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.

Scottsdale Job Network Meeting Feb 3, 2009

Scottsdale Job Network Meeting

Improving Your Interviewing Skills Part 2

Scottsdale Jobs Network

Join us on MEETING: Tues, Feb 3, 2009 8:30-9:30 AM Resume Reviews, Open Networking 9:30-11:30 AM - Meeting with Guest speaker

Location: Temple Chai - 4645 East Marilyn Road Phoenix, Arizona 85032

STARTING OR WORKING IN A SMALL BUSINESS

Facilitator: Doug Bruhnke will moderate a panel of entrepreneurial business founders and owners to discuss what its like to start and work in a small business. Considering the current economy, all work options should be considered!

Panelists:

Lon Safko Lon is an award-winning entrepreneur, inventor, CEO, consultant, author and speaker www.lonsafko.com His 18 inventions and more than 30,000 papers are in the Smithsonian, and he was recently selected by the Smithsonian to represent The American Inventor at their annual conference Lon is the founder of eight successful companies, including Paper Models, Inc. His latest book The Social Media Bible by Wiley & Sons unlocks the mysteries of the hottest new Internet wave, Social Media, such as Facebook and YouTube.

Abhay Jajoo Abhay is a serial entrepreneur with growing businesses in Phoenix. One of his companies is Eupath, which provides US and Canada-based companies with software development, analytics and legal processing services to incubate and scale operations at lower cost in India while keeping their proprietary business processes in-house www.eupath.com

Lesley Gates-McCulley Lesley is the owner of Gates to HR www.gatestohr.com which she founded after leaving Phelps Dodge. She has extensive human resources management experience in diverse corporate and work site environments, including small business through Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies. Throughout her career she has created HR infrastructure and led project teams aimed at starting or working in a small business.

Jeffrey Taylor After a corporate career with Citibank and Peat Marwick, Jeffrey read an issue of Entrepreneur and became one. During his successful consulting career he published two textbooks which are still used by global financial institutions. In the last couple of years he has lectured on Sarbanes-Oxley to major financial institutions, developed business plans for start-up companies, prepared companies to go public, helped companies raise both private and public capital and made independent movies. His new book, Going from W2 to 1099?, will be published this summer.

Thank you,
Bill Austin

Email: | Scottsdale Job Network | Voice Mail: Phone: (480) 513-1491

Scottsdale Job Network



Phoenix Jobs

All I Want for Christmas is a ROOT CANAL?

Well, no, that really wasn’t on my list, but Santa managed to decide that the holidays would be more interesting if I needed immediate dental attention. Fortunately, despite flying cross country (and back), the dreaded procedure was able to be postponed until next Friday.

This situation points to the fact that while we plan good things, often other stuff happens.

Unemployment is part of the stuff of life that hits people the same way—doesn’t happen at a good time and is not welcome when it’s not your choice.

So now what? If part of your year-end news was displacement from steady employment, Scottsdale Job Network (SJN) and the leaders of our group really do understand and want to help.

As a non-profit group run entirely by volunteers who have experienced many career and life transitions, we offer a program of support.

Consider joining us at Temple Chai in Phoenix, our meeting location, on the first and third Tuesday mornings of each month. See the SJN website for more information about our program. The EVENTS CALENDAR offers the meeting schedule and description of presentations planned. The next meeting is Tues, January 6, 2009 – starting 8:30 AM with networking and 9:30 AM with meeting-presentation.

You can expect to be welcomed by caring and friendly people who want to make you part of the group. You’ll be made aware of resources that benefit the job seeker—including resume reviews, a Yahoo Group with information, links, a membership list and prior presentations. You’ll hear guest speakers addressing topics to help your search and have the opportunity to network with business supporters and other job seekers.

At the Jan 6 meeting, Jobing.com Foundation’s Brett Farmiloe and Zach Hubbell will energize the audience with a presentation on Pursuing the Passion.

We hope all the job seekers we meet are back to work very soon and then able to help others still in transition.

Blessings for a great new year!


Christine Vicari-SJN
Founder-President

Who are the SJN Heroes?

It’s been a year of growth and challenge for Scottsdale Job Network (SJN). We’ve made a lot of great friends, helping many job seekers with resume reviews and job search strategy through our curriculum program. We plan to do more of the same in 2009.

