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9/22/15 – Social Media: Your Job Search Secret Weapon

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Written by Debbie Webber

Career Connectors is all about connecting with good careers. And did you know the Career Connector’s LinkedIn group page  has job postings? Once you’ve landed on the page, click on “jobs” at the top of the page, and then “search all jobs” on the left side to see posted jobs.

Keynote

Today’s speaker was Dr. Carl Forkner. He has been a Career Connectors volunteer for two years, and is currently the Director of Marketing and Special Projects at Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants, a position he connected with through his association with Career Connectors.

Context is everything – do you want a job or a career? A job is simply something to fill your time, while a career is an investment in YOU that will provide you growth, salary, optimism and retirement benefits. Social media is your job search secret weapon.

Social media consists of websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.   It’s a wide spectrum of formats and activities. Various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube are the most widely used, but if you’re looking for a career, you should focus on the professional parts of social media.

The internet now has billions of individuals online, with huge worldwide penetration. And, thanks to cell phone use, social media use has also exploded. As a matter of fact, the number of individuals on mobile social media is actually higher than the actual population, due to individuals using more than one device to participate in social media.

The five sites in 2014 with the most active users were Facebook (1.7 billion), LinkedIn (322 million), Google+ (300 million), Twitter (284 million) and Pinterest (70 million). In addition, over 50% of these users are in the job-searchers “sweet spot”—working professionals between the ages of 18-44.

And here’s even more data: 90% of hiring managers and recruiters use online information about job applicants before making a hiring decision and 70% of those individuals said they had rejected candidates based on information they did – or didn’t – find online.

So—given all the data you’ve just read, do you still doubt that you need an online presence?

Now let’s talk about the quality of your information. Over 85% of employers think candidates should make their profiles more employer-friendly and 60% think candidates should take steps to hide personal pictures with inappropriate subjects. 56% believe you should delete objectionable posts, even if you didn’t write them. And 36% of employers think candidates should omit political/religious views from their profiles. Obviously, employers expect to see you in social media.

So what makes you a good social media prospect?
  • Candidate conveys a professional image
  • HR got a good feel for the candidate’s personality
  • Candidate was well-rounded and showed wide range of interests
  • Candidate’s background supported professional qualifications
  • Candidate was creative
  • Great communication skills

Over half of HR managers said they also found something to convince them NOT to hire an individual.

What makes you a bad social media prospect?
  • Candidate posed provocative or inappropriate photos or information
  • Candidate’s social media included info about drinking or using drugs
  • Candidate badmouthed a previous employer
  • Candidate has poor communication skills
  • Candidate made discriminatory remarks on race, gender, religion
  • Candidate lied about qualifications
The Big Three

Employer-preferred social media sites include Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Facebook
Many people are not aware they can find a job on Facebook. Simply use the Facebook search window just as you would the Google search window.  Many companies post open positions on their company Facebook page. Type in “Phoenix Jobs” or search for a specific company name. Look for a “careers” or “jobs” link on their Facebook site. Often these links lead to job descriptions with a link directly to the application area of the company’s website.

LinkedIn – the pinnacle of online job search formats
Recruiters never see candidates that are below the “all-star” level in LinkedIn because they get so many qualified prospects without going any lower.

The six critical profile components of LinkedIn are:

  • Name, Headline, Industry and Location
  • Professional Photograph
  • Summary
  • Current and Previous Work Experience
  • Education and Skills
  • Connections (50+)

You use LinkedIn to search for jobs and network for jobs. You search for companies you want to work for and once you find them, follow them. Check out job postings and apply, just like on the company website. LinkedIn will also show you how many people have already applied to the position you’re looking at, which can help you decide if you want to apply.

You can build yourself a targeted network by identifying and sending a connection request to people in companies you’ve targeted for your career. In addition, connecting with HR and recruiters may link you into companies and other opportunities.

Use your connections to get introductions for yourself and others, which can lead to connections with recruiters or HR in the company you’re targeting.

Twitter
The secret weapon for searching social media is HASHTAGS. While they became popular via Twitter, now most social platforms use them to help you find what you’re looking for.

There is a multitude of ways to search for a job on Twitter using hashtags. Try a search using #jobs, #financejobs (replacing “finance” with the industry you want), #employment or #hiring. If you already know the type of job you’re looking for, you can avoid sifting through all the other jobs to find your niche using Tweetchat.

Tweetchat.com allows you to filter the activity happening with the hashtags you indicate. This means you can open up a direct chat with whoever tweeted the job you’re looking for. Tweetchat requires you to have a Twitter account. But what if you could have jobs come to you without opening a Twitter account? Use www.tweetmyjobs.com and enter the role, industry or location you’re looking for and open positions will come to you.

