Career Connectors

Connecting professionals in career transition with hiring companies and quality resources


Giving Tuesday

phoenix jobs

5 Jobs In Demand In Phoenix

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5 Jobs In Demand In Phoenix

With the job market in Phoenix, it can be challenging to determine what jobs are actually available, if they fit with your career path and skillset, and how to secure them. Whether you’re longing for a new job or simply curious as to what’s out there, you might need a little help navigating the Phoenix job market.

Below, Arizona employers share the high-demand jobs they’re hiring for, as well as why someone looking for work may consider that career opportunity.

Business Development

In today’s climate, business development matters more than ever. Companies need business development officers who are competitive, consultative, enjoy solving problems, and building networks. If you love winning, closing deals, and live for high 5s, then perhaps it is time to look into business development opportunities in Phoenix. 

Kimberly Kriewald, AVANA Capital

Client Services and Customer Support

Well, what a difference a month can make. Last month, my clients were moving forward with searches as the unemployment rate held steady at 3.5%. Last week, 3.3M unemployment claims were filed. Companies in the healthcare, insurance, and technology industries are moving forward in hiring customer service type of roles. Searching for jobs with titles like “Client Services” or “Customer Support” may produce a list of job opportunities in demand here in Phoenix.

Jon Schneider, Recruiterie

Entry Level to Director 

BestCompaniesAZ in partnership with AZ@Work and Career Connectors have compiled a list of resources to help job seekers and employers navigate the workforce in light of COVID-19. There are over 80 companies hiring for 1000+ jobs right here in the valley. From entry-level part-time jobs to director level careers, there is a perfect fit for you out there.

Denise Gredler, Best Companies AZ

Engineers

Several companies in the Valley are still actively hiring the best and brightest engineers to join their team. This not only includes Software Engineers but also Manufacturing Engineers. If you have the technical skills and expertise, then there are several engineering opportunities in demand. 

Ryan Nouis, TruPath

Content Writers

As the economy has contracted, we have extended offers to Content Writers to help our company create long-form blog posts and optimized landing pages. If you can write, there’s always a need you can fill with a company. That may be a full-time role or a temporary freelance gig that can be found on services like Upwork or Fiverr. 

Brett Farmiloe, Digital Marketing Company

9/15/16 – Crush the Pink Slip: Get Back to Work in 60 Days

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Written by Susan Lamphiear

As we recently commemorated the 15th year anniversary of 9-11, most of us remember where we were September 11, 2001, because it was a life-changing event. The whole nation, possibly much of the world, reflected on that day, and all that has happened since, as we try to make sense of it.

Most people have experienced at least one personal 9-11 in their lives, and probably more than one.  It’s that moment when life changes as we once knew it. It could technically even be a happy moment like a marriage or the birth of a baby or a child going off to college. An alarm or wakeup call that time marches on and tomorrow is promised to no one. Or it can be a shocking life event like illness or a death of a loved one, an accident or natural disaster,  the change or end of a relationship,  or,  JOB LOSS — forever altering our own world.

A mammoth event, national or personal, though difficult, can lead to growth and positive changes or insights. It makes me think of that song,  “There’s Got to Be a Morning After….if we can hold on through the night.”

Keynote

Best day of Brenda Cunningham’s life happened in January, 2009. But how can that be, you say, since that was the month Brenda was laid off from her high-paying, well-respected career as an electrical engineer? She didn’t realize at the time it was the best day of her life. That came after a little couch surfing and contemplation. At the time her two kids were under age five.

Once she reflected and realized she’d been working so hard she didn’t have time to live, the next thought was, “Crap. I don’t have a job. I love my babies but love ‘em after three o’clock.”

When Brenda was laid off she admits her confidence took an immediate and severe hit. Millions of dollars had crossed her hands in business deals. She was busy on conference calls day and night. But she realized after the layoff she’d been going through the motions. She was always working, conference calling on her blue tooth, even as she picked up her kids from daycare. Life was passing her by.

Her husband would come home that first month of her layoff and say, “What’s going on?” as he looked around at the chaotic scene. “And where’s dinner?”

