Career Of Your Dreams - Best Companies To Work For In Arizona · A great way to do this is to start...

1 www.bestcompaniesaz.com | Fall - Winter 2015

Arizona Diversity Council

Arizona Hispanic Chamber

Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration

Career Connectors

Conscious Connections

LocalWork

AZ Business Magazine

Republic Media

National Black MBA Association - Phoenix

Networking Phoenix

One Community

TechFetch.com

Wilkes University

The Pulse

Find The

Career Of Your Dreams At One Of These Great Companies

Sponsors

Resource Partners

Media Partners

Denise GredlerFounder and CEO

W E L C O M E F R O M

Denise Gredler and the

BestCompaniesAZ team

The time couldn’t be better for diverse people to fi nd dream jobs. Top employers now recognize that cultivating diversity isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s an essential business strategy that encourages innovation and creativity. These companies look to BestCompaniesAZ to help them fi nd diverse talent. Your ideal company just might be looking for you today.

BestCompaniesAZ is honored to welcome you to this event. As employer branding experts in Arizona since 2003, we help people fi nd the jobs of their dreams by connecting them with top companies.

Everyone wants to be valued at their job, enjoy their manager and co-workers, and do meaningful work. By only working with companies whose employees have given them top ratings in these areas, we increase the chance you’ll fi nd the right fi t.

You can research profi les of award-winning companies at www.bestcompaniesaz.com/best-careers. There, you’ll fi nd information that sometimes isn’t on the corporate sites, and you can apply for positions directly. When you apply for positions, be sure to mention BestCompaniesAZ. In addition, you’ll fi nd resources and information on our Career Advice page to help you strategize your career growth and make yourself the obvious choice for a top employer.

Be sure to visit bestcompaniesaz.com and subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming events. Refer your friends. We want to help you fi nd the job of your dreams with a great company.

Dignity Health is a proud Sponsor of the BestCompaniesAZ Career Events. We are proud to be recognized as an award winning company. With a growing network of hospitals throughout Arizona, California and Nevada, Dignity Health is one of the nation’s leading hospital networks. We invite you to join us as we work to inspire a stronger, safer and healthier world.

Choose a career that gives back: www.dignityhealthcareers.org

Connect with us:

Serving proudly with humankindness.

National Black MBA Association - Phoenix

Networking Phoenix

One Community

TechFetch.com

Wilkes University

The Pulse


FIND YOUR NEXT CAREER

et’s face it: social media and the internet have taken over our lives! Perceptions and desires that once were driven by “traditional” media such as television and print are now controlled by the almighty mobile device. Many have tried to resist the impact of social media on our daily lives, scoffing at the “poor etiquette” or “lack of real conversation” that technology has created. Love it or hate it, this new way of obtaining information is here to stay. So, will you allow social and online media to enhance or inhibit your online brand? According to the August 2014 Social Recruiting Survey conducted by Jobvite, 93% of recruiters will look at a candidate’s online profile before making a hiring decision. With that in mind, can you afford to not take ownership of your online persona? You can make major headway in cleaning up your online brand in just seven days. Here’s how:

Day One: First things first: You need to get an idea of where your brand is at. Google yourself. Click through at least the first two pages of search results and open every link. Would you hire you? Audit your search results for items you would rather not have people see, and make a list of things you do want them to know. The following steps will help address some of the items you uncover.

Day Two: Time to update your profile and cover photos. If you are currently in career transition or open to new opportunities, this includes not only your LinkedIn photo but also your Facebook, Twitter, and other profile pics. Your LinkedIn photo should feature you in business casual or better dress (depending on your industry) with no other people, pets, or props. While recruiters expect that your Facebook or Twitter photos will be a bit more casual, definitely swap that selfie you took last Saturday night with a nice shot from your sister’s wedding or your vacation to Europe.

Day Three: Tighten up your privacy settings, in particular for Facebook, Twitter, and other channels that are typically more personal than professional in nature. Make sure only friends can see your photos, or photos that you are tagged in. Better yet, set your Facebook settings so that you have to approve all tags. Consider relaxing your contact settings a bit, or displaying your personal email address on your profile so that recruiters or potential business connections are able to contact you.Day Four: Check yourself, before you wreck your brand! Review your social profiles for typos, grammatical errors, and especially accuracy. According to Jobvite, 31% of social media job seekers have inflated their skills. This tactic puts

How to Improve Your Online Brand in 7 Days

you in the danger zone. I have heard of candidates losing out on job offers because of LinkedIn profiles not jibing with resume info.

