Career Connectors

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7/06/2016 – Is Your Image a Deal Breaker or a Door Opener?

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June Facebook Post Career Connectors Door OpenerWritten by: Connie Huber PHR SHRM-CP

SEVEN Seconds to a First Impression!

Did you know it takes only 7 seconds to make a first impression? Numerous studies have confirmed initial impressions are established within 7 seconds of meeting a new individual. Now count to 7. I know you will agree with me that time flies!!! What is even more important in understanding is that you only get one first impression. Sorry, there are no “do overs.”

According to the US News article, “The 7 Things Interviewers Notice First” by Jada Graves there are seven things the interviewer notices first.
7. Your Arrival Time
6. Your Attire
5. Your Body Language
4. Your Communication Style
3. Your Preparedness
2. Your Enthusiasm
1. Your Qualifications

Keynote

Is Your Image a Deal Breaker or a Door Opener?

Gloria Petersen, @GlobalProtocol

As a professional in transition, we invest money and time on our online presence and resume. If we fail to consider our image and its impact, our goal in securing a new position is not going to be fulfilled. Our image is quickly evaluated and the risk lies in the employer’s interpretation.

Gloria Peterson shared with the group her suggestions how to make an impact.

MAKE AN IMPACT!
• Business casual has gotten sloppy in many work environments. Gloria encouraged us to dress professionally for our interviews.
• What you wear, why you wear it , and how you wear it says a great deal about you.
• Clothing expresses your individuality, values, and aspirations.
• Women should emphasize a polished look when applying makeup. Blush, mascara and lipstick should be your staples for interviewing.
• Men’s facial hair is to be well-groomed or clean-shaven. Robust mustaches, long side burns or man buns will be distracting and risky to your professional image.
• If you have tattoos, you should cover them until you have the job.
• Consider your image portrayal and how it relates to the company’s brand.

DETAILS = DETAIL MINDED
Men are encouraged to:
• Not wear wrinkled or untucked shirts.
• Wear a current tie, not one from the 70’s.
• If dressing business casual, a nice shirt and khakis are great choices.
• Suit jackets are to be buttoned and unbuttoned when sitting.
• Belts and shoes are to be the same color.
• Shoes should be chosen to complement your suit or business casual.
Rubber=Casual
Leather=Formal
• Wear long sleeved shirt if wearing a suit.
• The tie knot should work with the spread of the collar.
• Your watch should work with the type of your attire.
• Other considerations include trimmed haircut, clean-shaven, warm smile, project confidence, formal dress, firm handshake, and correct body posture.

Women are encouraged to:
• Dress for the position.
• Consider hosiery. Flesh tones are best overall.
• Wear rubber sole shoes (easy to wear).
• Your outfit should fit.
• Jewelry should be dependent on the interview. Avoid jewelry that would be a distraction.

“LOOK OF AUTHORITY” FORMULA
• High quality fabrics should have exquisite tailoring plus contrasting colors to project the look and feel of power.
• Wear what makes you feel good.
• Approach with confident posture.
• Your gestures or movements should support your verbal message. Be sure to shake the interviewer’s hand at the beginning and end of the interview.
• A person’s eyes and smile, set the tone of an interaction.

BEHAVIOR IMPRINT
Deal breakers include:
• Cell phone present.
• Raises voice when on cell phone.
• Interrupts conversation.
• Self-serving.
• Ungrateful.
• Gloom and doom attitude.
• Contradicts
Door openers include:
• Cell phone on mute & out of sight.
• Conscious of voice volume.
• Listens for comment opportunity.
• Aware of others.
• Demonstrates appreciation.
• Engages the up-side.
• Supports.

POWER OF THREE
1. When greeting, pay close attention to your personal presentation.
2. When interacting, pay close attention to body language & conversation cues.
3. Start planning your follow-up.

Remember, you have 7 seconds to make an impression!!!

