Scottsdale Career Services

Scottsdale Career Services assist job seekers in navigating the evolving and competitive job market with the latest job seeking techniques and strategies. 

Contact Information

City of Scottsdale - Vista Career Center
7700 E. Roosevelt
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
P: 480-312-0060 
[email protected]
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday

Sheila Williams 
P: 480-312-0058 
[email protected]

Jessica Wilkinson 
P: 480-312-0062 
[email protected]

Spring Hiring Event

What to Wear Career Fair

DESCRIPTION:

Get a Free professional outfit and conversation with employers.
Meet local employers hiring this season and beyond!

Participating Employers: ABM, Arcadia Homecare, Arizona Dept. of Transportation, Banner Health, BMO Harris, City of Scottsdale, Express Employment Professionals, FedEx Ground, HonorHealth, Ironworkers, Keolis Transit America, LoveSac Furniture, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Proem, and Scottsdale Police Department and United States Navy.

Professional Outfit(s): A new outfit sometimes is all you need! Get ready to "dress for success" and receive free gently loved professional outfits and accessories to wow them in the workplace and the job interview. Most clothing items are professional and business casual, but some items can be used for physical jobs.

Registration: Walk-ins welcome but registration is appreciated. Please register via:

DATE:
Thursday, Mar. 21
TIME:
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
LOCATION:
Vista del Camino Community Center
7700 E. Roosevelt St.

View "What to Wear" flyer

One-on-One Assistance By Appointment Only

Meet virtually or in person with a Career Coach to further your career goals. Our skilled team of Career Coaches provide job seeking assistance through email, phone, video or in-person; morning and afternoon sessions, Monday through Friday. All services are free of charge. 

  • Mock interviews and interview techniques
  • Resume assistance
  • Effective job search techniques
  • LinkedIn profile development
  • Current list of job opportunities

Sign up for one-on-one or group job seeking sessions with a Career Coach. Our experts are ready to assist with all available Career Services.


Employer Services

We welcome partnerships with local employers that offer opportunities in Scottsdale and/or bordering Scottsdale. We work with job seekers from various stages of life, a variety of educational backgrounds, work experience and skills. Job seekers are seeking full-time, part-time, permanent, and temporary opportunities. Priority is given to employers offering opportunities, within Scottsdale, with a living wage+, competitive benefits, and diverse hiring initiatives. Recruitment assistance includes job postings, hiring events, direct candidate referrals and more. For recruitment assistance, please send a detailed flier (pay rate, perks, location, job description) to [email protected] to get started. We look forward to working with you!


Computer Lab

Job seekers can utilize the Vista Career Center computer lab for job search activities. The computer lab is available to job seekers by self-serve 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Career Center Computer Lab

  • Computers with internet access
  • Fax, Copier, printer, scanner
  • Computer with webcam for digital interviews
  • Current list of job opportunities
  • Information on applying for unemployment benefits
two people discussing a resume

Computer Lab

480-312-0060

Boost Your Skills

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Training Grant

The WIOA training grant is a Federal grant that provides funds for occupational training to individuals at no cost. The WIOA is not an entitlement grant, which means there is an eligibility process to determine if you qualify to receive funds. Eligibility is based on a variety of factors.

Office Proficiency Assessment and Certification (OPAC)

Assessments designed to evaluate the skill and proficiency of typing, 10-key, data entry, Microsoft programs, medical terminology, and legal terminology.

Arizona Career Readiness Credential (ACRC)

The Arizona Career Readiness Credential (ACRC) validates foundational skills that matter most to Arizona employers. The ACRC is an employment tool that is available to job seekers to prepare them for success by demonstrating their command of seven skill areas that are relevant to every occupation, industry and career pathway across the state.

Basic Computer Skills

From filling out online applications to uploading your resume, technology is intertwined with your job search. Boosting your computer literacy is not only is helpful as you look for employment but once hired technology knowledge is many times expected. Many companies expect employees to navigate and adapt to new technology introduced to the workplace.

So, where are you on the technology knowledge spectrum?

  • Can you type at least 25 words per minute, accurately?
  • Do you know how to upload, download, or attach a document?
  • How comfortable are you using different types of technology and software?

For a skills boost, take advantage of the library’s online computer classes.

Library Computer Classes


Make Your Resume Relevant

The professional resume is the first step to winning the job interview. If it is not clear, succinct and the best illustration of the relevant qualifications for the position, the interview may never happen. Using the job description as a guide can be helpful to determine which qualifications to include or highlight over others.

