Monthly Archives: July 2016

Poll: How Do You Beat the Career Competition?

MOV_POLL-ICONWhen a job becomes available, chances of being the only candidate to apply for it are slim to none. There are ways, however, to stand out from the competition; whether that is the research you do before an interview or having strong references. There are many ways to approach this, and we want to know what you’re doing to stand out. Tell us by voting in our poll!

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

Your Dream Job: Expectations vs. Reality

keep_your_cool_webNo matter what your dream job is, most people have similar expectations of that position they desire. And, while you should absolutely pursue your dreams, it’s important to manage those expectations and balance them with reality.

Expectation: I will love everything about my dream job.

The reality is there are ups and downs in every job. Even the most seemingly perfect dream job has the potential for trade-offs, especially when you’re starting out in that dream role. While it’s important to not limit yourself in your job search based on your mental list of “must-haves,” be sure you know what your priorities are. Is a flexible work schedule on your dream job wish list? Is it more important than another aspect? It’s important to be realistic about your dream job and understand it may not encompass everything you desire, but it may have enough to keep you fulfilled.

Expectation: There is only ONE dream job for me.

The reality is that there are a variety of jobs you might thrive in, so don’t limit yourself! What you think of now as your dream job may change in the next five to 10 years. Think back to what you wanted to be when you were in kindergarten. Is it the same as what you want now? If it is, that’s great! If not, don’t worry about force-fitting yourself into just one dream job. You may find your true dream job during the search for what you originally desired. Keeping an open mind is important when pursuing a dream.

Expectation: I won’t have to change much/anything to get my dream job.

The reality is you may have to relocate, learn a new skill, or make some sacrifices to land your dream job. The probability of attaining that job is low until you step out of your comfort zone. While it would be nice to step into your dream job on the first try, it usually takes years of hard work and determination. In the meantime, use your current job to build your skills and continue pursuing that dream of yours.

You may also quickly realize that your dream job isn’t possible where you live. Determine what it will take to get where you want to go. If relocating immediately isn’t an option, take advantage of what you have now to move along your path toward that dream career.

Have you landed your dream job and been faced with a reality that doesn’t match your expectations? Share with us in the comments section below!

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

Congratulations to Our Next Round of Job Jackpot Winners!

job_jackpotAt 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:

  • Matthew from Missouri
  • Richard from Idaho
  • Felipe from Ontario
  • Jordan from Montana
  • Emily from Minnesota

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.

5 Lessons From Great Entrepreneurs

determine own successWhether you’re starting your first job or are the CEO of a large business, there are ups and downs in every career. And, understanding how to navigate through the highs and lows of your career path can be the difference between success and failure. To help you stay on track and remain inspired in your job search or in the workplace, take a look at these important lessons from successful entrepreneurs.

1. Perseverance is key.
In 2008, Danae Ringelmann launched one of the largest and most popular crowd-funding platforms in the world—Indiegogo. But, the platform’s inception wasn’t as successful as it is today. In fact, 92 people actually refused to fund the concept before one said “yes.” Danae’s story of perseverance proves that hope and belief in your vision can help you overcome the obstacles you face in your career. “Resistance comes in the form of ridicule. It comes in the form of rejection. It comes in the form of self-doubt,” Danae said. “It’s your job to keep going.”

2. Look for opportunity.
Honest Tea, a company whose mission is to create healthy beverages, was created when Dr. Barry Nalebuff noticed a gap in the beverage market. He thought water was too boring, diet drinks were too unhealthy, and soda was too sugary. So, he launched a new venture and eventually caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey. “When opportunity strikes, you have to be prepared for it,” Barry said. You never know when you’ll bump into someone who can make your dreams a reality, always be prepared and remember to keep your eyes open for new opportunities.

3. Give back.
Blake Mycoskie is the founder of TOMS, the shoe business that donates a pair of shoes to a child in a developing country for every pair sold. The business concept supports social entrepreneurship and has turned TOMS into a famous brand that has partnered with big names like Ralph Lauren. “I recognized very early on that when you incorporate a purpose beyond profit in your business, your customers will become your biggest marketers,” Blake said. Stories like Blake’s prove that you can make a positive impact in the world while developing your career path.

4. Focus on your decisions.
The hip, affordable eyeglass retailer, Warby Parker, was founded in 2010 by CEOs Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa. The company has since sold more than a million pairs of glasses and gained wide popularity. Early on in their businesses, Neil and Dave learned that every decision they made was going to have a significant impact on their career. “No matter what you’re doing, you should always try your best, especially early in your career,” they said. “How you do anything is how you do everything. No matter what task you’re faced with—large or small—always seek excellence.”

5. Don’t take things personally.
Lori Greiner started with one small jewelry invention in 1997 and grew it into a multi-million dollar venture with products in the world’s biggest retailers and on QVC. When the “Shark Tank” investor met with a lawyer to receive a patent for her first invention, her husband accompanied her. During the meeting, the lawyer assumed Lori’s husband was the brains behind the business and spoke only to him. Even though Lori was angry and even confronted the lawyer about the issue, she knew she couldn’t let it affect her confidence. “Don’t let business get personal. It’s just business. Shrug it off,” she said.

There are hundreds of stories about successful entrepreneurs who learned valuable lessons when starting their businesses. What are some of your favorite lessons? Share with us in the comments section below.

