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.

SGI Virtual Reunion Tonight on Zoom at 7PM!

It’ll be so great to see so many SGI friends tonight, which we’re hosting on Zoom since we can’t do our usual in-person event until COVID is a thing of the past! This will be a fun way to catch up, see familiar faces and swap SGI stories.

If you haven’t already registered for tonight, you need to register in advance here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpduGqrjovHtzB91ASCgnkpz-CeWz8W12K

SGI Reunion on Zoom
Wednesday, February 17^th
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (PST)

You’ll all be on mute when you join to avoid noise chaos with such a large group (120+ have signed up).

IMPORTANT: When you log into Zoom, please include your first and last name which will help the way a name badge does!

If you’d like to talk, we’ll just use the chat tool or hand raising tool (or physically raise your hand). When I call out your name, just unmute and you’ve got the floor! Tip: try to keep it short and sweet. Then be sure to mute yourself again after. 😉

Here are a few ideas of what bring tonight so we can have some fun!

• Pour yourself your favorite beverage (cocktail, wine, beer or mocktail!)
• Wear some SGI gear that you haven’t given away yet!
• Share a photo (Lip Sync Contest anyone?)
• A funny or memorable story (was anyone there when the actual pizza slice was shipped out in the Pizza Box?)
• Did you meet anyone famous who was visiting? Clinton, Spielberg, Michael Jackson…
• What creative ways are you getting through this COVID adventure (new hobbies, or getting back to old ones, new culinary talents?)
• What do you appreciate now after nearly a year of COVID restrictions? Any great ideas to share about new ways to keep in touch?
• Where are you living and working these days? Who has moved out of the area (and are you buried in unseasonal snow now? Seattle, Oregon, Texas, brrrrr!)

Here’s the basic game plan:
7:00 – 7:30:  Welcome and catching up
7:30 – 8:15: Move to Breakout rooms (or you can stay in the main room with me). NOTE: You can move from room to room, and you will be able to see if anyone you know is in that room.
8:15 – 8:30: Back to the Main Room (share any especially funny or interesting stories from your breakouts)
8:30: Turn off Zoom and watch Netflix!

It’ll be so great to see all of you tonight!

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

 

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.

SGI Reunion on Monday, 9/26!

To all SGI alums!

We’ve got a great turnout expected for the SGI REUNION with all of the sign-ups so far!

Be sure to RSVP so I can get the correct headcount to The Patio.

SGI Reunion
Monday, September 26th
The Patio
412 Emerson
Palo Alto
5:30 – 9:00 PM

Please RSVP at: http://www.evite.com/event/020CHUTBXNQTQE4DCEPGNMNQVNY7JI

NOTE: This is not to be confused with the KIT List Job Networking Event on 10/3! I only had those two spots so I had to grab them — so it may be confusing to have two events a week apart at the same place!
Here’s the link to the KIT LIST EVENT: http://meetu.ps/c/2GMgz/wlG7X/a.

Thanks for spreading the word so we can reach all SGI folks (employees…and consultants like me!) so they know about this year’s reunion.

See you on the 26th!

Sue

An important event for young girls and teens at the Girls’ Festival in San Francisco on 10/15

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to share the news about a powerful and fun Girls’ Festival that WorldWide Women is hosting to help thousands of girls of all ages, covering leadership, STEM, career planning, wellness and more.

Come to the first-ever WorldWideWomen Girls’ Festival
Saturday, October 15
in San Francisco!

Tickets are $10 per person, girls under 12 attend free.

Register now at:
http://www.worldwidewomenfestival.com/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=KIT

Join them for a day of fun, exploration and empowerment!

This festival will bring thousands of girls together to help them discover programs and services available just for girls, make new friends and get inspired to become their best. These programs and services will cover 4 important areas of life: future, possibilities, power and body.

There will be plenty of activities for girls of all ages to choose from throughout the day:

– Participate in workshops, such as “find your dream” career speed mentoring session all day long and “map your future” leadership and skill-building activities.

– Enter contests, including the BizWorld Girlpreneur Competition (a.k.a. shark tank for girls) by September 25th for a chance to win and present their ideas in front of Mark Cuban and Tim Draper!

– Visit exhibits, watch performances by girls’ groups and listen to inspirational speakers.