Then one day, “It was like the hand of God pulled me off the couch and said, ‘Get to work!’”

Since that ominous day in 2009, Brenda, among many other things, has written a book, CRUSH the Pink Slip: Get Back to Work in 60 Days which stresses three important points she wanted to share with other job hunters. Have a goal, a game plan, and a realistic time table.

Brenda’s Takeaway Wisdom for the Job Hunter

  • You need to do more than the average job seeker. Be willing to get uncomfortable, including networking.
  • Face the fact there are certain things it takes (for most people) to get a job in this day and age.
  • Update your resume. Remember that layoffs are no surprise. They’ve been a reality for some time now.
  • Work on your resume remembering there are many opinions about resumes floating around out there. Be selective about whose advice you take. Her best advice is to tailor your resume to fit the job you want.
  • Use LinkedIn! It’s no longer optional! Remember it was never intended to be a quick job search tool. It’s a long term strategy. (Be sure to include a professional head shot, not a selfie!)
  • Keep yourself in good health. She goes to the gym. Early. Remember what Kobe Bryant says at his speaking engagements: “I’m here because of 4 AM.” Be willing to put in the work to get a job and to be healthy doing it.
  • Know what you are looking for! If someone says to her, “I just need a job” her response might be, “I heard QT is hiring.” With all due respect to QT, she says most people don’t mean just any job. Be willing and able to articulate that. “I want a position in IT working for…..” Be as specific as you can. Name the industry at least, better yet, the company. More than likely most people at least want something more specific such as Project Management, IT network security, or Customer service manager.
  • When you network, follow up. Don’t expect someone to remember you if you haven’t seen or contacted them for five years. She references a cousin who only calls when she needs money. Guess how often Brenda takes her calls these days?

Brenda urges us to remember Napoleon Hill’s words from his book — Think and Grow Rich: “There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants and a burning desire to possess it.”  Be able to explain what you’re looking for and then be willing to put in the hard work your personal career goal probably requires and deserves.

Hiring Companies

Health Net

Bonnie Taylor, Sr. Staffing Consultant

Health Net, after being acquired by Centene in 2016, is now one of the largest providers of Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and other government-sponsored and commercial programs in the country in addition to being the number four Fastest Growing Company (Forbes 2015). The company takes pride in operating locally. Benefits include medical, dental and vision; short and long-term disability for employees working at least 30 hours; life insurance; financial plans like 401K, Paid Time Off and more. Bonnie states that no one ever says they can’t work for the company because of their benefits! Career opportunities available with the company include Behavioral Health, Analysts, Clinical and Nursing, IT and more. A tip for locating jobs in Arizona — type “Arizona” in the key word search.  For a complete list of careers, visit their website or contact Bonnie Taylor.

Northwestern Mutual

Jessica Bowles, Director of Recruitment and Selection

Northwestern Mutual has been around for 160 years, with offices today in all 50 states. Known as the Policyowners’ Company, their products include mutual funds, disability insurance, annuities and life insurance. The company prides itself on being an industry leader with high ratings from all four major agencies. Supportive team environment and capable, encouraging leadership are among their hallmarks. Opportunities currently available at Northwestern Mutual in Phoenix include Marketing Assistant, Financial Representative/Advisor and Assistant Financial Representative. For more information or to apply, visit their website.

Career Evolutions

Christian Kaijser, Managing Director

Career Evolutions, a Hiring Company, offers support throughout the full employment lifecycle in functional areas of Accounting & Finance, Sales & Marketing, Technology, and Direct-Hire & Consulting.

Advice from Christian

Christian reminded us that it’s all about attitude (80%) and aptitude (20%). Employers are looking for people with desire and passion for the job and people who are tech savvy. To stand out, today’s candidate should possess appropriate appearance, intellect and presentation.

He urges everyone to use social media including LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Blogs to brand yourself and to stand out. He admits that the job search sucks, that some careers and locations are hot, some not. Administrative and Finance are hot areas right now. Going to Houston may not be so “hot” right now for the job hunter.