Resume length should be considered, with a suggested one-page as ideal, but two-pages is ok. The resume is meant to summarize your recent work experience, skills, and qualifications NOT an entire work history. A lengthy career is an achievement but not a lengthy resume; your work history should only go back 15 years, at most.

In addition, resume guidelines have changed over the years. Before your resume gets to an employer, it must be uploaded, scanned and easily read by recruiting software. A competitive resume reflects the most current and preferred format, length and desired information.

So, is your resume relevant? For the latest techniques and assistance developing a professional resume, see Vista Career Center Calendar for more information.

Downloadable Resources


Build Your Network

Networking is essential when starting a new job search. Take inventory of the professionals and people in your life that can be of assistance on your new career journey. Your network can also help generate job opportunities, professional contacts or be utilized as professional references. Expand your professional networking online with LinkedIn. LinkedIn is the top online platform for professionals to network, connect and apply.

This platform can be leveraged to build and nurture current professional relationships or build new ones. Your professional relationships can exist virtually, especially in times of social distancing.

LinkedIn also has powerful job search functionality, as well as the ability to connect directly with recruiters. Once your profile is updated, you can notify recruiters that you are looking for work.

Not sure where to start? Vista Career Coaches are here to help you create your professional profile and begin building your virtual network. If in person networking is more your thing, consider joining organizations like Career Connectors and St. Patrick’s Employment Ministry to broaden your network.

LinkedIn Tutorial

Online Job Search Boards

Job Sites or Online Job Boards advertise job postings for companies and employers looking to hire for a variety of positions.

Registering with a job board can be beneficial and sometimes necessary if the company does not have its own online application. Many companies use job boards to promote their employment opportunities. Using a job search board can be beneficial, as it allows job seekers to apply for multiple jobs within a short period of time.

Be selective with Job Boards you choose to register with. Many of the for-profit job sites share your contact information and job interests with other sites and educational institutions. To avoid unwanted emails and phone calls, select sites that don’t share your information like:

The other sites can be useful to search and see the companies that are currently hiring. You can then go directly to the company’s site and see if there is an option to apply there.


Master the Online Job Application

Oh, how times have changed! The Online Application is now required to apply for most employment opportunities. Not only do you have to fill out an online job application, but it requires establishing a Username and Password; and uploading, pasting, or attaching a Resume.

Online applications are not seen by a human initially, as they are read first by ATS (Application Tracking Software) which is programmed to read your application and resume and find keywords matching the job. If your application does not include the programmed keywords and qualifications, the application may never be seen by the employer.

Assessment tests are also a common addition to your online application. These tests are designed to assess your general behaviors, values and overall ability to work with others through a series of behavioral questions. These tests tend to be multiple choice and can take up to 20 minutes to complete. It is important to take your time with these questions, be consistent and be decisive as choosing “neutral” as an answer may not help you pass the assessment.

Online job applications can be tricky. Vista Career Coaches are available to assist you with your online application. Sign up for an individual session to get assistance.


Ace Your Interview

What do you know about our company? Why should we hire you? Why do you want this job? What are your greatest professional strengths? What are your weaknesses? What makes you qualified for this position? Answering those and other interview questions cannot only be difficult but could make or break your chances of getting hired.

Good news, if you got the interview, you are already qualified for the job. The interview is to get to know you and see how you may fit in the company or organization as compared to the other candidates. Be confident in your skills and experience. Your qualifications are what got you the interview.

Unfortunately, your qualifications do not prevent feeling nervous. Best way to combat nerves is to be prepared. Practicing those tricky interview questions can help you be ready with possible answers. Practice may not make perfect, but it does makes better.

Take time to practice common interview questions in front of the mirror or with your most objective friend. Studying the job description can also be helpful in predicting questions to prepare for. Do not forget about behavioral interview questions which have become a common part of most professional interviews. Behavioral questions require more thought and to give an example of how you have handled a situation in the past.

As technology advances so does the job interview. For the sake of time and efficiency, interviews are evolving to different platforms including phone, video and digital. If you have not already had a virtual interview, be ready, you will. To really sharpen those interview skills, attend the “Interview Techniques” workshop or make an appointment for a mock interview session.


Scottsdale Teen Employment Program (STEP)

The STEP program assists Scottsdale teens, ages 14 to 19, with job readiness training, Resume assistance, mock interviews and job referrals. STEP offers workshops and regular events designed for the teen job seeker.


Book a Session with a Career Coach