Monthly Archives: June 2016

Poll: What Does Your Dream Job Look Like?

MOV_POLL-ICONEveryone has a job or career they’ve dreamed about. And sometimes, interviewers will even ask candidates about their dream job or future plans in an interview. However, rather than determining whether you want to be an astronaut or a world-famous singer, they may want to know what that job looks like to you on a daily basis. Do you dream about working from home? Do you want to travel frequently? The answer is different for everyone, and we want to know your thoughts! Tell us what your dream job looks like by voting in our poll!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

The Job Hunt: Staying Motivated

MotivationSummer_July2013_webExpress Employment Professionals recently released results from a new Harris Poll of the unemployed, which, for the third year in a row, shows a significant number of Americans have completely given up looking for work.

Forty-three percent of those surveyed said they have completely given up looking for work. For those unemployed more than two years, the percentage of individuals giving up on the job hunt increased to 59% from 2015.

Results were based on a May 2016 survey of 1,513 jobless Americans, age 18 and older, who are unemployed but capable of working.

Who Are the Unemployed?
According to the survey, 55% of the unemployed are men; 45 % are women; and 33% are between ages 18 and 29.

The majority lack a college degree:

  • 38% received a high school diploma
  • 22% attended college, but did not receive a degree
  • 13% hold a bachelor’s degree

Of those with at least a college degree, 52% indicated they wish they had focused on a vocational career such as automotive technology, electrician, plumber, HVAC specialist, dental assisting, or medical assisting. If you find yourself thinking about a vocational career, Express published a white paper, “Caution: College May Not Be For Everyone,” that takes an in-depth look at career technical education, and compares its benefits to a traditional bachelor’s degree.
Inspiration from Thomas Edison
American Inventor and businessman Thomas A. Edison once said, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
If you are among the unemployed, it can be a frightening time. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates there are 5.8 million open jobs. When re-entering the workforce, it’s important to be honest about resume gaps and be open to the idea that you might need to look for a career path in a different industry.

You can always take advantage of the time you have to read, volunteer, or continue your education. Use your time to work on your resume, polish your skills, and heed Edison’s advice. Try sending out one more resume a day, applying for one more job per week, and calling on your network to see if they know of open jobs.

Resources to Find Work
The 2016 survey on the “State of the Unemployed” indicates that unemployment is becoming a chronic condition. More than half, 51%, reported they haven’t been on a job interview since 2014.

According to the study, the unemployed reported they are putting in an average of only 11.7 hours per week looking for work. Recruiters, however, will often tell you that a job seeker needs to spend more time looking for a job.

In today’s online world, there are numerous sources that you can use to enhance your job search. Job boards such as Monster or Indeed.com provide valuable listings. Also, company websites often list open jobs. And, there are valuable websites that help enhance your job search, as well as offer resume tips.

You can also use a staffing company, like Express Employment Professionals, to help you find work. According to the American Staffing Association, more than 3 million temporary and contract employees work for staffing companies during an average week. And, during the course of a year, American staffing companies hire nearly 16 million temporary and contract employees.

Express also conducted a similar study on the unemployed in Canada. View results of both studies with infographics on unemployed Americans and Canadians.

If you have found yourself unemployed, what motivates you to continue your job search? Please let us know in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Brand It Blue Day 2016 Recap!

BrandItBlueDay2014On Saturday, June 11, in communities across North America, Express Employment Professionals offices came together to serve and give back as part of the fourth annual Brand It Blue Day.

More than 235 Express offices, from California to North Carolina to Canada joined with more than 1,000 volunteers to provide more than 87,000 meals for those in need. If you were able to be a part of this amazing effort in any way, thank you for your support and hard work.

As we recently shared, volunteering and serving in your community can do a lot for your career or job search. From an increase in networking opportunities to gaining leadership skills, serving others is a great way to improve your professional life.

But, did you know it can have an incredible impact on your health and well-being? A survey of more than 3,000 adults found that the majority of volunteers felt mentally and physically healthier after serving. Nearly 80% said volunteering lowered their stress levels, while 76% said serving made them feel healthier. And, a report by the Corporation for National & Community Service found that those who serve have lower mortality rates, more functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life.