Other formats
When you enter a hashtag along with your search word into Google+, it will give you 20 other options associated with that hashtag. You can also search for and find jobs posted on Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube,  which has become the second largest search network in the world. Try recording a video resume on your laptop – remember that being articulate and professional is paramount! Nextdoor.com is another site that is local to your physical neighborhood and can be valuable for making connections with your neighbors.

Get up, Get out, Get going!
The computer can only take you so far. Business is still done face to face, and networking opportunities abound in the Phoenix metro area. Google “Phoenix networking events and groups” and  you’ll find organizations like Networking Phoenix  with 75 to 120 free or low cost meetings, Meetup which is mostly free, and Executives Network  for director level positions and above.

Make sure you present a professional and articulate profile: your social media presence can be vital to finding your next career move.

Hiring Companies

Arizona Office Technologies
Octavio Duarte, Corporate Recruiter

Arizona Office Technologies (AOT) is a Xerox company that is a 30-year-old private, locally-owned company. They cover industries such as healthcare, legal, manufacturing and the public sector, with offices in Phoenix, Prescott and Tucson. AOT assesses the technology and culture of an organization to help them drive down print and production costs. Benefits include health, 401K, PTO, life insurance, and corporate discounts. They were voted a Best Place to Work in 2013 and 2014. Current career openings include Major Account Executive, Sales Consultants, Database Administrator, Assistance Controller and CRM Administrator. Apply here.

Adecco USA 
Michelle Grinberg, Regional Account Director

Adecco USA is a top global staffing agency that builds relationships with clients and companies. They have over 90,000 associates on client assignments each week across the world. They provide contract workers, direct placements and contract-to-hire. Industries covered include accounting/finance, engineering/IT, marketing, administration and medical/science. All associates are assigned a recruiter that becomes their career counselor. Adecco USA offers benefits including dental/vision, paid holidays, 401k, life/disability insurances, skills training and tuition reimbursement.

T-Mobile
Jill Fajardo, Retail Store Manager
Paul Ortega, Retail Store Manager

T-mobile culture strives to be different and challenge the status quo, which means they are searching for employees with uniqueness. As a matter of fact, they list their culture as “Unleash Your Inner Outlaw.”  T-Mobile is the third largest carrier in the world, which means there are huge opportunities for employees. Current career openings include Retail Sales Associates, Store Operations Associates, Retail Associate Managers and Retail Store Managers. Benefits include medical, dental/vision, matching 401k, PTO, stock options and discounts on T-Mobile service. Apply here.

Charles Schwab
Shannon Grimes, Talent Attraction Manager

Charles Schwab is the largest brokerage in the U.S., with a credo “We see the world through our client’s eyes.” They bring Wall Street to Main Street for individual investors, advisors and employers. Although the headquarters is located in San Francisco, Phoenix is the largest employee location, which translates to many opportunities. Current openings include Broker Training Program, Estates Services Professional and Relationship Specialists. Create your online profile and upload your resume at tiny.cc/careerconnectors. Answer the qualifying questions: a recruiter will review your resume, and if there is a strong match of qualifications to the position, you will be contacted with next steps. Shannon will follow up with you if you let her know you have started the application process.

Next Event

Wednesday, October 7, 2015 9:00am North Phoenix Baptist Church
Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out, Ted Robison
Hiring companies: Progrexion, Kforce, Christian Family Care and Charles Schwab

9/10/15 — Think Like a Hiring Manager and Land the Job

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Written by Susan Lamphiear

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt

For anyone who has ever faced a challenging job search, Roosevelt’s words probably take on new meaning. Something about a sudden or unwanted job search forces most people to call on emotional strength they never knew they had.

It sure helps along the way to know we’re not alone, though, and that others have overcome challenging career roadblocks. I’ve heard so many people through Career Connectors willing to share their career journeys, and it’s beyond encouraging to know there is a light at the end of that proverbial job-search tunnel. Our keynote speaker today gave valuable practical tactics for the job search, but just as important, she included inspirational examples.

Keynote

“Why can’t they just be nice and get back to me?” Many people faced with a job hunt these days have probably at least whispered these words. Jessica Pierce, Founder and Executive Director of Career Connectors, was talking recently with many people who said they needed help in landing interviews.