  1. Start the job search immediately.
  2. Treat the search like a job.
  3. Be open to interim positions, freelancing or consulting.
  4. Don’t panic, be patient, but don’t be overly picky.
  5. Stay fit.
  6. Network.
  7. Have a dynamic, relevant and error-free document portfolio.
  8. Manage your personal and professional brand.
  9. Do your homework; stay fresh and engaged.
  10. Don’t prematurely talk salary, vacations, and schedules.

If you’re worried about age discrimination, take time to get current. He explains his own metamorphosis from 1995 to present day — where he’s evolved from yesterday’s a little overweight and out of fashion guy to today’s with-it businessman with spiky blond hair and a leaner silhouette.

For more information on the company, visit their site.

TJX

Susana Romero, HR Recruiter

TJX is the leading off-price apparel and home fashion retailer in the U.S. Brands include such stores as T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods. “Off-price” indicates brand names, fashion, price and quality. Typical benefits as an employee include direct deposit, associate discount, holidays/sick time/ bereavement leave, Medical/Vision/Dental insurance, and much more. Current home office positions in Phoenix include Fulltime positions of Distribution Center Supervisor, Finance Supervisor, Merchandise Controller, and Loss Prevention Specialist. For more information or to apply, visit their website.

Resources

New Horizons Learning Center

Zack Hiscock, VP Learning and Development

New Horizons Learning Center is the world’s largest independent IT Training Company “turning ambitions into marketable skills.” Their goal is to empower people to success through training. Most programs they offer end with a certification which can help students differentiate themselves from the competition. Certifications include Microsoft Office, Cisco, IT Programs, Office Management or Healthcare Records Management and more. The training center helps students find just the right program to suit each person including experience, job market, salary requirements, funding, and flexibility of training needs. Courses are offered using a variety of methods including traditional instructor-led, online LIVE learning, and online ANYTIME learning. Tools include hands-on labs, reference materials, practice exams, learning guides, course ware, and exam preparation. Job placement assistance is also available at this State-of-the-Art facility. Funding is also available. Contact them for a free consultation, or visit their website for more information on classes and funding.

Closing

Executive Director Jessica Pierce closed the formal part of the meeting, thanking volunteers and the host site, Highlands Church. Attendees were reminded to take advantage of the free DISC assessment available to Career Connectors’ members. During breakout sessions, everyone was invited to participate in the free resources available including talking directly to hiring managers, getting professional head shots taken, consulting with professional resume writers, and networking with other attendees.

The next meeting of Career Connectors will be held Tuesday, September 27, 2016, in Gilbert, starting at 9:00 AM. and featuring keynote address by Pamela Heward –The Work Before the Work: Box Free Breakthroughs for a New Career and Mind.

The next Scottsdale event will be Thursday, October 13, 2016, at 9:00 AM. Keynote address, The Key to Improving Your Job Search, will be presented by Greg Harnyak.

For an ongoing list of events and details about time, address, and program, click here.

 

 

 

7/14/2016 — LinkedIn’s Power of Connection

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LinkedIn Power of ConnectionWritten by Susan Lamphiear

Just as you wouldn’t even dream of applying for jobs without a resume or a proper suit of interview clothing, or your most updated  hairdo or eye glasses, then why would you start your job hunt without maximum use of LinkedIn? These days all the experts tell us it’s a given.

And as our keynote speaker and LinkedIn guru stressed today, nearly all employers will seek and find your online presence, starting with LinkedIn. So, be there or be square, or continue to wear your nerd eye glasses and bouffant hairdo.

Keynote

When Kevin Dumcum left a successful marketing career in 2009 for his current work with Arizona@Work, Maricopa County, LinkedIn helped him with that transition. In fact, he was already connected with people from his team by the time he arrived at the new job. Among other evidences of his expertise, Kevin teaches LinkedIn classes and came today to share LinkedIn Tips.

LinkedIn continues to be more and more important to employers, so for anyone in career transition, and anyone seeking to build their network and develop their career, LinkedIn is a must. Assume that your next position isn’t going to be your last position. With that in mind, LinkedIn is not just for the job hunt. It’s a tool to help you in your continuing career.