Day Five: Up until this point, you have been in damage control mode. Now, it’s time to start enhancing your online image. Update your social profiles with every single award, accolade, educational achievement, and certification you have. Add relevant projects and presentations to your LinkedIn profile so that others can see your great work.

Day Six*: Emerge as a subject matter expert in your field. A great way to do this is to start a blog. With dozens of free blogging platforms such as Wordpress or Blogger at your disposal, you can easily share your experiences with the online universe. Blogs are also a great way to take control of how you appear in search engine rankings, potentially pushing negative content down in search results. Nervous about your writing skills? You can help educate your network by actively sharing relevant news articles with your networks via status updates or within groups.

Day Seven*: Ask others to vouch for you. Review sites like Yelp have become increasingly popular because most of us naturally trust neutral third party endorsements. Ask at least one colleague and manager for each role you have held if they would mind writing a quick review of your work on LinkedIn. Don’t forget to return the favor by offering an endorsement in return. Whether currently in transition or just dusting off your professional image, recognize that millions of people have access to your online brand. That is both a scary and exciting concept! Taking ownership of your online brand will help to remove the fear factor and ensure you are perceived in the virtual world as the respected, knowledgeable professional that you are.

* Before starting a blog, sharing/liking articles, or requesting endorsements from colleagues, consider your current employer’s policies and any regulatory restrictions that may be imposed on your industry.

About the Author: Shannon Grimes is a Phoenix-based talent attraction manager for Schwab, and her work focuses on connecting with job seekers at networking events, information sessions and career fairs.

This post by Shannon Grimes originally appeared on the Schwab Career Investments Blog. Re-posted with permission.

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Shannon Grimes Charles Schwab


very job seeker wants to find the perfect job, almost as much as every corporation wants to find the perfect candidate. At BestCompaniesAZ, our goal is

to make that process easier by helping the BEST employers find the BEST candidates. We’ve conducted a great deal of research in this field, and have some tips and pointers to give job seekers every advantage for a successful outcome.

1. Know Your Strengths and Transferable Skills What makes YOU unique within the context of the job you are seeking? Are you creative? Systematic? Visionary? Organized? Flexible? Perfectionist?

2. Research the Hiring Companies Interestingly, while technical skills and experience certainly count high on the list of any employer, companies often place an even higher value on hiring candidates with the right personality to blend well with their corporate culture. Start by reviewing the company profile online at:

www.BestCompaniesAZ.com/companies

If you like what you see, we have additional resources on our website to help you identify companies that best align with your values and interests.

3. Review the Career Openings in Advance and Build Your Resume Know the types of jobs that fit your skills, abilities and interests. Apply online prior to the event if you find a potential match. Although most hiring companies will not be able to collect resumes on site, we still encourage you to bring a supply with you to the event, and come prepared to collect business cards and take notes.

4. Develop your “personal pitch” and share your stories

With limited time at a career event you only have

just a few minutes to “wow” the recruiter with your personal story and why you’d be a great fit for them. When employers ask about you, deliver a personal pitch that tells the employer in 30 – 60 seconds the following points:

• Your background and who you are• What are you passionate about (tie this in with

the company mission, vision and values)• What value can you provide (your past

experiences in that field)

5. Manage Your Online Brand “Google” yourself to see what comes up on the first few pages. Be aware of your online presence, because hiring companies are checking you out before they meet you in person. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is fully developed and expand your contacts through groups that connect to your field. Recruiters and employers are using social media sites to fill their positions. Make it easy for them to find you.

6. Expand Your Network – Talk to friends and family Award-winning companies receive thousands of resumes, but if someone comes referred by a friend or family member, they often go to the top of the list.

7. Prepare and PracticePractice telling your personal story to your family

and friends. Create mock interview questions and review scenarios for each company of interest. From company websites you can explore company culture by watching videos, reviewing Facebook and Twitter channels, learning more about the leadership team and current press releases.

We wish you much success!

Job Seeker Tips on How to Get Hired by the BEST!

At Synchrony Financial, our vision is to build teams reflective of the markets that we serve and deliver optimal client solutions informed by these diverse perspectives. When you join the Synchrony Financial team, you’ll find people who are exactly like you in one way…they embrace all the ways we’re different. We celebrate each employee’s individuality, and embrace their unique skills to inspire the diversity of thought that inevitably fuel innovation. Diversity is our number one competitive advantage.

