Written by: Connie Huber PHR SHRM-CP
All of us have our own special strengths and weaknesses that influence our career and life. But can you quickly share with someone what your strengths and weaknesses are that define you as an individual?
The best thing you can do with your strengths once they have been identified is to own them as described in the article “Owning It: Identifying Your Strengths and Weaknesses” as shared in Prepary, September 07, 2012.
• “Acknowledge your strengths and truly believe in them.”
• “Put all of your energy into your strengths.”
• “Keep developing your strengths.”
The article goes on to note that defining your weaknesses is far more challenging than establishing your strengths. It is noted just knowing your weaker areas will make you more successful. Prepary encourages us to:
• “Take your weaknesses into account when making career decisions.”
• “Look at the other side.” Weaknesses can be turned around into strength and vice versa.
• “Don’t be too hard on yourself.” Everyone has weak areas!
Lastly, the author reminds us our strengths and weaknesses will always be evolving. As you move forward in your career, not only do you grow and change professionally but also your strengths and weaknesses will adjust and evolve. Embrace the constant evolution and welcome what is to come.
Keynote
Start Strong, Finish Stronger: Your Best Self in Your Next Chapter
Remember when we were young and you dreamed of growing up and what profession you wanted to pursue? If you are like most, you changed your mind several times. Based on 2012 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the list shared 15 kids’ dream jobs. Among the top 5 were:
1. Astronaut
2. Musician
3. Actor
4. Dancer
5. Teacher
Stephanie began her time with the group sharing the story about her kindergartener sharing during his graduation what he wanted to be when he grew up. This little guy boldly told his fellow students, parents and family he wanted to “kill vampires and zombies!” Needless to say, Stephanie and her husband were horrified with their son’s desires. After much reflection and acceptance, Stephanie came to the conclusion her son’s declaration was not far fetched. When you think about it, the vampires and zombies among us are the walking dead and energy suckers in our work environment.
Stephanie like many of us at Career Connectors has also been in career transition. She knows first hand the frustrations and challenges we encounter during this time.
LESSONS FOR THE ROAD AHEAD
In preparing for your career, you need to consider these key strategies.
1. Know Yourself
2. Plan Your Work
3. Work Your Plan
KNOW YOURSELF
In establishing a strong foundation for career success, we were encouraged to begin in establishing our strengths.
• Why Strengths?
According to Gallup, those employees who focus on their strengths are….6 times as likely to be successful in their roles and 3 times as likely to say they have a high quality of life.
• What is a Strength?
Having a firm understanding of your strengths will….
Make you feel strong.
Give you energy.
Come naturally.
Identify what you do well.
Show the part of you that is unique and special.
Helps you succeed.
• Gallup Definitions
According to Gallup STRENGTH is the ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance in a specific activity. TALENTS are naturally recurring patterns of thought, feeling or behavior that can be productively applied.
• Turning Talent into Strength
Talent is the foundation for your strengths and basis for achieving your full potential. Skills and knowledge are your investment. Skills are the capacity to perform the fundamental steps of an activity. Knowledge is factual and experiential lessons learned. The final touch is passion. Passion is intrinsic satisfaction or the inherent gratification and positive anticipation.
• How do I find my strengths?
There are a number of assessment test that will help you discover your strengths. One assessment that is very reliable and free to Career Connector participants is DISC.
• DISC Assessment
DISC measures your personality and behavioral style. The assessment will ask you to answer a simple questionnaire about your own behavior. You will be asked to select the word that describes you the most or least. There are no right or wrong answers.
PLAN YOUR WORK
In preparing for your job search you need to
Define your strong career.
Develop your tools.
Determine your plan.
LESSONS FOR THE ROAD AHEAD
In preparing for your job search, Stephanie shared with us a few reminders regarding wisdom including: No Road is Easy! Your Strengths help you grow with ease. Learn as you grow! And….. beware of the zombies and vampires in life!!!!
“Success is achieved by developing our strengths, not by eliminating our weaknesses.” Marilyn Savant
HIRING COMPANIES
Abrazo Health
Christi Wedemeyer, Recruiter
Abrazo means embrace and Abrazo Health and its employees strive to help people live happier, healthier lives.. The organization is a leader in healthcare and spans from coast to coast. Abrazo spends approximately 53% of its net revenue on total rewards. Some positions offer a sign on bonus.
