Tucson Jobing Community Blogs

Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO) is dedicated to promoting business growth and economic development in our city.  At their recent annual meeting, CEO Joe Snell reported that the groups efforts contributed to the creation of 1600 new jobs, 78% of which were in higher-wage industries.  The group is also working on a major initiative to encourage entrepreneurship and small business growth.  This makes good sense for the job market, since the vast majority of employers in Tucson have fewer than 20 employees.  

In my humble opinion, not that you asked or anything, I'm pleased to see efforts to encourage all sizes of business.  Don't get me wrong, flagship employers are welcome and important, but they're one piece of a larger economic development puzzle that directly impacts the future viability of our city.  We need a balanced portfolio of small business, diverse industry including manufacturing (read not just services, new money) and a robust entrpreneurial environment that encourages risk taking by removing impediments that prevent entry into the marketplace.  I'm looking forward to seeing more positive results from TREO in the near future.   http://treoaz.org

Today, I'm delighted to introduce you to our newest community partner, cue the orchestra...

Northern Pima County Chamber of CommerceNPCCC is the voice of business in the area.  Did you know that Northern Pima County is the 2nd fastest growing area in our state.  Small local businesses are the main engine of this growth, and we like that.  The Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce has evolved into a viable business and economic development organization that works.   

NPCCC's MISSION
To serve, promote and protect its members and the business community of Northern Pima County.

WHO THEY SERVE
Since its inception in 1992, the Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce has served the business communities of Oro Valley, Marana, Casas Adobes, Catalina, SaddleBrooke, Oracle and the Catalina Foothills.

WHAT DOES OUR PARTNERSHIP DO?
We'll for starters, we are building a customized employment page that will offer employment resources for local businesses and job seekers.  We will promote and support each other by publicizing our events and activities.  You can also look forward to reading their blog postings about doing business in Northern Pima County.  

We'd like to thank Ramon, Cecilia, Gloria and the NPCCC Board of Directors for their support. 

 

I almost forgot the most important Career Expo follow up tip.  Here's goes.  

Complete the online application process for companies that expressed interest in you yesterday.  Take your time, and do it right.  Don't forget to mention where you met them.  Recruiters go to lot's of events.  Help them remember you.  

Doug

I had the pleasure of presenting at the local career expo at TCC yesterday. The local Jobing.com office is taking the lead in educating job seekers about the many ways crooks try to rip them off. My Jobing.com presentation covers the top five employment scams fo the day, but I qualify that by letting attendees know that those top five can change within hours. Here's an example - we received the following email from the FBI this morning about a new scam targeting job seekers. While we haven't had any calls from consumer locally about this particular scam, it's only a matter of time. Remember, if you're ever unsure about an offer, suspicious email, or company, the friendly staff at BBB is just a phone call or mouse click away: 520-888-5353, www.tucson.bbb.org,  info@tucson.bbb.org.

FBI ALERT Courtesy of your Local BBB

Fraudulent Money Transfers Connected to Malware and Work-at-Home Scams:

The FBI is reporting a significant increase in fraud involving the exploitation of valid online banking credentials belonging to small and medium businesses, municipal governments, and school districts this year. In a typical scenario, the victim receives an e-mail which either contains an infected attachment, or directs the recipient to an infected website. Once the recipient opens the attachment or visits the website, malware is installed on their computer, and steals the recipient’s business or corporate bank account login information. Shortly thereafter, the perpetrator either creates another user account with the stolen login information or begins transferring funds as the legitimate user.  

These transfers have occurred as both wire and as ACH transactions to the bank accounts of willing or unwitting individuals that have been recruited by the scammers through bogus work at home advertisements. The scammers often target individuals that have placed resumes on well known job search sites. These persons are hired and told that they are to “process payments,” or transfer funds received into their bank accounts, and immediately forward most of the money overseas via wire transfer services such as Western Union and Moneygram. 

