Blog: Doug Mayes

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

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

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.   

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

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

What does it mean to “sell yourself”? It’s ensuring that your resume makes it to the top of the stack, or that your name is on the short list of preferred candidates. Sure it starts with a good cover letter. But does it really start there? It’s having confidence in yourself and your abilities in order to convince others that you are the perfect person for that incredible job that you really want.

In order to be the best, you have to know that you’re the best, and that means you have to do your homework. That’s right, education. There are many jobs out there but you may not have the right background. Well get it. You may be busy with a job that you don’t really want, but it pays the bills. Or you may be collecting unemployment for the time being, but that won’t last forever. Take a big tug on those bootstraps and earn the education that you need to better position yourself, professionally.

Going back to school… the idea is quite inspiring, really. But where will you find the time? You have it… you just need to carve it out of your schedule. The good news is that you live in the day-in-age of the Internet and what an awesome tool that is. Because of its widespread access, there are some really great online education options out there that offer you the opportunity to study wherever and whenever you want. The fact of the matter is, online education is booming right now and because of the competition, you have some excellent options.
So here’s the drill: finish your bachelors, get your masters, differentiate yourself with a specialized certificate in an up-and-coming field like Sustainability Leadership, Software Engineering and Networking, or go global with an international business doctorate. Do your homework. Research your options. You may be surprised at the educational opportunities that exist today within our pivotal global economy.

Sell yourself with confidence, knowing you have the right education. Research your educational opportunities at JobingEducation or learn more about one of our sponsored schools, UC Irvine - Extension or California  (online certificate programs) or California Intercontinental University (CalU – online master’s and doctorate degrees). Use your time wisely to better your life and let the bidding begin!

Jobing.com Career Expo is coming to the Tucson Convention Center on Tuesday, November 10th  This is a great way to learn about local companies and land a great gig.  Here are some real world tips on how to rock out the job affair.  Hopefully this will help us all step up our game.


1.  Do your homework.  Proper research is so important.  Visit their corporate website.  Visit their HR/about us page.  Google them.  Visit their social media profile pages.  We're talking Facebook, Twitter, Second Life, etc here.  You'd better darn well know the answers to the following questions: 

What is their core business?
What is their mission, values, goals?
Describe their culture?
How has the economy affected their business?
What other positions are open?
Who do you know who works there?  
How can you help them meet their goals?  

2.  Being unwaveringly polite.  Lines may be long.  You'll have to wait to speak with the recruiter.  The guy in front of you may be smelly, or he may step on your toe.  The recruiter may need to take a break because human beings have to do that.  Whatever happens, you are "on" 100% of the time on expo day.  There is no quicker way shoot yourself in the foot, than by being a jerk while standing in line.  All eyes are on you, so look sharp.   

3.  Make a personal connection.  As odd as the job search may be at times, it's fundamentally a conversation between two people about eachother's needs and goals.  As John Stewart would say, "just be a person."  Be engaging and warm.  Show genuine interest in what the recruiter has to say, even if you think the job is not right for you.  They may have another job that's right for you that they haven't publicized yet.  Know assume you know everything.  Opportunity is everywhere if you keep your eyes open.  




 

Happy Friday Tucson Job Seekers,

Here's the most current list of employers that are signed up to attend the Career Expo.  

Click here to see the list of attending employers.

Here are you marching orders.

1.  Study the list and come up with your top five prospects that you'd like to visit with at the Expo.

2.  Thoroughly research your target companies.  Visit their corporate site, Google them, find their Facebook page.  Do you know anybody that works their?  If you do, call them and get the skinny.  Preparation and follow through, not your clothes or the fanciness of your resume, is the most important success factor in attending a job fair.  

Hey guys,

Here's a super helpful tip to help you prepare for Career Expo.  If you pre-register for the event prior to Sunday November 8th we will send you a sneak peek of event program with the list of participating employers.  This is super cool because you'll have 3 days to research the companies on the most updated list.  Visit the company's website, learn all you can, and come armed with questions.  

Good luck,

Doug