Career Connectors

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NESCO Resource

8/15/19 – Connecting with Top Staffing Firms to Find Your Next Career

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Written by: Connie Huber PHR SHRM-CP

According to ASA (American Staffing Association), every day, staffing businesses send more than three million employees to work in America’s offices, factories, hospitals, warehouses, and other work sites-virtually every place that people work, staffing employees are on the job.

The staffing industry, comprises of more than 20,000 staffing firms and nearly 1.7 million staffing employees , contributes over $160 billion to the US economy through temporary and contract staffing recruiting and permanent placement, outsourcing and outplacement, and human resource consulting.

STAFFING PANELS

PANEL 1: Myths about Working with Staffing Firms

Q: Provide a 2 Minute overview of your staffing firm/agency and your position.

vCandidates: The firm is a subscription based career eco system for candidates and recruiting professionals. vCandidates uses a cloud-based platform, mobile app, and CRM to give candidates the ability to create the best presentation of themselves. It is more than just a resume. LT has been in the entertainment business, but enjoys recruiting even more! In October, the website will launch the opportunity for candidates to access recruiters.

Blue Signal Search: Specializes in executive placement for industry leaders. Specialties include: wireless & telecom, manufacturing, cloud & managed services; engineering & construction; finance & accounting, emerging technology, human resources & logistics & supply chain. Trevor loves connecting talented, driven people to opportunities that enhance their careers.

HireRising: Concentrates on filling IT positions. This year HireRising will help 80 IT professionals land jobs at 50 local companies around the Valley. Graham founded HireRising without having any previous staffing experience.

NESCO Resource: 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. Opportunities include Engineering & IT, Clerical & Light Industrial, and Accounting & Finance specialties. Brendan ran his own business and decided to go back into sales with NESCO. He is now a Branch Manager.

Q. Can you explain the different types of Staffing models?

vCandidates: Concentrates on full time positions. LT & team focus on finding the right fit for both the employer and candidate. Their goal is a permanent fit for longevity.

Blue Signal Search: Firm working with employers and making a commitment to employees. Goal is to find a forever career. Company is more dynamic than before.

NESCO Resource: NESCO is doing more contract work. 99% contracts with option to hire. People who perform well usually get hired.

HireRising: Provides direct hire, contract work, and short and long term projects.

Q. Staffing Agencies often get a bad rap. Why do you think this happens?

vCandidates: A lot of the bad rap comes from expectations of the candidate contributing to the myth. LT will go the extra mile if the candidate is into the job and employer.

Blue Signal Search: Employers, candidates and firms need to cooperate together. Transparency needs to be put in place and active.

HireRising: The bad rap is focused on the lack of follow up from recruiters.

NESCO Resource: There are a lot of recruiters currently trying to fill all the positions. Many are using Sourcers. Their goal is to comb databases for candidates. Many lack the professionalism of a Recruiter.

Q. How should candidates best build a relationship with you?

HireRising: Try to make contact with candidates on a weekly basis. If candidate does not hear from HireRising, they should reach out to the agency every 2-4 weeks.

vCandidates: LT encourages the candidate to make themselves memorable. Candidates need to remember to build a positive relationship with the recruiter & remember the challenges the recruiter faces. Your mantra should be Pause-Think-Act! Age differences should encourage professional and personal development.

NESCO Resource: Reminded us there is also reverse ageism. Everyone should respect one another regardless of age.

Blue Signal Search: Focus on experience is shifting to the value the candidate can bring.

Q. What is the most effective way to stay in contact with your Staffing Firm? Phone, email, text?

vCandidates: LinkedIn.

Blue Signal Search: When networking, go to meet people where they work.

HireRising: Recruiter is focusing on relationship with client.

NESCO Resource: Phone.

Q. TELL US A SUCCESS STORY.

vCandidates: LT had an employer that had a mindset of the perfect candidate. LT found the right candidate but with a different skill set than what the hiring manager had wanted. LT continued to gently present her candidate.

Blue Signal Search: Trevor had a candidate from another country and was unable to find an employer to hire on a full time basis. The man did contract work. Trevor stayed in touch with the man & eventually was able to help him find a full time job.

HireRising: Graham had a candidate that was qualified but did not have a current job for him. Graham stayed touch with him and after 18 months the perfect job presented itself. The story is a great reminder that it may take a while to find the right position.