Businesses are urged to never respond to e-mail requests for personal or bank account information, and do not click Web site links received in unsolicited e-mail messages. Bogus sites are designed to look nearly identical to the real ones; however, there are usually slight variations, such as ending in “.net” when it should be “.com.” Notify the real company, financial institution or government agency if you receive questionable correspondence and contact them using a phone number or e-mail address from a reliable, public directory such as a phonebook. Individuals that have been offered work at home opportunities should contact BBB to determine the legitimacy of the offer.

In some ways, I guess I'm old school.  I hold the door for my wife.  I like pocket squares.  I love Cadillac Eldorados.  I even have an 8-bit Nintendo!  This may seem out of place in this age of multi-tasking, Blackberries, and wireless internet, but there are times when your Grandma's good manners can work to your benefit.  

So you scored an interview with a great employer.  Congratulations.  When you make that connection, seal the deal with a hand-written thank you note.  You know what I'm talking about, don't you?  You were supposed to send them after you got married to thank Aunt Gertrude for the fabulous advocado green blender she bought you!  Here's what to do.  Find yourself some understated professional stationery, and write a little note. Don't type it.  If your handwriting is as lousy as mine, ask a friend to help you.  Thank the recruiter for his/her time and let them know that you are definitely interested in pursuing an opportunity with that company, and suggest an interview time.  Stick it in the mail, and I guar-an-tee that you'll impress the heck out of that recruiter.  

Good luck!  Get Hired!

 

Hey Guys,

Jobing.com Career Expo is returning to the TCC on Tuesday November 10th.  That's this Tuesday!  We're expecting 75 employers, so you don't want to miss it.  Go to tucson.jobing.com/expo and register as a job seeker.  Print out the form and bring it with you to the TCC.  It's your ticket to get in.  See you on Tuesday.

Click here to see the list of participating employees

Register Here

Jobing.com Career Expo
Tuesday, November 10th
2-6pm
Tucson Convention Center

Hey folks,

Career Expo is Tuesday November 10th from 2-6pm at the TCC.  You can meet dozens of local employers who are actively hiring.  Here's what you need to know.

1.  Dress for an interview.  I know this isn't a fashion show, but you want to make a great first impression and looking sharp is a key part of this.  No shorts, flip flops, or inappropriate t-shirts please. 

2.  Be prepared to apply online.  Many employers will ask you to apply online.  Some will accept a paper resume while others will not.  Be prepared by bringing several copies of your resume.  If an employer asks you to apply online and/or doesn't accept your resume it DOES NOT mean they're not interested in you.  It simply means they've moved toward an online application process.  Career Expo is an opportunity to make a personal connection with another human being, and to ask questions about the company.  

3.  Don't forget to take advantage of free resume review offered through the day.

4.  Bring $6 if you plan to park at the TCC.  The City of Tucson charges for parking at these events.  It's not a Jobing thing.  There may be free parking on adjacent blocks and there is a parking deck near the big cathedral across Church Ave.   

There is a natural tendency to avoid asking questions when you are uncertain as to what the answers will be. As a result, managers often avoid asking questions. Instead, they just tell the employees the answers they really want to hear. It may seem like you are giving up control when you ask an open-ended question that engages the employee. But, it doesn't have to be a scary proposition. One way to encourage dialogue while still guiding the direction of the conversation is to use sideboards to frame the question.

Frame the question with sideboards.

Sideboards are the parameters that frame an issue. They are the "givens." Sideboards are the assumptions you have already made that are non-negotiable. In most situations, there is background information that must be considered before a conversation can progress. Those are the sideboards. Usually there are limitations (time, money, resources, etc.) that must be noted when you are exploring options. Those are the sideboards.

The challenge is to state the sideboards clearly before asking a question that involves the employee in finding the solution. Here are some examples of sideboards in action:

Given our current budget situation...which of our projects is the highest priority?

Assuming we will meet our end of the year objectives, what additional tasks should we pursue?

Knowing that our relationship with this client is tenuous, what options do we have for satisfying this order?

Given the restrictions placed upon us in the regulations, what alternatives should be considered?

