your industry with the content you share, and participate in your online community.

Here is the minute by minute breakdown:

First 4 minutes: your home page

  • Scroll through the home page
  • Share what would help demonstrate you are competent
  • Like and comment on industry relevant articles
  • Post your own content

Second 4 minutes: connecting and inviting new connections

  • Always use the custom invitation button to send a personal greeting
  • Determine who would be good to connect with:
  • Other professionals in your field
  • Previous co-workers
  • Friends
      **You never know who your connections know that might help you find your next dream job!

Middle 2 minutes: strengthening existing relationships

Reach out to maintain healthy relationships with others when you don’t need a favor.  Just write a note to say hello and that you were thinking of them.

Last 5 minutes: participating in group discussions

  • Get yourself into groups of other like-minded professionals that can help develop you and connect you to other opportunities in the field
  • Here’s a great one to start with:  Career Connectors LinkedIn Group

Set a timer and be consistent whether that is twice a week, once a week, or every day.  No one loves a job search, but consistency will encourage a strong and exciting finish!

Hiring Companies

Copper Springs
Melissa Barry, Director of Business Development

Copper Springs helps over 17,000 people a year.  Every employee touches the lives of each patient.  We see people on their worst day and are committed to treating each patient like family.  We are growing with leaps and bounds, so please check out our job listings at our website.

Below are some current openings:

        • Business Development Representative
        • Assessment Specialist
        • Registered Nurse

Modis
Michelle Grinberg, Regional Account Director

Modis connects you to many opportunities with its recruiting team of over 450 people across the nation.  Some of the benefits offered are Medical, Dental and Vision insurance, a 401K, and a Learning Center.

Current openings include:

        • Senior EHS Manager
        • Electrical Test Engineer
        • Project Coordinator
        • Administrative Specialist
        • Sr Systems Analyst

Go here to see a complete list of current openings.

Resources

Woz U
John Bernard, Director of Business Development
@TheWozU

WozU prepares people to be set apart from the competition!  People all over the Valley are looking for software development professionals and after a challenging 3 month program, you will be prepared for success and leading your industry.  Check out their website to find out how to get started down a new career path.

Closing

Be sure to check the July schedule for the dates of upcoming events.  A few dates have been moved to accommodate summer programs at our host locations.

10/4/17- Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out!

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Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out Feb 2017Written by: Connie Huber PHR SHRM-CP

NETWORKING RULES!!!

A recent survey conducted by Lou Adler reveals that 85% of jobs were filled through some type of networking.
Lou Adler reinforces several key learning points for a successful job search:
1. Job seekers need to use the backdoor to gain access to the hidden job market.
2. Recognize that LinkedIn is a network of over 400 million people, not just a database of them. It is not about how many people you can connect. It is about meeting a few well-connected individuals that can vouch for your ability and who are willing to refer the you to a few other well-connected people.
3. Demonstrate the ability to do the work to get the interview.
4. Be different. You want to excel in those things that make you different and allow you to achieve extraordinary results.

Keynote

“Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out”
Ted Robison
Are you LinkedIn or left out in the cold cruel world? Come in from the cold and get connected with fellow professionals that can open doors to the hidden job market. Ted or as he is known “Mr. Link-Me-In” guided us on our journey to the hidden job market of LinkedIn.

LINKEDIN FUNDAMENTALS
Why should you be on LinkedIn?
• Connectivity, raising your brand & visibility
• To be found!
Networking tool for professionals
• Over 500 million subscribers
Power of Networking-Approximately 87% of jobseekers find their new job through networking.
• Engage with people. “Connections are good but relationships are gold”.
How many connections should I have? Most people have 70 or less. The more connections you have the better off you are in finding a job. Strive to have more than 500.
• Who should be in your network? It should be someone you know including prior employment, family or friends.
Based on 3 degrees of separation. Your goal is to get your resume to the hiring manager.

WHY SHOULD I BE ON LINKEDIN?
Find jobs, people, groups & associations, target companies.
Most recruiters & hiring managers use LinkedIn exclusively.
Create your own unique URL like www.linkedin.com/in/tedrobison.
Free versus ($) Premium Accounts. You may pay more to have a premium account but the benefits outweigh the cost. But master the free version before you invest in the upgrade.
Things to consider. Privacy, contact levels, you will be searched by others. Be sure not to use your home address or phone number on LinkedIn or your resume.

