Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday mornings, 9:00-11:30 A.M. We meet at and use space donated by Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix, AZ

Recruiters Are Invited to Attend SJN Meetings
Recruiters and company representatives are invited to join us and speak directly with the professional talent pool that attends SJN meetings. Table space is available in the room and recruiters can set up their materials and converse with job seekers.  Take advantage of this opportunity from 9 AM until the meeting starts at 9:30, and feel welcome to spend the morning with us.

Resume Reviews
At each meeting, a representative from the Resume Writers Council of Arizona will be available to critique resumes and offer improvement suggestions from 9-9:30 AM

Yahoo Group
This is our closed online resource allowing members to stay connected 24/7 which is used to request information, post job leads, share relevant articles, read the history of emails, and more.  Attend one meeting to sign up. Web site
Additional resources are provided online through our website http://www.scottsdalejobnet.com/ including resources for basic needs, links to key job boards, map quest to our meetings, articles that have helped others, a list of volunteer opportunities, a reading list and a link for business cards.

Volunteering
Whether you are a current job seeker or you are working and want to help people in job transition, there is a place for you to volunteer. Member participation is essential. It helps establish a stronger support program for those who follow. We encourage members to take part in the operations of the program in whatever way they can. See our website for more about ways to make a contribution. Open Invitation!
Anyone interested in the support we provide is welcome.  We do not require membership dues or meeting fees to allow everyone who is in job transition to be able to participate. Since our program is unfunded, we suggest that participants make a voluntary donation of $5 per meeting. When we have an all-day workshop, we do need to pass the costs along to participants. 

What to do if you’re laid off in 2008 recession

He makes some very good points about the job search process and the things you need to do to cut down the total amount of time you spend searching for a job.  Many of his points are exactly the sort of activities that regular participation in Scottsdale Job Network activities and events help you to excel at.

Highlights of his seventeen main points for job seekers are below and the entire article can be read at the link above.

1. Don’t get lazy.
2. Make sure you spend at least 30% of every day trying to find a job.
3. Start a blog on the field you want to work in.
4. Do things that will get you to be recognized as a world leader in the field you want to be in.
5. Learn from Loic Le Meur.
6. Do a video everyday on YouTube that demonstrates something you know.
7. Show your friends your resume and cover letter.
8. Do the basics.
9. Don’t feel bad about taking government assistance.
10. Go to any job networking session you learn about.
11. Go where the money is.
12. Take a little bit of time to work on family and health.
13. Volunteer.
14. Make sure you take advantage of any help your former employer is offering.
15. See if you can keep coming into the office.
16. Go to every business event you can attend.
17. Always have your suit ready.

Be sure to come ot the February 5, 2008 meeting where we are rolling out the new SJN JOB SEARCH PROCESS CURRICULUM

The new program will launch on February 5, 2008 and will be facilitated by experts in the training and career transition fields.  The training areas will be:Understanding the Emotions of a Career Change
Feb 5, 2008 – Facilitator:  Maria Wojtczak

Creating Your Vision and Personal Marketing Plan
Feb 19, 2008 – Facilitator:  Jim O’Hara

Developing Your Resume
March 4, 2008 – Facilitator:  Martha Rockwell

Creating Leads, Networking
March 18, 2008 – Facilitator:  Martha Rockwell

Interviewing Skills, Part I
April 1, 2008 – Facilitator:  Jim O’Hara

Interviewing Skills, Part II
April 15, 2008 – Facilitator:  Jim O’Hara

Negotiating the Offer
May 6, 2008 – Facilitator:  TBA

Chris Vicari
Founder & President

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Meetings are held on the first and third TUESDAY mornings, from 9:00-11:30 AM.

