Monthly Archives: September 2016

Poll: What Job Search Obstacles Have You Overcome?

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You’ve reached the crossroads of your career, but there are a few things standing in the way of career mobility. The truth is, most people will at some point encounter roadblocks that get in the way of pursuing career goals. Whether in the workplace or your personal life, these obstacles must first be identified before an action plan can even be developed. Examine your bottom line, whether that is to land a job, increase salary, obtain a better work environment, or work life balance. then write your plan accordingly.

It’s important to stay focused so that obstacles won’t get in the way of your goal.

Whether it’s a complete change in industries, lack of experience, or simply figuring out where to get started in your search, we want to know how you’ve overcome obstacles while job searching.

How have you met some these challenges while job searching?  Let us know in the comments section below.

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

How to Determine the Right Education Path

how_important_is_your_education_webAre you considering going back to school? Maybe you’re thinking about a career change or looking for a way to get ahead in your current career. Whatever the reason, furthering your education is rarely a bad idea.  Determining your educational path is a lot like mapping out a road trip. If you have a destination in mind, you can figure out a route, estimate how long your trip will take, and the gather resources you need to get from Point A to Point B. So before you rush out and enroll at a four year university or sign up for a trade school certification course, tap the brakes for a moment and consider your career destination before you set off down a particular education path.

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4 Tips for Finding Seasonal Work This Year

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The holiday gift-buying rush is upon us, and with it comes a perfect opportunity to find a seasonal job to bring in a little extra money.

Consumers spent more than $626.1 billion dollars during the winter holidays in 2015-2016, according to the National Retail Foundation, continuing an upward trend since 2008. In 2014, employers hired more than 700,000 employees to help offset the holiday rush, creating an almost 6% increase in employment during that time.

So what’s the best way to go about searching for a seasonal job? Follow the four tips below to get a jump start on your competition.

Look in the Right Places

Large retailers, such as Walmart and Target, offer the best opportunities for seasonal workers because of the variety of products they offer. But don’t neglect other niches outside of retail. Shipping companies also experience a large increase in volume during the holidays, allowing for several contract positions.

Beat the Competition

Start pounding the pavement now to look for that seasonal job. Companies are already planning for holiday hiring, and it pays to get on their radar early. You might also consider using a staffing company, such as Express Employment Professionals, as they often work with client companies that hire extra holiday help.

Be Prepared

When shopping around for jobs, be prepared to interview or fill out an application on the spot. Bring a pen, copies of your resume, proof of citizenship, and contact information for your professional references. Don’t forget to block off plenty of time to talk with a supervisor if you get the chance.

Be Flexible

Seasonal workers must be flexible to accommodate for extended store hours, and you don’t want to knock yourself out of the game by demanding a specific schedule.

Do you plan to look for seasonal work this holiday season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The Role of Staffing Agencies In Your Career Path

This week was National Staffing Employee Week in the United States, and Express is proud to work with so many outstanding associates every week.

If you’re a temporary or contract employee, you probably already know the many benefits of temporary work, including flexibility and the opportunity to try out different job fields. To further shed light on these benefits, we’ve compiled six Movin’ On Up articles that highlight the role of staffing agencies in your career path.

Thank you to our Express associates for your hard work and dedication.

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

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Should You Always Accept a Job Offer? [Infographic]

Getting a job offer is exciting, especially if you’ve been job searching for a long time. But, is it always a good idea to accept the offer? There are a number of signs that may help you decipher a good work environment from one you don’t want to get stuck in, and recognizing those signs before you accept a job offer can save you stress, money, and, maybe, another job search.

Check out this infographic for helpful tips on recognizing the good and bad factors of an interview.

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

Happy National Staffing Employee Week

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National Staffing Employee Week is Sept. 19-23 in the United States, and we want to show our appreciation for the men and women who make up the temporary and contract workforce, and especially those who work for Express every year.

About the Staffing Industry
If you’re a temporary or contract worker, you’re not alone. In fact, according to the American Staffing Association (ASA), more than 3 million temporary and contract employees work for staffing companies each week in the United States. And during the course of a year, 16 million temporary and contract employees are put to work.

Seventy-six percent of those employees work full time, and half say it’s a way to get a permanent job. Nine out of 10 employees say staffing work has made them more employable, and 35% have been offered a permanent job by a client they worked with on a temporary or contract assignment. Of those, 66% accepted the offers.

According to ASA, the average wage for temporary and contract workers is $17 per hour, and occupations are available in all sectors, including:

  • Industrial—37%
  • Office/Clerical—28%
  • Professional/Managerial—13%
  • Engineering/Information Technology—13%
  • Health Care—9%

Studies by ASA also reveal that nine out of 10 staffing employees say they are satisfied with their staffing company.

Celebrate Your Involvement
Whether you’re employed by a staffing firm or are considering pursuing a new career path, use this week to celebrate the part you play in building a stronger economy and furthering your career. Express Employment Professionals salutes you, your hard work, and your dedication.

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

Your Attitude Could be Costing You the Job

Attitude against bright blue sky with cloudYou have the skills, the experience, and the willingness to tackle a new job, but despite having the qualifications, you find yourself coming up short when it comes to job offers. One thing that might be costing you the job could be your attitude. Attitude plays a large role in determining how your co-workers, boss, or future employer views you.

Top Articles on Attitude

We searched our Movin’ On Up archives and compiled a helpful list of articles pertaining to attitude that will help you see things from a different perspective:

Dependability Also A Top Trait

When it comes to finding a job, there are a lot of factors that make or break your chances. In addition to attitude, employers rank dependability and work ethic as top traits they like to see in employees.

According to a survey by Express Employment Professionals, for the third year in a row, 72% of employers indicated dependability/reliability was at the top of their list of traits, followed by motivation (48%), verbal communication (44%), teamwork (39%) and commitment (39%).

When you combine a good attitude and demonstrate dependability, you will likely be that much closer to your next job offer.

How have you been able to present a positive attitude at work or in interviews? Let us know in the comments section below.