Join me for our free webinar on 3/24: “Winning a Successful Career Transition”

Hi Everyone,

I’m co-hosting a free webinar next Wednesday, with the ever-popular LinkedIn expert, Oscar Garcia, and Cory Hiromoto, who is a career expert on many social platforms.

We were on the All-Star Recruiter Panel a few weeks ago that had over 650 registrants. When over 150 stayed on after it ended for an extended Q&A session —  I realized there are many important questions you all have for a smarter job search.

So, we decided to host our own event to go into more depth on the big questions from that night – and with a live Q&A to specifically answer your questions.

Sign up below — and we look forward to seeing your smiling faces on Zoom!

Sue

Winning a Successful Career Transition
Wednesday, March 24^th
7:00 – 8:30 PM PDT

Register for this FREE webinar here:

Transitioning careers can be like riding a big wave. Scary, exciting and fast-changing.

In this FREE webinar, you’ll learn vital tips from the experts to turn the power of the wave in your favor.

Has your job been impacted by COVID? Are you employed yet considering a job or career change?

No matter your situation, it’s smart to pivot and find new ways to navigate the waves of change to find and create your best work.

Register now for this free webinar if you:

• Struggle with how to make your career story compelling to a recruiter or hiring manager
• Need to position a gap in your resume effectively (COVID, caring for children or a sick loved one)
• Would like help identifying strong industries to target
• Want to use tools like LinkedIn to market yourself successfully

Join us to get fresh tips and industry insights from a lively panel of hiring and career experts, followed by a Q&A session with the webinar attendees.

Oscar Garcia is the Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of Aspira Consulting, a Silicon Valley training and consulting firm. He is an introvert turned international speaker. Oscar has given over 400 seminars and trained over 16,000 professionals across five continents. His training style is of a “practrainer” – he actively practices what he trains others to do. He is also the host of the dynamic and engaging podcast, Career Talk With OG. As Chief Empowerment Officer, Oscar empowers you so opportunities come to you.

Cory Hiromoto is the Founder of Career Shakers and a Fortune 100 recruiter for one of the biggest and hottest companies. He has helped corporate professionals change careers and find their next job. He has spoken on the radio, workshops, technology events, and has a YouTube channel where he posts weekly career content.

Sue Connelly is the Founder of The KIT List, and President of Connelly Communications. Sue founded the KIT List community of over 72,000 job seekers, employers and recruiters to “help great people find great jobs.” It started when she was helping friends who had lost jobs. Sue’s REAL job is a marketing consultant creating marketing strategies and programs through Connelly Communications for high-tech and biotech companies.

KIT List is moving to a NEW platform!

Hello Everyone,

Since Yahoo Groups is closing in December, we’re moving the KIT List to a new, free platform called Groups.io.

Please subscribe today so you will continue to get job postings and career information before the KIT List on Yahoo Groups goes away.

How to join the NEW KIT List platform
You or your friends can join by sending an email to:
KIT-list+subscribe@groups.io
Once you reply to the confirmation email from Groups.io, you’ll be all set!

NOTE: If you don’t get the confirmation email, check your junk folder and then add Groups.io to your email approval list.

Or you can sign up via the page at: https://groups.io/g/KIT-list

Feel free to share this with other friends and colleagues who are looking for jobs, and with recruiters and employers looking for great employees or consultants. This is how we’ll help get everyone into work they’ll love.

To post a job
We’ll keep this process the same. Just go the KIT List website: www.KITlist.org

Thank you all who’ve given us ideas while we were researching all the platform options out there.

I chose Groups.io since it’s free to users, doesn’t use advertising, require a special email address, or sell your personal information…unlike some platforms which will remain unnamed. 😉  It also has a robust array of tools like wikis, polls, hosted chats, and other things that are no longer available on other platforms. We’ll roll those out at a later phase.

After all these years on Yahoo Groups, we’re grateful for what it was able to do to help us get jobs out to 72,000 people free of charge with over 175,000 job postings just since we moved to Yahoo Groups in 2000. I actually started it in 1997. It’s been truly meaningful and encouraging to hear from so many of you about the jobs, or multiple jobs, you’ve gotten from the KIT List community. That’s why we keep this going!

Now, we’re excited about continuing our mission to “Help great people find great jobs” in a strong, new platform.

Please sign up quickly, since we can’t migrate the group over, you’ll need to subscribe directly.

Warmly,

Sue and Kelly Connelly
KIT List Founder and Moderator

An Important Way to Share Your Talents for Social Good!