We are a community group that meets at and uses space provided by Temple

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NEXT MEETING: TUES, FEB 5, 2008

Join us for the roll out of the SJN CURRICULUM on the Job Search Process  UNDERSTANDING THE EMOTIONS OF A CAREER CHANGE Have you been “down-sized,” “right-sized,” “acquired,” “merged”? No matter what the cause, you find yourself out of work. In this time of transition, you will experience a roller coaster of emotions. Join us when SJN Board member and member of the Curriculum Development Committee, Maria Wojtczak, helps participants understand the emotions that may surface during the job transition period.  Maria will share strategies for coping with those emotions. Moving forward, you’ll find it easier to focus energies on your job search and next employment opportunity.  Maria Wojtczak has 20+ years of organization development (OD) experience and worked with a wide range of organizations. She has worked with Chris Vicari, Director of the Scottsdale Job Network, offering the Passions workshop and Job Transition workshops for the last five years.  She currently serves on the SJN Board and is a member of the Curriculum Development committee.  Maria is a graduate of the University of

* * * * * * * * * *Meetings are open to the public.
In order not to discourage unemployed and under-employed workers from attending SJN meetings, we do not ask meeting fees or membership dues. However, we appreciate your donations to cover our operating expenses.

SJN is a non-profit community group of business leaders and volunteers. We are not a job placement forum, and we do not match candidates to openings nor do we send resumes to employers or recruiters. There is no guarantee of employment either directly through this group or as a result of association with SJN.  We do, however, provide education in the job search process and all attendees have the opportunity to meet and work with people who offer support and guidance during employment transition. 

SJN CELEBRATES SUPPORT OF OVER 300 JOB SEEKERS IN 2007
One-of-a-Kind Training Curriculum Being Announced on December 18^th 

(Scottsdale, Arizona – December 10, 2007)  SJN continues to expand its support of job seekers in the Valley, and in recognition of the continued success, a celebration for current members and alumni is schedule for December 18^th at 11:30 am.

On the 18^th a special announcement will be made concerning new job transition training curriculum available for job seekers: it will be rolled-out by SJN early in 2008.  “Our vision of providing all job seekers a well-rounded support system including training in key skills areas is being fully-realized”, said Chris Vicari, founder and head of SJN.

The SJN curriculum is designed to provide training and practice in the job search process that job-seekers need to be successful. Unlike other programs, there is little or no cost at SJN, and participants get to network with other job seekers and key members of the business community to help in their search.  The training areas will be: 

1. Understanding the emotions of a career change
2. Creating your vision
3. Creating your personal marketing plan
4. Developing your resume
5. Creating leads and networking skills
6. Interviewing skills
7. Managing job offers

The workshops will be offered at the SJN monthly meetings throughout 2008.  Job seekers can start at the beginning of the curriculum and work their way through the entire process or come to workshops of particular interest.  The new program will launch in February, 2008 and feature a variety of local businesspeople as workshop facilitators.

The announcement will follow the regular meeting of SJN on December 18^th.  We’ll also have a celebration luncheon with door prizes and gifts to thank the many volunteers who have made it possible.  All are welcome to celebrate our best year ever in 2007, and look forward to helping the job-seeking community in 2008. Meetings of SJN are held at

About SJN

SJN provides job transition training, personal connections, access to resources and moral support for job seekers through a Valley-wide network of passionate volunteers.  Membership is open to people who are unemployed or under-employed, and those who are willing to network, share their skills and help others.  Programs are supported by volunteers, sponsors and donations.  Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month 9:00-11:30 am.  Visit www.scottsdalejobnet.com.

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Meetings are held on the first and third TUESDAY mornings, from 9:00-11:30 AM.  We are a community group that meets at and uses space provided free of charge by:

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.    

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

SJN - 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 industry, technology, government, finance, coaching and recruiting to discuss job search fundamentals including developing a marketing plan, writing a resume, networking and interviewing.

You are invited to read about SJN in the PAGES on this website. We welcome your participation in this community service program offered to all our neighbors in career transition (not just Scottsdale residents) and employers searching for talented workers.

Chris Vicari
Founder & Executive Director
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Meetings are held on the first and third TUESDAY mornings, from 9:00-11:30 AM.  We are a community group that meets at and uses space provided free of charge by:

Temple Chai
4645 East Marilyn Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85032

Temple Chai is centrally located just east of the Piestawa Freeway (Route 51) and south of the loop 101. Marilyn Road is just west of Tatum Blvd. between Thunderbird and Greenway Roads. Click here for a location map on MapQuest

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NEXT MEETING: TUES, SEPT 18

Guest speaker:

Matt Moran, Business Consultant
Author “IT Career Builder’s Toolkit”
http://www.KreativeKnowledge.com