HIRING COMPANIES

Convergys
Gregory McKinley, Sr. Specialist of Talent Acquisition

Convergys provides customer management and information management products to primarily large corporations. Customer management products include agent assisted, self-service and care software tailored to the communications, financial services, technology, retail, healthcare and government markets. Information management provided by Convergys includes billing and business support system products and services like revenue management, product and order management, and customer care management to telecom, utilities, and cable/satellite/broadband service providers. Convergys delivers quality customer experiences in 58 languages and from more than 150 locations around the globe. Employee population is 125,000 and growing.
One of Convergys’ values is to “grow as a team”. The organization prioritizes teamwork and develops its people. Convergys has received numerous industry accolades. The culture is employee based and includes fun activities with employee participation. Benefits include health, dental, vision, 401K and tuition reimbursement. Available positions are Customer Service, Chat, Retention, Sales Positions, Site Director, Sr. Manager of Operations, and Talent Acquisition.
Apply at Convergys.

Mobile Mini
Dave Sherman, Solutions Specialist

Mobile Mini is the largest portable storage company in the world. The organization has been in business over 33 years and is the 7th largest public company in AZ. Mobile Mini has approximately over 21,000 employees and has over 150 locations in the US and 20 UK locations. Mobile Mini is focused on safety first, outstanding customer service, its employees, being results driven, community involved and pursuing continuous improvement.
Currently, there are approximately over 110 jobs available; 17 are in the Phoenix area. The company offers traditional benefits along with a wellness program, 2 weeks paid vacation, 5 paid personal days, 8 paid holidays and 401K with company match.
If interested go to Mobile Mini.

NESCO Resource
Kelli Perkins, Area Manager

NESCO is a national firm offering services in staffing, direct hire, and a host of other staffing and recruiting solutions. The company was established in 1956. NESCO has over 90 locations throughout the US. NESCO serves the following markets: Information Technology, Engineering, Industrial & Manufacturing, Administrative, and Accounting & Finance.  Company culture starts with cultivating employees and working together for you.  Most positions are temporary to hire or contract to hire.  They include Software developer, Buyer, Procurement Management Specialist, and Loan Processor.  If interested, go to the NESCO website and apply.

Charles Schwab
Sarah Timms, Talent Advisor

Schwab sees the world through their clients’ eyes. Schwab serves investors, advisors and employers. The organization is headquartered in San Francisco, has approximately 13,100 full time employees and was the recipient of 13 awards in 2013 for its employee-friendly workplace. Schwab has about 75+ positions currently in Phoenix a few “hot” jobs are Broker Trainee, Client Service Professional, and Relationship Specialist. Phoenix is the home of one of Schwab’s largest call centers. Most employees have been with the organization for 9 years and the organization has been one of the few not to downsize during the recession. Sarah encouraged attendees to complete an application online. Schwab initially reviews those candidates who have completed applications before sourcing other candidates. Create your online profile and upload your resume at tiny.cc/CareerConnectors.

Resources

City of Phoenix
Jessica Pierce provided an overview of Arizona@Work’s resources, as Waleed was unable to attend. Many resources are available through Arizona@Work, City of Phoenix, including: job search assistance, grant funding, workshops, skill match with a career advisor, and mock interviews.

Canyon State Institute
Sheri Carparelli, President/CEO

Sheri is responsible for establishing Canyon State Institute and developing it to an outstanding education venue in the Phoenix area. Canyon State Institute has locations in Phoenix and Chandler. Various certification programs are offered through Canyon State Institute that allow professionals to increase their marketability, increase success when employed, stay competitive in a changing job market, and experience growth opportunities with high demand certifications. Some of the benefits of attending CSI are small classes (limited to 6 for most programs), short term (4-16 weeks in length), graduates are encouraged to audit classes while studying to pass national exam, instructor-led only classes and career and business development specific to the labor market. Certification programs include varied IT certifications, Project Management, CCMA, ASQ Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and SHRM Professional in Human Resources. Canyon State Institute offers job placement assistance through Career Advisors available at the Career Service Center. Call 602-266-6630 for a tour or visit them at the CSI website.