As a manager, you can establish parameters that will help employees find workable, effective, and successful solutions to issues and challenges. Think about the sideboards.

 You can also reply to this blog with your comments, send me an email, or visit me online at www.managementeducationgroup.com. I'd love to hear from you!

Warning: this will tick some of you off.  I'm ok with that.  

Jobing.com Career Expo is returning to the TCC on Tuesday November 10th from 2-6pm.  This is the biggest job fair in Southern Arizona, and this time we expect 55-65 employers.  If you're looking for a job, I'd invite you to consider attending the event.  The opportunity to get in front employers is HUGE.  People are still hiring and they want to hear from you!  We'd love to have you and we wish you all the success in the world.  

Here's one thing I know for sure.  Our world has changed.  Our job market is tough.  There are fewer jobs to go around.  It's just the truth, and I'm not going to insult you by saying that everything is all sweetness and light.  You would believe that anyway.  

So what?  Well, if we expect different results we're going to have to do different things.  With that said, I'd like to take the opportunity to correct a few misconceptions about job fairs and address some concerns that I've heard lately.  

Gripe #1.  They ask me to apply online instead of taking my resume. This means they're not really hiring.  Not the case.  Employers receive a large volume of resumes for each open position.  It's supply and demand 101.  To treat everyone fairly and legally and to organize their workload, they ask that people apply online.  By the way, these companies drop cold hard cash to participate in our job fair.  It ain't cheap.  They wouldn't do it just as an excercise.  

Gripe #2.  We have to pay to park.  Yeah, you do.  The city of Tucson charges $5-$6 to use their parking lot even though we rent the TCC for the event.  It's not a Jobing thing.  If you don't want to pay, find a spot in the neighborhood off Cushing Street.  There's also a parking deck across Church Ave that's a little cheaper.  

What's up folks,

If you could use some great tips on how to maximize your time at next Tuesday's Career Expo, meet me on Tuesday November 3rd at the Kino One Stop Career Center at 2pm.  I'll help you make a battle plan for the event, so you can walk out of there a winner.  No RSVP necessary, just come on down to the 2797 E Ajo (across from TEP park).  See you then.

Doug

(This post is based on some of the principles included in my new book, Unlock the Hidden Job Market: 6 Steps to a Successful Job Search When Times Are Tough which I wrote with San Diego-based executive coach, Duncan Mathison. For a free sample chapter, visit the book's official site: www.unlockthehiddenjobmarket.com )

If you’ve been following my posts, you’ll know that I’ve been writing about networking a lot lately. Or at least it seems like it. Networking, networking, networking. Maybe it’s me but don’t you think that when you say it out loud enough, it begins to sound like earwax? Okay…it’s probably just me.

Networking doesn’t have much appeal, does it? It doesn’t sound nearly as much fun as going to your local Applebee’s with some friends for a beer and some wings. Now there’s a problem with even that Applebee’s scenario. Based on the emails I’ve been getting, a lot of you are feeling that you don’t have too many friends either. And the ones you do have are getting, like, really tired of hearing you talk about your struggles to land a job. And you’re getting really tired of talking about it too. In fact, you’d just wish they’d change the subject.

I don’t think my readers are social losers. (At least I hope not, but, then again, what are you doing reading this blog post when it’s such a pretty day outside?) When you’ve been out of work for any amount o time, it’s easy to feel that you have run aground in the contacts department – especially in recent years when we’ve all been so busy taking care of our jobs and our families. We’ve let outside friendships perhaps atrophy. Maybe all your friends were work-related. And now that you’re out of work, you’re also fresh out of buddies. Or you’ve moved to a new town where you really, really don’t know anyone.

Whatever the reason for your feelings of isolation, you know you have to mix it up a little bit, well, a lot. Get some fresh meat, I mean talent, into your tight circles of relationships. Get out of the house. So I thought I’d offer some tips in that direction.

