New Fees for Non-Job Seekers

SJN exists to help job seekers during transition. Our non-profit organization also provides a forum for business supporters to connect with the available talent among our members.

At this stage in our young development, SJN does not have corporate sponsors or other sources of consistent income besides the event donations. Demand for our services has increased significantly in the past year – our current membership is about 1,600 members, more than twice the level at this time last year. This growth has significantly impacted our operating expenses.

In January of 2009, we took some necessary actions to increase income, requesting a voluntary $5 per meeting fee and instituted nominal workshop fees of $10 to $15 for our special training events.

We now need to take additional steps in order to address the increases in our operating expenses and will be instituting fees for non-job seekers attending our meetings or using our table space service. There has been increased interest and attendance at SJN events from business people prospecting for clients and contacts. The SJN Board of Directors has decided to institute a $10 per meeting fee for non-job seekers at our meetings. This change will be effective with our next meeting on March 3.

MEETING SPONSORS
In addition, SJN has been providing table space for businesses to recruit staff. This space is also of interest to businesses interested in promoting their services to members. Therefore, SJN plans to institute a $50 charge to those businesses who set up at the tables in the back of the room and to also provide those businesses a one minute opportunity to promote their business during the meeting.

SJN reserves the right to limit access to table space.

Space needs to be reserved in advance by email to info@scottsdalejobnet.com and $50 payment is due in advance and can be made through the PayPal link on the top right of the SJN website.

Thank you for your continued support of SJN.

Chris Vicari, Founder-President
Scottsdale Job Network (SJN)

The Techie with the Holey Jeans

At a recent SJN meeting, one of our business supporters noticed a job seeker wearing ripped blue jeans and a loud t-shirt. The businessman commented to me was that this job seeker wasn’t coming across as serious about his search.


I thought about that for a while. I had known this job seeker for a few months and thought he had enough trust in me to hear my comments. The next day, I decided to risk annoying him and wrote under the subject line “constructive criticism.”


I explained to the job seeker that he was sending off the wrong signals with his casual attire . . . which was the opinion of people scouting for talent. I explained that networking events should be thought of as pre-interviews, because you are getting a chance to be noticed.

Fortunately, The Techie with the Holey Jeans responded to my suggestions with appreciation. He acknowledged that he knew my intention was to help him. He also explained that in his industry, jeans and casual clothes were the standard. However, despite his being financially challenged, he was going to Good Will for some decent clothes.

I am so proud of this gentleman for his openness to my unsolicited advice. He actually is stepping it up a notch and removing any doubts in the minds of potential employers--or others who might serve as contacts for him--and I wish him luck. He impressed me with his willigness to hear criticism and adjust his approach.


If any employers want to meet really high talented professional people with integrity who will be good to your organization and clients, come join us at SJN.