Hi Everyone,

I’ve heard from so many incredibly talented professionals that although they’ve dedicated their careers to doing great work for wonderful companies, they feel something is missing.

They want their work to have more intrinsic value — to make a positive difference in the world in a more direct way.

You can do just that through Encore!

I want to share this important organization with our KIT List community. Please also pass this on to friends and colleagues!

This is an excellent opportunity for mid- to late-career professionals looking to contribute their skills to the social impact sector of non-profits and government organizations.

There are Encore Fellowships that match seasoned professionals with high-impact, paid assignments.

Encore Fellowships provide a match to an organization needing your talent.

Fellows provide capacity-building expertise to non-profits to strengthen their organizations.

Some of the Many Benefits:

• Explore the social impact sector, learn how to transfer your skills to a new career path. 

• Earn a paid stipend of $25,000 for 1,000 hours of work, typically part-time for a year.

• Receive education, establish new contacts and create a personal network, and join a cohort of peers.

 

Close to 60% of Encore Fellows continue in their host organization full- or part-time, 8% continued with consulting within the social sector, with another 8% serving on a board after their fellowship ends.

Since 2009, thousands of Encore Fellows have provided over 2 million hours of service, at a fraction of their market value, contributing the equivalent of more than $200 million to not-for-profit organizations in over 50 metropolitan areas.

A Few Examples of Experts Needed

The Silicon Valley region has some of the following needs from host organizations. New positions are constantly added and skills in IT, operations, finance, marketing and HR are all needed, so be sure to check their website!

• A CFO-level professional to work with a CEO of a large, youth-serving organization on presenting the right financial data in meaningful ways to stakeholders.

• A seasoned marketing professional for an education organization.

• An IT executive to work with a large community foundation on new systems to implement for a transaction processing environment.

• A director-level finance professional to work on analyzing the profits and losses of services and products from a large community foundation.

• Someone to create a business model for a non-profit focused on media and community access from existing products and services.

• A finance/operations professional to develop and manage a streamlined process for internal and external grant reporting; and best use Salesforce to manage donors, grant reporting, and operational effectiveness for a housing organization.

The Process:

Fellow candidates apply to the program. Once they have applied, they will be contacted to discuss their interests and fit. Matching can take several weeks to months, depending on applicant skills, interests and geographical preferences and host needs. If you’re interested, learn more and apply here!

If you want to put your deep expertise and talents to work for a great cause, consider an Encore Fellowship!

Warmly,

Sue

You’re invited to two events! Job Strategies Expert Panel on 5/20 and Salary Negotiations on 5/21.

Hi Everyone,

I’ll be on a panel along with some savvy industry experts on how to land your dream job (or get a promotion!) on Monday, May 20th.

The second event the following evening will cover Salary Negotiations.

Both events are free and you are welcome to come — and to share this invitation with friends and colleagues. Due to space limits, you must register first!


Job and Career Panel Sponsored by LinkedIn Local
Monday, May 20th
7:00 – 8:30 PM
Northside Branch of the Santa Clara Library
695 Moreland Way, Santa Clara, CA

Join us for a lively and informative panel discussion sprinkled with important tips that could make the difference in nailing your next job, with some great stories as examples — and a few laughs as well!

Hear from the expert panel:

• Oscar Garcia, the ever-engaging and inspiring Linkedin and networking expert and founder of Aspira
• Sue Connelly, the founder of The KIT List
• Krista Mollion, our LinkedInLocal Bay Area Host
• Albert Qian, the founder of Albert’s List
• Connie Brock, the former Program Manager at ProMatch (which has been an excellent resource for many KIT List members!)

Register* (for adults ONLY) at:
https://nslinkedinlocalmay2019.eventbrite.com

NOTE: Registration does not guarantee entry if you’re not on time for the program and the doors close. 

Santa Clara City Library has teamed up with LinkedInLocal Bay Area to provide potential job seekers tools to increase their network. We have assembled an all-star job and career panel that will help you get to your next promotion or job opportunity.

About LinkedInLocal:
LinkedInLocal is a community driven initiative, of super-keen LinkedIn users, not affliated with Linkedin company, to take online connections offline, by hosting local professional networking events worldwide. In just one year, it has really taken off and at last count has 20,000 members in 61 countries, with almost 650 hosts and co-hosts. Read more here and about the SF Bay Area group  here.

