Leadership is an important part of any company, and the people who fill leadership roles often make or break the success of their business. Does your career path involve leadership of some kind? Do you want to be the manager of a company or own your own business in the future? If your job search goals include leading others, we want to know how you’re preparing for that role. Let us know by voting in our poll!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
Do you equate applying for a position to actors and actresses who are in search of that famous golden statue? You should. In fact, searching for a job is a lot like being in the running for an Academy Award. As we prepare for the Oscars on Sunday, take a look at the following facts about your job search and the lessons you can learn from Hollywood’s finest.
Myth: Going for an audition is not the same as going to a job interview.
Fact: An interview is an audition. The interviewers, just like movie directors, know what is needed for a job, and they want to make sure you have it.
Myth: People with a reputation in the acting industry are given the roles, and new actors are looked over.
Fact: Everyone has different talents, and sometimes it’s good for a company to shake things up a bit. People with the highest level of experience aren’t always the greatest fit. Just like actors, you have to prove you’re the right person for the job through your resume, references, and interview skills.
Myth: Anyone can act.
Fact: Saying anyone can act is just like saying anyone can write, sing, weld, or perform any other job. Everyone has their own sets of skills and experiences, and that is what shapes them as a job candidate. The actors who take the stage at this weekend’s Academy Awards have proven their skills, and you can learn from them, too.
Lesson: Do what you’re passionate about.
Oscar nominee Bryan Cranston has been in the acting business for a number of years and is probably best known for his role as Walter White in Breaking Bad. His goal was to do something he loved and was good at, rather than something he might learn to like.
Lesson: Sometimes you have to take risks and learn from the experience.
Eddie Redmayne has made a splash in Hollywood with a short, but successful career. Last year, he apologized to the Academy for rising to the top in such a short time and stated that he knew he was very lucky. According to Eddie, you don’t want to let people down while also realizing that you can’t please everyone. So, you have to ask yourself what is worth doing and what isn’t, and that sometimes means taking risks and pressing your luck.
Lesson: You can’t do it alone.
Leonardo DiCaprio has been nominated for an Oscar five times, and he has earned the recognition in part due to those around him. In a recent interview, he stated that The Revenant was the most difficult job he has ever had. It was cold and he was in the water a lot, but what made it worthwhile was that everyone on set worked as a team.
Lesson: Embrace the challenges and learn from the opportunities.
Brie Larson is the new girl in Hollywood. The star of The Room stated that she has had to step out of her comfort zone for her role and she wasn’t expecting all the public attention she has received. As a result, she’s had to learn how to navigate her career one step at a time. Sometimes, it’s better to go into things without expectations so you can adapt as you go.
Lesson: Utilize your strengths, build on your weaknesses, and be yourself.
45 Years star Charlotte Rampling is sometimes seen as aloof or unapproachable, but she states that there is nothing wrong with being private about her life. In fact, it can sometimes be detrimental to your career and personal life if you put everything on social media for the world to see. Instead, play up your strengths and improve your weaknesses. Most of all, be yourself. Employers want to know who you are when they consider hiring you, and only you can show them.
What additional lessons can the Oscars teach us? Let us know in the comments section below.
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
Falling in love and being engaged with your work is an ideal image that few believe they can achieve, but doing so can make you feel fulfilled, appreciated, and challenged.
The problem is, work is sometimes seen as an unavoidable necessity instead of a way to feel appreciated and successful. To help you commit to your work, we’ve listed some ways you can start a long-term engagement with your job!
Use your strength and talent to boost the relationship.
When you use your talents and strengths at work, you get a boost of self-esteem and are excited to go to your job every day. If you don’t know what those talents are, ask your supervisor and co-workers or pay attention to what you enjoy doing at work. Knowing your strengths also helps you prepare for yearly reviews with your boss.
Express gratitude.
Though it goes without saying that employees who are appreciated are more engaged, if your boss doesn’t easily hand out compliments, it’s up to you to feel gratitude. Learn how to be grateful for having a job, getting paid, and being part of the company. Allow yourself to feel good about your life, and find something about your job for which you are thankful.
Learn something new and exciting.
According to a study from the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, people who enjoy activities outside of work that are creative and fun perform better at the office. So, find something new and fun to do outside the office. Want to get better at computers? Take a course! Want to paint still-life flowers? Then, go do it! Trying new things and having a creative outlet can help you start a long-term engagement with your job.
Expand your role in the business.
Look for opportunities at work to share your talents and expertise. Volunteer to speak at a conference or write a blog for the company. If another department needs help in an area you’re an expert in, volunteer to help. Not only will you feel good about the value you bring to the company, but you can earn the respect and thanks of others in the company, too.
Commit to making a change.
If something isn’t working in your personal relationships and you know it’s because of you, you would work to make a change, right? Once you commit to a long-term engagement at work, you may have to change your habits. For example, if you take on projects that don’t challenge you because they are easy, seek out more challenging projects. If you struggle with one aspect of your job, ask for additional training or assistance. Create your own opportunities to be engaged like speaking up at meetings or joining a company challenge.
Still on the fence about committing to your work? Consider this: employees who are engaged and participate at work earn bigger rewards and feel more fulfilled than disengaged workers. When you start a long-term engagement with your job, you’ll gain better performance, faster personal growth, and enjoyable success.
What ways are you committed to being engaged at work? Share your tips with us in the comments section below!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
February is the month of love, which means it’s a time for Valentines, roses, and love songs. Do you know that love songs are more than just sappy lyrics or heart-wrenching vocals? In fact, some of the most popular love songs today have a message that can apply to your job search or career as well.