Closing

Jessica Pierce, Executive Director, 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, July 14, 2016 and features Kevin Dumcum as speaker for the topic “LinkedIn’s Power of Connection”. For additional information on this event and future events, please visit our event schedule.

5/24/16 – Think Like a Hiring Manager and Land the Job

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Written by Julia Churan

Sometimes landing the perfect job means thinking outside the job seeker box and getting into the mindset of the hiring team. Career Connector’s own Executive Director Jessica Pierce turned the hospitality role over to Director of Programs, Sheila Coulam, while Jessica took the stage as the keynote speaker this week to share her 15+ years of recruitment expertise.

Keynote

Jessica Pierce, @JessicaPierceAZ

Jessica in her ever-energetic manner warmed up the crowd by sharing her family’s story that led to the launch of “the” premiere career transition non-profit in the Greater Phoenix area.  She went from 10 years as an HR professional for one of the area’s largest tech employers to starting her own staffing firm to being unemployed during the worst economic period of the last 40 years.  She took a totally different approach, however, and decided to put her talents to work coaching others to improve their marketability.  Today the efforts of Jessica, her team and a large group of supporters have helped over 20,000 people get their careers back on track.

Understanding the hiring process from the corporate perspective will help you alter your game and have less frustration while looking.  Blindly submitting resumes and applying online is not necessarily your best option in the process.  Sixty percent of new hires are made through referrals.  Hiring managers begin with their inner circle.  They ask… “Who do I know for this role?” “Who does my circle of trust know?” “Who might our internal resources know?”

Sixty percent of job placements are made through referrals. The job you want today may never be posted!

The 3 most common connection points to a job are:

  1. Social Media
  2. Relationships
  3. Job Boards

Today social media is the biggest asset in matching talents and needs.  Never dismiss the power of LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  They can help you land or lose a job if you aren’t careful with your images.

Fifty-five percent of recruiters have reconsidered a candidate based on their social profiles while 61% have also reconsidered negatively after looking on social media. Avoid politics right now. You just never know how it may be received.

Also, swallowing your pride during the process can keep you from closing future doors.  Two big mistakes to avoid are:

  • don’t ever criticize a company on social media
  • don’t be rude if you don’t hear back right away

Chemistry + Character + Competence = Culture Match

Hiring managers consider all three qualities when finding their perfect match.

Competence
Do you have the right training, experiences and expertise? If not, get training.  Consider the areas you should brush up on. If you are lacking in an area, start researching or go to the library.  If a new skill might round out your abilities, consider getting a professional certification. Utilize grants and GI funds whenever possible.

Volunteering or consulting may also help you gain a more current skill set. It may allow you to add new expertise to your resume.  If social media would look appealing to hiring managers in your field, start a blog about something you are passionate about.  If you struggle with nerves when public speaking, join a Toastmasters group.

Apply for just the jobs that you will be competent in — not every job you see!

Character

These are the features and traits that form your individual nature.  Understanding your strengths and weakness will help you establish a personal brand and play up your strengths.

Look at the traits that are important in the job and the company you are looking for.  Be sure your skills, traits and values align before you waste effort applying.

  • Document your personal traits.
  • Ask your friends and family what they feel are your best character strengths.
  • Take the DISC assessment through Career Connectors or other tools that may be available to you.
  • Make note of action words in the assessment results and be sure to include them in your resume.
  • Research the company’s culture before the interview or ideally before you apply
  • Highlight the traits you have that match with theirs in your correspondence and conversations.
  • Don’t say yes to an offer until you know the culture matches yours.

Chemistry

People want to work with people they like!

When you finally land that interview, you have to hit a home run in the first minutes of the interview.

Be real, but do your research.

