Monthly Archives: December 2016

Poll – What Are Your Career Goals for 2017?

MOV_POLL-ICONThe new year is just two days away! As you prepare for 2017, have you thought about your goals or made a list of what you’d like to accomplish? So that we can better help you reach those goals, we want to know what you’re setting your career sights on in 2017. Share your thoughts by voting in our poll!

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

Winter Weather Driving Tips

The first major snowstorm of the season has blown through, and while you may be enjoying the lull between Christmas and New Year’s Day, this week is a great time to prepare to hit the ground running in your job search once the holidays are over.

Job searching around the holidays can be challenging with key players out of the office on vacation, so spend this time strategizing your job search and line up those interviews. Ideally, the weather on the day of your interview will be sunny, about 70 degrees, and no wind to mess up your perfectly styled hair. But Mother Nature often has a mind of her own, and you might find yourself driving to interviews in some slippery conditions.

Before you hit the roads in inclement weather conditions, follow these tips from Volunteer Fireman’s Insurance Services (VFIS) to make sure you get to your interview safely:

winterdrivingtips

What Can You Expect From Your Employer This Holiday Season?

what_workers_want_poll_webThe holiday season is here and as the song goes, for many employees, this will certainly be the most wonderful time of the year.

A recent poll conducted by the Refresh Leadership blog revealed that a majority of businesses plan to show their employees appreciation this year through some type of gift. A majority will give a cash bonus (26%), while others (19%) said they’ll give a combination of gifts.

Other business leaders said they’ll give gift cards (16%), another type of tangible gift (13%) or extra days off (7%).

“This time of the year is a great time for employers to show their employees how much they appreciate their work throughout the year,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express Employment Professionals, and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. “It’s also an encouraging sign of a strengthening economy that 93% of businesses in the poll plan to give bonuses, a significant increase since last year.”

“The holidays provide the perfect time for businesses to set themselves apart and attract great talent by recognizing their employees’ hard work. Regardless of how your business is faring this holiday season, take time to make sure your employees know how much you value and appreciate them.”

What This Means for You

Not every business is the same, but these poll results are a good indication that you may see some type of gift this holiday season. If that’s the case, then your response should be one of thankfulness and gratitude.

Whatever the gift may be—a cash bonus, gift card, or extra day off—be sure to send a thank you note to your leader to let them know how grateful you are for their generosity. Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen often, so when you take time to express thanks, you stand out as an example of gracious character.

If, however, you don’t get a gift this year, don’t get down. Businesses experience ebb and flow throughout the year and may not be able to offer a gift. If you don’t receive a gift from your employer, that doesn’t mean you can’t show appreciation to them and your co-workers. A thank you note to your teammates can leave a lasting impression.

What do you plan to give your co-workers, if anything? Share with us in the comments section below.

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

‘Twas the Night Before the Job Interview

Do you have a big interview coming up? Are you feeling festive? Take a look at our holiday poem below to help you remember the importance of preparing for your interview.

'Twas the Night Before the Job Interview

‘Twas the night before the job interview, when all through the house
A job seeker was ironing the wrinkles from her blouse
Her outfit, she prepared for the next day with care
In hopes she would have the perfect one to wear

On this night, she wasn’t nestled all snug in her bed
She was on the computer, researching instead
She closely studied the company’s website and map
To avoid an uncomfortable interview mishap

When her search revealed tips for interview chatter
She learned how to respond, to smile, and flatter
And away to the search engine she flew like a flash
To find more tips for this researching bash

The articles she found helped her knowledge to grow
Yet still, she felt there were more things to know
When what to her wondering eyes should appear
But a website that aims to advance her career

With excitement and hope, she began to click, click, click
And knew in a moment these tips would stick
This website she found, Movin’ On Up was its name,
Helped her prepare for the interview in a short timeframe

Yet, she still felt as though something important was missing
So she called up her friend and asked her to listen
She practiced her questions and by the end of the call
Her confidence was high enough to answer them all

With her outfit set out and her research complete
The job seeker settled down for a good night’s sleep
And in the morning she’d find she no longer had fright
On account of her great interview prep that night

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

Top 10 Posts of 2016

12-18 Top PostsIt’s hard to believe the year is already ending! We’ve had a lot of fun providing you with job search and workplace tips. In fact, this year, we’ve posted 150 articles on Movin’ On Up!