Here are five workplace lessons you can learn from popular love songs playing on the radio today!
The lyrics say, “Oh don’t you dare look back. Just keep your eyes on me. I said you’re holding back. She said shut up and dance with me.” This song has many timely messages for the workplace. Like the lyrics suggest, don’t look back on past jobs, failures, or mistakes. Keep your eyes on the present and the ways you can succeed. When you look back, you lose track of your future, so ignore the voice that constantly reminds you of your past, and dance into making your career the best it can be. Stop procrastinating and holding back.
Are you “too hot” and you know it? This song is perfect for you. Learn to accept your victories at work and do not be afraid to let your superiors know when you have succeeded. Letting your boss and co-workers know that you’ve achieved a milestone lets them see your talents, but also shows off the skills of the people on your team. And if someone thinks you can’t finish a project or deadline, just borrow the line, “Don’t believe me? Just watch!”
Yeah, we’ve all been there. We remember “the good old days when our momma sang us to sleep,” but now “we’re stressed out.” This song helps us remember that stress can be detrimental to not only our health, but our work quality as well. If you find that you are overwhelmed at your job, find ways to deal with that stress, like getting regular sleep, exercising to burn off energy, or talking with a supervisor about ways to lighten your load.
This song is a great reminder to be grateful for your job every day. With the confusing economy, lots of workers have been laid off and are desperate for a job. Never take for granted that your position is not invincible. Work at all times to make yourself valuable and irreplaceable so you won’t have to worry about losing your job.
Guess what? Even rock stars make mistakes. In this song, Bieber says, “You gotta go and get angry at all of my honesty. You know I try but I don’t do too well with apologies. I hope I don’t run out of time, could someone call the referee? ‘Cause I just need one more shot at forgiveness.” If you make a mistake at work, own up to it. Honestly confessing that something went wrong and then finding a way to make it right works much better than covering up the mistake or blaming someone else. Sometimes, everyone needs one more shot. Likely, if you are honest and have a plan to correct your mistake, you’ll get that shot to redeem yourself.
Do you have any love songs that motivate you at work too? Share your favorites in the comments section below!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
Heart disease affects all areas of your life, including your career. Since February is American Heart Month, it’s a great time to understand the risks of heart disease and learn ways you can stay healthy on the job.
Cardiovascular disease and strokes are not only common, they’re costly. In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) says that the total economic cost of heart disease five years ago was $320 billion. By 2030, those costs are expected to reach $918 billion.
According to recent research, heart patients spent an average of $4,400 on medical care for heart-related issues. Given that cost, it’s important to know how you can protect yourself from heart diease and help keep your friends, family, and co-workers healthy at the same time.
Get Screened
The AHA suggests regular screenings to make sure you’re health is in check. Health care is easily accessible, which makes it a great time to get screened for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and more. Contact your doctor to find out how you can schedule a screening.
Eat Right
We all know the importance of eating healthy. Proper nutrition helps cut your risk of cardiovascular disease, so be sure to incorporate fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your meals. Instead of frying your food, consider grilling it when you can. Consider bringing your lunch to work and packing healthy food like fruits, light sandwiches, and juice.
Exercise Regularly
Exercising can be as easy as going for a walk around the block. When it comes to staying healthy, you just have to put forth the effort. It’s recommended that adults engage in moderate to intense exercise for at least 30 minutes, five days a week. But don’t give up if you can’t reach that goal. Small activities can add up quickly, like taking the stairs, walking the dog, or cleaning the house.
Cut Out Stress
One of the biggest factors in heart disease is stress. And let’s be honest, we’re all a bit stressed from time to time. While stress is natural, it can negatively effect your health. Consider adding a few techniques to your every day routine that may help cut down on the stress you put on your mind and body. Try meditation, relaxation exercises, or counseling to reduce stress and improve your health.
Learn to spot the events or activities that bring you stress and turn them around before you become overwhelmed. Know your limits, eliminate stressful relationships, and analyze your priorities before starting projects. If you feel overwhelemed at work, don’t hesitate to talk to your supervisor about your workload and make suggestions for how you can better accomplish your tasks without the extra stress.
How do you protect your heart health? Share your tips in the comments section below.
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
At Express Employment Professionals, we know our associates are what make us successful, and we’re privileged to have put more than 500,000 people to work in 2015. To show our thanks, we’re awarding 30 associates $1,000 each in our new sweepstakes, Job Jackpot.
As part of Job Jackpot, associates are given a scratch-off ticket. Game pieces can be returned to participating Express offices to be entered into a grand prize drawing to win $1,000.
Grand prize drawings are held bimonthly, and the most recent drawing just took place. Congratulations to the following Express associates:
If you’d like a chance to be our next winner, stop by your local Express office and talk to your staffing consultant today!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
A recent survey from Express Employment Professionals revealed that more than two-thirds of recent college graduates stay in their first career jobs for one year or less.
The Results Are In
Of those who gradated within the last 18 months, 58% said they stayed in their first job for “seven months to a year.” The full results include:
According to Bob Funk, the CEO of Express, “Younger workers would be advised to stay in their first job longer in order to gain experience. In addition, employers are looking for loyal people. If a business owner or manager spends months training a person, it’s only right for that employee to put their new skills to work for that organization.”
Longevity in the Workplace
These results suggest that longevity isn’t as important to recent graduates as networking, gaining experience, or enhancing their skills. If you want to stand out from the job search competition, consider learning more about the importance of longevity and avoiding gaps in your resume.
How long did you stay in your first job after graduation? Or, how long do you plan to stay in your first job? Let us know in the comments section below!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