PERSONAL BRAND & IMAGE PROMOTION IN YOUR PROFILE
Keywords & SEO-How do people find me?
Picture- It is mandatory to have a current professional photo.
Headline: Job Title Plus-Tag line. Headline/Tag line should avoid saying unemployed. Say such things as “open to new opportunities” or “innovating wellness into people’s lives.”
Current Job Title/Post Job Titles.
Summary: Style is most important. S.E.E.S. includes skills both hard and soft; experience; expertise & style. Do not include a resume.
Style -> Value Proposition -> Differentiation.
Wow Factor/Brand
Skills & Experience: Endorsements, try to get 8 altogether. Include 2 bosses, 2 peers, 2 customers, & 2 subordinates.
Recommendations: (4-6). Should be 2 bosses, 2 peers, 2 subordinates and 2 clients.
Status update-Home Page-Posts, blogs.

GROUPS & ASSOCIATIONS
How many groups & associations should I have? 30-50
3 reasons to join a Group or Association.
Target Market-Personal Interests-Professional Association.
How can groups help me raise my brand & image?
Participate in discussions, demonstrate & promote yourself as a subject expert.
Build your own group.
Used for “job title” keyword.
Raise your visibility.

HIDDEN JOB MARKET – TARGET COMPANIES
Hidden Job Market – 80%
Create a Target Company List (30-50)
Build Relationships at Target Companies.
Create leverage.
Follow Target Companies.
Phoenix Business Journal – Book of Lists

PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS
Research Interviewers – Helps you connect.
Know their hobbies, jobs, groups & interests.

Research Company:
Product, Services, Competitors.
Perform Informational Interviews.
Know how you fit culture & core values.
Know your Value Propositions.
Give reasons to hire you vs. just experience & skills.
Sorry you are Over Qualified: Respond by asking the interviewer to give you 2 reasons you are overqualified. Or respond that “I am absolutely qualified” & then share why you are qualified: Here is why you want to hire me. Give the interviewer value-value-value.
Transferrable skills.
Certifications, classes, seminars, tutorial.

FINAL COMMENTS
According to a recent LinkedIn Survey, the top three things a recruiter looks for in a candidate are motivation, execution ability & cultural fit.
Ted encourages you to view Ted Trembath’s LinkedIn profile for an outstanding example.

“Networking is marketing. Marketing yourself, marketing your uniqueness, marketing what you stand for.”-Christie Comaford-Lynch

Hiring Companies

Desert Schools Federal Credit Union
Angie Coulter, Recruitment Specialist

Desert Schools Federal Credit Union is a federally insured and chartered credit union based in Phoenix, AZ that operates 47 branches and service centers throughout Gila, Maricopa and Pinal counties in Arizona. Desert Schools is the largest credit union in Arizona. Its commitment to service is part of its culture and the community is the foundation to its success.
Benefits include competitive medical, dental and vision insurance; 401K, pension plan; carpool reimbursement, life insurance, tuition reimbursement and generous vacation time. Some of the positions that are currently available are HRIS Analyst; Sr. Recruiter; MSR (Member Solutions Representative) multiple openings are available as MSR; Network Engineer; Sr. ACH Originator; and ebranch Coordinator. For more information and to apply go to DesertSchool.org/Careers.

Maricopa County
Kelly Dixon, HR Operations Manager

Maricopa County has 13,000 employees serving over 4 million customers. The county’s mission is to provide regional leadership and fiscally responsible, necessary public services so that residents can enjoy living in a healthy and safe community. Some of the services provided by Maricopa are Animal, Health, Services, and Utility Services; Education and Youth; Election & Voting; and Justice Services. The values supported at the county are measure results, accountable, relentless improvement, this is where I fit in, communicate & collaborate, open & honest, public interest first, and achieving to your full potential.
In addition to traditional benefits, a sampling of additional benefits includes Employee Life Insurance, Ergonomic Evaluations free, onsite Fitness Facilities and Wellness programs. Current openings include Net Developer (Recorder Superior Court), Business Analyst (Sheriff), QA Analyst (Superior Court), Professional Development Coordinator (School Superintendent), Forensic Pathologist (Medical Examiner), Community Dietician (Public Health) and Sr. Telecomm Engineer (Office of Enterprise Technology). Visit Maricopa’s career site.