Jessica used the example of Anthony, who’d confessed to her he’d been putting in many hours on job boards, sending out hundreds of resumes, but he just wasn’t hearing anything back. Jessica suggested he reframe his brain. You can’t just send out resumes all day long. You have to get out of your house, have coffee, she told him. Network with people. Jessica had asked him, “Is what you’re doing working?” It was not, but that was about to change. Anthony told Jessica “I’ll trust you.”

Armed with Jessica’s advice that you can’t stop with the job boards, sending out hundreds of resumes, you must network and use LinkedIn, Anthony started getting out and meeting people. Fast forward a short time later and Anthony received multiple interviews, followed soon by three job offers– beyond what he ever though he could wish for. He found his job through someone who knew someone through LinkedIn.

Jessica asked how many attendees had hired employees and many in the group raised their hands. She said, “You know, then, about the recruiting cycle.”  Most employers don’t have the resources or the time and patience to go through the lengthy process. One exception is the State of Arizona that literally looks at each resume. However, that’s also why, even if you make the resume cut, it may be months rather than weeks before you hear back from someone. It takes time, money, and human resources to tackle hundreds of resumes. One woman Jessica knew had already taken another job by the time she heard back.

To think like a hiring manager, keep in mind competence is only part of the picture. Competence plus Character plus Chemistry equals a Cultural Match. Hiring managers are in a hurry to hire good people who are a match for the company.

Competence

  • Knowledge/Training
  • Experiences/Accomplishments
  • Skills/Expertise

Character

  • Document your traits by completing the DISC assessment
  • Use action words and research the company, highlighting your similar traits–including your values and behaviors.

Chemistry

Begin with a proper handshake. Then before the interview, research the employer, know your resume, and prepare and review interview notes. During the interview, dress to impress. Arrive 5-10 minutes early. Engage with everyone. After the interview, send a thank you note. Email is OK, but a personal note in the mail is better. Then connect on LinkedIn or other social media if you haven’t already. Always remember that people want to work with people they like.

NOTE: A whopping 55% of recruiters have reconsidered a candidate based on their social profile. And 61% of those re-considerations were negative. It’s not surprising, then, if hiring managers and recruiters look for easier and safer options. And, they don’t begin their process with the job boards.

When Jessica was looking to hire her Director of Programs recently, she started asking people she knew, telling them she absolutely had to have someone dependable, but if she posted it, she’d get hundreds of resumes. As she asked around, Sheila Coulam‘s name kept coming up, and that’s who she ultimately hired.

How Hiring Managers Find Employees

  1. Internal Resource (known)
  2. Prior work Relationship (known)
  3. Referred Resource (known-one off)
  4. Through Employee (known—one off)
  5. Want Ads

Where recruiters find the best candidates

  • Social Networks – 73%
  • Referrals – 63%
  • Corporate career site – 60%
  • Direct sourcing – 57%
  • Career site – 51%

Social networks recruiters use

  1. LinkedIn 94%
  2. Facebook 66%
  3. Twitter 52%
  4. Google 21%
  5. RSS (Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication) Feed 20%
  6. You Tube 15%

Employers are starting to put more money into social networks, primarily LinkedIn. “You’ve got to be on LinkedIn,” Jessica says. Google search your name. Whatever you can see, the public probably sees (She’s in the process of looking at her teenage son’s social media profile because he’ll soon be applying for scholarships, and she knows the importance of an appropriate online presence.).

Job boards are still important, but you can’t let that alone be your source for finding a job. You must connect with people through relationships and social media as well. As far as the job boards, the number one is Indeed.com. It’s a crawler, meaning that Indeed.com scours other websites for jobs. Jobing.com is our local job board and a partner with Career Connectors. Career Builder and Simply Hired are two more possibilities.

In the beginning at Intel, Jessica tells us she was making $18 an hour, so she loved those referral bonuses and practically made a second career out of those $1000 referral bonuses. There are solid reasons for those referral bonuses. Statistics show that a person who is referred usually stays longer on the job. People like to work with people they like. “So be likable!” Jessica says.

So it’s ultimately what you do AFTER you apply that really counts.

Once you apply, find someone at that company and connect on LinkedIn or find someone who can introduce you to someone who works at the company you’re targeting. Recruiters are engaging with potential candidates through social media. It’s all about how you stand out compared with the other 200 people who are applying.

Vision without action is just a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world. ~Loren Eisley

When Jessica read the above quote, she admitted she’s by nature a non-planner but stressed its importance. At one point she gave everyone a few minutes to share with each other — an intended job action from their list — to do by the end of this week. Then she reminded everyone that there’s an 80 percent chance you’ll follow through with an action if you tell someone about it. It’s a commitment thing.

History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats. ~B.C. Forbes.