Giving back in your community, whether it’s through a group volunteer effort over the weekend, or by doing pro-bono work from your home for a nonprofit, can have a positive impact on your attitude on life and hopes for your future.

We hope Brand It Blue Day gave you an opportunity to serve in your community, increase your happiness, and possibly make some new connections that will help you soon find a new job. If you didn’t have a chance to join Express for this year’s event, make sure to check back with your local office for information about Brand It Blue Day 2017 and how you can be involved.

Through the hard work and service of Express offices, we’ve been able to donate more than 300,000 meals to nonprofit organizations across North America through the efforts of Brand It Blue Day. Think of all the meals we can provide next year with your help!

Check out some of the photos from Brand It Blue Day!

HQ group
Farmington Hills-Westland MI
HQ Volunteers

Tyler, TX

Midland, TXGrand Rapids

 

 

 

Making a Career Out of Giving Back

giving_back_makes_you_more_employable_webHow great would it be to blend your work life with a purpose you’re passionate about? The good news is, you can when you make a career out of giving back by joining the nonprofit workforce. Still, it takes more than good intentions to make a career, so we’ve laid out a few tips to help you get started on your nonprofit career hunt.

Lay out your career roadmap
Start with causes you’re passionate about, and think specifically about how you could fit into a role in that world. Like any job, you still have to be qualified to perform the tasks at hand. So, be sure to do a self-assessment to better understand how your skills and qualifications line up with the job you’re seeking. Once you know the areas you need to improve in, start working on those through volunteer work, online training, etc.

Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer
The best way to get moving on a career path toward nonprofit work is to volunteer with a nonprofit in a field you’re passionate about. This is a great way to establish your presence, network, and get to know potential employers. It’s also a great way to build experience in the sector you’re interested in while getting to know the organization better.

The job hunt
As you prepare your resume for potential nonprofit employers, be sure to highlight the volunteer experience you have. Then, start your search! If you aren’t sure where to begin, try one (or all) of the job search sites below. All are free to use.

What are some nonprofit causes you’re interested in? Let us know in the comment section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Summer is Here – Do You Have a Job?

cool_impression_summer_job_webToday is the first official day of summer in the United States, which for some, means an increase in both temperature and free time. Every summer, many students look for temporary work while they’re on break from school.

To help you make the most of your summer job, we’ve dug through the Movin’ On Up vault to bring you valuable tips and resources this season.

Know the benefits.
Summer jobs are very valuable, and not just because they generate some extra cash. They can also help benefit your future by leading to full-time work, adding experience and skills to your resume, shaping your career path, and introducing you to important network connections. This Movin’ On Up article breaks down the benefits even more, so check it out if you’re on the fence about finding summer work.

Discover the hot jobs.
Finding the right summer job is essential. To get started on your job search, check out this infographic that introduces four jobs that are popular during the summer months.

Ramp up your search.
If your summer job search has stalled, don’t give up. It’s important to treat your job search as if it is your full-time job by being diligent in hunting for work, sending in applications, enhancing your resume, and preparing for interviews. You never know where a seasonal or temporary job can lead, so always remember to put your best foot forward. To help you ramp up your search this summer, take a look at this article.

Make a good impression.
In order to help your summer job lead to bigger and better opportunities, you must show value to your boss and make a good impression in the workplace. Adjusting your routine, taking on additional projects, learning from your mistakes, networking, and paying attention to your work wardrobe are all ways you can make a positive, lasting impression on your supervisor. Check out more tips in this Movin’ On Up article.

Learn from Hollywood.
Summer brings big hits to the box office, and often, those movies feature valuable lessons job seekers and employees can take away. If you’re wondering how Hollywood stories can help you land a job, and keep it, take a look at last summer’s blockbusters and see for yourself.

Clean up your social media.
Many of us take advantage of social media and its ability to help us stay in touch with friends and family. But, have you ever wondered what your social media presence may be doing for your job prospects? Just as much as your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or other profile may be entertaining, it can also be harmful. To make sure your accounts aren’t hurting your chances of landing a job this summer, check out this Movin’ On Up article.