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

How to Land Your Dream Job

fun_at_work_day_webWhether you’ve just started searching for a job, are looking for a change, or have been in the workforce for years, landing your dream job is something every person thinks about at one time or another. But, attaining that dream profession can also sometimes seem out of reach or impossible to pursue.

Fortunately, it’s never too late to pursue your ideal job. With the right amount of planning, persistence, and prep, you can start moving in the direction of your dreams.

Know What You Want
From workplace culture to the day-to-day tasks, in order to land your dream job, you have to know what you actually want. Applying to any and all jobs just to get a paycheck probably won’t help you get where you want to go. Think long-term as you create a strategy for your job hunt. Look for jobs either within the same industry or with the opportunity to build valuable skills that can lead you on the path toward your dream career.

Do Some Prep Work
You won’t likely land a job without a resume and cover letter, so get busy on those now. Once updated, set a reminder to spruce up or check their relevancy monthly or as frequently you deem appropriate. The same idea goes for your social media accounts. If you have a LinkedIn profile, it should reflect your most recent professional information. Check out this Movin on Up article for tips on how to clean up your social media accounts.

Keep Your Day Job
If you aren’t able to find a position that lines up perfectly with the path to your dream job, it’s recommended to keep your “day job” as you pursue the other. If you have a job now, you have a safety net that is invaluable until you can move on. The important thing to remember with this is that there’s a difference in staying in a job out of fear and staying in a job as you actively search for a more satisfying role.

Practice Persistence
Monster.com’s Alexandra Levit interviewed more than 100 people who currently hold their dream jobs. The reoccurring theme to landing those jobs? Persistence. Some people will stay in jobs they aren’t happy in because of the security they provide. Levit encourages her audience to “make an effort to do one thing that moves you a bit closer to your big-picture goal.” If you consistently do things, like attend networking events or volunteering, you’ll be much closer to your dream job than you would be if you remain complacent.

Manage Expectations
Keep in mind, most people don’t land their dream job fresh out of college, or even within their first years in the workforce. Reaching that goal will take time, focus, and oftentimes, quite a bit of patience. Also, don’t forget that your dream job should be one that provides you with a sense of fulfillment. Not every aspect of your dream job may be perfect. Yet, at the end of the day, if you can’t imagine yourself feeling any more fulfilled by a job, then celebrate what you have! You’ve made it.

What is your dream job? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

Check In on Your Summer Job Performance

goal_setting_2020_webWe’re now about halfway through summer in the United States, and for many that means reaching a halfway point in their seasonal job. With a few more weeks to go before summertime wraps up or you head back to school, now is a great time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished in your summer job so far.

To help you check in on your summer job performance, we’ve compiled a few tips below.

Look back
If you set goals for the summer, now’s the time to see where you’re at on those. Do you think you’ll accomplish them by the end of your summer job stint? Do you need to adjust the goals at all? Take time to evaluate yourself and determine how to best move forward.

As you look back, also take note of the things you accomplished! Did you hit any goals sooner than you planned? Was there a project you took the lead on? Keeping track will come in handy as you interview for jobs in the future and will also help you identify strengths and weaknesses you may not have focused on before.

Focus forward
As you continue your mid-summer self-assessment, make plans for the remainder of the season. If you haven’t achieved the goals you set at the start of the season, focus on how you’re going to accomplish them in the coming weeks. If you have already achieved your goals, set more! Now is not the time to slow down or become complacent. You can continue to focus on your goals, build important relationships, and develop your skills.

Finish strong
For the remainder of the summer, as you think about heading back to school or start looking for a more permanent position, do your best to stay committed on the work at hand. A summer job can be a great stepping stone toward a more permanent position within that company or industry and you don’t want your hard work from the first half of the summer to be tainted by a lack of effort in the second half. It’s important, now more than ever, to keep pushing forward with tenacity and commitment to delivering your best work.

How is your summer job going? Do you have any tips for assessing your own job performance? Share with us in the comments section below!

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

4 Degrees That Will Get You Noticed

college_major_webAt the close of 2015, Forbes released a list of academic degrees that revealed which college majors will get you noticed by employers based on a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

We’ve taken the top four degrees from that list to help you understand what’s most sought after by employers. To view the full list and accompanying article, click here.

1. Accounting
If you enjoy business mathematics, focusing on the details, and analyzing and comparing data, an accounting degree may be right for you! According to WorldWideLearn.com, accounting degrees lead to some of the more low stress, high compensation jobs available today. It’s also among the top degrees for quick career placement after graduation.

2. Computer Science
A degree like this not only provides a variety of opportunities, it is becoming more in demand as companies try to keep up with emerging technology trends. Companies need employees with computer science knowledge to help them problem solve, analyze, and provide a broad understanding of technology.

3. Finance
A finance degree is very appealing  because most companies need people to crunch the numbers. No business can run without having its finances managed, so it’s easy to see why this kind of education will catch an employer’s eye. And, your opportunities within the finance realm are many. You can find a wide range of jobs from economics, personal finance, retirement advisory, and more.

4. Business Administration/Management
Employers are also likely to notice those candidates with a business administration degree. This field opens doors in a wide-range of capacities for a company, including general business operations, marketing, management, sales, and more.

Earning a degree is a commitment of both time and money, but it can prove invaluable in your job hunt.

Are you currently pursuing a degree, or want to get started? What path would you choose? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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