Jessica knows what it’s like to suffer job loss.  The quote above, taken from a book by her friend Jerry Jerome*, comforted her during tough times.

She’d started her own staffing company in 2007 after being laid off from Intel, along with 10,000 other people. But then in 2009, she closed the doors to her staffing company due to the economic downturn at the very same time her husband was laid off from his corporate recruiting position. She launched Career Connectors despite her husband thinking she was crazy when she started volunteering to help people with their resumes even before she got another job. With an infant, and children ages two and ten, they finally sold their home and rented a house. But the week of Christmas 2009 they found a notice on the door of their rental– giving them ten days to find a new place to live.

Jessica is here to tell you that there is hope on the other side of extreme job loss. She knows because she’s been there. And back.

*Jerry Jerome donated his book, Instant Inspiration, for everyone in attendance, and books were handed out at the conclusion of Jessica’s presentation. The quotes Jessica used in her presentation she found in Jerry’s book. The quote I selected to open the blog came from his book as well.

Hiring Companies

City of Phoenix Workforce Connections

Kathy Thiessen, Senior Workforce Project Manager

The City of Phoenix Workforce Connections offers job seekers skills development, employment talent marketing and business services. Clients receive these services free, including help with online job bank registration, setting up email accounts, use of computers and equipment, referrals to community resources, public workshops, on-site events and job fairs, and youth services. Through assessment and conversations, the one-stop sites help job seekers identify transferable skills, determine your interests and work values, help with soft skills training, basic computer training and more.

Grants are available under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) with the goal of employment, transitioning back to the workforce as quickly as possible. The WIOA updated the 1998 Act and is the first legislative reform in 15 years, passed by a wide bipartisan majority in the Congress. SOAR is a program including personal and career awareness, soft skills for success in the workplace, and social media networking via LinkedIn. Its purpose is to strengthen Arizona’s economy by developing the workforce and matching employers with job seekers.

WIOA Services

  • Assess your  transferable skills, strengths, and areas needing improvement
  • Match skills/background to occupation/career.
  • Determine if training/certification is needed to increase your marketability.

Three One-Stop Career Centers are located in the Valley.

Among resources available at the One-Stop Centers include practice interviews and analyzing video tapes of yourself in order to be better prepared to market yourself for a job.

To check on exact locations and services available, visit their website.

Taser

Shelby Hagan, Recruiting Coordinator

Taser products in Scottsdale, with locations in Seattle and recently Amsterdam, include smart weapons (Tasers, electrical weapons), body-worn cameras and evidence solutions. The company prides itself on being innovative, including continually asking employees for their ideas. Taser’s culture includes the attitude that what you do matters and the importance of continual learning. Benefits include medical insurance, 401K, unlimited PTO, 12 weeks maternity leave, six weeks paternity leave and more. A variety of jobs are available and the list changes continually. “We have something for everyone,” they say. For more information about the company, or to apply, visit their website.

Aetna

Le Nguyen, Director, Recruiting Operations and Dani Sykes, Senior Recruiter

Aetna, a health care insurance provider, employs 50,000 people. In January of 2015 its CEO announced two important initiatives including increased pay for its minimum base hourly wage for its U.S. employees. The second initiative is the launch of an enhanced medical benefits program in 2016 to lower the out-of-pocket health care expenses for some of its U.S. employees.  The company is considered a leader in flex scheduling, including work schedules or telecommuting from home. Other benefits of Aetna include Paid Time Off (PTO)—three and one-half weeks vacation to start– six percent 401K match, annual bonuses and more. Currently, Aetna is in the process of acquiring Humana. Opportunities for careers include accounting, finance, human resources, customers support, marketing, sales and more. For the most current list of positions or to apply, visit their website.

Verizon Wireless

Darrin Ruof, HR Recruiter

Verizon Wireless is a national wireless provider, a technology leader with fast connections. Lots of phone support is available to its customers. Verizon cares about the community including one of their projects called Hopeline, a program which help victims of domestic violence. Benefits of working at Verizon include the opportunity to advance, health benefits starting on the first day of employment, and tuition assistance, up to $8000 per year. They have openings now including their call center, with jobs starting at an hourly rate, but most employees earn sales commissions starting at $1300 on up. For further information about positions, or to apply, go to their website or reach out through social media.