– Learn about education, STEM, career planning, leadership, entrepreneurship, health and wellness, safety and more.

– Check out science, fashion and art projects created by girls in the makers’ space, and enjoy a Super Cool Girls Fashion Show. Then, take your fitness to a new level with expert sports clinics and demonstrations.

Please help spread the word in social media using the #WWWFestival hash tag.

If you have a young women in your life, this is a must-attend event! Help them on their journey to adulthood!

Warmly,

Sue

SGI reunion on 9/26!

Hi Everyone,

You may already know that the genesis of the KIT List was my personal “keep in touch” email list of my friends at Silicon Graphics.

Many SGIers are still on this list as they’ve moved to other companies. In fact, they’re the whole reason the KIT List turned from my personal email list to a job opportunities email list. It grew just by word-of-mouth to what I jokingly call “72,000 of my closest friends!”
I’d like to make sure we reach all SGI folks (employees and consultants like me!) so they know about this year’s reunion.

I’m sorry! This is not a KIT List event, it’s just for SGI present and past employees, consultants and contractors. However, I am hosting a KIT List networking event on another date, though, on 10/3 (also at The Patio)! Stay tuned for a blog post shortly with the details. 

Monday, 9/26
The Patio
412 Emerson
Palo Alto
5:30 – 9:30 PM

Please RSVP so The Patio can staff up for the night:
http://www.evite.com/event/020CHUTBXNQTQE4DCEPGNMNQVNY7JI

Also, please help me by passing the word to other SGI folks so we don’t miss anyone!

See you on the 26th!

Sue

Job Seekers’ Seminar on “Creating Your Great Elevator Pitch” on 12/3

Hello Everyone,

There is a great Job Seekers’ seminar coming up on Thursday, December 3, 2015.

This seminar is sponsored by CSIX Connect, which is a terrrific job search and networking group for which I have a lot of admiration. CSIX’s founder, Hamid Saadat, was kind enough to share his job search expertise with the KIT List community on one of the TV programs I hosted, called “Get That Job!” If you’d like to see the YouTube video of the show, and hear Hamid’s sage advice along with another HR hiring expert, Tom Brouchoud, Head of Talent Acquisition at EMC and former Director of Global Talent at Sandisk. You can watch it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHSlVMUbNuE

Please pass this information on to other friends who want to create an effective Elevator Pitch that will attract the right job to them!

Warmly,

Sue

Job Seekers’ Seminar
Your Elevator Pitch: Making Your ’30-second Commercial’ Really Work for You!
Thursday, December 3, 2015
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Saratoga Federated Church
Richards Hall, located at 20390 Park Place
Saratoga, CA 95070
The cost to attend this meeting is $10 — cash only, no checks or credit cards. The fee covers program, lunch, tax, and tip.

RSVP at the CSIX Meetup site:
http://www.meetup.com/CSIX-Connect/events/226029593/

Delores Marik Ph.D.

The Job Seekers’ seminar will be part of CSIX Connect’s regular weekly meeting. It will be presented by another great friend of mine, Delores (Dee) Marik Ph.D., with whom I had the pleasure of working when I was consulting at Hewlett-Packard. Dee now has her own coaching practice — and I can tell you from personal experience how great she is in career coaching and resume advice since she gave me excellent feedback on my own resume! You can find out more about Dee and her coaching work at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marik

This seminar will focus on your Elevator Pitch, also known as “Your 30-second commercial.” Dee will discuss what an elevator pitch is, why you need one, and when you should use it, and how to make it work best. Plus, there will be an opportunity for you to create and practice your elevator pitch during the meeting.

The CSIX weekly meeting agenda is as follows:

10:00 – 10:30   Arrival of attendees, check-in, open networking
10:30 – 10:40   Meeting starts, new member introductions
10:40 – 10:55   Job leads, contact requests, announcements, etc.
10:55 – 11:10   Open networking
11:10 – 12:00   Speaker presentation
12:00 – 1:00     Lunch and table networking

CSIX Connect is a Silicon Valley job searchers’ networking and support group that meets every Thursday at 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.  If you are actively looking for a job, it’s a smart idea to join them on a regular basis!

For further information about CSIX Connect, including information about parking restrictions and future programs, please visit http://www.csix.org.