Remember that one thing leads to another. The thing about circulating is that your first dip into big world probably won’t net you a job. It’s a cumulative kind of thing. So leave that desperate, graspy, over-eager feeling at home when you head out the door. Just be open to meeting who you meet. Maybe tonight you’re destined to actually help someone else. And you’ll come home feeling just a little better about yourself.

Look for opportunities where you can become a regular. And no, I don’t mean the Applebee’s bar. When your face starts becoming familiar, you will emerge from invisibility to someone who people will be glad to see. Maybe they’ll even shout out your name, like, “Norm!” (But don’t count on it.) If you try a business mixer or worship service or volunteer opportunity, and people completely ignore you, keep going. Week after week. Introduce yourself as often as you can. And just let the cumulative effects of time work their wonders.

Stay away from solitary pursuits, even if they’re out of the house. Going to a matinee movie doesn’t count as “getting out there.” Go to local economic development or chamber of commerce meetings, receptions, mixers. Your local bookstore probably offers booksignings, author lectures or special classes. A friend of mine who is a professional coach is part of a team who gives courses at Whole Foods! Go! The home improvement stores offer free courses. Go! The American Red Cross offers courses in first aid, cpr, etc. Go!

Make job-related networking events only a small percentage of your out-of-the-house activities. First of all, you’re so much more than unemployed. And you need to nurture those other parts of who you are. At the very least, this way you’ll lead with an opener that’s so much more interesting than, “Hi, gotta job?” But most importantly is that your self-definition has a chance to stay strong and defined beyond this immediate need of landing a gig. You will also stand a better chance of meeting people other than fellow job-seekers. You know…people who already have jobs? And who would be thrilled to help you get inside their companies or organizations.

Learn something. Go to local college courses – especially the ones at night, when employed people go to school. You don’t have to matriculate and take on the expense of a formal semester. Continuing ed courses can be inexpensive. The teachers are often professionals in the community (hint: employed people!). It’s probably best if you took a course that would help you be more qualified for the kind of job you’re looking for. But even taking a non-job related course will at least remind you that there’s more to life than your daily bread (although, it’s kind of hard to make that argument right now, I know).

Teach something. Surely you know something that will benefit others. How to read, for adult literacy programs, for instance. If you have a profession or skill that’s useful in the for-profit world, surely you can introduce at least the basics to young people. Convene a panel of other experts and put on a program! (You’ll be able to find a venue. A friend of mine hosted the annual meeting of his professional association – on the premises of the company that had just laid him off. Awkward.)

Volunteer. Those same skills you can teach you can donate. It will make you feel good about being who you are and what you can do. That boost in self-esteem will give you the added confidence that will send out the signal that you’re a valuable contributor to the world.

Call old friends – even if they haven’t heard from you in a long time. This is where Facebook comes in handy. The other day I heard from a dear friend for the first time in about 8 years. We’d been looking for each other off and on over recent years but, thanks to Facebook, she found me first! And we talked on the phone for a full three hours. A lot of it was catching up. But, she was also very candid about the fact that she needed some professional advice from me. Did I see this as a cheesy ulterior motive? Heck no! First off all, I owed her a gigantic favor from 10 years ago (I mean, huge). Secondly, I love her and I know she loves me. So whatever I have is hers. (Advice, I mean.)

Ask for introductions. Unless you’re a bitter whiner who needs to blow your nose and brush your teeth (and, uhm, a little roll-on?), the friends you have should be happy to give you introductions you need to move your job search forward. If they’re reluctant to help you, find out why. Wouldn’t you want to know the truth, especially if it was something you could fix? And, if they’re possessive with or protective of their contacts to the point where they’re keeping you from helping yourself, or making you feel judged, it’s best that you should know that now. You might have just discovered a brand new opening in your group of friends to fill.

They say that once you achieve a certain age, it gets harder and harder to make new friends. Everyone is set in their habits, patterns, commuting routine, relationships. Well, one of the upshots of these economic times is that everyone is thrown higgledy-piggledy into a big pile of confusion and some flavor of disconnectedness. Now is a fantastic time to build new circles of friends and business contacts.