To cultivate this spirit of inclusion, we have seven Diversity & Inclusion Networks. These networks are close-knit groups formed around common interests and goals, and are designed to reflect you, support you, and help you engage even more with Synchrony Financial. They help us keep our promise to attract and develop diverse talent and empower all employees to excel and feel supported so they can reach their full potential.

African American NetworkAsian Professional Engagement NetworkHispanic NetworkLGBT Partnership NetworkPeople with Disabilities NetworkVeterans NetworkWomen’s Network

To learn more and apply, please visit diversity.synchronyfinancial.com

Engage with a team that knows we’re greater together.

Our Seven Diversity & Inclusion Networks:

Engage with us.

507480_022_Synchrony_Diversity_Ad_8x10.875.indd 1 05/08/2015 19:28

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At Synchrony Financial, our vision is to build teams reflective of the markets that we serve and deliver optimal client solutions informed by these diverse perspectives. When you join the Synchrony Financial team, you’ll find people who are exactly like you in one way…they embrace all the ways we’re different. We celebrate each employee’s individuality, and embrace their unique skills to inspire the diversity of thought that inevitably fuel innovation. Diversity is our number one competitive advantage.

To cultivate this spirit of inclusion, we have seven Diversity & Inclusion Networks. These networks are close-knit groups formed around common interests and goals, and are designed to reflect you, support you, and help you engage even more with Synchrony Financial. They help us keep our promise to attract and develop diverse talent and empower all employees to excel and feel supported so they can reach their full potential.

African American NetworkAsian Professional Engagement NetworkHispanic NetworkLGBT Partnership NetworkPeople with Disabilities NetworkVeterans NetworkWomen’s Network

To learn more and apply, please visit diversity.synchronyfinancial.com

Engage with a team that knows we’re greater together.

Our Seven Diversity & Inclusion Networks:

Engage with us.

507480_022_Synchrony_Diversity_Ad_8x10.875.indd 1 05/08/2015 19:28


Many talents. Many backgrounds. One purpose.Every associate at Edward

Jones is dedicated to one

purpose: helping our clients

achieve their long-term financial

goals – like sending their kids to

college or retiring comfortably.

Our success is based on the

cumulative contributions of

many individuals; that’s why

we look for individuals with

di�erent skills, backgrounds and

perspectives to serve our nearly

7 million clients e�ectively.

Learn about our opportunities and apply at www.careers.edwardjones.com.

HMR-7842A-A-A4

iversity and inclusion programs make companies more innovative. Research proves that. Yet many organizations struggle with building a diverse and

inclusive team, especially at the leadership level. Best companies don’t give up, and they get results. Here are six proven ways to improve diversity in your organization.

1. Create ERGs. Affinity Groups or ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) allow those with similar and underrepresented backgrounds to network, mentor each other, and share information. While it may seem ironic to think about a separate group fostering inclusiveness, these groups have received a thumbs-up from employees and researchers. At Charles Schwab, 25% of employees belong to at least one ERG.

2. Leaders – own it. To promote diversity at Medtronic, the Vice President/General Manager serves on an Inclusion Coalition and assists in the development of its Action Plan, along with others from all functions of the organization. The VP/GM then requires all managers and employees to support the implementation of the Plan through the company’s review process. They walk the talk. In Arizona, the executive team is an example of leadership diversity. Composed of tvwelve individuals at the Director/Sr. Director level, the team includes six females and two ethnically diverse individuals.

3. Broaden your perspectives. Diversity is really an innovation initiative. Think of diversity as the opportunity to bring different points of view to your team, like Synchrony Financial does. Edward Jones offters an Inclusion Mentoring Program to encourage cross-cultural relationships to learn about each other and their cultures.

4. Focus your outreach. The same message will not necessarily resonate with all diverse candidates. USAA speaks the language of service, appealing to veterans. GoDaddy publicly changed their male-dominated brand in order to appeal to women in tech.

5. Make your employer brand match your consumer brand. Dignity Health extends their external message of “Humankindness” inside the organization, stating “Diversity is not just an initiative, it’s the true nature of who we are”. The message is clear for both patients and job seekers.

6. Seek out diversity award opportunities. In addition to workplace culture and industry awards, diversity awards can help your efforts gain traction. Many of the best companies in Arizona rely on BestCompaniesAZ to help navigate list nominations.

