SJN - Scottsdale Job Network

WELCOME Job Seekers, Employers and Volunteers

The Scottsdale Job Network is a group of job seekers and others volunteering their time to help them in their career transitions.  The group attracts speakers from all aspects of industry, technology, recruiting and education to discuss job search fundamentals including developing a marketing plan, writing a resume, networking and interviewing.

You are invited to read about the Scottsdale Job Network in the PAGES on this website.  We welcome your participation in this community service program offered to our neighbors in career transition and employers searching for talented workers.
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MARCH EVENTS

NEXT MEETING:  MARCH 20, 9:30-11:30 AM
Katie Pushor, President and CEO
Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce

New Tricks in Networking
Katie Pushor will discuss the current state of the Phoenix economy, growth and job market. Katie will also provide information and insight into social networks like the Phoenix chamber, and offer stories of the many job transitions and “new tricks’” she has had to learn as she has gone from accounting to marketing to consulting to government to non-profit. 

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SPECIAL EVENT WORKSHOP

MON, MAR 26, 8 AM - 2:30 PM

Exploring Your Passion - Putting It To Work

Have you ever awakened in the morning feeling stuck in your job search or in your current position and frustrated that you had no other career options that inspired or motivated you to take action?

The purpose of this one-day workshop is to assist people who may be stuck in their job search or in their current jobs. Often individuals limit themselves to what they “have always done” because it was the career that defined them for many years. They tend to lose sight of the many skills and strengths that they have developed through their life experience.

For those of you who have suspected that you were falling short of your passion or “calling,” this workshop may be of help to you! The program is designed to highlight tools to assist individuals determine where they might be stuck and to begin to identify their strengths, talents and preferences.

Facilitator:  Maria Wojtczak has 20+ years of organization development (OD) experience and worked with a wide range of organizations. She brings extensive experience in the field of adult learning concepts, and in the design and facilitation of adult learning experiences. In her OD practice, Maria coached senior leadership and consulted with senior executives, high-level education personnel, as well as middle management. Maria’s focus, in her consulting practice and in her business, is organizational effectiveness and the development of individuals. Maria is a graduate of the University of Michigan and a member of SJN’s Board.

Pre-registration date extended to March 19:  Seating is limited to 25 participants. Register by sending email confirming your attendance to Chris Payne, cpayne46@cox.net.  Send $20 check (for materials) payable to Scottsdale Job Network at the following address:

Scottsdale Job Network
P.O. Box 25674
Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Workshop location:
Catholic Community of the Blessed Sacrament Church
11300 N. 64th Street
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254

Lunch:  Bring a sack lunch. 

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See EVENTS CALENDAR for meeting location and programs scheduled through the month of May.

Scottsdale Job Network charges no meeting fees or membership dues. We do, however, accept donations, including volunteer hours, to support our work.

Meetings are open to the public. Join us!  Employers and recruiters are welcome.

Scottsdale Job Network is not a job placement forum, and is not able to help those with an immediate need for work. We do, however, provide the means and opportunities to meet and work with people who support each other during employment transition for mutual gain, support and success.    

Ten Tips for Mastering the Phone Interview

Barbara Safani, M.A., CERW, NCRW, CPRW, CCM

Phone interviews are becoming more and more common as companies gain greater access to candidates and as more recruiters and hiring managers work from virtual office locations. On the positive side, with a phone interview you don’t have to worry about having your suit pressed and you can have your notes in front of you. On the flip side, it is much more difficult to establish rapport and get a read on the hiring manager during a phone conversation. Below are some tips for getting the most out of your phone interviews.

Schedule the meeting during a time when you won’t be distracted.

A phone interview should be scheduled like any other interview. At the designated appointment time, make sure the dog is in the backyard and someone else is watching the kids. If a recruiter or hiring manager calls you without advance notice and wants to interview you on the spot, use caution. If the interview “conditions” are not optimal at the time of the call, it is best to tell the interviewer that you are very interested in the position, but need to schedule another time to have a conversation. That time can be as soon as ten minutes later, just make sure that you can take the call without being distracted.

Conduct interviews from a landline.

Cell phones are a boon to modern communication, but the quality is still not the same as that from a land line. You don’t want to frustrate the recruiter or the hiring manager with a bad connection. Plan your interview from a reliable phone line.

Create an office space.

Dedicate an area as your office. This could be as simple as a card table with a phone and your documents. Conduct your interviews from your “office”. Being seated at a desk or table allows you to create an environment similar to an in-person interview.

Put a mirror in front of you.

This helps you focus and it anchors your conversation to the visual representation of a person.  Monitoring your facial expressions helps you see if you are communicating your enthusiasm to the recruiter.

Have a glass of water nearby.

If your throat is dry or you get a tickle you can take care of it before it turns into a cough and disrupts the flow of the interview.

Have your notes in front of you.

A phone interview is like an open book test. You can have your company research and answers to potential interview questions right in front of you. Try putting key information on colored index cards and organize by category.

Vary Your Voice.

Since the other person can’t see you, it is critical that you vary the tone and cadence of your voice to communicate interest and develop rapport.

Use pauses effectively.

Pauses in an interview situation are always difficult and they can be especially awkward during a phone interview. Rather than wondering what the person on the other end is doing or if they are still there, use the silence to ask a question. For example, if the interviewer has just asked you about your strengths and your response is met with silence, make that an opportunity to ask a question like “What are the key strengths of your ideal candidate?” This takes care of the silence and allows you to learn more about the position.

Don’t multi-task.

We have grown so accustomed to multi-tasking, however it can be counterproductive during a phone interview.  Don’t check your email or stick a casserole in the oven while you are engaged in a phone interview. Act the same way you would for an in-office interview and maintain your focus.

Practice.

Record some of your answers to prospective interview questions. Play them back and critique. Are you easy to understand? Is your presentation riddled with long pauses and “ums?” Do you communicate interest and enthusiasm? If necessary, rework your answers and your presentation.

Barbara Safani, owner of Career Solvers, has over ten years of experience in career management, recruiting, executive coaching, and organizational development. She is a triple certified resume writer and frequent contributor to numerous career-related publications.

© Barbara Safani 2007