If you have any doubt about the importance of your involvement on LinkedIn, check out the numbers. If your total connections equal 470, and each of your connections is connected to 470 people, the total size of your network is, drum roll,  220,900.

LinkedIn TIPS from Kevin

  • Be careful what you post on social media because employers do check you out. Anything offensive or even political you may want to avoid or delete. As Thumper in Bambi said, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.”
  • Alongside your profile you can turn off notifications. This means when you make a change to your profile, it won’t be broadcast to everyone. Kevin suggests leaving this feature off unless you receive a new job or a promotion. Then, leave it on long enough to receive all the congratulations, and then turn it off again.
  • Kevin has switched his blog link from LinkedIn to his wordpress site. He now posts his blog on LinkedIn first and after that he redirects a link to his website. He recommends this if you have a blog.
  • Make sure you have a professional head shot as part of your profile. No disembodied arms. No spouses since the employer is hiring you, not a couple. Some people want to avoid a head shot because “I’m not 25 years old any longer.”  If you’re in the running for the job, the employer will meet you anyway. If they’re going to discriminate, you might as well know. Besides, people want to know who you are. And if you meet someone during networking, new connections can more easily identify you on LinkedIn.
  • Your profile headline defaults to your most recent job. But you can change that to a headline that better describes what you do. Take a look at what other people have for their headline and design your own.
  • Customize your URL. Simplify it to match your name as much as possible.
  • Check out Skillful.com — especially if are underemployed or lack a college degree (like 70% of the American population).
  • Don’t connect with everyone. But strategically build your numbers to 50 and then to 500. After 500, LinkedIn doesn’t post the number, but there’s something validating about having at least 500 connections. LinkedIn used to tell us not to connect with someone we don’t know. But, now that LinkedIn realizes how people are really using the feature, you can strategically select people you would like to know. He recommends never selecting “I don’t know John Doe.” But he’s never seen LinkedIn telling anyone whether you selected “friend’ or “did business with” the person you want to meet.  Oh, and always personalize your invitation to connect.
  • Ways to connect include joining LinkedIn Groups to create a commonality, sending a Get Introduced request to mutual connection, crafting a carefully worded request, pointing out some commonalities from their profile, or going Old School by picking up the phone and calling a mutual connection, asking to be introduced.
  • Avoid one of the biggest mistakes people make by taking full advantage of the space you have for your summary. You can use up to 2000 characters,  which is 300 words. What jazzes you up? Why should anyone care? It’s not an essay, though. Look at other people’s summaries. Don’t copy them, but study them and write your own. Use Tagcrawd.com to see what words pop up when you cut and paste a sample summary. Then carefully craft your own summary.
  • In your profile summary it’s quite appropriate to use first person “I” because it reads better. Just don’t use first person “I” on your resume.
  • Remember that you can re-order your skills and endorsements, calling attention to your most important skills first.
  • If you think endorsements and recommendations are not important, think again. LinkedIn places high value on the number and type of endorsements and recommendations you have. The best way to get endorsements and recommendations is to offer to give them. Aim to build your numbers.
  • Consider adding videos to your profile.
  • Rule of thumb on LinkedIn is to go back as far as possible in your job history. But with your resume just go back 10 years.
  • Groups. Join strategically but then be involved. If you post on a group it gets posted to your timeline and that’s a great way to show what you know.

As Kevin reminded us, a whopping 90% of employers review a candidate’s online profile, and 70% have based a hiring decision on what they find, or don’t find, online. You really need to pay attention to your LinkedIn tool. You really have no choice in today’s job market.

Hiring Companies

Aetna

Le Nguyen, Talent Acquisition

Aetna is a health care insurance provider, marketing company, consulting organization and information technology enterprise, which employs 50,000 people. The company has won numerous awards for workplace equality, flex jobs and jobs for veterans. Aetna takes pride in its family values. In 2015 Aetna announced plans to improve wages and medical benefits for thousands of their workers. In 2015 the minimum base hourly wage for U.S. employees was raised to $16. Then in 2016 they’ve launched enhanced medical benefits to lower out-of-pocket health care expenses for some of its U.S. employees. Company paid benefits include paid time off (PTO) and holidays, life insurance, disability and more. Current job opportunities include customer service rep, IT project manager, national nurse educator, financial associate and more. To see a complete listing and to apply,  visit their site.