Current openings include experienced RN’s, Rehab professionals such as Physical Therapists, Director of Nursing, Nursing Manager, Manger of Medical Staff Services, Manager of Clinical Documentation Program, Director of Quality & Risk Management, Computer professionals along with many other healthcare related positions, both clinical and nonclinical.
Ajilon & Parker & Lynch
Ajilon: Katy Lyden, Managing Director
Parker & Lynch: Nicole Heckaman, Executive Director
Ajilon is a leader in temporary and permanent placement of Human Resources, Administrative, Supply Chain & Logistics, Non-Clinical Healthcare and Operational Professionals. Parker & Lynch is a leader in Finance and Accounting recruitment. Its focus on people is what sets the organization from others.
Job seekers are able to have their resume reviewed, practice interviews and interview prep, competitive salary information, salary and offer negotiation, detailed market information, customized candidate marketing strategy and overall support through the entire hiring practice.
Opportunities available at Parker Lynch include Senior Accountant, Sr. Financial Analyst, Controller, CFO, Accounting Manager, and Staff Accountant.
Ajilon has openings for HR Generalist, Executive Assistant, Full Cycle Recruiter, Administrative Assistant, Customer Service, Medical Front Office and Logistics Specialist, and Procurement. Ajilon has needs for an Accounting Associate, Payroll Clerk, AP Clerk, AR Clerk, and Medical Biller.
State Farm
DeAnne Prigmore, Recruiter
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 8-10,000 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. Bank openings include Bank Supervisor, Loan Processor & Loan Services Representative, Bank Support Rep & Customer Service Rep. Immediate Systems and IT opportunities include Software Developer, Infra Analysts for Malware Tool Support and Tech Support, IT Analyst-Solutions and Bank Technical Analyst. DeAnne extended an invitation to visit the new facility in Marina Heights.
Resources
Arizona@Work, City of Phoenix
Waleed Alani, Employment Specialist
Waleed shared with the group the latest unemployment statistics. There are currently approximately 69,000 available jobs in the Phoenix area. The numbers are down a little due to the quickly approaching summer months and election. Opportunities include retail, hotel management, project management and nurses. Some of the top skills being requested are bilingual, quality assurance, IT networking, quality control and IT networking project management. A sampling of hiring employers include Banner Health, Honor Health, CVS Health, Dignity Health, Pizza Hut, United Healthcare, Bank of America, Well Fargo and Oracle.
Waleed enlightened us with the different skill development packages offered by the City of Phoenix. Those include Seminars available to the public; Level 1 Package-Skills Match the Job Market; and Level 2 Package-Research Pathways to Higher Wages. Seminars include: Arizona Job Connection (AJC), How to Create a Winning Resume, Perfecting Your Interviewing Skills, Mock Interview Lab, Understanding LinkedIn, Leveraging LinkedIn, 21st Century Job Search Seminar, and Job Clubs. The 3-day sessions are focused on ways to jumpstart your job search. Topics discussed are Social Skills, Creating and Implementing a Job Search Plan, Interviewing, and Long Term Career Management. The 3-hour session emphasizes Employability. For more details on the Skills Development Packages, reach out to Waleed at 602-255-4628 or waleed.alani@phoenix.gov.
If interested in a job with the state of Arizona or City of Phoenix please go to Arizona at Work.
Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants
Rodger Brubacher, Director of Continuing Education
Dynamic Worldwide will prepare you with an edge in this competitive job market. DWWTC offers programs and certificates in professional development, cyber security programs, advanced cyber security programs and information technology. DWWTC was awarded the 2015 Juniper Platinum Education Partner of the Year for its award winning instruction. The facilities are state of the art and maintain a low student to instructor ratio. Instruction is available on multiple platforms. DWWTC is licensed by the State Board for Private Postsecondary Education; certified through Arizona@Work; and approved for Grant Programs. For more information, please visit the 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, June 9, 2016 and features Deborah Dubree as speaker for the topic “Up Yours! Up Your Power, Up Your Performance, Up Your Personal Pitch!” For additional information on this event and future events, please visit the website.