Arizona’s award-winning companies · complimentary workshops for job seekers on “Developing your Personal Brand,” followed by a second workshop at noon on “Using Social Media

30 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Arizona’s award-winning companies seek to hire military veterans

January 26, 2015

Presented by:

VIP Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

90 AB | January-February 2015

Hir ing the Mil ita ry

On behalf of BestCompaniesAZ®, Waste Management Phoenix Open and Birdies for the Brave®, we are excited to launch an inaugural event to benefit our highly skilled military men and women, matching job seekers with the most distinguished corporations of Arizona. “The BestCompaniesAZ® Military Career Event” will take place January 26, 2015 in Scottsdale, in conjunction with the special activities surrounding the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

At BestCompaniesAZ, we believe the dedication these courageous heroes have demonstrated in service to our country should be rewarded with the opportunity to be employed by some of the best companies Arizona has to offer. We have partnered with more than 30 award-winning companies that recognize the value our veterans bring to the workplace and are committed to hiring Arizona’s military talent.

In the weeks leading up to this event, we are offering online career resources and coaching workshops to better acquaint job seekers with the individual workplace cultures and open positions of each hiring partner. Moreover, our mission and hope, in sponsoring this event, is to call on the generosity of our community and employers to pull out all stops in providing our event attendees with every advantage to ease their career transition from military to civilian life.

On January 26th — event day — there will be complimentary workshops for job seekers on “Developing your Personal Brand,” followed by a second workshop at noon on “Using Social Media in a Job Search.” At 2 p.m., doors open

Arizona’s award-winning companies look to hire military veterans

to the career fair, kicking off the celebration with a welcome from BestCompaniesAZ, Waste Management and Birdies for the Brave. Starting at 2:30, with half hour rotations, a stellar line-up of military-friendly companies will make presentations, followed by panel discussions and Q&A.

Attendance to this Best Company Military Career Event is offered to veterans and their spouses entirely free of charge. Advance registration is required. Event details, featured companies and registration can be found at bestcompaniesaz.com.

All companies hiring have earned prestigious state and national workplace awards, such as Arizona’s Most Admired Companies, CareerBuilder’s Top Companies to Work for in Arizona, Arizona’s Best Companies to Watch, FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® in America, FORTUNE Most Admired Companies, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, US Veterans Magazine’s Best of the Best, and most hold numerous industry distinctions.

It is with great pride that we offer this new event to our community, in hopes that it will continue to flourish in the years ahead. It’s just smart business to hire our service men and women. Their talent, skills, discipline and sense of duty have earned them the right not only to occupy a place in our hearts, but also a place of pride with our very best Arizona companies.

Denise Gredler is the founder and CEO of BestCompaniesAZ, LLC, an organizational consulting and marketing firm dedicated to identifying, developing and promoting great workplaces in Arizona and throughout the United States.

Denise Gredler BestCompaniesAZ

Sp EC i A L A Dv E rt i S i n G SECt i O n

GET CONNECTED

“ I found the career of my dreams at a great company.”

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AB | January-February 2015 91

Dignity Health is a VIP Sponsor of the 2015 Best Companies Military Career Event. We are proud to be recognized as a military-friendly company and honored to be a part of this event. 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: careersatdignityhealth.com/AZ

Connect with us:

Serving proudly with humankindness.



Pre-event10:00 am Employer Registration

11:00 am Boot Camp Workshops for Military Job Seekersfeaturing Career Connectors – Jessica PierceTips on how to transition into a civilian career with a Best Company!• 11:00–11:45-Workshop1• Noon–12:45–Workshop2

Noon Boot Camp Workshop for Hiring CompaniesTips on how to interview military job seekers to uncover transferable skill

registration & Career networking

1:00 pm Job Seeker Registration and Career Networking Begins

2:00 pm Welcome and Introductions

2:30 pm Healthcare VIP Sponsor – Dignity Health Arizona

3:00 pm Finance (Investment, Banking & Insurance) VIP Sponsor - Charles Schwab

3:30 pm Call Centers (Credit Card/Service Industry) VIP Sponsor – Synchrony Financial

4:00 pm Hospitality, Retail and Diversified Services VIP Sponsor - Starbucks

4:30 pm Technology & Innovation - VIP Sponsor - TBD

5:00 pm Career Networking

6:00 pm Conclusion

Military Career Event AgendA

January 26, 2015

Gold Group:

Silver Group: Partners:

VIP Group:

30 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Sp EC i A L A Dv E rt i S i n G SECt i O n



Hir ing the Mil ita ry Sp EC i A L A Dv E rt i S i n G SECt i O n

Every job seeker wants to find the perfect job, almost as much as every corporation wants to find the perfect candidate. As BestCompaniesAZ, our goal is to make that process easier by helping the best companies 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? Identify your transferable skills from your military job to a civilian career. For help in this area, we recommend two career partners with extensive resources for job seekers:• Careerconnectors.org is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization

dedicated to connecting professionals in career transition to hiring companies and quality resources. Visit events Jan. 7 and Jan. 15 to brush up on your networking skills and learn about their resources.