 

Salary Negotiation Seminar
Tuesday, May 21st
7:00 – 8:00 PM
Northside Branch Library
695 Moreland Way, Santa Clara, CA

Salary negotiation is one of the most difficult skills for job seekers to master. According to Monster.com, 43% of workers think they are underpaid. Learn how to get paid adequately negotiate your salary!

Learn how to:

• Effectively research your position’s peak compensation.
• Figure out your opening job offer.
• Advocate for your knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Decide when to accept or decline a salary… and do it gracefully without scaring your future employer.

Register* (for adults ONLY) here: https://nssalarymay2019.eventbrite.com

*A ticket does not guarantee entry to the program if you do not arrive on time. Any leftover seats will be given away to the waitlist after the doors open. Doors will close immediately after the event begins or after the event reaches capacity. Your attendance to this program grants permission to the City of Santa Clara to take your photograph and/or your child’s photograph for marketing purposes.

 

See you next Monday at the panel event! And you’re also welcome to sign up for the Salary Negotiations event the next evening.

Here’s to finding a job that you’ll love!

Sue

 

3 Tips for Building a Healthy Network

By René Siegel, CEO, Connext

Hello Everyone! I asked René Siegel, a long-time supporter of the KIT List who hires consultants for high tech clients, to share her best tips on job networking. René has also generously shared her time, wisdom and wit at a KIT List event on a panel of hiring experts. Read on and try these out!
– Sue

Building your personal network sounds as simple as finding people you like or with whom you have something in common. We think of them as our posse, our community, our peeps. Perhaps people who inspire us.

But here’s what people don’t tell you about networking. Your circle can also be a cage. You can surround yourself with the same people, for years and years, without making sure they’re the right people for you, right now.

Here are three tips for building a healthy network:

1. More is not better.
You may assume the more connections and opportunities you have the better. I have thousands of connections but only a few dozen are truly my dearest colleagues, the ones I rely on to inspire me and always have my back. It’s like weeding your garden. You need to keep pulling the weeds or they will overtake and ruin your garden. Working with people you already trust increases your chances of success and reduces headaches. You don’t have to delete them, but, you can say no (no, thank you) to bad business and bad people as you carefully build your brand.

2. Take me or leave me.
Many people only come around when they want something from you—like the ever popular “Can I pick your brain?” request. Be selective with whom you share your expertise. Sometimes it can lead to a lucrative opportunity, but mostly you’re just adding coins to the karma bucket and that’s okay, too. Delete those who drain your mojo. And if you’re going to be generous with your time and expertise, don’t be afraid to ask for something in return like a referral or recommendation.

3. The more diverse, the better.
No matter the stage of your career, you need to proactively meet people who are different than you. Different ages, different industries, different expertise, different backgrounds. After a 20-year career working with lots of 20-year veteran colleagues, I started speaking to university classes. That led to a part-time teaching role that re-energized my business model! You’ll be far more marketable if you’re surrounded by diverse people who challenge what you know with their ideas and experience.

Everyone in your circle might not be in your corner. It’s your responsibility to attract the right people and repel the wrong ones. Be picky about the people you invest your time with and go the extra mile for.

There are bad clients and crazy bosses who may want to take advantage of you. People can suck the life out of you—if you let them.

You should be picky about the people you invest your time with and go the extra mile for. Not everyone deserves that from you.

 

 About the Author

René Shimada Siegel is extremely passionate about empowering colleagues and advocating for the next generation of communicators. She is the CEO of Connext, Silicon Valley’s marketing and communications consultancy. For two decades, her company has made life easier for hundreds of technology clients with specialized contractors ranging from recent grads to senior strategists. Current clients include Adobe, LinkedIn, Google, and Salesforce. René also passes on her real-world experience to students as an adjunct public relations professor at San Jose State University.

As an entrepreneur, René’s been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Working Mother, Newsweek Japan, CNBC, and Dan Pink’s Free Agent Nation, among others. She’s also been a regular columnist for Inc.com and a frequent speaker on entrepreneurship, career strategies, and personal branding.

Anyone interested in learning more about Connext can reach René at rene@connextme.com.

 

Join us for the “FriendWorking” Networking Event on 8/15

Hello Everyone,

I am speaking at an event next week on how to network in a more personal and authentic way, with the idea of helping others first. I call the idea “FriendWorking” since it taps into the magic of friends helping friends.

Though I’ve hosted KIT List FriendWorking events over the years, I’m actually the guest speaker for this event hosted by the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP).