All the companies above, plus many more, are participating in BestCompaniesAZ 2015 Diversity and Inclusion Career Event on August 13. This event provides a great opportunity to promote their diverse and inclusive organizations to a targeted group of job seekers from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

6 Diversity Secrets from Top Employers

Lee VikreHiring Jedi

About the AuthorA workplace culture maven, writer, and speaker, Lee Vikre has helped numerous companies develop “best company” cultures, gaining recognition at the local and national level. Lee has been called the Jedi Master of hiring because of her exceptional recruiting abilities and friendships with people who love Star Wars. Her favorite activities involve matching people with their dream jobs at award-winning best companies. Lee coaches CEOs but still hasn’t been able to train her three dogs not to bark during conference calls.

Want to learn more about building your employer brand by becoming a best company? BestCompaniesAZ identifies, develops and promotes top employers in Arizona, contact us to get started!

“Best companies don’t give up, and they get results.”

D


Many talents. Many backgrounds. One purpose.Every associate at Edward

Jones is dedicated to one

purpose: helping our clients

achieve their long-term financial

goals – like sending their kids to

college or retiring comfortably.

Our success is based on the

cumulative contributions of

many individuals; that’s why

we look for individuals with

di�erent skills, backgrounds and

perspectives to serve our nearly

7 million clients e�ectively.

Learn about our opportunities and apply at www.careers.edwardjones.com.

HMR-7842A-A-A4


PRODUCTION ONLY

10000170-NY10094VANGRO3.5” x 9.625”Stephany Acosta v.3

Vanguard’s culture of respect, stability, and development allow me to chart my own course.

Make your mark with an industry leader. Join Us.

I am valued.

Connect with Vanguard®

vanguard.com/careersFollow us:

Vanguard is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

AB | January-February 2015 10 AB | January-February 2015 10


ompanies are hiring based on referrals and networking. Gone are the days of submitting applications, interviewing, and getting a job offer.

Even more than specific experience, prospective employers want candidates who fit within their corporate culture. Referrals increase their chances of finding a culture fit, so networking is an effective way to get your foot in the door.

Here are some tips for networking your way to a new job:

1. Business Card: Create a simple business card with your contact information and perhaps the type of position you are looking for. Have them printed with an affordable company such as GotPrint or Vistaprint.

2. Professional Headshot: You need to have a profess-ional quality headshot for your LinkedIn and other social media accounts. If you’re in the Phoenix area, you can get a FREE headshot at a Career Connectors event.

3. Dress for Success: Whether you’re heading to an interview or a networking event, dress for success. Shine your shoes, get a haircut, and put on your best business attire.

4. Know your elevator speech: This boils down to knowing the type of job and workplace culture that you want and being able to easily articulate it. It’s called an elevator speech because it should be concise enough to deliver on an elevator ride.

5. Work your network: Within both social and professional networks, give your connections enough information about what you are looking for so they can pass along job leads.

Tips for Networking Your Way to a Job by Jessica Pierce, Executive Director, Career Connectors

C

Here’s to you finding the right fit andnetworking your way to a new job!

Our most valuable tip is to use local jobseeker referral resources like

www.CareerConnectors.org and

www.BestCompaniesAZ.com --- your direct connection to Arizona’s top employers.Phoenix

Gilbert

Scottsdale

1st Wednesday of every month8:30am – 12:00pmNorth Phoenix Baptist Church, Building B5757 N Central AvePhoenix, AZ 850124th Tuesday of every month8:30am – 12:00pmCentral Christian Church, Gilbert Campus,Student Center965 East Germann RdGilbert, AZ 852972nd Thursday of every month8:30am – 12:00pmHighlands Church9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255


SEEK

REFERRAL PARTNERS

6. Seek Local Referral Partners: Our most valuable tip is use local job seeker referral resources like www.CareerConnectors.org and

www.BestCompaniesAZ.com. We are your direct connection to Arizona’s top employers.

www.bestcompaniesaz.com | Fall - Winter 2015 12

eing born with Muscular Dystrophy has provided me

with some challenges in my life, many coming in the form of the inability to help myself with simple day-to-day tasks. From getting out of bed, to getting dressed, to even eating a meal -- I’ve always required assistance from someone when it comes to most physical activities. Fortunately, I was

blessed with a sharp mind, a positive attitude, and a feverish desire to overcome obstacles and not allow my physical disability serve as an excuse for me not accomplishing my goals and seeing myself succeed.