AMEX

Caitlin King, Lead Recruiter and Sara Flynn, Recruitment Relationship Manager

AMEX, American Express, provides customers with products, services and experiences to enrich their lives and make businesses successful. A trusted company for over 160 years, it’s won, among other awards, the J.D. Power Awards for eight consecutive years, as well as Fortune Magazine 100 Best Places To Work. Featured Career Areas include customer care, marketing, finance, risk and information management, technology, digital commerce, consulting, virtual career opportunities and more. Current Phoenix openings include engineer, collections analyst, staff architect, project manager, business analyst, travel counselor/customer service, and many more. Benefits include health, dental, vision and life insurance; AD&D insurance and disability coverage; healthy living benefits, family leave, onsite gym and cafe, and more. For additional information, or to apply, visit their career site.

Education Management Corporation (EDMC)

Kelly Moncada, Talent Acquisition

Education Management Corporation (EDMC) is one of the largest and most diverse providers of proprietary post-secondary education in the United States with over 40 years of history in 110 locations, including 122,990 students. Schools include The Art Institutes, Argosy University (which includes Western State College of Law in California), Brown Mackie College, and South University. Benefits include EDMC Tuition, Paid Time Off, 12 paid holidays, 16 PTO days, 401K and 401K Roth participation, community service policy, life insurance and more. Student success is their first priority in providing an education that builds careers, integrity, innovation, and excellence. Open positions include admissions representatives in Chandler/Phoenix, academic counselors and more, including Argosy Ground. For more information and to apply visit their site.

Freedom Financial Network

Linda Luman,VP HR

Freedom Financial Network helps clients transform their lives by helping them towards financial freedom. The company launched in 2002 by Stanford Classmates Bradford Stroh & Andrew Housser because they had so many college buddies with lots of debt. It started out with an online business and 14 years later they have three locations including two in Phoenix and one in San Mateo, CA. Some of their clients don’t even know how they got into financial difficulties. But the company employs 300 negotiators who work on behalf of their clients to help them become debt free in anywhere from two to four years. Company benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401K, life and LT disability, vacation, paid holidays, paid time for volunteer activities, employee discounts and recognition and four hours off on your birthday. Top career opportunity with the company includes Account Executive. For more information or to apply, visit their website.

Resources

Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants (DWTC)

Rodger Brubacher, Director for Continuing Education

Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants (DWTC) prepares students to take national exams which make them more competitive in the job market. Programs and certifications include Project Management, Six Sigma, Medical Front Office, Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), and its newest program, Digital Marketing with Social Media. The award-winning school was recognized in 2015 as the 2015 Juniper Platinum Education Partner of the Year in the Americas, this being the 12th straight year to receive this honor. The state-of-the art facilities include modern computers, dual monitor student stations for each student, plus network, patented real-ILT, Smart Board, and personalized training. Classes are presented in multiple modalities including instructor-led, hybrid instructor-led, plus online training, corporate onsite training and remote training (virtual classroom attendance). Usual student to instructor ratios are 6:1. To learn more about the school and funding available, visit their website.

Closing

Executive Director of Career Connectors Jessica Pierce closed the formal part of the meeting before the breakout sessions. Those in attendance were encouraged to stay for the the breakout sessions in order to talk with hiring managers, receive free resume and LinkedIn instruction, and receive free professional head shots by a volunteer professional photographer. Volunteers were thanked along with host of the event, Highlands Church.  Click here to take the DISC assessment free through the Career Connectors site.

The very next Career Connectors event takes place Tuesday, July 26, 2016, 9:00 AM in Gilbert, featuring salary negotiation expert Jack Milligan.