  • Prepare to utilize what you learn about the organization and people you are meeting.
  • Connect with your interviewers through LinkedIn before the interview.
  • Be present in the moment and leave distractions AND you phone in the car.
  • Know your resume and prepare based on what their role is seeking.
  • Dress to impress.
  • Make a good introduction.
  • Have a good handshake – match their pressure, web-to-web, pump twice. Don’t hold on — it is creepy.
  • Followup with a professional thank you note.

You have a choice! You need to like them, too!

With the current market, over a hundred applicants apply for any job within days of posting, you must stand out in the crowd. You have to get out of your comfort zone and start connecting.

Hiring Companies

Local Motors
Gwendolyan Dasher, HR Manager @localmotors
They offer a global team of enthusiasts, hobbyist innovators and professionals working together to solve problems and create some of the coolest machines. Gwendolyan described Local Motors as an intimate family company that fosters team-work and personal input. They employ 150-200 team members and are growing internationally with a new facility in Germany. They proudly promote a casual, pet-friendly working environment with a great benefits package and employee discounts. Positions are available in clerical, engineering, and IT.

Cenlar FSB
Blanca Sandoval, HR Site Manager
Cenlar is a trusted mortgage and loan servicing provider headquartered in New Jersey with a growing office in Tempe.  They plan to expand to 500 employees in Arizona by September.

They pride their success on five key factors:

  1. Customer Service
  2. Teamwork
  3. Integrity
  4. Initiative
  5. Work-Life Balance

They offer a competitive benefits package including employee stock purchase and low turnover. Current opportunities include: HR, Customer Care, Loan Servicing, Foreclosure and Loss Mitigation.

NESCO Resource
Kelli Perkins, Area Manager, @NescoResource
NESCO is a contract staffing firm founded in Cleveland, Ohio with five offices throughout Arizona.  Kelli reinforced Jessica’s words of advice about companies and cultural fit.

NESCO began as an Engineering staffing firm but have expanded into IT, Administrative, Manufacturing and Finance with an award-winning reputation.  They currently have hot jobs locally in purchasing, mortgage processing, IT and call center.

They encourage applicants to look at all positions on their site and apply online or drop by to set up an appointment.

Education Management Corporation
Mark Pierce, Talent Acquisition Manager
EDMC is made up of five institutions for higher learning including Argosy University, The Art Institutes and South Univerisity locally.  They are a for-profit, post-secondary program with 1400 employees and 3000 faculty who provide programs in both brick & mortar facilities and online.  EDMC offers a complete benefits package as well as outstanding tuition benefits. Positions are available in the Gilbert and Chandler facilities in Admissions, Academic and Financial Counseling.  Apply at www.edmc.edu/careers/.  He closed out his presentation with a group selfie.

Resources

Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants
Rodger Brubacher, @DWWTC_AZ
DWWTC offers professional certifications and desktop application training in a beautiful state-of-the-art facility in Tempe.  Their certification programs include PMP, Six Sigma, Medical Billing & Coding, Digital Marketing with Social Media as well as many IT and Cybersecurity programs.

Rodger reinforced financial aid programs through the AZ@Work WIOA grants and GI programs.
He also offered a free MS Office course by contacting Rodger and referring to Career Connectors and the offer.

Closing

Sheila closed the event by promoting the Top Talent – DISC Assessment to assist in establishing your personal brand. Professional photographers are available at each event to offer a free business portrait. LinkedIn and resume experts will meet with members to help improve professional profiles. The Phoenix Business Journal – offers a free copy of the annual Book of Lists to all Career Connectors members.  Finally, she offered a huge thank you to the volunteers who help make these events possible and the Central Christian Church family for opening their doors monthly for these events. Anyone interested in expanding their volunteer efforts may visit the Volunteer Center.

Future events

Join us at the next Career Connectors event in North Phoenix with Stephanie Clergé presenting on Start Strong, Finish Stronger: Your Best Self in Your Next Chapter.  Wednesday, Jun 01, 2016, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

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!!