Revana/TeleTech
Mario Parra, Recruiter

Revana is a professional inside sales organization and recognized leader in outsourced sales and marketing solutions for industry leading clients, generating over $5B in annual client revenue. Revana is owned by the global outsourcing and customer experience leader Teletech. Revana has over 1,500 employees in their Tempe and Phoenix locations. The organization provides revenue-generating solutions such as professional inside sales, account management, integrated marketing and electronic direct marketing. Revana has won numerous awards and has been recognized by other leading industry professionals for its outstanding sales performance. The organization provides a number of benefits after 30 days of employment such as paid training, competitive base salary with commissions, career advancement, flexible work schedules and medical and dental benefits. A sampling of current opportunities for Revana includes Inbound Sales Associate, Outbound B2B Sales Associates, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Sales Managers, Digital Account Executive (Google), Marketing and Data Analyst. TeleTech has opening for Inbound Sales Associates, Outbound B2B Sales Associates, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Data Analyst, Manager, Sales Service Delivery and Customer Service Representative. For Revana opportunities apply here; and TeleTech positions can be found at the TeleTech site.

Resources

Coder Camps
Jason Jones, Sr. Admission Advisor

Coder Camps prepares students for a career in software development with immersive coding boot camps, online instruction, and career placement support. Graduates are equipped with a practical knowledge of full-stack software development, interview skills and a portfolio demonstrating their abilities. Coder Camps’ accelerated learning programs are offered full-time, part-time and online. The school is the only code camp to offer graduates lifetime access to all courses, a community of developers, and career services for free. For more information or to apply, visit their website.

Closing

Jason Isaak, Board of Directors, Career Connectors, closed the meeting by thanking North Phoenix Baptist Church and the volunteers. The next Career Connectors meeting will be in Scottsdale on Thursday, October 12, 2017 and features Naomi Buckta, as speaker for the topic “Lost my Job, Now What”. For additional information on this event and future events, please visit the Event Schedule.

 

 

 

 

 

3/8/17 – Use LinkedIn in 15 Minutes Per Day

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Use LinkedIn in 15 Minutes Per DayWritten by Kimberly Rife

Keynote Speaker

Brenda Cunningham, CEO, Push Career Management, LLC

LinkedIn is an invaluable tool for job seekers. Whether you’re trying to tap into the hidden job market or make inroads into a prospective employer, your presence on LinkedIn is important. However, without a plan, you can get less than stellar results and find yourself wasting valuable time, clicking link after link on the homepage or scrolling endlessly through lists of people you may know.

“Doing is the normal mode of Western society. The culture is one of constant interaction…Information and new ideas flood in from all over the globe which can be invigorating to your thought life, sparking dreams and plans for the future, but it can also mean taking on too much and ending up with mediocre results or being so overwhelmed you feel constantly defeated” – Dr. Cindy Trimm

Brenda Cunningham, an expert in the field of career services, stresses the need to have a game plan. If you’re not actively using LinkedIn, you could be missing opportunities. On the flip side, misusing your access to influencers can cause problems. Some job seekers ask to immediately send their resume to people they don’t know, which can be a turn-off. Others mistake LinkedIn for a social network, posting content unsuitable for a professional network. For example, photos of your lunch don’t belong on LinkedIn, no matter how delicious the turkey panini and the latte with the leaf design in the foam were.

To avoid these pitfalls, users should know their strategy. Focus on what you’re trying to accomplish. Be strategic and intentional in your use of LinkedIn.

Brenda recommends setting a timer for 15 minutes and dividing the time as follows:

  • 4 minutes – Homepage – Scroll through to gain an understanding of what people in your network are doing and what articles they are sharing. Like and comment on relevant items. Posting your own meaningful thoughts will add substance, help establish you as an expert in your field, and keep you top of mind in your network
  • 4 minutes – Search and Invite – Know who you want to connect with. Search for your target companies. Who do you know that works there? Who are the decision makers? Why should they connect with you? Send an invitation to connect that is meaningful to them from within their profile.
  • 2 minutes – Say Hello – Rekindle relationships through quick check-ins without asking for anything, even if it has been a few years since you’ve been in touch. “Hello” can go a long way. Don’t be that person who only reaches out when they need something.
  • 5 minutes – Groups – Consistently visit a handful of groups so that members will recognize you and view you as a thought leader. Learn from what others have done. When you are working, groups can help find solutions to problems you may be having on the job. After you’re back to work, continue to post your perspectives on what others have posted in your groups.