Now that that the ASAP has already invited their members —  I can now invite our KIT List people! But there is a limit of 40 spots, so the event will close soon.

This is also open to anyone who would like to network in a much more effective and enjoyable way!

Join us for this special evening of FriendWorking to grow and deepen your network by connecting in more meaningful ways. 
I will be teaching the same techniques that I share at the KIT List events — and have everyone mix and meet through some fun and very informative exercises!

Grow Your Network Under the Summer Sun (“FriendWorking” Event)

Wednesday, 8/15

6:00 – 8:00 PM

Workspan

950 Tower Lane, Suite 1975

Foster City, CA

Please register here by 8/14

NOTE: There is a $30 charge for this event since it is hosted by the Association of Strategic Alliance Partners, and it is not a KIT List event.

Just remember, a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet! It’s worth it to make the effort to get out and meet new people and see what magic unfolds…

I hope to see you there!

Sue

Attention Consultants: Participate in the WIC Best Practices Survey — and Get a Free Copy of the Report

Hello Everyone,

I’ve been a longtime member of Women In Consulting (WIC), which is a terrific organization for consultants and business owners — for women and men.

One of WIC’s many powerful resources is their annual Best Practices Survey.
Over the years, it’s offered excellent insights into the evolution of Bay Area consulting businesses, such as billing trends and rates, consulting expertise and specialties, structure and operations.

Take the Survey and Get a Free Copy of the Report. 

The survey is open March 14 to April 7, 2017 and takes only 10 – 15 minutes to complete at: www.tinyurl.com/wic2017

You do not need to be a member to participate — and participants will receive a free copy of the survey results when it is released in June.

Also, everyone who participates is entered into a drawing for a free WIC workshop or general meeting.

Whether your business continues to expand, has experienced a slowdown or turnaround, or is consistent with last year, please share your experiences.

Feel free to pass the survey link along to other consultants outside of the WIC Community. The more people who complete the survey, the more meaningful the results will be. Male consultants are welcome to participate, too!

Important Details

The survey closes April 7, 2017 and takes 10 – 15 minutes to complete.

All participants who complete the survey receive the results (normally a member only benefit!) and are entered into a drawing to win one of five prizes (whether or not they’re WIC members): a seat in any future WIC workshop (1 winner) or a voucher for one recorded webinar (4 winners).

All information collected in the survey is confidential.

The survey asks some detailed questions about your business for 2016:

• Total revenue for 2016
• Average hourly rate (if applicable)
• Average retainer fee (if applicable)
• Average project fee (if applicable)
• Target hourly rate in project fees (if applicable)
• Number of subcontractors used
• Total amount paid to subcontractors and/or employees

In addition to the report that WIC sends to all participants, they will also present the results at a members-only meeting held at Michaels at Shoreline on Thursday, June 15.

If you’d like to take this opportunity to join WIC as a Premium or Leaders Network member prior to the meeting, you will be able to attend the meeting and benefit from the many other resources and informative meetings WIC provides to consultants.

Thank you in advance for participating, and please forward this to other consultants you know..…the more the merrier!

Thanks, everyone,

Sue

1/17 Networking Event: Using Social to Land Your Job from a LinkedIn Expert

Hi Everyone,

I heard Oscar Garcia, former Community manager at LinkedIn, speak at the Santa Clara Library a few months ago and was very impressed with his tips and strategies which he shared. I learned things I didn’t know about! I’m going to this event, too!

The Santa Clara Library is hosting another event with Oscar — combined with a networking opportunity to put your social skills to work in a comfortable and in-person environment.

Kick off the new year with some effective and positive networking — and land your dream job.

Here’s to a very special 2017 for all you!

– Sue

 
Networking 101: Socializing to Get Your Next Job (Free Event)

Tue, January 17, 2017
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM PST (networking after)

Santa Clara Library – Northside Branch
695 Moreland Way
Santa Clara, CA 95054

Register (space is limited):
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/networking-101-socializing-to-get-your-next-job-tickets-30599289298?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing

Most people are finding their next job opportunities or promotions through their network. Gone are the days of sending in your resume through the computer. It is not about “what you know” as much as “who you know” that could get your next job.

Learn from Oscar Garcia, CEO of Aspira (and former Community Manager at LinkedIn) on how to cultivate and maintain a thriving network to find our next opportunity.

Then following Oscar’s presentation, there will be a networking after-party at Yan Can Asian Bistro in Rivermark where you can work on your socializing and networking skills (it’s just across the street!).

This program is sponsored by the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends.