- Women For Hire Career Expo Success Stories
Julie Chase, Leasing Consultant
What can I say about the Women For Hire Career Expo?
After taking early retirement from a successful career, I decided to explore my options. I went back to school and completely changed direction. I was so excited! However, upon finishing school, I found no work. I was crushed. I’d sacrificed so much and had given up or “lost” even more. With the downturn in the economy, I found myself in the same boat as millions of Americans—jobless and broke. I was also without a home. On top of that, I was soon to turn 62. I didn’t think it could get much worse.
I’d recently moved back to Dallas and saw a notice about Tory Johnson’s Women For Hire Career Expo in the Sunday paper. The day I went to the Women For Hire Career Expo, I was as dejected as one could possibly be. I had very low expectations, as I had been job-shopping unsuccessfully for over two years. I just had to keep going.
I’d had a number of interviews, but in every interview I heard the ugly, ugly term, “over-qualified”. To me, it felt like they were really saying I was “too old”; that I was washed up.
I’m skilled. I’m talented. I thought that would take me anywhere. I knew how to write a resume. I interviewed well. I had a great background and lots of experience. What else did I need? The problem is that the job market has changed significantly. My ideas were inadequate and stale.
I didn’t meet any vendors at the Women For Hire Career Expo that I seriously wanted to work for. My mind-set, however had sunk so low that I was willing to take an entry level position. No– I was willing to take anything. But even those jobs eluded me—thank goodness.
What did happen, however, was a series of connections, seminars and coaches that changed everything in a few short months. I stumbled into The Galatas Group after meeting them at the Women For Hire Career Expo. Donna Galatas and Jackie Torres turned my thought process upside down! I learned a great number of things that I was doing incorrectly on my resume and in interviews. My process was the complete opposite of what employers want today. Through these new resources, I literally felt pride and hope well up inside like a great tsunami. I couldn’t wait to get started on my own redesign. My spirits lifted immensely.
The networking opportunities gained through The Women For Hire Career Expo have been invaluable. A core group of new contacts were available for guidance and input. Ideas were shared and directions were re-defined. Mentors and friends repeatedly told me not to sell myself short and I began to believe them. My new connections helped me re-gain confidence and believe in myself again. We helped one another. We struggled together and shared positive experiences.
I learned that my skills and experience—and yes, even my age– are valued by many employers today.
The Galatas Group, through their Revved Up For Hire® Career Club and Tory’s book, Fired to Hired, helped me realize that I needed to abandon the idea of settling for anything and to do what I know; to do what I’m good at; to do what I love! The Women For Hire Career Expo and The Galatas Group helped me get back on track!
I recently interviewed in an office of three young, beautiful women. I’d met them, interviewed and was working for them less than a week later. My Manager’s last words to me in my interview were, “I so much prefer someone ‘over-qualified’. I so much prefer someone with vast experience than someone with just a little”. To hear the term ‘over-qualified’ used in a positive way actually stopped me in my tracks!
It took time and openness to the input of my new contacts made through the Women For Hire Career Expo. I found the perfect job for me; meaningful work that’s fun and fits all my personality requirements perfectly. I actually feel for the first time in many years that I have a future. I have a career again and not just a job. My company honors my age and experience and I do, as well.
The bottom line is, it takes tenacity and an open mind to listen to constructive criticism and apply it. You have to be willing to a long hard look at yourself and sometimes you need help seeing yourself.
It is really difficult to find the right job. But, get up each and every day open to new ideas and listen to the suggestions of others, but never try and make something fit that is not you. You’ll ‘feel’ the right direction if you slow down and listen to your heart.
You will never ‘fit’ in someone else’s mold. Do what you love and go after it with a vengeance!