Education Management Corporation (EDMC)

Kelly Moncada, Talent Acquisition Specialist

Education Management Corporation is one of the largest and most diverse providers of proprietary post-secondary education in the United States. The corporation includes five schools:  The Art Institutes, Argosy University, Brown Mackie College, South University, and Western State College of Law. Their top value and top priority involves providing education that builds careers.  Opportunities for advancement abound and 96% of the admissions management team members are promoted from within. The company expanded from 100 employees to over 3000 in five years. Among other benefits, the company provides employees tuition benefits to any of their schools after only 90 days on the job, as well as paid time off, 401K and 401K Roth participation, life and health insurance, and more. For more information on open positions, or to apply, visit their website.

Closing

Sheila Coulam, Director of Programs at Career Connectors, closed the meeting, thanking Highlands Church for providing the beautiful facility for hosting the monthly events. She reminded everyone of the free DISC assessment available through the website.  Also, concluding the formal part of the event, attendees were all welcome to talk to hiring managers or get help with free professional head shots, resume writing and LinkedIn assistance.

Career Connectors next meets Tuesday, September 22, 2015, 9:00 AM, in Gilbert, featuring keynote speaker Carl Forkner: Social Media: Your Job Search Secret Weapon. Next up will be Wednesday, October 7, 2015, 9:00 AM, in Phoenix. Keynote speaker Ted Robison will speak on the topic of Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out. The next Scottsdale event will be Thursday, October 15, 215, 9:00 AM in Scottsdale, featuring keynote Dave Sherman on the topic of Get the Job Fast – How to Find a Great New Job in Half the Time.

For more information including specific locations and registration, click here.

3/19/14 – LinkedUp on LinkedIn – Creating REAL Connections

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written by Ian Salsman

linkediniconOne of the things that ad kept  and continues to keep this world spinning the way it does is our connections with one another….relationships. In generations past, the only way we could connect would be to physically be in each other’s presence, send a letter or—in the 20th century—call on a telephone.

Today we have something that allows us to connection with hundreds, thousands and millions of people – Social Media. Here, today at Career Connectors, LinkedIn gets the attention.

Keynote

“Superstar and Master Connector,” Jessica Pierce, shared with us a plethora of guidance in this world of digital connecting…in particular, LinkedIn. You don’t need to be an expert—most people aren’t—to use social media.

Social Media is NOT simply for young people, either. In fact, the youngest of the generation don’t understand the impact LinkedIn, in particular, is really having. LinkedIn is the largest professional networking environment.

Yet, if you are not convinced of the outreach and effect that social media has in our world today, watch this video.

The benefits of LinkedIn? Here are some:

  • Manage Your Public Info
  • Find Hiring Companies
  • Connect to Decision Makers
  • Be found for business opportunities
  • Discover inside connections

You ask “How do I show up at the top of a search … above everyone else?”

Consider the following six main things to do to make sure more people will see your resume.

6 Keys to LinkedIn Success

  1. “All Star” Profile
    When you first log in, you will be guided through the process of building your online profile. Your goal is get to the “All Star” level indicated on the right side of your home page. This will measure the completeness and extent of your profile. Why is this important? This will help get you to the top of searches. “All Star status” people (if that is, indeed, a title), gives you advance status above other profiles with equal keywords.
  2. Real Connections
    Make connections. You can make direct connections (ie: first connections) with people you know and can recommend—or recommend you to others.  Jessica shares that of with 500+ connections, she has 65,000 second degree connections. Those are people she does not know directly but people her first degree connections know. Her 3rd level connections reach 4,000,000! Thus navigating thus whom she has met on LinkedIn, she can get introduced to and meet over 4 million people. One of those people must have a job for her.When you go to a network event, connect with them on LinkedIn! If you  connect with 500 people, for instance, there are 500 people connect with YOU! Hence, many people can find you!Some people are careful about making connections. Others, such as Jessica, are more open and will accept people in general but will be careful to recommend only people with she she has a real, in-person, relationship.
  3. LinkedIn Jobs
    Do a search for companies, it will give you an indication as to how many of YOUR connections are connected with that company. This will give you a tool to allow you to get in the back door.
  4. Group Discussions
    Find two or three groups to join. This gives a venue for entering into discussions with others in  your field or have similar interests. Become active within those groups. Don’t join 50 groups and not do anything within those groups.
  5. Keywords
    This is a crucial aspect. “SEO” = Search Engine Optimization. You want to have really good SEO for your name. Identify 1-3 words that describe you in the job you want. Integrate them in your job title…..in your past experience….in your summary.
  6. Recommendations/endorsements.
    Endorse only people you know and can legitimately recommend. However, don’t be worried about being endorsed by people you don’t know or have done work with.Get recommendations—people who can write a brief expletive supporting your attributes and skills. That helps build your status and adds credibility.