For details, including times, addresses and registration, for the next events in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Gilbert, click here.

 

3/22/16 – Get the Job Fast: How to Find a Great New Job in Half the Time!

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Written by James Tousek 

Career Connectors is all about networking your way to a new career. I love attending these events because first and foremost it forces me to get up, get dressed, and get out of the house. Maybe some of you can relate! I have mentioned in a previous blog that I am an introvert, so attending these events takes some courage for me. Once I am here though I forget I am an introvert because the staff, volunteers, and attendees make us all feel so welcome.

Welcome & Intro

Jessica Pierce, Executive Director of Career Connectors, kicked off the event by inviting us to get up and meet 3 new people we have not met yet. Afterward, Jessica discussed Career Connectors’ core values, and mission including a success story of a participant who just accepted a great job in HR as a result of her networking through Career Connectors.

Keynote Speaker

Get the Job Fast: How to Find a Great New Job in Half the Time!
by Dave Sherman 

It is all about networking, and our keynote speaker Dave Sherman shared his story of transition from a successful entrepreneur and businessman, to out looking for new opportunities after the Great Recession in 2007. Dave Sherman has been a professional trainer, speaker and best-selling author for the past 20+ years. Throughout his training and speaking career, the following words have been used to describe Dave: Empowering, Uplifting, Motivating, Entertaining, Invigorating, Passionate, Amazing, Hysterical, Fantastic, Dynamic, Genuine, Personable, and Authentic.

He is a subject matter expert in the following topics: networking, marketing, sales, public speaking and career transition. Dave gave his audience some “tough love” along with some indispensable tips which are both motivating and practical.

Tip #1 – Get Out of House

  • Stops the voices! (that internal critic)
  • Maintains a networking routine
  • Promotes socialization
  • Go to a coffee house, restaurant, library, (any where there is internet)

Tip#2 – Hang out with employed people

  • Hang out with people that have jobs, those are the people that have the most active connections that can help you find a new job.

Tip#3 – Join more networking events 

  • Chambers of Commerce
  • Associations – Dave suggested if you cannot afford to attend association meetings, call them and let them know you are in transition and ask the Director if they will let you attend for free or at a discounted rate. Also, ask if they need help and volunteer – you just have to get in the room!
  • LinkedIn – spend at least 30 minutes a day on LinkedIn, send every 1st level connection an In-Mail: “Hi [Name], we are first level connected and I am reaching out to you to ask if you know [Hiring Manager Name] with [XYZ Company]. I just applied for the {position} there, and I was hoping you would be so kind as to send him/her an in-mail recommending me for an interview. Thank you in advance for your help! 
  • Business Groups
  • Networking Groups
  • Career Transition Groups

Tip#4- STOP LOOKING FOR A JOB! (when attending events)

  • Be Genuine
  • Smile
  • Be likable
  • Be interested, not interesting….
  • Do not go to events “looking for a job” – instead be interested in others – make connections
  • Find commonality- ask a lot of questions – Hometown? Hobbies? School? Family, Friends?

Tip#5 – Four most important words – WHO DO YOU KNOW?

  • Ask everyone!
  • Be Specific – not, “I want to get into IT” , or, “I want to get into management” {too vague}
    • I want to get into IT, specifically Network Administration at WellsFargo, who do you know there?
  • Use WHO DO  YOU KNOW all the time
  • Don’t give up

Dave closed by saying he knows where we are, and he knows it’s hard. I appreciated his tough love at the beginning of the presentation when he said, “stop whining and stop complaining about the situation and get out of the house and do something about it!”

Hiring Companies

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

Intel, founded in 1968, created the world’s first microprocessor in 1971 and is now the world’s innovator in processing technology. Gil enlightened us on other industries we do not often think of where Intel has had an impact on our lives,  such as check out scanners at retail stores, and technology at the airport. Intel offers a 4 week PAID sabbatical after 4 years of service, and exceptional medical, dental, vision, retirement benefits. Intel has a variety of openings, most of which are engineering related.