Women For Hire Career Expo Success Stories
Juli Branson, Owner, Branson Ink
As an entrepreneur, I did not think I needed any job search help. However, I saw that two clients I’d been trying to land – Bell Helicopter and Northrop Grumman – had booths at the Dallas Women For Hire Career Expo, so I thought I’d drop in. Heck, it was free, right? Well, I saw that Tory was talking in the morning for a mere $20, and I decided I’d go ahead and hear what she and Michelle Pippin had to say. In turns out, they had a lot to say in a short amount of time. I was surprised to find out that as hard as I was working, I was working on the wrong thing – I was focused on fulfilling the service and not so much on sales…My ratio of sales to fulfillment was backward!
It was here that I met Donna Galatas of The Galatas Group. She encouraged me to drop by her firm’s “Perfect Pitch” booth at the Dallas Women For Hire Career Expo. Her partner, Jackie Torres, was brutal (with a charming smile, of course) in her breakdown of my pitch. She told me all of the things I tell my clients – be specific, be clear, be concise, but most of all — be different. She practiced with me for a couple of minutes and the changes were impressive. She handed me a card for The Galatas Group’s Revved Up For Hire® Career Club’s two-day seminar which promised to help with my online presence and to find new clients.
Revved Up For Hire® was walking distance from my house, and a corporate sponsor was picking up the tab, so how could I refuse? I thought I knew everything I needed to know about being online – I was on Linked In, Facebook and Twitter. What could they possibly tell me? However, the class would be filled with potential clients, so I thought I would just go to network. Boy was I surprised – the seminar was packed with useful info – things I could do that day. What I didn’t know about using social media surprised me. And just like Tory and Michelle at the Dallas Women For Hire Career Expo, Donna and Jackie pushed me to work harder at sales.
On the last day of the Revved Up For Hire® seminar, I was invited to a networking event that I almost blew off. All revved up, I decided to go. I pitched my business to the two event sponsors and both asked me to come in for a formal sales meeting! One of them later introduced me to one of my most lucrative clients to-date, and the other one hired another firm. However, I took my info and research from the pitch I lost, and pitched it to a competitor. I’m still waiting to hear from the competitor. Regardless of how the second pitch turns out, I learned so much from both of these groups that I will never be scared of sales again, and my business continues to grow. I can’t thank either Tory Johnson for her Women For Hire Career Expo or The Galatas Group enough.
Oh, my pitch? Branson Ink - We provide marketing/PR/communications strategies, including speechwriting, audience identification and curriculum development to public speakers, trainers and corporate thought leaders.
Lakesha Kelley
Assistant to the Director of Tax/Tax Associate
In 2008 I decided to leave corporate America to complete a graduate program at Texas A&M University-Commerce. I was looking forward to receiving my MBA and obtaining a rewarding job as a result, so, of course it was an exciting time when I finally graduated in the spring of 2010. Although the unemployment rate was very high at that time, I felt I would not be affected because I had a graduate degree, right? Wrong!!! Reality set in soon after I went on interview after interview without one resulting in a job offer, that is when I decided to take another approach to my job search. I decided to attend job fairs in the area and I was very intrigued by the Women for Hire Career Expo. Since looking for employment became my full time job I would literally watch every news program that featured specials on job hunting, interviewing, and branding yourself. As I watched these spotlights I saw Tory in a particular segment sharing her story, which was very encouraging to someone who had become very discouraged with the entire job search process.
When I realized Tory was a part of the expo I knew this job fair would be like no other. The expo had a mentor matching program, help with your elevator pitch, and different workshops; everything I needed to revamp myself. My first stop was the ‘perfect pitch’ table. I heard so much about having an elevator pitch and branding yourself, so I wanted to get first hand information. That is where I met Jackie Torres and she explained to me in our brief meeting that you have to know your elevator pitch and have confidence in it because you never know where your next opportunity will come from, it may be from the person next to you on a short elevator ride. Although I got a lot of great information from the career fair, Jackie Torres and her company The Galatas Group provided me with the most valuable and beneficial information that I needed to have an edge in the job market. I definitely wanted to learn more from Jackie, so I signed up to receive follow-up information. At most job fairs you hand out your business card or provide your information to a representative hoping to hear something from that person soon after the event, only to never hear from them again, but that did not happen with The Galatas Group. I received an email thanking me for stopping by their table and offering me an opportunity to attend their Revved Up For Hire® Career Club where I would receive executive coaching and a fresh approach to landing a job. I totally jumped at the opportunity to connect with like-minded career professionals and to receive expert advice from Jackie and her business partner Donna Galatas.