LinkedIn Resources

To help you navigate and maximize your efforts, consider the following:

Resources

LPL Financial

Jian Boldi

After a quick intermission Jian Boldi walked us through his top ten financial considerations when faced while in career transition:

  1. Understand your unemployment benefits
  2. Do not forget to keep paying taxes
  3. Deduct your job-hunting expenses
  4. Go back to school to advance your skills or learn something new
  5. Become underemployed
  6. BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET (this is handy whether you are working or not)
  7. If you are 55 or older you can take penalty free money from your IRA using (72t)
  8. Purchase health insurance with your IRA funds
  9. Consider reversing a contribution made to your IRA
  10. Ask for help

Jian also encourages we track all spending for thirty days to gain greater clarity and then make an informed decision on spending.

Hiring Companies

Edward Jones

Alisa Flickinger and Jodie Savino

Edward Jones is an Investments company founded in 1922. With a business model that supports clients’ interest first, a growth strategy that benefits the communities they serve and a Cultural Heritage of deep respect for their founders, Edward Jones has several openings

Moxie Recruiting

Jessa Vatistas

Moxie has the ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage with aggressive energy and initiative. They represent several open jobs at any one time and focus on getting to know YOU to connect you directly to hiring managers. Jessa highlighted openings in SEO strategists, accounting specialists, web developers, software developers and more. They also have an incentive that if you refer a friend who gets hired, Moxie will give you an iPad mini or $500.

Revana

Kim Johnston

Revana is a professional inside sales organization and recognized leader in outsources sales and marketing solutions. With clients such as AT&T, Google and Facebook, they are well grounded in Tempe and Arizona. With several industry awards and a generous benefits package, Revana is a great opportunity.. Presently, they have Inbound and Outbound Sales Associate and Sales Manager positions. Apply online.

Closing

Get linked in on LinkedIn 🙂

Join us in for our next event…in Gilbert.

…and in Jessica’s words, “Be kind and gracious to everybody.”

03/05/14 – Social Media for Your Job Search

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Written by Ken Abramczyk

One Career Connectors member, who has attended Career Connector events for the past two years, finally landed and started a new job last week. Another job seeker, who went to her very first Career Connectors meeting last week, spoke with a hiring manager there who hired her.

Those stories, shared by Jessica Pierce, executive director of Career Connectors, remind us that the journey for the next job may be short, or it may be long.  Jessica praised Career Connectors members and newcomers for getting out of the house that day to meet people and encouraged them to “talk, talk, talk” during networking and connecting.

Keynote Speaker

Jessica introduced Danielle Feroleto, principal/owner at Small Giants, who was named one of the top social media experts in the Valley.

Danielle said we should match social media to our skills and experience, so when people look us up, the social media profiles are authentic.

Danielle wants us to ask ourselves: “Beyond getting a job, what are you trying to achieve?”  We also should ask ourselves the following questions:

  • What hurdles do you have?
  • Who are you?
  • What are your greatest strengths?
  • Where do you want to work?
  • If you were to write an article, what would the title be?

Our job search needs to build around these networks and leverage each network.

LinkedIn

We should update our profiles, Danielle said. “Remember who you are,” she said. Don’t highlight your favorite sports team in your photos or on your profile. Don’t showcase personal likes or dislikes that have nothing to do with your profession or professional life. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t care.

“Remember, this is your first impression,” Danielle said.

Get a photo taken. (Career Connectors offers free business portraits for your LinkedIn profile at its events.) Check and edit your title. Skills should be tied to a keyword, then you should obtain recommendations from former co-workers and supervisors. Label and group your connections. When you finish updating your profile, send your connections a note asking them to examine it for you. Add a link, hyperlink it and create a portfolio.

Locate “Job Functioning Groups” on LinkedIn. Click on a discussion in one of these groups, and you can add a resume. Keep profiles open to recruiters and connect with them. Under Jobs, you can set an email alert or save jobs.

Facebook

You should keep family and professional life separate, which means maintaining separate accounts for both, Danielle said. You want to set up your professional site so only professional contacts see it, so that well-intentioned friends don’t add comments on your projects like “nice, hope you get the job.” (Again, recruiters don’t care.)

Many apps are available through Facebook:

  • Smart Recruiters has a strong presence on Facebook. Click the Career tab, which is similar to a Career tab on a company web site.
  • Branchout, where a LinkedIn Profile can be imported to Facebook. That app is Facebook’s answer to LinkedIn.
  • Monster’s app is Beknown, which allows users to keep personal Facebook information private.

Preview your personal Facebook site to that only Friends can see photos, strong opinions, your posts and previous settings.