Staffmark
Wendy Kasrawi, Branch Manager
Jessica McGrath, Practice Director
@Staffmark

Staffmark is one of the largest staffing firms in the US. The company places 40,000+ temporary workers weekly. The average tenure of Staffmark’s top 20 clients is approximately 13 years. The Phoenix group has been in operation for 20+ years and has local expertise with direct and temporary hires. The team caters to professional services, call center, and administrative positions. Contract employees are offered a benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage; immediate entry to 401K; and holiday pay. Open positions are available for direct hire and contract positions. Direct hire opportunities include Recruiter-40k-45k plus commission; Financial Advisors; Research Associates-35k-40k; and Sales Assistant-30k. Contract positions are:  Inside Sales-$18.75 per hour; Contract Recruiter-$40-$45 per hour and OSP Engineer-$16-$20 per hour. If you work for Staffmark as a contract worker, the company offers benefits.

State Farm
DeAnne Prigmore, Recruiter
@State Farm

The State Farm mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. State Farm is building a 2 million square feet campus in Tempe by ASU and will house 8,000-10,000 employees. It will consist of four buildings and house varied retail outlets along with restaurants and fitness center. The organization has great benefit offerings including a pension plan and base salary plus commission. A sampling of open opportunities includes entry-level positions such as Claims Associate for Initial Loss Reporting, Express and Interpretation Representative, Customer Care Service and Sales Representative. Also, Bank Support Representative, Loan Representative, and Mortgage Loan Processor. Systems/IT opportunities include Data Scientist, Infra Analyst-Network, Object Oriented Software Development. To apply visit their website.

Freedom Financial Network
Nicole Durkin, HR Business Partner
@FreedomFamily

“We transform clients’ lives–help along the road to financial freedom.” Launched in 2002, their mission is “to provide financial solutions, services and education enabling consumers to resolve their debt and achieve financial freedom.” There are 980 employees and locations in San Mateo, CA and Phoenix, Arizona. Freedom Financial Network is growing! Benefits include medical, dental and vision along with vacation, paid holidays and four hours off on your birthday! Available positions include Account Executive (with no cold calling, the leads come in), Legal, Business Intelligence, Product Management and Technical. An extra perk is the Freedom Family Fund. Employees can pay $3 to wear jeans on Friday then the company pays $6 into a fund that goes right back to employees in their time of need.

For more information: freedomfinancialnetwork.com/jobs

Resources

Canyon State Institute
Sherri Carparelli, President & CEO

Canyon State Institute  was started in April of 2004 as Data Entry Institute by Sheri Carparelli, who is the President/CEO of CSI. Sheri has over 35 years of employment services experience in the Phoenix area.  CSI’s reputation is very strong within the business community, employer contacts made over the years and the associated membership organizations.  The training is up-to-date and constantly changing to meet the needs of employers.  They offer high demand certification training in the industries that require national certification for employment consideration.

CSI maintains small classes in a non-customary classroom setting.  All of the instructors are certified with experience in their field of instruction. They offer hands-on training with 100% instructor-led programs.

Call 602-266-6630 for a tour of either of our two facilities, whether you reside closer to downtown Phoenix or in the East Valley.

  • Different programs include:
    • Microsoft Office
    • Medical Support Specialist
    • Information Technology
    • Project Management
    • Human Resources
    • Process Improvement
  • All courses lead you to taking and passing a certification exam.
  • All of their programs are high demand.
  • Includes career service center.
  • Funding available through:
    • WIOA
    • Veterans
    • DES Vocational Rehabilitation

For more information: canyonstateedu.com

Closing

Jessica thanked everyone for attending today’s event, and mentioned we can get connected and join the conversation through LinkedIn Career Connectors, Facebook Career Connectors page, and twitter @careerconnected, as well as www.careerconnectors.org  where you will find valuable resources like a FREE DISC behavioral assessment, event recaps, upcoming events, LinkedIn Basics, job boards, and much more.

Career Connectors is seeking volunteers in the following areas:

  • Photographers
  • Writers
  • A/V Support
  • LinkedIn Coaches

Go to www.careerconnectors.org/volunteers for more information.

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!!