NESCO Resource: Brendan came across a candidate who was down on his luck. He was a veteran, living in low income housing and did not have a car. Brendan drove the man to his interview and got him a job.

AUDIENCE QUESTIONS:

Q: Do you continue the relationship with Staffing Firms when you have a job?
Absolutely!

Q: How do Staffing Firms help a candidate with a niche skillset?
The candidate needs to help educate the recruiter.

CURRENT OPENINGS
vCandidates: In house recruiters and salespeople.
Blue Signal Search: Product management, engineer and manufacturing.
HireRising: Everything IT; and all levels.
NESCO Resource: 105 openings. Please see website.

PANEL 2: Advantages to Working with Staffing Firm

Nick Mazur, APN USA, Recruiting Manager

Ryan Nouls, Trupath, CEO

Christian Kaijser, Career Evolutions, Manager Director

Jerilyn Arthur, Atrilogy Solutions Group, Senior Account Director

Q. Give us an overview of your Staffing Firm/Agency and your position.

APN USA: Works on staffing for nurses and car dealerships.

TruPath: Very diverse in types of positions that they fill. Do not want to become niche.

Career Evolutions: Will do anything they can to help.

Atrilogy Solutions Group: Recruitment done nationwide. Do both direct placement and contract work.

Q. Why should someone looking for a new position work with a Staffing Firm?

TruPath: Agencies work with multiple staffing firms. They build relationships with all types of employers. Candidates should check in every month.

APN USA: Include staffing firms in your search. It broadens your possibilities and network.

Career Evolutions: Finding a job is a numbers game. Knowing someone or working your way into an organization through informational meetings.

Atrilogy Solutions Group: Recruiters are your cheerleaders. Will go above and beyond to work with candidates.

Q. How do we best prepare to work with Staffing Agencies? What is negotiable?

Career Evolutions: Think about what you do well. Do not take a rejection personally.

TruPath: Remember that the recruiter is working on your behalf. You can negotiate salary.

APN USA: The more recruiters you have working for you, the better.

Atrilogy Solutions Group : Be honest with self and recruiters.

Q. What do you like about your job?

Atrilogy Solutions Group: Never a dull moment. Really enjoy the people aspect.

Career Evolutions: Put people to work. Feel good about helping someone. It is great to hear thank you and that the candidate is happy with their job.

APN USA: Being open and honest. Work with profit and non-profit companies.

TruPath: They are following up with employers and enjoy seeing how candidates have contributed.

Q. How can a candidate best prepare for an interview with you? What about an interview with a client?

TruPath: Prepare just as you would for an employer. Learn as much as you can about the job and employer. Be enthusiastic.

APN USA: Know what is expected. What is the process you will go through? Determine if there will be testing.

Atrilogy Solutions Group: Allow the employer to get to know you.

AUDIENCE QUESTIONS:

Q: How do you find Staffing Firms that are a good fit? How to work for the best companies?
Atrilogy Solutions Group: The best company is the one you like and is a great fit.

HOT JOBS:

Atrilogy Solutions Group: IT. Over 60 positions are available in Arizona.
Career Evolutions: Software developer, sales, product manager are a few examples.
TruPath: Manufacturing; all types of positions.
APN USA: Nurses, nurses, nurses!

CAREER CONNECTORS ACADEMY
Brighton College, Ryan Golden, Enrollment Advisor

Ryan shared the exciting news and details about Career Connectors new partnership with Brighton College! The partnership forms Career Connectors Academy. The Academy offers a wide variety of accredited online college 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. Career Connectors members will receive a 30% discount on the programs and certifications. For more information go to the Career Connectors Academy website.

Closing

Jessica Pierce, Founder & CEO, Career Connectors, closed the meeting by thanking Highlands Church & the volunteers. The next Career Connectors meeting will be in Gilbert on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 and features Kevin Dumcum, as speaker for the topic “Kick Start Your Job Search. For additional information on this event & future events, please visit the Event Schedule.

10/04/18 – Myths and Advantages to Working with Staffing Agencies

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Written by Rachel Gersten

Staffing Panel Discussion

Jessica Pierce welcomed the group and explained the agenda, which was a bit different from a traditional meeting. Instead of one keynote speaker Career Connectors was fortunate to welcomed six staffing agency experts. There were two panel discussions:  the first panel discussed myths associated with staffing firms, and the second panel discussion reviewed the advantages of working with staffing firms.

