SJN - Scottsdale Job Network

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Scottsdale Job Network (SJN)?
Scottsdale Job Network (SJN) is a non-profit community service group of business leaders and volunteers. We 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 is not a job placement forum. 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.

How does the Scottsdale Job Network (SJN) help job seekers?
Professional facilitators, trainers, career coaches and recruiters share their expertise to support the career transitions of our neighbors. In addition to offering timely market information and resume reviews, we share the knowledge learned through our own career transition experiences. This is an upbeat program where we listen and learn, find direction, and celebrate landings!

What motivates you to offer this program?
We are neighbors who care about our community and have compassion for unemployed workers and their families. Supporters of this program have all felt the sting and frustration of being without a steady income, a sense of direction and hope for the future. Our goal is to build a program that assures job seekers a secure place to learn while developing supportive relationships and working towards their goals.

Do you find jobs for people?
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.

How does SJN differ from an outplacement company?

• Our services are free. Professionals who have a desire to give back to the community provide their time and talent to assist others.
• We deal with people on a human level—people to walk the journey with you, addressing emotional issues of job transition and life redirection as well as the development of job search skills.
• More intensive because of structure—real world: you’re working with people who do this work everyday.
• You’ll learn what a job search entails and why each component is important.
• We offer tools and strategies and encourage you to use and implement them.
• Recruiter resources attend meetings.
• We are executives on both sides of issue (we’ve been unemployed).
• We take time to help you make networking connections in the community.
• If people are pro-active, the program helps them psychologically.
• Our meetings are a workshop environment – allowing time to work with people through the use of exercises.
• We plan ahead with facilitators, speakers and subjects that meet job seeker needs.

How does local business participate in SJN?
Local business owners and decision makers are a great asset to our network. They participate in several ways. They give back to the community by making talented employees available to share their knowledge and skills with the community. Employers create goodwill by supporting job growth in Arizona and making presentations on points of interest. Local businesses have the opportunity to address their staffing needs by tapping into the pool of talented workers who participate in SJN.

Do you help young and mature workers?
Yes, absolutely! For the mature workers, we have connections to resources that specialize in tapping the skill and experience of older workers. First-time job seekers, and all levels, benefit from resume reviews, guidance on networking, tips on interviewing and information on community resources to aid their searches.

Do you have an online job board?
Any jobs that come to us are posted in our Yahoo Group, an intranet vehicle that allows members, including recruiters, to stay connected 24/7. We do not match workers to jobs nor do we submit resumes to employers. Interested candidates will apply directly to employers.

There is a link on our website to Jobing.com’s online jobs for Phoenix. This is a place for job seekers to post their resume for free. Employers seeking to promote a position through this service will pay a fee, and SJN does not benefit from the payment.

Employers can sign up to be members of our Yahoo Group. This enables them to e-mail job opportunities directly to the Yahoo Group. Interested candidates will respond directly to the employer.

What other function does the Yahoo Group serve?
We use Yahoo Group to provide an email forum for job leads, contact requests, meeting and event announcements, helpful articles and more. The Files section includes the SJN Membership List, local networking groups information, SJN meeting presentations, practical job search information and links to many, many helpful resources. This 24/7 resource was developed by SJN volunteers.

How can I join the Yahoo Group for SJN?
To participate in the Yahoo Group, attend one meeting and fill out a form requesting membership in SJN and our Yahoo Group.

Where do you meet?
We meet at and use space provided by our generous and caring neighbor, Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix, AZ 85032-4839 Click here for a location map on MapQuest

What happens in a typical meeting?
Meetings are opportunities for networking, learning new job seeking skills, and working with people who genuinely care about you and your job search. Meeting participants (job seekers, employers, recruiters, volunteers) arrive between 9:00 and 9:30 A.M. and start networking with others, including other job seekers, supporters from the business community, hiring managers, recruiters and volunteers.

Professionals from the Resume Writers Council of AZ are available for resume critiques.

At 9:30, the meeting facilitator welcomes everyone and shares information on SJN and ways this group can help your search. The facilitator asks for announcements, and the group hears from former job seekers who have accepted job offers.

The facilitator a networking activity for each participant to share a 30 elevator speech.

Each meeting has a guest speaker who is always interesting and informative! (See EVENTS CALENDAR for future programs). The speaker shares experience and insight in an area related to the job search process. The speakers work hard to engage members in an interactive session on the meeting topic—they love your participation!

We wrap up with meeting feedback and announcement of the next meeting, with additional time for networking.

At our meetings you have the opportunity to meet others, share your needs and get helpful information from the guest speaker and other professionals attending the meeting. Often connections are made and individual support is given as requested or required by the job seeker. You’ll always be directed to different people who can help you.

What sets our meetings apart are (1) hands-on training in the job search process, (2) the special connections you’ll make and (3) the personal help you’ll receive that will assist you in your job search, and in your career.

How should I dress for SJN meetings?
Business casual is the preferred dress. Some participants wear jackets, occasionally ties. Not recommended: jeans or shorts.

Do I need to pre-register or sign up to attend a meeting?
No pre-registration is required for our meetings. Simply arrive at 9 AM for networking before the program starts, to register as a member of SJN and set up an invitation to join our Yahoo Group, if desired.

How should I prepare and what should I bring to your meetings?
You should bring copies of your resume which can be offered to any recruiter attending the meeting. Your resume can be reviewed by professionals from the Resume Writers Council of Arizona, a no-charge service. We recommend having a personal business card. It should be simple, and have your name, contact info (tel number and email address), plus your job title, if known. Bring a warm smile and a strong handshake. And, you should prepare a 30-second elevator speech.

What is an elevator speech and how do I create one?
http://www.scottsdalejobnet.com/the-pros-talk/what-is-an-elevator-speech/

How many people usually attend the meetings?
Since meetings are open to the public, we never know exactly how many will be joining us. There has been a steady rise in attendance as the reputation of the group has spread throughout the Valley. Also, since roll out of the SJN Curriculum on the Job Search Process, meeting participation is ranging from 80 - 100 people. No matter the number, we always strive to deliver individual attention to participants.

What is the typical background of the people who attend SJN meetings?
Generally, our members are experienced professionals with college degrees from a variety of fields and industries. We also have young people who are looking for their first professional job, others returning to the workforce, and retirees searching for a new beginning. We see people currently employed in the Valley looking to share information and support others in their job and career decisions. Others who just moved to the Valley join us to start building their business connections and networks. And, recruiters from local companies and recruiting agencies are often in attendance.

What are the dues or fees?
We do not require membership dues or meeting fees to allow everyone who is in job transition to be able to participate at our meetings. To cover operating costs, 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.

When hired, do members stay connected to SJN?
When SJN members are hired, we encourage them to stay connected to nurture and build their business networks. Those networks are their best leverage if they are job seekers again and to also support their career development.

Yes, working members are a very important part of our network!  These Supporter members give back to SJN and function as resources for their industry, company and personal connections. They participate in our networking meetings and evening events, keeping SJN in mind when they hear of opportunities. Some return to be guest speakers, and some take on leadership roles in the organization. Supporters share their transition experiences and offer connections to others in their job search and career transition.

How do I contact Scottsdale Job Network to share a job opening, volunteer or with other questions?

Contact Us:

Email:     info@scottsdalejobnet.com
V-mail:  (480) 513-1491
Mail:       P.O. Box 25674, Scottsdale AZ 85255