YouTube

Danielle recommends that we create a video resume. She showed a woman’s video summary of her experience, skills and accomplishments, then played a second video of another person that displayed words describing skills, education and experience, similar to a resume, in a rapid succession. The video finished with a portfolio of the applicant’s art and posters.

The pros of YouTube:

  • Progressive
  • Demonstrates technological savvy
  • Shows soft skills
  • Shows you can speak in front of group confidently

The cons:

  • It is hard to create a great video
  • It represents a first impression
  • Distributing it is challenging

Danielle recommended that we practice before filming the video. Use words and music. Record it in a conservative setting. Highlight skills, education and accomplishments. The video’s length should be at least 30 seconds and not more than a minute.

Hiring Companies

Eldad Engelman, recruitment relationship manager at American Express ( @American Express), said American Express has 160 years experience of leadership and reinvention, and was named one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Places to Work.”  Eldad told us to make sure our resume aligns with the job, and that the job aligns to what interests us. Among positions available are: software engineer, senior business analyst, security analyst, commercial underwriters and several others. Visit careers.americanexpress.com.

Morgan Carlson, Staffing Manager at Ajilon Professional Staffing, and Joe FaQuin, Business Development Manager, said recruiters “absolutely” will look at a video resume.

“Know the company, know the role of the job and know the story,” Morgan said. Alijon recruiters assists companies with positions in administration, supply chain and logistics, non clinical health care and operational professionals. Services for job seekers include resume review, mock interviews, interview preparation and competitive salary information, customized candidate marketing strategy and overall support through the hiring process. Locate jobs on Ajilon’s website here.

Linda Michaels, HR Manager at Insight, encouraged us to keep networking. Insight is headquartered in Tempe and earned $5.3 billion in revenue in 2012 as a global provider to businesses and private sector clients. Insight also offers a unique program to give two paid days off to employees to volunteer. For more information and jobs, visit jobs.insight.com.

John Dvorak, senior career advancement partner at Training to You, told the audience that federal grant money is available under the Workforce Development Act to assist unemployed and underemployed individuals. Certification programs for Project Management certification or Microsoft Office, along with several others, are available.

Closing

Jessica highlighted upcoming events and hiring companies actively seeking applicants:

  • Thursday, March 13, Scottsdale: “12 Minutes Which Win Every Interview,” Bill Markham. Hiring Companies: Echo Global Logistics, Matrix Medical, Career Evolutions and Charles Schwab.
  • Wednesday, March 19, Phoenix: “LinkedUp on LinkedIn,” Jessica Pierce. Hiring Companies: Moxie Recruiting and Revana.
  • Tuesday, March 25, Gilbert: “Lead Like a Rock Star,” Kristi Staab. Hiring Companies: Norwegian Cruise Line, GTAT, Education Management Corp. and Vanguard.

11/14/13 – Twitter: A Love Story

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Written by Susan Lamphiear

Keynote

Dr. Pepper-flavored jelly beans.  I can’t stop thinking about them.  And it’s all Dusty Parsons’ fault. He suggested we use the Twitter search engine for a while, maybe a week.  Sure enough, on Twitter, real live jelly bean fanatics tasted them in real time.

Compared to a Google search of jelly beans, which is a little more like reading an encyclopedia, well, you lost me at the word “confectionery”. Twitter search surely is a lot more fun.

Dusty suggests we have fun with Twitter, using it as just one tool on our tool belt.  Dusty Parsons, Career Connectors Coordinator at North Phoenix Baptist Church since 2008, just loves Twitter and wants us to think of him as a Twitter Enthusiast.  Twitter won’t solve the world’s problems. But it’s a very helpful resource.

And he humbly thanks Ernest Hemingway for paving the way for Twitter by challenging writers to compose their own six-word bio. If you “Google” that, or rather “Twitter” that on their search engine, you can find lots of examples of six-word bios. It’s good practice for summarizing because only 140 characters  or less are allowed on each Twitter entry.

“I wish finance were more fun” is just one example of somebody’s six-word bio.

When Dusty first started using Twitter, he searched “Phoenix”, then narrowed it to “Central Phoenix” and found wonderful, intelligent people who were interested in the world. In that way, Twitter makes our world smaller.  You can limit your focus to your local world.

Remember that plane crash on the Hudson in 2009? That’s when Twitter really took off.  Commuters on a nearby ferry started talking about it on Twitter.

Still, friends and family often say, “Dusty, I just don’t get it.”  But if you’re not afraid of the 400,000 cars on the freeway, then don’t be afraid of the 400,000 tweets on Twitter every two minutes.