Are you working this summer? What tips do you have for finding a summer job? Share with us in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Father’s Day: Recognizing Fathers in the Workplace

The first Father’s Day is believed to have originated in the state of Washington on July 19, 1910. Yet, the day did not become a nationwide holiday until President Richard Nixon made it official in 1972, nearly 60 years after Mother’s Day was declared a holiday.

Father’s Day will be celebrated this Sunday, June 19. In honor of the annual celebration, we’d like to recognize all fathers while taking a deeper look at those in the workplace.

Fathers in the Workforce
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 93% of all men with children under age 18 participated in the labor force in 2015. The Pew Research Center also revealed that in 46% of two-parent households, both mom and dad work full time. This is up from 31% in 1970.

Work-life Balance
With that many working fathers, the recent results from a Pew Research Center survey should come as no surprise. Just like mothers in the workplace, fathers often find it challenging to balance family and work. Yet, a large portion of those surveyed said they feel like they have to work to provide for their family. The survey also found that men want to be able to spend more time with their children and enjoy sharing the child raising responsibilities.

Here at Movin’ On Up, we salute our associates who are working fathers and wish all of them a happy Father’s Day!

Are you a working dad? Do you have tips for other working dads? Let us know in the comments section below!

FathersDay1 FB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Ask a Recruiter: Using Volunteerism on Your Resume

ask_a_recruiterListing volunteer efforts on your resume can seem a little tricky. And, some may wonder if it’s even worth it? We know there’s a lot to learn, and we want to help by answering your questions. Our very own industry experts at Express Employment Professionals have offered up helpful answers right here on the Movin’ On Up blog.

Question: How do recruiters view volunteer experience on a resume? 

Answer: Recruiters are people, just like everyone else. To that end, each recruiter will probably view previous volunteer work in their own unique way. At the end of the day, most recruiters are paid by clients to find the best candidate based on skill sets that are defined by the client. If the skill sets are very specific, and experience crucial, volunteer experience most likely will play a small role in the recruiter’s decision to present a candidate or not. That being said, it’s still important to include.

In my experience, volunteerism can take center stage in other places during the hiring process. First, it can be a differentiator between yourself and another equally qualified candidate. Adding volunteer service tends to show how well-rounded a candidate is, or illustrates that they share time and abilities outside of the office. Often, for recruiters, making a great placement is about a culture fit or soft-skills fit, not solely based on past work titles. Volunteerism is a great way of illustrating your soft-skills to a recruiter or a hiring manager.

Additionally, if you are just entering the marketplace (think no experience or little experience) or you are changing seats in the marketplace (new industry, new specialized area, etc.), volunteerism can be a great way to show that even though you don’t have experience in a certain role or industry, you have picked up transferable skills while being a solid community member and giving back your time.

Finally volunteerism is a great conversation starter. If you’re interviewing with a company that is civic minded, and you’re passionate about volunteer work, share that enthusiasm during the interview. Employers in today’s marketplace want employees who get excited about working toward a goal bigger than themselves, and that’s what volunteering is all about!

Question: What are some tips for listing volunteer experience on a resume?

Answer: Unless you are new to the marketplace and volunteer work is the majority of your experience, I believe it’s best to keep it simple. List the organization, dates you’ve been associated, and possibly one sentence about the work you’ve been doing with the organization. When you can work in lessons learned from volunteering during the interview itself, it’s more impactful than listing volunteer experience on the resume.

If you’re someone who has lots of volunteer experience, don’t feel like you need to share every organization you’ve been a part of! In most cases, being affiliated with 10 or more civic organizations won’t necessarily gain you any more street cred than listing two or three. Pick the organizations in which you’ve invested the most time in, or the two or three that you’ve most recently been affiliated with.

Thank you to Joe Paquette from Express for providing the above answers!

Do you have a question about the job search, hiring, or recruiting process? Now’s your chance to have your question answered by industry professionals who find, interview, and hire people every day. Ask your question in the comments section below and check back soon to read what our experts have to say!