There are many volunteers who are passionate supporters of SJN who offer support to unemployed and under-employed workers in our community. Some of their efforts are in the background--maintaining Yahoo Group, answering phone inquiries, coordinating volunteers, keeping the books, writing the curriculum, maintaining the website—and more! I am often amazed at the support and dedication of these wonderful people.

Do you ever wonder who these unsung heroes are? Many of you have been touched by the volunteer services of our organization.

One of the unsung heroes and most consistent and passionate supporters of our members is Communications Professional, Pat Elliott. Often contributing the latest from the media on job opportunities in the Phoenix area, Pat is tireless in her efforts to help members.

She has taken a lot of her time to support me and the SJN Board with communication strategy, pointing out opportunities for development, alliances and award opportunities.

Pat will not brag, look for a stroke or expect recognition. Other members have told me of her help and encouragement during their transition. She is a professional who aims to see SJN grow and be a resource for the Phoenix area for many years to come. This member-volunteer has been involved with SJN and also the St. Patrick’s Employment Support Ministry for more than five years.

Please join me in thanking Pat for her contribution and dedication to our members. You can reach Pat at: patelliott@earthlink.net


Chris Vicari-SJN
Founder-President

It’s Not the Economy, It’s You

It’s Not the Economy, It’s You
Written by: Jim McVeigh, SJN Member

The sun comes up most days in Arizona.

That’s something to look forward to and something to feel good about even though you’re in a job transition, according to local networking guru Dave Sherman, featured speaker at the Scottsdale Job Network meeting on Nov. 25.

Dave gave an inspirational and animated presentation full of both practical tips for job seekers and a message of encouragement. He opened by saying that we shouldn’t let the doom and gloom of economic news get to us – and that we should feel lucky that things aren’t worse. It’s all a matter of attitude and how we adjust our thinking in light of the world around us.

“The first thing you need to do is to stop talking about the bad economy,” says Dave. “The economy is not bad, it’s ‘challenging.’”

When it comes to the economy Dave’s advice is: “Turn off the news, don’t look at the stock reports … watch more sports – it focuses on success.”

Keeping a positive attitude is essential in networking and a job search. And, Dave stresses that it’s critically important to understand there are many things outside your control – like the economy – that are “not your fault” so you shouldn’t be down on yourself but focus on your career path.

“It’s taking the beautiful drive to Flagstaff – it usually takes about 2 ½ hours. But if it snows you may have to put on chains or take a detour so it may take 6 or 7 hours. There’s nothing wrong with the path, you just had to make adjustments,” Dave said.

Finding Common Grounds

Another important point of Dave’s talk centers on what he calls the most important element of networking and a job search – commonality.

“The keys to networking and getting your next job are likeability and commonality. The way people connect is finding something in common – it’s hard to connect when all you talk about is the work you do and what kind of job you’re looking for. Once you create a bond through commonality you can begin to work on the other elements of connection – likeability, trust and dependability.”

Other tips from Dave:

• When you are at the point that you feel “What do I do next?” … Do something. Don’t do nothing. Keep moving forward.
• Comb the Phoenix Business Journal – especially the Networking Calendar, People on Move section and the Events Calendar. Attend the networking events and meet people.
• Don’t let your pride get in the way of networking. If you feel embarrassed about meeting people – get over it.
• This time of the year is networking season. The holidays are the perfect time to meet and greet people and talk about more than just looking for work.

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What’s in a HERO?

Today, I was declared a HERO by the City of Scottsdale! Honored as a recipient of the annual Frances Young Community Hero Award, my volunteer work at Scottsdale Job Network was brought to public attention with an article and photo in the Tribune, an awards breakfast presentation by the City’s Mayor, and a neat plaque and medallion (yes, like the Olympians wear—but not gold!).

When I started leading an employment support program in Scottsdale in 2002, it was post-911 and seemed a practical way to help my country through a devastating time. I didn’t know I was being called to a life purpose and true test of my commitment to helping others.

Truth be told, it is a JOY and also an HONOR to be allowed into people’s lives when they are hurting, vulnerable and need support, resources and connections to land their next job opportunity.

At a time when our neighbors, communities and country are struggling, I throw out the challenge to find a way to help those around you. Besides the gratification of making a difference, you never know how much your support means to the life and stability of your neighbor. More than ever, the difference you will make is essential.