Be consistent. Check LinkedIn Monday through Friday, even when you’re employed. It’s important to keep doing the work so that you’re ready when opportunities arise. “Keep the pump primed, always be ready, stay ready.” – Brenda Cunningham

Hiring companies

Brokers Alliance

Deuce Mangine, HR Manager

Family-owned Brokers Alliance of Fountain Hills strives to incorporate fun into the workday. Hardworking team members can de-stress with video games or a ping pong match in the company game room. Brokers Alliance is comprised of Brokers Alliance, Launched Financial, Life’s Best Insurances (Outlook Advisors), and WiredUp Installation. As a leading, independently owned distributor of life insurance and annuities, they harness experience and technology’s power to provide solutions for insurance professionals to grow and sustain their practices. They offer many benefits and perks, including unlimited Nespresso for coffee lovers. A few positions they are currently hiring for are Life Insurance Sales Agents, Annuity Sales Consultant, and Business Development Representative. To view the full lists, visit Brokers Alliance or Life’s Best Insurances.

Edward Jones

Tahara Coleman, Senior Recruiter

Founded in 1922, privately-held Edward Jones is an award winning company with $876 billion in assets under its care and nearly 7 million clients. With headquarters in St. Louis and Tempe, they are the largest US brokerage firm in terms of the number of offices. They provide some of the best training possible and pride themselves on their community service and commitment to diversity and inclusion. Because they want to be sure their financial advisors are growing profitable practices, they offer support including paid training, a guaranteed salary for up to five years, bonuses and commissions. They are currently hiring for financial advisors in their branches and for various roles in their corporate office.

AF Professionals and Staff Logic

Deanne Desautels, President

At Accounting & Finance Professionals and Staff Logic, one of their goals is to find the best opportunity for the job seeker. They are also active in the community and are partnered with Homeward Bound, sponsoring an employment center which serves as a resource for homeless women and families. Their weekly newsletter features positions with employers including government entities such as the State of Arizona and City of Phoenix, as well as many public and private companies. They recommend registering with several staffing companies because each one works with different employers. Some of the positions they are currently recruiting for are: inside sales positions, customer service and data entry jobs, accountants, call center positions, financial analysts, and IT roles. All jobs are not listed on the website because they are often filled quickly.

Resources

Arizona@Work

Rob Stenson, Business and Workforce Development Supervisor, City of Phoenix

Arizona@Work offices offer job search and workforce development services including resume assistance, career advising, job leads, workshops, hiring events, training grants for certifications, on-the-job training grant programs and insight on labor market trends at no cost to the job seeker. Appointments are recommended. Walk-ins are accepted.

Visit Arizona Job Connection (AJC) to post a resume and search open jobs.

Visit Maricopa County Career Planning System (MCPS) to explore career interests.

Phoenix Public Library has resources free with your library card including access to nearly 500 instructor-facilitated online classes and Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center.

Closing

Jessica Pierce thanked all of the day’s participants. She reminded people to take advantage of the resources available on site, such as professional portraits and coaching. She urged attendees to visit the Career Advice blog which currently is about how to get your resume to “talk” to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). The next Career Connectors event is on Thursday, March 16th in Scottsdale. Jack Milligan will be presenting “Salary Negotiation – Make More Money.” For upcoming Career Connectors events, click here.

2/28/17 – Get Linkedin or Get Left Out!

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Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out Feb 2017Written by Michelle Soracco

Keynote Speaker

Ted Robison, Mr. Link-Me-In

Ted started his work life in nuclear engineering and jokingly says that he coaches now to atone for his nuclear-related sins.  His journey to becoming a LinkedIn coach is a fascinating one; if you have a chance to talk with him, be sure to ask him about it.  He’s a passionate and humorous individual, dedicated to coaching others about LinkedIn.

Get Linkedin or Get Left Out!

Do you want to get found by recruiters?  Network with people in your industry?  Find out information about the companies and people you’ll be interviewing with before the interview?  LinkedIn can help you do all of this and more.  Many recruiters and hiring managers use LinkedIn exclusively; if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, you’re missing opportunities.

Use a professional headshot as your photo for 14x more profile views.  Your headline should have your current job title; consultant or volunteer is a viable title (here’s where I put in a plug for volunteering for Career Connectors!).  Because LinkedIn uses keyword density, be sure to fill out your profile with as many keywords that pertain to your job search as you can.  Your summary should contain skills (hard and soft), experience, expertise and major accomplishments, and style. Style includes: your brand/wow factor, what value you bring to the company and how you differentiate yourself (e.g. problem solver, customer advocate, walk-around manager, etc.).

You should belong to 30-50 groups on LinkedIn.  Join groups and associations that are part of your target market, personal interests, professional associations, school alumni associations, or prior companies.  Go to group meetings, which might require some perseverance.