• Ivetx.com–Providesfreeresourcestotranslateyourmilitary skills, experience and training to career opportunities that align with your capabilities. Visit www.ivetx.com–andlearnallthewaystheycansupportyourjob search.

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 atBestCompaniesAZ.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. The Disc assessment and Ivetx tools will help you uncover transferable skills that will strengthen your resume and LinkedIn profile. 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 storiesWith 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,deliverapersonalpitchthattellstheemployerin30–60seconds 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 familyAward-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.

Your military experience is a tremendous asset. The companies hiring at the BestCompaniesAZ Career Military Event recognize this, and have chosen to participate because they value the skills and experience veterans like you bring to the workplace. Please visit our website, bestcompaniesaz.com, to see the many resources we have available to our job seekers free of charge. We wish you success at this event and salute you for your service to our country.

tips to prepare for BestCompaniesAZ career eventBy Denise greDLer


Engage with us.Explore our call center jobs at SynchronyCareers.com

EOE, M/F/D/V

Engage with a community that supports, develops and promotes our men and women in uniform.

Text “SYF95” to 90206 for more information or apply online at www.SynchronyCareers.com



During his military career, Capt. Eric Engquist negotiated mortar attacks, roadside bombs, ambushes and rocket grenades in the Iraqi desert, employing strategic planning and problem solving skills under extreme pressure. After eight years as an Army infantry officer, Engquist left the military to join corporate America, bringing those skills with him.

Today he is the assistant vice president for military transitions at USAA, a company that has been advising and hiring service members for more than 92 years. Engquist helps veterans entering the workforce recognize the skills they have that may give businesses a competitive edge.

“If companies are looking to hire veterans, it is important to understand the value that veterans potentially bring to an organization and that actually hiring veterans is not to be looked at as charity. It makes good business sense,” Engquist explains. He sites a recent study by the Corporate Leadership Council that saysonaverage,veteransare4percentmoreproductiveand have 3 percent higher retention rates than their peers who don’t have prior military service.

“When you think about the increased productivity and the increased retention—provided that you have a good cultural fit and you onboard and retain employees well—it will impact the bottom line,” Engquist says.

From front line to bottom lineHiring military veterans can add competitive edge to corporate America By CHerYL HUrD



Valuable skill set “Veterans are adept at embracing change and operating in

nebulous environments. They are very team oriented and they are results driven,” Engquist says. “All of those demonstrate to companies that hire veterans and have good hiring programs that they make good employees.”

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. John McGarrity is the executive director for talent programs delivery with USAA. He says veterans have a tremendous amount of talent.

“I think sometimes people focus on the technical skill they bring to the table but there is a lot there beyond technical expertise. They have been trained to lead. They have been given missions and directives and have been told to execute on those and when they encounter an obstacle they know how to work around that.” McGarrity explains that service members have the ability to adjust to new situations and can easily learn the nuances within an organization.

“Also military members are great risk managers,” he says. “They know how to walk into an organization and identify those areas that need to be strengthened.”

A recent survey by the University of Phoenix highlights more skills gained in the military that include: responsibility, teamwork, ability to work under pressure, ability to follow instructions, leadership, problem solving, accountability, ability to focus on tasks, communication skills, critical thinking, technical skills, analytical skills and cultural awareness.

But even with this valuable skillset, the survey shows that, although the unemployment rate of military personnel is declining, many veterans may be underemployed. According to the survey, 61 percent of past service members who have held civilian jobs say they have previously been or currently are in jobs beneath their skill sets, with nearly three-quarters saying they accepted a position because they needed a job.

Companies take aCtionSome companies recognize the value in service members and

have programs in place to hire and retain them.GoDaddy, a leading technology provider dedicated to small

businesses, embraces a culture that supports veterans and appreciates their service to country. “GoDaddy has a robust population of veterans across every function of our company,” says Elizabeth Driscoll, vice president of public relations.

That includes the company’s founder, Bob Parsons, a decorated veteran, who was honored with the Combat Action Ribbon, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Purple Heart for his service with the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam. The company’s resource program, GoDaddy Veterans, is dedicated to creating a welcoming community for service members and their families, promoting career and skill development, and building a recruiting pipeline across all service branches and rank.

USAA focuses on attracting, developing and retaining veteran talent. Twenty four percent of USAA’s workforce is comprised of veterans or spouses of military service members and the company has set a goal of 30 percent for new hires.

