Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alva Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alva, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Well, fifteen-plus years ago, I lost my job. I wasn’t concerned about getting a new job because I’ve always been a good interviewee. I took some time off for some R&R (reading and relaxing) and to think about my next move. After thirty days, I started sending out my resume and interviewing again. I went on interview after interview and I was not getting the job. I was unemployed for three plus months, and I could not understand what I was doing wrong, I thought to myself, is it my hair (natural, braids, afro), attire, my brow ring, my shoes, my communication skills. WHAT IS IT????
After eight months of interviewing, I was STILL unemployed. I was falling into a depression, my unemployment was scheduled to end soon, and I needed help and a job ASAP. One rainy evening in August 2008. I was sitting with my sister (who had been in corporate America for years), asked how’s the job search coming, my reply was it ain’t coming, I’M STILL UNEMPLOYED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m getting the interviews, but no job offers. My sister replied what the H@!! are you wearing to these interviews? I immediately got upset, how dare she question my attire. I said I’m wearing a black pantsuit, a hot/light pink blouse, black heels, clear lip gloss, my eyebrow ring, and my hair is whatever protective style I can afford.
My sister was disappointed in my choice of interview attire/styling. She said I am going to bring you a black skirt suit, white blouse and she insisted I buy a wig and remove the eyebrow ring. She did exactly as promised. My next interview was scheduled, I was excited and ready!!!!! I put on the outfit she loaned me, my new wig, and I removed my eyebrow ring. I felt and looked like a million bucks. I listened, followed her direction, changed my attire, my attitude, and I GOT THE JOB. Since 2008, I have been on a mission to ensure that youth and young adults (16-24) prepared for their next interview, and they understand and know what’s appropriate and inappropriate in an interview,
What got me most excited about this idea, was the fact that there were others like me out there, that were CLUELESS about what’s appropriate and inappropriate in an interview… I was determined to teach and coach as many people as I could.
Alva, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Lovingly known in the Atlanta area as “The Weekend Interviewer” or “The Interview Coach”, I have always had a passion to connect people with opportunity. With a decorated resume, and 15 year span in the personal development industry, and customer service, I have proven to be the go to for workplace readiness and development. Amidst maintaining a consistent role in the corporate world, I always found time to do what I loved. A coach that’s always available and prompt in responding to my clients even on the weekends is how I was coined, “The Weekend Interviewer”.
Through my efforts both professionally and personally, I have personified my passions to see youth and young adults (16-24) succeed in the workplace. Eager to stabilize her part-time commitments, I chartered an in-depth and interactive course (How to Master the Art of Interviewing) to help individuals put their best career foot forward. In 2008, Breezee’s Youth Staffing Agency was founded.
An open-door policy, and guaranteed one-stop-shop for all your job readiness, and employment needs. Breezee’s Youth Staffing Agency and myself are committed to teaching this career ready course to individuals (16-24) that’s ready to jump into an occupation. “The Weekend Interviewer” finds joy when her clients are successful.
Breezee’s Youth Staffing Agency offers a guaranteed workplace readiness program geared towards youth/young adults ages 16-24. We capture all of the youths’ needs to pursue, land, and maintain their ideal job. Workshops focus on resume writing, mock interviews, styling/attire, job readiness, effective communication, and overall professionalism.
In addition, our agency acts as a direct pipeline with Breezee’s Staffing Agency LLC, offering work from home customer service positions to young adults ages 18- up.
What sets me apart is I am hiring young adults (18-up) to be employed with Fortune 500 companies with literally NO EXPERIENCE!!!. Now, you have to at least pass the interview process, and with me being an interview coach and offering workshops, it’s not easy. I do expect the individual to have enough discipline to attend training, listen, and pass the employment assessments, because if not, you will not be employed with BSA long. I figured someone gave me a chance, why not give someone else a chance.
I am most proud of two things,
1. When my students call, email or text me and say I GOT THE JOB, or I got accepted into the school of my choice. It shows me that they listened, and applied what they learned in the workshop.
2. When I received the opportunity to have my very own virtual call center (Breezee’s Staffing Agency LLC), and hire young adults with NO EXPERIENCE. I was so overjoyed because this would give me the opportunity to cultivate and connect young adults into the workforce. Not all youth /young adults desire to work in the retail or the fast-food industry. Although those are GREAT industries, I wanted to offer a different option. The option to be an independent contractor chose their own schedule, be it full-time or part-time.
If your youth/ young adult (16-24) needs job readiness training, or employment BYSA is the way to go. Visit www.bysagency.org and register TODAY. We do offer group registration rates.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Yes, there are several books, and other resources that have impacted my entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy.
The Bible, in my opinion the greatest book of them all, We Should all be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers, Think and Grow Rich A Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro and Napoleon Hill, The Job Interview Book, Jump by Steve Harvey, and Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Listening to Miles Monroe, Les Brown, Zig Zigler, and Rachel Rodgers Hello Seven Podcast via YouTube motivates me. Most of all being a preacher’s kid and being in church ALL my life, and listening to my former pastors, my father and mother, now my current pastor, my brother preaching God’s word keeps me grounded. Also, writing or reading pass faith confession- a statement you make based on God’s word. Writing things down and putting them into the atmosphere is something I try to practice everyday.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
What I think has helped build my reputation within this market, is my character, and my intellect. My brother Aaron Jones III, always says your TALENT will get you in the room, but your CHARACTER will keep you there. I pride myself on being a woman that is honest, humble, down to earth, consistently having a pleasant attitude, and ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP everybody win.. I am everybody’s cheerleader. Oh and not to mention I am a woman of my word, if I tell you I am going to do something no matter big or small I am going to do it.
I consider myself to be a subject matter expert in the interview world. Grant it, it seems like I am learning something new everyday. Although some interview techniques have changed, the basics never change presentation, communication verbal /nonverbal, and most of all perception. I am constantly reading, conducting focus groups, talking to business owners, department heads and HR reps, to see what’s new and what improvements need to be made within the interview process. My target age is 16-24, I make sure I stay relevant, and relatable..
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bysagency.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breezees2018
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Breezeesstaff
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI4p4BtHMELTgEm-49Iczig (The Interview Whisperer)
- Other: E-mail- [email protected]
Image Credits
F. Gerald