Debra was absolutely vital in helping me get to my dream agency. She spent a generous amount of time assisting with contacts and helping me create a game plan of sorts that gave me the power and confidence to turn down great offers in order to get what I was really hoping for. I have dubbed her the Fairy Jobmother!

—Rebecca Antonucci, Associate Creative Director at Purpose 

Pierce is placement.

At The Pierce Group, you will have the opportunity to work with recruiters who have more than 20 years of experience developing long-term relationships with a variety of large and small companies. 

With more than 1,000 office visits to creative trend-setting companies (Disney, IBM, Saatchi, Duffy & Partners, Insomniac, Gensler, etc.) around the globe and attendance to annual conferences at the helm of the creative industry (SXSW, Miami Art Week, IAAPA, Neocon, Siggraph, etc.), we have learned firsthand what employers are looking for when hiring. We’ve learned to pivot during the rapidly changing workplace and have our “finger on the pulse” of what companies are really looking for. By taking the time to ask the important questions, we are better positioned to forecast the many challenges that occur when taking a new job. Our ultimate goal is to connect you with companies that are not only exciting and inspiring, but will allow you to build the career you dream of. 

Project Purpose

The program targets pressing local employment challenges with a clear focus on working with experienced residents to elevate the unemployed, underemployed, and seniors by providing training that focuses on using technology effectively, enhancing employability through career training, and outreach to employers resulting in improving economic development.

The program will start with outreaching the City of Fort Lauderdale community volunteers, and the community as a whole to recruit and build a team of 50+ volunteers to participate in the program. That will be followed by extensive training initially for the BEES Knees Executive Committee / Board. This group will be responsible for driving the program. Once we’ve developed a strong leadership team, we will train all volunteers and assign duties based on what each person feels comfortable doing. Some volunteers may have multiple duties. Volunteers will be given the options of coaching, training, administration, or outreach. We will provide ongoing training for volunteers and the community.

Trained boomers will help promote the BEES Knees training program to the community with the help of the City of Fort Lauderdale. We will provide 8-weeks of training that is structured to be cumulative with each training session having the ability to stand alone. This program will allow 500+ participants to gain access to over 40+ instructors and coaches who will provide training and mentoring in career success practices, using technology effectively with the goal of elevating each person’s career marketability and demystifying technology. We will have the option of running this program once or twice a year. There will be an annual or possibly bi-annual one-day job fair that will engage at least 20 companies and 500 job seekers to connect. The job fair will allow the participants to use their newly acquired skills and knowledge gained through training programs by giving them the opportunity to meet with potential employers.

 

City Departments

• PR
• HR
• Development
• Parks & Rec
• City Manager’s Office
• Mayor
• City Commissioners
• Public Library


Potential Funding

• City of Fort Lauderdale
• YMCA
• Community Development
• Broward County
• Knight Foundation
• Heart2Heart Outreach of South Florida

Workshops

• Demystifying Technology
• Online and Phone Security that includes Best Practices for Avoiding Scams (Seniors)
• How to Set Up Social Media Pages on Facebook, Instagram (Seniors)
• How to Apply for Online Jobs
• How to Build an Effective LinkedIn Page
• Effective Communication
• Job Search Skills
• Build an Effective LinkedIn Profile
• Networking 101
• Effective Negotiation
• Behavior Management
• Take the Lead—Get Promoted


Resources

• City PR team to promote programs
• Inclusion in community newsletters
• Parks and Rec work with BEES Knees by providing space to host training in local areas
• Library allows us to use computer labs and classrooms to host workshops
• City Manager, Mayor
• Allocated office space or conference room for meetings, and training with Boomers


Key Initiatives

• Recruit a team of Boomers

• Establish Roles

• Develop job descriptions along with the number of volunteers needed for each position

• Recruit an executive committee or board from volunteers to help in various facets of the program including brainstorming, developing and implementing new strategies, training volunteers, and operationally contributing to the overall program.

• Work with City of Fort Lauderdale employees to tap into Boomers & Seniors that have expressed interest in volunteering

• Reach out to Civic Associations to recruit residents that are eager to make a difference in their community by volunteering in community-based programs

• Set up training workshops that are focused on improving career skills, improving computer skills, enhancing knowledge

• Market & Outreach: YMCA, Hispanic Heritage Association, Boys & Girls Club, Fort Lauderdale Community Center, Community Center of Broward, AARP Foundation, Help For Felons, Florida Department of Economic Development

• Set up 1 day Job Fair either annually or bi-annually

 

Career coaching

Why work with a coach? They are experts at helping you get out of your head while helping you overcome obstacles.

We are often our own worst enemy—paralyzed by fear, doubt, and uncertainty—which can really put a damper on the job search. Everyone is unique and requires an equally as unique strategy. The Pierce Group helps you discover your “special sauce” so that you may enter into the job market with the confidence that can only come from what you have to offer.

The coaches at The Pierce Group will stop at nothing to help you. Once we identify your unique goals and challenges, together we will develop a comprehensive plan that will enable you to move onward and upward.  

 

What to expect when working with one of our Career Coaches

  • Build confidence while increasing self-esteem by understanding your true strengths and which are most valuable in the workplace.

  • Increase knowledge by understanding what is important to employers—what their key goals are that aren’t written in the job descriptions.

  • Understand what is holding you back and develop a short- and long-term career plan to overcome obstacles. The Pierce Group will customize a timeline to help with accountability.

  • Increase salary by demystifying the negotiating process. You will understand what is negotiable while learning to leverage what you have to offer.

  • Overcome the discomfort of discussing special needs with a new employer as we share with you communication strategies for sensitive topics.

  • Explore alternative careers that could be options to someone with your skillset. Get a better understanding of what the job entails and see if the role aligns with what you are looking for.

  • Understand LinkedIn and networking and how these two intersect, leading to successful connections. The Pierce Group will help you set up an effective LinkedIn page that is attractive to potential employers. We will show you how you can expand your network through approaching networking events as more than just an attendee.