The Career Club was an amazing experience where new ideas were definitely presented and utilized by the members. We were exposed to the new wave of social media and how twitter can actually help you land a job. The club also offered a new approach to writing your resume by using OAR Statements as a part of your resume and staying clear of the typical bullet points that will not set you aside from your competition. Although the career club was over the span of 3 days it was always interesting, engaging and very informative. The best part of the career club was the Networking Event held on the last day, where representatives from particular industries were available to give us insight on the market and to inform the participants of possible opportunities.
I was able to implement all of the techniques I learned, including my ‘perfect pitch’ at this event and deliver it with confidence and perfection. The networking event was in no way presented as a job fair or a guarantee of a job offer, but for you to make a connection with at least one person in your industry and build on that connection. Fortunately, I was able to make a connection with someone in the accounting industry, Bellann Morales-Hyten, who has been very instrumental in me landing a paid internship with a tax firm. This company is a perfect match for me because I am currently working on my 2nd Masters in Accounting and this position will be very helpful when I sit for the CPA exam.
I am very grateful to the Women for Hire Career Expo for having such an awesome company, The Galatas Group, as one of their spotlight companies at the fair, which provided me with valuable information and most important a wonderful connection in Bellann Morales-Hyten.
Click here to see The Top 10 Reasons to Attend The Women For Hire Career Expo
Click here to learn more about The Galatas Group and their Revved Up For Hire® Career Club
MICHELLE FORBES
SITUATION: “No one plans to get pregnant and lose their job, but it happened to me just two weeks before my daughter was born. While my baby was a welcome and expected addition, losing my job was a shocking and devastating blow. After all, I was a top producer on a national sales team. I was working tirelessly, planning every aspect of my career, including how it would accommodate my expanding family.”
RESULT: Joined a job club six weeks after giving birth and as direct result of a lead provided through the group, landed a position working from home as a career management consultant for the world’s largest provider of outplacement career services.
DOUG HUGGINS
SITUATION: Because of the economy, his position was eliminated as a corporate trainer for an award-winning Fortune 100 financial services company. “I hadn’t had to look for work for more than 20 years and my skills in that arena were very limited.
The job club opened a whole new world of possibilities and opportunities for me, including the encouragement to go after some of the things I had only dreamed about.”
RESULT: Secured four successful radio commercials as the voiceover talent along with connections to make more happen. Started a training and consulting business, which has already signed multiple clients. “The job club has taken a process that seemed arduous and frightening and turned it into the fulfillment of life-long ambitions and successes I thought not possible.”
ADAM COPPIN
SITUATION: Laid off as an IT project manager for a leading publishing company.
RESULT: Landed as Director of Web-Teks just three weeks into the career club and has since been promoted twice. He continued to actively participate in weekly meetings.
“We became family. I couldn’t walk out until everyone landed.”
KATE COPPIN
SITUATION: Joined a club with her husband after he lost his job because she was unhappy in her current position. “Who looks for work when so many are being slashed not to mention at the same time your husband begins his own job search?”
RESULT: One meeting with the club and I was on a path to regain work with purpose and that’s exactly what happened.” She is now the manager of direct marketing for an international non-profit.
CHERALYN PONDS
SITUATION: Working fewer than 10 hours a week to provide freelance bookkeeping services meant extreme financial hardship.
RESULT: In just three weeks, leads from club members resulted in more than 50 hours per week of new work. “I want it known that my success was not my own doing. It was rather selfless referrals from the job club that were instrumental in securing these new clients. To put it in a nutshell, due to my brief involvement with this job club, my house has been saved from foreclosure.
I am wholeheartedly grateful.”
