A Chat with Eunice Azzani and PBWC Members
 (9 AM Chat) 

Moderator Welcome to the second installment of the chats for Professional BusinessWomen of California.

Moderator I am the chat Moderator . I help to run the chat and ensure that everyone gets a chance to ask questions (time-permitting).

Moderator Just a few simple guidelines before we start

Moderator 1) Please wait until our honored guest, Eunice Azzani, has completed answering a question before you type in your own question. She will type in "Next Question"

Moderator 2) To submit a question or comment, wait until Ms. Azzani is finished and then type in your question. To submit the question just hit Enter or the Send button.

Moderator 3) Have fun and we hope you enjoy this chat brought to you by the Professional BusinessWomen of California.

Eunice Azzani Hello everyone! I would like to start by giving you two things to think about your career. Do what you love and do it with people you want to spend your day with!! Your career belongs to you and you control everything about it. What you do not control and never will is the job!!!

Eunice Azzani any questions?

Diane Bassett Can you speak to how to support this philosophy during the current economic slowdown?

Moderator We had one pre-submitted from our mailing.

Moderator What are some tips to career planning and getting ahead at the workplace? Are there any suggestions?

Eunice Azzani Yes, there will always be ups and downs in the marketplace but if you follow your passions and perseverse it will carry your through

Diane Bassett Are you seeing more people taking thatpath these days than before? Or are you seeing people hang on to dissatisfying jobs

Eunice Azzani One of the best things to do in career planning is follow these four P's. Passion, Priorities, Planning and Perservance. If you start with what you love and target the market rather than let the market target you.

Jim McCarthy Is the job market for executives still strong? And if so, where do you see it?

Eunice Azzani I am seeing many more people follow their passion especially over the last several years because we spend so much of our time at work it is important to do something meaningful. There is fear out there but not as much as ten years ago.

Jim McCarthy How much does the sour economy impact things right now?

Eunice Azzani The market is always strong for talent at every level. Now many companies need executives to turnaround their organization and it is very strong in Biotech, and non-profit is somewhat recession proof.

Eunice Azzani The economy always impact the number of jobs that we see in the market, but if you pursue the job market it is like playing the lottery. If you target the opportunity market and work it you will see more jobs.

Eunice Azzani next question

Patty Medaglia You mentioned the need for executives during this time, what skill are especially needed for helping to rebuild confidence and business?

Moderator Thank you for your question Patty. Eunice just needs a moment to answer.

Eunice Azzani The most important skills are great communicators, also leaders who have been through down markets and are not wringing their hands and nashing their teeth but can motivate and help solve the problems. I think generalist or snorkelers not deep divers are needed.

Mackinzey Colonius "Jobs are given and jobs are taken away -- often by forces you can't control. But your career belongs to you."

Eunice Azzani Thanks I hope it gives people a sense of control over one of the most important things in our lives our careers.

Eunice Azzani next question

Marisa Frank I have recently been laid off in the HR area, I'm 26 and am a having a very hard time finding a job. Do you know of any recruiters that could help me in this area?

Marisa Frank Since I am having such a hard time finding a job I am thinking about going back to school and waiting the market out, do you think that is a good idea?

Eunice Azzani If I were you I would use the internet and go onto sites like Futurestep.com and make sure that you get our resume out there. The recruiter that can help you would be dependent on your salary level and where you want to live or work. I would suggest targeting the top 25 companies you are interested in and finding a connection and calling that connection in each of the companies to talk about opportunities. I have a suggestion for you. Call Christine Grisham at Peoplesoft.

Eunice Azzani next question

Mackinzey Colonius Do you think education would be a good investment at this time for Marisa?

Eunice Azzani Education is always a good investment, but only if you really are interested in pursuing it. I believe that the best use of your time is to talk to as many people in companies and build as many relationships as you can. Perhaps take on some projects but keep your career in play

Eunice Azzani next question

Moderator Go ahead Jim. You had a question.

Jim McCarthy Several PBWC members have asked about finding a mentor. Do you have experience here or more specifically, does Korn Ferry have mentors available?

Eunice Azzani There are some great programs out there that can provide mentoring if you are in a company or even Lifeprint, a career organization has a network of career advisors. Korn Ferry does not have a formal mentoring program for outside folks but many of us do mentor when asked. If you can identify some potential mentors it is always important to ask for help from people that you admire and it is hard for anyone to say no!

Eunice Azzani next question

Moderator I think we have time for one last question. Anyone have one for Eunice?

Moderator What are some tips to career planning and getting ahead at the workplace? Are there any suggestions?

Eunice Azzani Make sure you are doing work that matters to you and you will do it well. BE a person who solves problems not one who creates them and takes risks especially during this time. It will set you apart and show that you are someone others will want to follow. Courage is a trait that is needed in our leaders.