1st Panel Discussion: Myths About Working with Staffing Firms

The group of experts included:

Joe Skrzymowski, Branch Manager for NESCO Resources
Donna Dietrich, Managing Partner for Tech Finders
Rich North, Account Manager for Aerotek

Question: What are the different types of staffing firms?

Answer: There are a number of staffing firms to choose from based on the type of industry and work the candidates are seeking.  Agencies have all types of employment options available for job seekers: direct hire, contract to hire, temp to hire.

Question: What is the conversion rate? How many clients do you help land jobs?

Answer: We don’t have stats on our conversion rates, however many times employees are hired for full time work. By partnering with a recruiter, you land the job.

Question: Why do you think people don’t trust staffing firms?

Answer: It’s like many other industries, such as used car dealerships. Generally speaking a used car salesperson doesn’t have the best reputation. These generalizations are based on bad experiences. Sometimes when you work with one staffing firm, you are never called back and the assumption is that all agencies work that way. Next time you speak with a staffing firm, interview the agency. Ask questions such as: How long have you been in the industry? What does the process look like? When will I be called back?

Question: If I use a staffing agency, will I make less money?

Answer: The pay rates are competitive with the market.

Question: Does the staffing agency only work for the company seeking employees?

Answer: If we don’t have the candidates, we don’t make any money. We need to work for both the employer and candidate.

Question: If a candidate wants to work for a specific company like Google, how do they find out the staffing firm that works with them?

Answer: Call and ask the staffing firms.

2nd Panel Discussion: Advantages to Working with Staffing Firms

The group of experts included:

LT Ladino-Bryson, Founder of vCandidates
Ashley Jenkins, Business Development Manager for Paladin Staffing
Nicholas Mazur, Executive Recruiter for APN Staffing

Question: Why work with a staffing firm?

Answer: A staffing firm provides you with insider information on everything they can including income information, process time involved and anything else they may know about the company. Additionally, recruiters are well connected and will be your biggest advocate.

Question: How to best prepare to work with staffing firms?

Answer:  Know what you want. Spend time thinking and researching what direction you want to pursue, but also have an open mind.

Question: Who pays you?

Answer: The company seeking employees pays the staffing agency. It is a free service for job seekers.

Question: What do you like about staffing?

Answer: It is a fast-paced environment, where we as recruiters get to help people on a daily basis to improve their lives.

Question: How are people most successful working with you?

Answer: Candidates that stay in touch regularly do very well.

Question: How do you help the job seeker prepare for a job placement?

Answer: We help by coaching on interviewing skills.

RESOURCES

Grand Canyon University
Rob Loy, Head of Education of Non-Degree Technology Programs

Grand Canyon University offers an in-depth boot camp for Java Programming. There are many perks that this curriculum offers to individuals such as; additional skills in the dynamic IT field, and a more competitive advantage in the job market. Entry level positions average $65,000 a year.

CLOSING

Jessica Pierce concluded the meeting by thanking our wonderful host Grand Canyon University for their support, our event sponsor LT Ladino-Bryson from vCandidates, as well as all our amazing panel, corporate sponsors and volunteers. Jessica went on to remind our guests to visit the Career Connectors website for additional information and support such as the complimentary DISC assessment and other helpful tools. The next meeting will be held on October 11th, 9 am at the Scottsdale location of Highlands Church – 9050 E Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale, AZ. Please remember to sign up online for our next meeting.

09/25/18 – Your Why Defines Your Try

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Norris ThomasWritten by Jim McBride

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Your Why Defines Your Try

Norris Thomas – Speaker/TV Personality

If anyone could (and did) get an audience of motivated job seekers and networkers up on their feet and following his lead with rhythmic clapping while hopping up and down, it’s Norris Thomas. Norris is an ex-professional football player and current host on FOX Sports Arizona. In addition to his duties as a sports TV personality, he’s a motivational speaker, author and “Master of Human Experience.”

Norris fell in love with football at the young age of seven. But, while he worked extremely hard at chasing his NFL dream, his story is not about football. His story is about the one BIG decision that would fuel ALL of his life decisions going forward. His seven-year-old self said he was going to make it to the NFL one day. And, by reaching that dream of playing NFL football, he believed it would ultimately lead to meeting his father for the very first time.