But by the time Dusty says, “Don’t be afraid of Twitter,” it was way too late because as he mentioned “freeway traffic” and “shark bait,” that just reminded some of us that we’re afraid of sharks and freeway traffic AND Twitter. Oh, and like Stephen Colbert, bears.

Twitter Highlights Courtesy of Dusty

10. Be positive. Remember, like the tattoo, once you say something on the Internet, it’s there. What happens on the Internet stays on the Internet. If you’re job hunting, how will your presence on Twitter enhance your brand, you?

9.  You get out of Twitter what you put into it. But listen first. At a networking event, listen for a while before you dive in. Same with Twitter. Consider just listening for at least 30 days.

8.  Don’t try to listen to everything on Twitter. Be selective. Think of the radio. To tune out the static, you have to select or dial into what you want to hear.

7. The Internet is not private, even on private settings. Face it.

6. You don’t need a smart phone to follow Twitter. But do be smart. Hiring managers are using Twitter and they are looking for smart employees. It’s smart to have an online presence.

5. Follow thought leaders. For example, favorite authors or leaders in the industry you’re targeting.

4. Join Twitter and follow at least these four:

  • @tweetmyjobs
  • @Phoenix_Jobs_
  • @localworkcom
  • @careerconnected

3. Three rules for Twitter: Keep it simple, real, and fun.

2. Goal of social media is to follow up in real life.

1. Be the same person online as you are in real life.

Resources and Partners

Training to You

John Dvorak, Senior Career Advancement Partner

Training to You offers several certifications which are often paid for by the federal government through the Workforce Investment Act.  Additional funding may also be available for some eligible unemployed job seekers, for layoffs even more than 20 to 40 years ago, if the layoff was due to the job being outsourced to another country and if the employer documented it with the Department of Labor.  Contact the school for more information on applying for the funding. John also stressed the school schedules are flexible specifically to accommodate the ongoing job search.

Hiring Companies

Paychex

Jill Johnson, Talent Acquisition Manager

Paychex provides services such as payroll and tax compliance to small and medium-sized businesses. In business since 1971, the company is listed on the top 100 of Fortune 1000 companies. Paychex invests in their employees and so they are selective about new hires. The company has a range of sales positions including positions which can average $70 to $100 thousand annually. For information on applying, go to their website.

Career Evolutions

Christian Kaijser, Managing Director

Career Evolutions is an executive search company, providing clients with long- term assistance during your entire job search,  including the resume, interview and hiring process onward. To learn more about job opportunities through the company, visit their website.

Tips from Christian, experienced job coach:  Do your research including checking out sites like Dice.com, salary.com, and payscale.com so you’re ready in an interview when the employer asks you about compensation.  Also, with so many baby boomers in the market, Christian thinks in most cases employers are more impacted by your demeanor and the way you present yourself than age. To illustrate the concept of staying current, he showed an overhead of three of his own looks, including one with outdated eye glasses and then his more current spikey haircut. He also demonstrated conservative dress versus not-so-conservative and asked the crowd if they’d want to hire him as a recruiter.

To learn more about job opportunities through the company, visit their website.

Congratulations, Christian, on becoming an American citizen two weeks ago!

Revana

Kim Johnston, Talent Acquisition Manager

Revana, whose parent company is Tele Tech, has locations in Tempe and in Phoenix (I-17 and Bell). Some of their clients include AT & T, Yahoo, Verizon and Facebook. The company hires employees to sell to Fortune 500 companies but also has jobs in customer service. For information on how to apply, go to their website.

Closing

Executive Director of Career Connectors Jessica Pierce closed the event with characteristic upbeat energy and flair as she always opens each and every event, thanking everyone involved for making each event work.  Remember to use the free resources available to you in your job search, including the DISC assessment offered through Career Connectors. Free professional portraits are offered at each event.

Browse our website to learn about other resources and meetings available throughout the Valley. The next event will be held in Phoenix November 20, 2013, at 9:00 AM featuring Kevin Dumcum: Activate Your Job Search. The next Scottsdale event is Thursday, December 12, 2013, at 9:00 AM. Check the events schedule online.

And don’t forget about Twitter. Remember not to think of Dusty as a Twitter guru. In fact, that word needs to go away, he says, like the term “boy bands.”  Instead, Twitter is a fantastic way of connecting to your community. It’s making the world smaller and helping us reconnect. Plus, Dusty says, “Some of the most interesting, beautiful, thoughtful souls I’ve ever met are through Twitter.”

And, of course, hiring managers are on Twitter and they’re looking for YOU!