“We have a program called VetNet comprised of former service members and spouses of service members,” Engquist says. “They maintain social networking among like experience individuals, mentor and support one another, and provide visibility and education for employees who don’t have military experience.”


EvEnt: Military Career and Job Fair Presented by

BestCompaniesaZ, waste Management

Phoenix open, and Birdies for the Brave

What: with more than 30 of arizona’s best award-

winning companies recruiting on site, this

event will showcase companies that have

earned awards such as Fortune Magazine’s

100 Best Companies to work for in america,

Fortune Most admired Companies, “Military

Friendly” awards, arizona’s Most admired

Companies, Careerbuilder top Companies to

work for in arizona and Best Places to work in

the valley, to name a few.

WhEn: Monday, Jan. 26, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

WhErE: Monterra at westworld of

scottsdale, 16601 n, Pima rd., scottsdale

InformatIon: bestcompaniesaz.com

Hiring military veterans


Serve with us.Our commitent is to hire

at least 10,000 veterans and military spouses over the

next 5 years.

For more information, please visitstarbucks.com/veterans


100 AB | January-February 2015 100 AB | January-February 2015


Hiring HeroesKim Morton, senior manager of media relations for Hiring

Our Heroes, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, says some businesses in the Phoenix area, such as TriWest Healthcare, Waste Management, Allied Waste, Republic Services and University of Phoenix are recognized by the chamber as being proactive in veteran hires.

“Our strongest partner and recruiter in the area is the University of Phoenix,” Morton says. “Their support allowed us to expand our employment workshop and resume review offerings. We’re now able to offer full and free workshops and one-on-one resume review at virtually every Hiring Our Heroes event due to the University of Phoenix. Their military division also recruits at our events across the country.”

In addition to recruiting events, Hiring Our Heroes has online resources for veterans seeking employment at uschamberfoundation.org/hiring-our-heroes as well as tips for employers to build or improve upon their veteran hiring program at employerroadmap.com.

Hiring our Heroes recently partnered with USAA and the Disney Institute to host a symposium to educate businesses about the advantages of hiring veterans as Corporate America faces an influx of veterans seeking meaningful employment.

“We are in the midst of the largest drawdown in the history of our U.S. military,” Engquist explains. “Between now and

2017 we will see our services shrink to pre-World War II size. About 1.5 million active duty service members and national guardsmen and reservists will be leaving the force and joining corporate America. They are joining an existing 2.8 million service members that are post 9/11 veterans and half of those aretheages25-34.”

No private company can meet the needs of these veterans by itself, McGarrity says. “There’s not any company out there that’s going to be able to hire 100,000 veterans. It’s something that we can do together as a body of companies. We can band together and help share best practices, what’s working in our local areas and share that information across companies.”

“These men and women, these veterans, have sacrificed a lot for our country,” McGarrity says. “If we can help in any small way to get one more veteran hired ... then we have done something to reward them. We have thanked them for their service. It really becomes about doing the right thing.”

And doing the right thing is what fuels Engquist’s passion for helping others transition. “I’m just like anyone else facing the separation,” Engquist says. So he continues his mission to better arm those service members so they can have a smoother transition, be better financially positioned and better prepared to demonstrate why they are an excellent candidate for a career in corporate America.

“these men and women, these veterans, have sacrificed a lot for our country...”

elizabetH DrisColl

eriC engquist JoHn


102 AB | January-February 2015 102 AB | January-February 2015


with earned distinction as a top workplace and valuable employer for military, Charles schwab & Co., inc. understands what it takes to hire and retain veteran employees. ryan kosowsky, managing director of talent acquisition, shares some of the company’s best practices:

Develop a networking group of mentors who understand the company and the experiences of service members.

Provide training for hiring managers to understand the culture, translate skills and supervise service members.

Mirror values and ethics of service.

Host seminars to keep the lines of communication open.

recognize accomplishments of employees and management advocating for them.

Create a welcoming environment that includes celebrating military holidays.

kosowsky suggests companies join a larger coalition with members who have experience in successful hiring of service members and are often open to sharing best practices. “in the talent that exists today, you have to go after the veteran population,” he explains, “and if you are not, you are missing out.”

Ryan KosowsKy

Best practices to hire and retain military


Supporting and hiring our nation’s military veterans.

WE WANT YOUTO WORK HERE.

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OURMISSION

Bringing together business, non-profits, government and

faith-based organizations to connect Real People with Real Careers

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kitCHeLL

Meet BestCoMpaniesaZ Military Career

event partners...

GCUiVetX

Canyon StateCareer Connectors

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Grab one and enjoy…

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Documents

Arizona’s award-winning companies · complimentary workshops for job seekers on “Developing your Personal Brand,” followed by a second workshop at noon on “Using Social Media