Eunice Azzani Is that all folks?

Moderator Eunice--Thank you for coming and hosting. We appreciate your insight and knowledge.

Moderator For everyone. Please feel free to join us again this afternoon at 4 PM. Please feel free to stay and chat here or investigate other parts of our community.

Moderator Thank you all for coming.

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4 PM Chat

Eunice Azzani Hello everyone! I would like to start by gi\ to you and you control everything about it. What you do not control and never will is the job!!!

Moderator Welcome to the second installment of the chats for Professional BusinessWomen of California.

Moderator I am the chat Moderator . I help to run the chat and ensure that everyone gets a chance to ask questions (time-permitting).

Moderator Just a few simple guidelines before we start

Moderator 1) Please wait until our honored guest, Eunice Azzani, has completed answering a question before you type in your own question. She will type in "Next Question"

Moderator 2) To submit a question or comment, wait until Ms. Azzani is finished and then type in your question. To submit the question just hit Enter or the Send button.

Moderator 3) Have fun and we hope you enjoy this chat brought to you by the Professional BusinessWomen of California.

Eunice Azzani Jobs are given and taken away. You never own them. You do own your career and you can make all the decisions and choices about it.

Eunice Azzani any questions. What are your concerns out there?

Moderator What are some tips to career planning and getting ahead at the workplace? Are there any suggestions?

Eunice Azzani The best suggestion is to do really great work and show that you are a team player. Especially now take on difficult tasks and prove you can get things done.

Eunice Azzani What frustrates you most about the market now?

Mackinzey Colonius Lately there has been a lot of talk about the economy. What encouragement can you offer those of us who are out in the field and worry about our industries?

Eunice Azzani Many industries are going through difficult times such as financial services and technology, but this can also create opportunties to take your skills and offer them to other worlds such as the non-profit world.

Mackinzey Colonius Do you encourage more agressive marketing?

Eunice Azzani If you are very clear about your talents and you market yourself well both internally and externally you will never be hungry!! Learn to tell your story!!

Eunice Azzani Create a marketing plan for your career and execute it well. This will carry you through the ups and downs in the market.

Mackinzey Colonius Do you have suggestions on how to market yourself? Sometimes it seems discouraging.

Eunice Azzani The best thing to do is target 25 organizations that you are interested in and get a hot, warm or cold connection into that company. The best way to do this is not through HR but through other areas

Eunice Azzani such as marketing, operations and especially where there are executive women that will want to help.

michelle barnes I have excellent Bay Area contacts, but none in Denver or Salt Lake where I'd like to move. Any suggestions on creating a new professional network quickly. Do executive recruiters do "geographic referrals?

Moderator Michelle- Thank you for the question. Will wait just a minute to let Eunice answer.

Eunice Azzani Many of us do if we have offices in other cities. I would be glad to offer you help in that regard. The best way to get a new network is to talk to as many people as possible in industries you are interested in.

Moderator How does one begin to talk to people in their industry?

Monica Stinson With the economy as it is right now what industries do you think are the most growth oriented?

Eunice Azzani Another idea is to attend seminars andworkshops where these individual would most likely be. Also don't forget to use your alumni connections. PBWC has a great network of individuals across all industries.

Moderator From Monica Stinson-->With the economy as it is right now what industries do you think are the most growth oriented?

Eunice Azzani Biotech and telecomm will continue to be industries that will need talent.

Eunice Azzani I also see a strong in health care.

Eunice Azzani next question

Mackinzey Colonius What do you think the future of recruting will be?

Eunice Azzani Excellent. There is a growing need for assistance in finding and attracting human capital at all levels.

Eunice Azzani I hope that in the future we can do away with resumes and focus on people.

Eunice Azzani next question

Moderator Do the recruiters like Eunice still have opportunities that they are looking to place people in the bay area?

Mackinzey Colonius I agree.

Eunice Azzani Great let's make a pact not to look at resumes again and just meet with people.

Eunice Azzani next question

Moderator Do the recruiters like Eunice still have opportunities that they are looking to place people in the bay area?

Eunice Azzani Any other questions or ideas!!

Moderator We have time for one last question. Anyone who hasnt asked a question, please ask it now.

Susan Spiwak 2 what types of positions are you trying to place now? Do you have a variety of companies looking for candidates?

Eunice Azzani YES, I am looking for

Eunice Azzani Ceo's,

Eunice Azzani CFO, VP-Development, Executive Directors of non-profits and VP-marketing folk.

Eunice Azzani non-profits, staffing companies and educational institutions.

Mackinzey Colonius Thank you for your time

Moderator If no one else has any more questions for Eunice. I would like to thank her for coming today and invite all of you to use our chat rooms at anytime to network, troubleshoot, or just chat.

Eunice Azzani Thanks and have a great Labor Day!!