The goal of finally getting to meet his father defined the “why” for Norris.Norris Thomas speaking

Norris explained how your “why” has to be HUGE. If your why isn’t big enough, then your “try” has to be even bigger. Your “try” is effort and hustle. It’s when we’re at our best and what people remember the most about us. For job seekers, it’s about branching out and thinking about deployment instead of employment.

A strong commitment to the “why” in Norris’ life led him on a journey from a homeless shelter as a teenager to professional athlete, educator, high school coach and right up to the day of the eventual first-time meeting with his father.

Norris shared the Five Characteristics of a Successful Decision:

1. Sharpened Focus
o You’re in competition with yourself
o Am I more focused today than yesterday? (You showed up here today!)
2. Clarity of Mission
o Make your plan, clear the clutter
o Be real with yourself, get your team to help you
3. Discipline
o Do it the same way, the right way, every day
o Don’t look back on the past, follow through
4. Increased Production
o With focus and discipline comes increased production
o Become consistent, you’ll see results
5. Mastery (Master the human experience)
o You have a unique story to tell. So, tell it to everyone.
o How big is your why, are you equipped? Lock it in.
o Become passionate in your new career. Do the extra work. Own it!

Are you inspired to make a big decision in your career search? Get into your seven-year-old self and define YOUR why!

HIRING COMPANIES

vCANDIDATES

L.T. Ladino Bryson – CEO/CMO, Founder
“The Employment Therapist”

Technology advancements in job posting boards and Applicant Tracking Systems have hurt the hiring process and alienated qualified people. If you have worked with recruiting/staffing firms but haven’t been thrilled with the results, vCandidates is launching a subscription-based platform in December connecting recruiters with candidates.

Becoming a visual, vetted and verified candidate you will experience a streamlined career search process. vCandidates provides a platform to showcase skills and personality while managing interest, interviews and offers within one dashboard.

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, including vetted recruiters.

AMKOR TECHNOLOGY

Brenda Perry, Vice President Human Resources

Amkor Technology, in business for 50 years, is an innovative global semi-conductor processing company with headquarters in Tempe, AZ. Amkor is 30,000 employees strong across the globe and looking for innovative career seekers.

  • Recognized as a great place to work, with competitive compensation, very attractive benefits and a diverse work environment. The 401k match starts on day one.
  • Thrive on work-life balance for all employees. Amkor has very little employee turnover.
  • Award-winning Amkor Heath Happenings (AHH). Employees are encouraged to improve lifestyle choices by utilizing a fitness tracking device, which can offset medical premium costs.
  • Many, many open positions at all levels. Some positions are created for the right person with unique skills.
  • Current openings include: Wafer Services Director, Design Manager, Flip Chip Product Manager, Billing & Collections Specialist, Sr. Tax Accountant, Sr. Director FCBGA BU, Sr. Director Test Technology, Sr. Financial Analyst, Sr. Manager Internal Audit, Sr. Manager MEMS, Sr. Staff Engineers, Test Technician (internship) and Web Applications Intern.

Amkor Careers

NATIONAL GENERAL LENDER SERVICES

Erin Huffman – Senior Corporate Recruiter

National General Lender Services is a leading provider of mortgage and auto lender-placed protection solutions, insurance products and risk management services. National General serves mortgage lender, mortgage servicers and financial institutions of all sizes, all across the country.

  • Empowering professional environment where all team members are valued for their unique talents and contributions. Extensive internal growth opportunities.
  • Paid training and comprehensive benefits package including generous time off policy (including Black Friday)
  • Over 100 positions to fill from entry level to management, IT, account executive and claims.

National General Lender Careers

NESCO RESOURCE

Brendan Naper – Branch Manager

“We work for you.” Nesco began in 1956 as an engineering and design firm and has grown steadily over the decades into a national presence in staffing and employment. Serving a wide range of industries through a branch network and national recruiting centers.