And vow to take better care of them in the future. Like, don’t wait 8 years before picking up the phone.

There was much to celebrate last week at the Diversity Leadership Alliance Conference, including the  winners and finalists recognized by the State Council for the Arizona State Society of Human Resources Management Association.  AZSHRM is proud to once again honor companies, organizations and individuals for their 2009 diversity and inclusion efforts in the workplace and beyond.  This was the award’s eighth year and many of the past winners were in attendance at the conference to recognize this year's winners as well.

AZSHRM partnered again this year with the Diversity Leadership Alliance and Jobing.com.  There were many wonderful nominations this year who should all be proud of the great work that is being done. 

Over 900 business and community leaders were present on October 22 for the awards ceremony at the Phoenix Downtown Sheraton when the winners were first announced. 

2009 Workforce Diversity Award Winners

Business - Large Category
American Express

Business - Small Category
Answers & Apples
Non-Profit/Government
Valle del Sol

Diversity Champion
Maria Aguirre, Arizona Western College

For more information about the awards, please visit http://www.workforcediversityawards.com/

 

The Tucson chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners is a dynamic group of women who mean business.  These folks get it done, and they know how to have a good time too.  By the way, Jobing.com is a proud sponsor of this group and I'm always impressed by how they thrive regardless of the big "E" word.  

I'm inviting you to join NAWBO at their 2009 Holiday Auction and Razztini Gala on Tuesday December 8th at the Manning House.  The Razztini Gala is the flagship fundraising event for NAWBO Tucson and it's always a blast.  Come network with the hardest working movers and shakers in Tucson.  Bid on great stuff.  Have a martini at lunchtime.  What's not to like about this situation?

Business owners, if you'd like to exposure your product or service to the group, there are sponsorship opportunities available as well.  Just visit nawbotucson.org to learn more. 

Join the Arizona Small Business Association for this amazing motivational presentation from the man Toastmasters International named as one of the top five speakers in the world! Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times #1 bestsellers Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive and Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt. Both books are among the top 15 inspirational business books of all time, according to the New York Times. Harvey's books have sold 10 million copies worldwide, been translated into 37 languages and sold in 80 countries. He also writes a nationally syndicated column for United Feature Syndicate.

Don't miss your chance to hear this popular and entertaining business speaker!


*3:00pm - 4:00pm: registration & networking

*3:30pm - 4:00pm: VIP reception

*4:00pm: program

*5:30pm - 6:30pm: networking & book signing

Job fairs are a great way to hire talented people quickly.  Jobing.com Career Expo helps you make these connections.  We understand that attending this event is an investment, and we want to help you maximize your return.  I put together a few tips to help get the most out of Career Expo.

1.  Bring backup.  As my Grandma used to say "be anything, but NEVER surprised."  Lines will be long, but we don't want you to miss any opportunities.  Bring your best and brightest people for backup, and give them the freedom to tell their stories.  Their enthusiasm and experiences are really valuable to potential recruits.    

2.  Be comfy.  I think it's perfectly OK to wear business casual clothing to the career fair, especially in uber laid-back Tucson.  If you have company polos, now's the time to dust them off.  Ladies, flats with gel insoles might help.  My wife, who's a recruiter too, swears by them.  Count on the Jobing team to bring you drinks and snacks so you don't hit the deck from exhaustion.  We'll even field questions in your booth if you need to step away for a break. 

3.  Never forget how you felt as a job seeker.  If job seekers must apply online, let them know why this is required and reassure them that it's not a brush off.  We're working with them to understand this process, but it's a major point of contention and confusion for many.  If job seekers show desperation or entitlement, don't write them off too early.  Just politely redirect the conversation.  You might really like them after you turn them around.  Most importantly, be kind and polite.  They'll never forget how well you treated them during a tough time and you'll create instant engagement upon hire.  

Jobing.com Career Expo Tuesday, November 10th
2pm-6pm
Tucson Convention Center