The hidden job market comprises approximately 80% of all jobs.  To tap into the hidden job market, create a list of target companies, build relationships at these companies and follow the companies on LinkedIn.  One way to create a target company list is to use the Book of Lists from the Phoenix Business Journal.

To prepare for interviews, research the interviewers on LinkedIn.  Knowing their hobbies, jobs and groups can help you connect with them during the interview.  Research the company – product, services, competitors.  Do informational interviews to determine if the culture is a good fit; do my values match with the company’s values?  Know your value prior to the interview.Ted Robison

According to a LinkedIn survey, the three most important items to look for in a candidate during the hiring process are:
1. Motivation/hungriness (being part of a team)
2. Execution ability (adding value)
3. Culture fit

Call to Action:
* Build and  strengthen your profile: keywords
* Create and search your target companies
* Join associations and groups
* Research in preparation for interviews
* Talk to the hiring manager if possible
* Many jobs aren’t posted
***If you do nothing else, network, network, network!***

Hiring Companies

Intel

Gil “GW” Williams, Lead Talent Manager, @JobsatIntel

Intel’s vision:  if it is smart and connected, it is best with Intel.  In the last 6-8 months, Intel has changed its entire strategy to a virtuous cycle of growth revolving around memory, the cloud and data center, FPGA and things and devices.  Intel invested $7B to finish Fab 42, which will create 3000 – 10,000 local jobs, including subcontractors and support services. The majority of the roles are technically inclined, but not all of them.  Do your research and fit everything in the job description before you apply.  No spaghetti recruiting here.

Sonora Quest

Raquel Phelps, Recruiter, @SonoraQuestLabs

Sonora Quest is a joint venture between Banner Health and Quest Diagnostics with 3100 employees in Arizona.  Using the 6 Sigma method, Sonora Quest’s goal is to provide the best patient care by partnering with physicians and focusing on preventative care.  Their benefits are the same as Banner Health. Openings include CRM Systems Analyst, Desktop Engineer, Emergency Management Coordinator, Customer Systems Analyst Sr, Information Security Analyst Sr, Laboratory Manager, Operational Excellence Manager, Strategic Sourcing Director, Medical Lab Scientists and Phlebotomy Leadership.

Ajilon:  Kristina Johnson, Staffing Manager, @ajilon

Accounting Principals:  Michelle Inskeep, Staffing Manager @acctprincipals

Ajilon and Accounting Principals are not your typical temp agencies. Located in the east valley, these two branches are the second best branches in the US! Accounting and finance job seekers should talk to Accounting Principals; administrative, logistics and supply chain job seekers should talk to Ajilon.  Parker and Lynch is the executive branch encompassing both.  Accounting Principals is looking for a candidate with commercial collections experience ($42K-$45K/year), as well as vendor administrative support ($38K/year).  Ajilon is looking for a professional inventory associate ($18-$20/hour), an account manager ($20-$22/hour), and a closing call center supervisor ($18-$20/hour).

Freedom Financial Network

John Hasna, Director of Talent Acquisition, @FreedomFamily

Freedom Financial Network is a debt consulting company that provides financial solutions and services to enable consumers to achieve financial freedom.  Their 3 AZ locations have 1300 employees, and have hired 200 of the 1000 individuals they want to hire this year. They are in the process of building a new campus in Tempe and were recently named as a Phoenix Business Journal “Best Places to Work” Winner. Open positions in Tempe include Java Developers, Product Managers, Corporate Trainer, Compliance Manager, Business Intelligence Analyst, Negotiations Debt Settlement Specialist, Inside Sales Reps and Software Developer.

New Horizons Learning Center, @nhphoenix

Joe Rostowsky, Director of Site Operations

Career Connectors has partnered with New Horizons as their only WIOA-funded school.  New Horizons is an international training organization that serves the needs of top companies to help individuals enhance their current skills and go to the next level in their career.  They offer courses in IT, Office Mgmt, Healthcare Records and Management, Project/Production Mgmt Certifications. Classes are conducted live in a classroom, live online and self-paced online courses, depending on the student’s needs.

Closing

Jessica graciously thanked all of the day’s speakers, volunteers and job seekers for participating. She encouraged job seekers to take advantage of the many Career Connector services like having your resume reviewed, a free professional portrait and visit all of the other services and hiring companies.  She also encouraged everyone to view the career blog, which is up and running and has a lot of good career advice.

Next event in Phoenix: “Use LinkedIn in 15 Minutes Per Day” on Wednesday, Mar 08, 2017 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, due to February being a short month. Register here.