  • Over 90 branch offices with national coverage
  • Ranked as one of the fastest growing US staffing firms.
  • Hot openings:
    o Claims Supervisor
    o Skilled Trades Recruiter
    o Customer Service Supervisor
    o Accounting Clerk – Tempe
    o Virtual Recruiter
    o CNC Operators – Gilbert
    o Maintenance Technicians
    o Tool & Die repair

NESCO Careers

CLOSING

Our next event is Thursday, October 4th at Grand Canyon University when Career Connectors Founder and CEO Jessica Pierce will lead a panel discussion: Boost Your Career Reach by Connecting with Staffing Firms. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for the panel when registering for the event.
Check the Career Connectors website for the topic and location of each week’s meeting and other resources for job seekers.
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 and all of the Career Connectors volunteers.

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. -Henry Ford

06/12/18 – Career Transition in 2018 – Top Ten Tips

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Pam HewardWritten by Cindy Nowack

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Career Transition in 2018 – Top Ten Tips

Pamela Heward

Pamela Heward is passionate about helping others through career and life transition as the owner and founder of Box Free Minds. She shared that a successful career transition is a combination of discipline, patience and creative thinking. The best place to begin is with your mindset. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” How you feel is something you control.

Pamela’s top ten tips for career transition are:

1. The WORK before the work begins NOW. Take the time to fine tune your resume, develop your LinkedIn profile, and network to get ready for the real work – finding your next opportunity.

2. Create your awesome list. You are more than bullet points on a resume. What are those things about you that are great, but don’t go on your resume? For instance, seeing things differently is not a problem. When asked what color a banana is, a younger Pamela said white. Most people think bananas are yellow, but when the banana is peeled, Pamela saw it as white. Seeing things others may have missed is a gift. What are your “white banana” gifts? Once you know this about yourself, you show up differently. You can talk about the skills that are more than bullets on your resume and how these gifts can be valuable to others.

3. There are 8 mind shifts that will get you unstuck and excited. One of the mind shifts Pamela shared is #6 – be an inquisitive explorer. You can get to know the market and industry through the Business Journal and other resources. Your responsibility is to find interesting companies that excite you. Put those companies on your target list.

4. Create SMART goals. Goals should be about your happiness, what you want to achieve. SMART goals are:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable, Attainable – personable part
  • Realistic – outer reasonable goal
  • Time-oriented

To increase the likelihood of success, goals should be:
Written – in the SMART goal format
Public – tell everyone about your goals
Accountable – find a coach or a person you trust, and create weekly tasks to help you complete your goals

5. Practice, rehearse and role play. To develop your story, use the STAR method:
Situation
Task (Challenge)
Action
Result

Prepare at least three examples of your successes. Once you develop your story, practice telling it. Your story should be one minute or less. Otherwise, you will lose your audience’s attention. The first time telling your story is always too long, so practice and rehearse out loud and with others.

6. Step outside your comfort zone, try new things, learn, grow. Pamela shared this quote, “A comfort zone is a beautiful place but nothing ever grows there.” – Unknown. Use this transition time to try new things. Get out of your comfort zone.

7. Talk with others. Don’t “firehose” people immediately. When you start talking with others, share your title and wait for their response. If they ask a question or are interested in what you said, provide a little more information. From there, the conversation develops.

8. Recharge your battery. Draw a circle with 8 pie slices on a piece of paper. In each slice, write things you can do when you need to recharge. This time should be healing and rejuvenating. Walk, enjoy nature, unplug electronics, play music, sleep, solitude, dance, talk to a friend are some of the suggestions from the audience about how they recharge their batteries.

9. Time blocking. Plan your week, but don’t put all your brain time in one basket. Most jobs are found through people you know, so get out there, meet people. If it will help you, turn your weekly calendar into an accountability partner so that you are accountable for the weekly plans you made.

10. Collaborate, connect, converse but NO Commercials. Recruit the best people to work with to maintain your spirits. Who are “your” people? This process isn’t all about you. You need others to help you. Also, be sure to grow and network even when you’re at your next position.

BONUS: No guilt. Take this time to do something nice for yourself. Energy attracts like energy. Now you are ready to show up.

HIRING COMPANIES

Enterprise
Dave Carriere, Group HR Manager, Enterprise Holdings

Enterprise is a family owned company, so company values are important. Their mission statement is to be the best transportation company in the world; to exceed customers’ expectations for service, quality and value; to provide employees with a great place to work; and to serve their communities as a committed corporate citizen. The founder, Jack Taylor, served on the USS Enterprise, which is how the company got its name.