JUDY JEWELL
SITUATION: Former IT Director in one of the nation’s leading marketing services companies for over 19 years. “With years of leading state-of-the-art technologies and successfully managing impossible projects, I couldn’t believe I was still looking for a job a year after losing that position. I was running out of ideas on how to improve my job search and marketability. I may have been confident on the outside, but I was becoming Jell-O on the inside. I was apprehensive about going to yet another meeting, but, as we went around the room introducing ourselves and giving a short bio, I realized that this group was going to help me land a job!”
RESULT: “A recent session made merealize that I have been allowing fear to hold me back from makingchanges in my personal and professional life. Within 24 hours of thatmeeting, I made a phone call that I had been dreading because I wasafraid of hearing no. Guess what: the answer was YES! I no longer dofear. Extraordinary energy, concentrated power and sheer will. This isthe potent mix required to win in the current job climate and reach thepinnacle of success!” She landed a job shortly thereafter.
MARVA SMITH
SITUATION: Former executive director with over 16 years of human resources experience at a Fortune 200 financial services company. In 2009 her position—and 400+ others were eliminated. “In my role, I’ve had wonderful training and growth opportunities, but I haven’t been an external job seeker in some time. It’s easy for the job search process to become solitary and unfocused, which can lead you to an emotional negative place.”
RESULT: “The club has exposed me to build an online brand, maximize social media tools, created a 30-second commercial about my background and experience and so much more.
Likewise I’ve been able to provide HR tips and advice to members about their best job fit. The club promotes community involvement and paying it forward.”
BEVERLY SHEPARD:
SITUATION: Marketing role at a daily newspaper was eliminated because of economic conditions. “It’s frightening out here. I am one of the fortunate ones to have received a severance package. Still, there are severance packages and there are support packages. I want to thank my job club for being my support package.”
RESULT:
After 17 months of searching, I was hired as a director of marketing.
JENNIFER TAYLOR
SITUATION: “I was drowning. There was so much noise in the marketplace with online applications. The group gave me the skills to raise my resume to the top of the stack and hit the pavement running. I learned all about what it really takes to get hired in today’s marketplace and that is community rallying behind you and a sense of purpose.”
RESULT: In just five weeks, Jennifer “tweeted” her way to hired as the administrative executive for a mortgage company and is already on her way to being promoted. “I love my new job and get to put my talents to work every day—I’m much better off than I was in my last job.”
SCOTT FURLOUGH
SITUATION: After working for 11 years at a national publishing company, ultimately to the position as a tenuredArt Director, walked in one day to learn the departmentwas being eliminated. “After 10 months of being unemployed,going on countless interviews, and nearing theend of my severance, I figured it was worth attending ameeting because nothing else I was doing on my ownseemed to be working.”
RESULT: “Through the job club, Iwas motivated to launch and maintain a very active andcreative job search campaign, including sending targeted,3D resumes to various companies, which immediatelyresulted in more interviews.” Scott landed freelancework and a fulltime position with a cultural institution.
RODNEY
“Jackie & Donna were very knowledgeable and extremely informative. This service will prove to be invaluable to all that participate.”
PAUL
“The level of knowledge and experience that Jackie & Donna bring to the class was the best. I truly feel more prepared for my next interview.”
T.S.
“Informative and engaging –Session was excellent—every class I learned more and more! I loved it! I wouldn’t change anything!”
DOLORES
“I learned how to stand out from the pack and I love the structure. I thank you so much for your help and guidance in getting an edge in the job search.”
WENDY
“Improvements? None—Donna & Jackie were both great to have teaching the session—great information.”
S.B.
“Everything was higher than what I thought it would be—thank you very much.”
JIM
“Informative—concepts given provided new insight to job search perspective.”
A.M.
“Thank you so much for a workshop—it was very helpful and upbeat.”
WENDY
“Donna was very helpful and full of information.”
ANONOMOUS
“Very well done! Great workshops”
MELANIE
“This was very helpful to me.”
RAY
“Exceptionally enlightening – great!”
PAMELA
“Excellent workshop!”
GEORGE
“Great workshop!”
JUANA
“Great Job!”
IRICA
“Perfect!”
