Monthly Archives: November 2008

3 Ways to Learn From Others at Work

Learning as much as you can on the job is important to your personal and professional growth. Most of your co-workers probably have different strengths and weaknesses than you do, which makes your team function well when everyone pulls their talents together. So, take the opportunity to learn from your co-workers and sharpen your skills. Here are three informal ways to increase your knowledge in the workplace by working with your peers.

Pay attention. Watch how your colleagues act and react to certain situations at work, whether it’s how they handle a customer complaint, the way they treat their supervisor, or how they complete their work on time. Observe how they’re received by others and what other co-workers’ reactions are. You can learn from both positive and negative behaviors by imitating good examples and learning not to mimic poor behaviors.

Ask for a demonstration. If you’re on the job and need or simply want to learn how to complete a procedure, ask a co-worker who is knowledgeable about the process. Ask if you can watch them the next time they complete that task, and ask them to explain their strategy during each step.

Request guidance. Sometimes you might come across a task that you’re somewhat familiar with but need a little guidance and reassurance along the way. In this case, ask a knowledgeable co-worker if they can watch you as you perform the task yourself and correct you if you miss a step. Make sure to ask questions for clarification as you complete your task so that you’ll understand the process.

Every day is a new opportunity to learn something. So take time to learn from your co-workers and improve your skills to grow personally and professionally. These opportunities will help you build relationships with your co-workers, creating value for both you and your entire team.

Are Lower Gas Prices Having Any Impact?

gas prices and jobsDuring the summer, increasing fuel cost increases seemed to be a daily occurrence. It often felt like there was no end in sight. But, gas prices have steadily fallen every day since Sept. 17, according to CNN, and fuel costs haven’t been this low since August 2005.

An August 2008 survey showed that 35% of workers changed their commute and driving habits due to increased fuel costs this past summer. But, cooling weather might make it difficult to ride your bike to work this time of year, and holiday expenses are just around the corner.

We want to know how lower gas prices are affecting your driving habits. Are you still concerned with finding a job close to home? Does a longer drive for a new job seem more manageable now? Is this newly found relief in gas prices having any effect on your commute or job search? Or are those costs just being diverted elsewhere? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

Express is now on Facebook!

Express on FacebookIt’s an exciting day at Express – we’re happy to announce we’re now on Facebook! Please check out our page and let us know what you think. We’ll be posting videos, contests, and more, so don’t miss it!

Become a Featured Fan
One thing we’ll be doing is featuring some our fans by posting their story and photo here (on our blog) and on Facebook. For your chance at being featured, first you’ll have to become an Express fan on Facebook. Then, leave us a comment on our Facebook wall telling us a little bit about your Express story. Then, we’ll contact fans to find out more.

Not on Facebook?
To become a fan of Express, you have to have a Facebook profile. If you don’t have one, you can sign up for your own profile as long as you have a working e-mail address.

Send Us Your Suggestions
Have a suggestion about what you want to see on the Express Facebook page? Leave us a comment or write a message on our wall, and we’ll get back with you. We’re on Facebook for you, so let us know what you want to see!

Tis’ the Season for Second Jobs

Last year, in our November poll, we asked our readers to tell us why they’d consider taking a seasonal job. Most people said they wanted to get their foot in the door at a company with the hopes of getting hired full time after the holiday season.

This year, as the economic landscape worsens and the holidays are yet again upon us, we’d like to know where you stand on the idea of taking a second job as the holidays approach. Let us know by voting in our poll, and feel free to share your stories and comments in the comments section!