People are promoted from within at Enterprise, which leads to an understanding of a variety of positions within the company as you move into different roles. The management training program requires a Bachelors degree. Each branch runs as its own profit center with 5-7 employees, and 100-150 vehicles. Resumes may be submitted at careers.enterprise.com.

Nammo Talley
Karin Rodriguez, Recruiter

Nammo Talley specializes in the design, development and manufacture of ammunition and energetic material solutions for defense and commercial applications. They are a Nordic company with US headquarters in Mesa. The company currently has about 2,200 employees, a significant growth from 1,100 employees in 1998. Current job opportunities in Mesa include:

  • Program Manager II
  • Test Engineer
  • Processor/Manufacturing Operator
  • Facilities Maintenance Technician
  • R&D/Manufacturing Engineer
  • Machine Operator/Core Tech, 2nd shift
  • Senior Cost Accounting

You may apply online at careers.nammotalley.com.

NESCO Resource
Brendan Naper, Branch Manager

NESCO Resource is an award winning full service staffing firm, ranked as one of the fastest growing in the United States. Beginning in Ohio more than 50 years ago, NESCO Resource now has five locations in Arizona and more than 90 branches nationwide. At the Tempe branch office, located at 4500 S Lakeshore Drive near the US60 and Rural Road, they are currently filling manufacturing, production, administrative, and clerical positions. Some of the current HOT openings are:

  • Maintenance Mechanic
  • Material/Part Buyer
  • Part Time Administrative Assistant
  • Accounts Payable/Payroll Administrator
  • Multiple Customer Service/Call Center positions
  • CNC Operator
  • Electronic Assembler/Solderer
  • Various Warehouse positions

NESCO Resource has more than 100 different clients that may be looking for your skills. Jobs change almost daily, so for the latest openings, check www.nescoresource.com. Or call for an appointment: (480) 898-9452 in the East Valley, or (623) 236-2074 in the West Valley. Know the name of the recruiter in the posting and which positions you are interested in. It’s helpful to meet your recruiter in person and stay in touch, at least once a month.

CLOSING REMARKS

State Farm is now hiring experienced software developers, infrastructure analysts, and systems/data administrators. To learn more about specific openings, visit www.statefarm.com/careers.

On Thursday, June 21 at 9am in Glendale, Brenda Cunningham will be speaking about how to “Use LinkedIn in 15 Minutes a Day.” Hiring companies at that event will be Modis and Copper Springs.

Also, be sure to check the schedule for the dates of upcoming June and July events at careerconnectors.org. A few dates have been moved to accommodate summer programs at our host locations.

03/22/18 – How to Use Your internalGPS® To Rise Strong

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Written by Miriam Spinner

“You are not using the right tools”

“You can’t multi-task”

“You seem overwhelmed”

I heard those comments in a role when I worked for a Fortune 500 company. I didn’t feel overwhelmed, and multi-tasking was my strength, or at least I thought so. It set me back. I heard those messages over and over in my head. I also believed that failure was good. It is how we learn. It added fuel to my fire. So I took the feedback, thought about it, and decided to get back up and channel my energy into a new direction. That new direction for me was my career pivot.

When you fall: get up, recognize the feeling, think different and change your action. And remind yourself you are human being. Rinse and repeat.

KEYNOTE

How to Use Your internalGPS® To Rise Strong
Paula Shoup

Paula Shoup kicks off her talk by sharing expert knowledge on resilience. Brene Brown is a social scientist researcher from the University of Texas, and wrote the book Rising Strong. We are all faced with issues and challenges. The difference is that resilient people *Get Up*.

The resilient are taught to keep strong regardless of what happens to them and they recover more quickly. Let’s learn from them.

Paula tells us about her own personal experiences with rejection and failure. Her significant fall was a potential contract with a supply chain high technology company. It was perfect since Paula’s background was in supply chain management. As she was in the midst of the initial conversation, she realized she was not prepared. And if that wasn’t enough, her comment of no “shocks” may have sealed the deal. She never received a call back.

What do resilient people do? They get curious. They feel emotion. They think about the fall. They get back up.

Paula shares with us the key messages from Brene Brown’s TED talk on vulnerability. Based on her research, she found we don’t want to show or feel vulnerable. It feels like a weakness, it is a myth, and we learned it when we were kids.

Recognize the feeling. Think different. Do different.