Two of my biggest passions in life are fi lm and writing. Ever since I was young I’ve been enamored by what is brought to life on the big screen, and I would quench my creative cravings by writing short stories. This led me to ASU, where I received my BA in Filmmaking Practices and was ready to

Tips for Networking Your Way to a Job by Jessica Pierce, Executive Director, Career Connectors

BeYOUR

FIVe star

with a Career

Iat Yelpyelp.com/careers

#fivestarcareer

Self

OPEN OR1/2 PGGO DADDY

B

1st Wednesday of every month8:30am – 12:00pmNorth Phoenix Baptist Church, Building B5757 N Central AvePhoenix, AZ 850124th Tuesday of every month8:30am – 12:00pmCentral Christian Church, Gilbert Campus,Student Center965 East Germann RdGilbert, AZ 852972nd Thursday of every month8:30am – 12:00pmHighlands Church9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

James Wogan,a Yelp employee’s Story

go after a career in professional fi lm. However, this proved more diffi cult than I had anticipated, so I sought out other options.

Needing a job, I looked for companies that I knew could support the extenuating circumstances of my physical disability while understanding that I did not want to be, nor needed to be, treated diff erently than anyone else. After doing a search for ‘Best places to work in Scottsdale,’ I was surprised to see Yelp come up at the top of the list. After watching interviews about the culture and Yelp’s desire to cultivate success for all their employees, I quickly applied and was fortunate enough to become an employee just a few short weeks after.

As someone with a physical disability, I am beyond blessed to work for a company that has no issues accommodating my needs...

To Read more of James Wogan’s Story and Work at Yelp,visit our Blog at www.BestCompaniesAZ.com

James WoganYelp Employee


support, you may enjoy a company that has created Employee Resource Groups or Affinity Networks. These groups provide opportunities for people who share backgrounds or interests to network. Two examples are Charles Schwab and Synchrony Financial.

3. Know what motivates you. If you are motivated by serving a diverse population, Dignity Health’s “humankindness” inclusiveness may appeal to you.

4. Pick the winners. Companies that are truly committed often have won awards for diversity. One example is Medtronic, one of the Top 50 companies for diversity. In general, award winning companies are likely to be ahead of the curve in diversity efforts, so the BestCompaniesAZ career page is a good place to start.

5. Create your own compelling story. How has your diverse background or perspective brought greater success to you, your companies in the past, your community? Think of times you exceeded expectations in some way. What was the situation? What did you do? What was the result? Tell your stories till you feel comfortable with them. When you meet with prospective employers, your specific stories will set you apart.

Here are five tips for diverse job seekers to find the job of your dreams.

1. Fish where the fish are. Focus your efforts on companies who show they not only value diversity in general, but may value your particular background. For example, veterans can be confident they’ll be appreciated at USAA. Are you female and interested in technology? GoDaddy is specifically reaching out to women in tech, providing opportunities in a predominantly male field.

2. Find your new mentor. If you’re looking for career

Are you “diverse”? Diversity isn’t just about gender, cultural or ethnic background, it’s also about bringing a different perspective or point of view to an organization. How can you find a great job when you see yourself as “different” and are not sure you’ll fit in?

Getting the Job of Your Dreams When You’re “Different” by Lee Vikre



Award-winning workplace.Game-changing service.Now hiring at zocdoc.com/careers

Which company reps I will speak with:

Visit www.bestcompaniesaz.com to research and review company profiles

Make a networking plan, e.g. Attend a Career Connectors Networking event

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My Plan...Today

Tomorrow

Next Week

Next Month

Notes


Aetna.....................................................13Charles Schwab......................................4Dignity Health........................................2Edward Jones.........................................8Fry’s Food Stores..................................17GoDaddy...............................................16Hyatt Regency - Phoenix......................14Progrexion Financial............................10Synchrony Financial..............................6Total Transit.........................................16USAA.....................................................17Yelp.......................................................12ZocDoc..................................................14

Our commitment to diversity starts with being an indispensable member of our community.

As an Arizona based company, every day we help thousands locally with convenient, safe, and

cost effective transportation solutions. We seek the best people who embrace

innovation and customer service excellence.

OPPORTUNIITIES INCLUDE (but not limited to):• I/C Rideshare Drivers (flex hours, drive your own car)• Bus Drivers (CDL w/ passenger endorsement required)• Customer Service Agent (part-time, option to work from home)

Learn more or apply today. Visit jobs.totaltransit.com

Alphabetical Index of

Hiring CompaniesVisit Company Profi les at

www.BestCompaniesAZ.com

17 www.bestcompaniesaz.com | Fall - Winter 2015 104 AB | January-February 2015

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