Tools

Identify your values

Get clear on your values so you can determine if the organization is a good match for you. Google an image of values. Pick 10 of them, and narrow down to 5 to get your top real values. Ask yourself “Am I living them?”. Paula’s values are connections and making a difference. This is her pro-bono work so she aligns with Career Connectors.

Tactical Breathing

Paula taught us the value of tactical breathing which is also mentioned in Rising Strong. It helps us with mindfulness, and decreasing anxiety. Military soldiers use the breathing techniques in combat. We practiced the Box breathing method in the session.

Power Stance

Right before the interview, try the power stance. If you are on the phone, stand up vs. sitting down.

Creativity

Practice courage and let go of uncertainty. Be creative and write it down!

A failure:

1 – Write a stormy first draft. It might be only a couple of sentences.
2 – Get curious about others in the story.
3 – “Rumble” with emotions (blame, criticism, etc.). Guilt is good – it moves us into action.
Shame and Blame focus on someone else – it doesn’t move us into action.

Inner Judger

Shirzad Chamine works with executive leaders and CEOs on leadership. He discovered that a key theme was around how people judge themselves. Shirzad Chamine’s TED talk is about learning about your inner critic. Give it a name, and notice when it talks to you.

Positive Emotions

1 – Work on your daily habits: What am I tolerating? What is bringing up frustration? What is sapping my energy?
2 – Check-In
3 – Celebrate

Resilient People

Comparative Suffering: I shouldn’t be upset about a failure in my life since there are people who have no food. Your feelings of pain and suffering are valid. Compassion and empathy are infinite.

Brene Brown found that people who consistently “Rise Strong” follow a form of this process:

  • The reckoning – walk into your story
  • The rumble – own your story
  • The revolution – process becomes practice

Spiritual Practice

“Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to one another by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and belonging. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning, and purpose to our lives” – Brene Brown, Rising Strong.

HIRING COMPANIES

Farmers
Surrie Atkins, Recruiter

Farmers is the third largest insurance company within the U.S. It is part of the Zurich company. Community outreach includes United Way, Red Cross and Thank a Teacher. They are also involved in local events that help the community by donating backpacks, school supplies and sponsoring families.

Two position types are open:
1 – customer service in call centers at I-17 ad Bell Road
2 – Inbound sales (no cold calls)

Apply at Farmers.

Windsor
Roy Bailey, Human Resources Director

Windsor has 5 care centers in Arizona – 4 in Cottonwood and 1 in the Phoenix metro area. They provide home hospice, home healthcare and destination to recovery care.

The open positions are in clinic and non-clinic roles.

Non clinic:

  • Dietary managers
  • Marketing/Business Development
  • Marketing professionals
  • Social Services
  • Registered Dietitian

Windsor offers internal incentives, such as $10K scholarship toward a degree, and 100% medical coverage at the director level. They treat employees the same as they treat their residents.

To learn more, go to the Windsor site.

NESCO Resource
Bob Sorrell, Sr. Recruiter/Primary Account Manager

There are over 90 NESCO branches, with a recent new opening in Costa Rica. They provide temporary and direct hire staffing services. They offer opportunities in IT and professional roles, and temporary roles in the light industrial market.

Current openings are:

  • Maintenance mechanic
  • Tool designer
  • Part time admin
  • Accounts Payable admin
  • Data entry/Excel
  • SMT programmer
  • Welders
  • Quality Inspectors

Complete an application online. Jobs change frequently.

RESOURCES

Goodwill of Central & Northern AZ
Denise Coulson, Area Leader for Business and Community Development

Goodwill is a nonprofit organization that serves as a positive catalyst for eliminating employment. Approximately 105,000 people were served through their career centers, and 45,000 were placed. There are 13 career centers in metro Phoenix, Prescott, Yuma and Flagstaff. They also conduct workshops at Women’s Fresh Start and New Leaf.

Denise tells us that mock interviews are really beneficial. Recruiting employers are at Goodwill on Thursdays. There are over 1,000 positions open.

Upcoming: Hiring Fest Thursday, March 29 with over 50 employers. Click here to learn more.

CLOSING

Jian Boldi closed the session by reminding us to download our portraits at CareerConnectors.org/photos, and of the following upcoming session:  March 27:  Put Your Strengths to Work  – Find a Job that Fits,  Stephanie Clergé.