To help celebrate the year, here’s a look at the top 10 posts of 2016:

  1. 3 Things That Could Hold Your Career Back
    At some point in time, you may feel stuck in your career or job search, and you’re not alone. While many experience this in their professional lives, knowing what’s holding your career back is key to helping you move forward on your desired career path.
  2. Quick Tips for Getting Through the First 90 Days at Work
    You rocked your interview and landed the job! Now what? The first 90 days of work are important for any new employee. It’s during this time that you shape important first impressions, build relationships, and establish a rhythm for your new role.
  3. 4 Degrees That Will Get You Noticed
    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.
  4. 30 Power Words to Power Up Your Resume and Boost Your Job Search
    Does your resume have the punch it needs to help you stand out? Is your cover letter well-written and convincing? Are you conveying professionalism in the e-mails you write to recruiters or hiring managers?
  5. Outperform With These 5 Resume Tips
    Everyone knows that your resume is an important part of landing an interview, and ultimately, a job. But, with so many qualified candidates going after the same jobs, how do you stand out? Take a look at these five resume tips to help you outperform the competition.
  6. Who Is Hiring Non-College Grads
    Are you thinking about getting a higher education? Or, are you considering skipping college and heading straight for the workforce? Before you make this important decision, check out the results of a recent survey from Express Employment Professionals.
  7. 5 Ways to Define Your Ideal Workplace
    Whether you’re just getting started in the professional world or looking for a career transition, it’s important to know what you want in a job and consider most important. A key piece of that is being able to define your ideal workplace.
  8. 5 Tips for Gold Medal Job Performance
    Athletes from around the world competed for a spot on the winners’ podium this year. While winning is quite the accomplishment in itself, we all know the true goal each athlete strives for is bringing home a gold medal. Similarly, as a job seeker or even as a new employee, you should strive for more in your professional life.
  9. Give Your Career a Makeover
    There may be times in your professional life that you become frustrated and feel like you aren’t quite getting where you’d like to be. If you ever reach that point, it may be time to give your career a makeover.
  10. Tips for Surviving Today’s Changing Workforce
    Today’s workforce is in the middle of a transformation that is altering the way employees, new and old, work on a daily basis. With technological advances, a shift in the overall age and work style of employees, and more, it can be tough to discern how to effectively manage one’s career and be an effective employee.

What articles did you enjoy this year? Share your favorites in the comments section below!

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

5 Tips to Avoid Freezing Up In a Winter Interview

it's_cold_outside_webNothing is more chilling to a job hunter than suddenly freezing up during an interview.

One minute, you’re answering all the hiring manager’s questions with ease and the next, you’re sliding away on thin ice as your brain shuts off. How you react to a sudden brain freeze can play a big part in how well you complete the interview and whether or not you land the position.

So how do you avoid freezing up in a winter interview? We have five tips to help avoid the dreaded interview brain freeze.

Prepare Ahead of Time
Just as you would prepare your home or vehicle for nasty winter weather, prepare your brain for an upcoming interview. Practice answering interview questions in a warm, confident manner. Research the company and have a list of hot topics to discuss, ranging from company culture to challenges the company hopes you can resolve.

If you know the weather will be bad the day of the interview, be prepared to give yourself extra travel time. Dress professionally, but warmly, so you don’t shiver and rattle your teeth throughout the whole process.

Recognize the Signs of Brain Freeze
Anyone who has ever had the unfortunate experience of freezing up in a situation knows what the sensation feels like. Unfortunately, sometimes you can’t tell you’re in a brain freeze situation until you’ve slipped on the ice a few times during the interview.

First, tell yourself that it is okay to not have all the answers to every question. When in doubt, you could say, “I do not know, but could find out and get back with you ASAP.” Also, observe how quickly or nervously you are speaking. Take a nice deep, warming breath and slow down.

Some experts say it is fine to admit to an interviewer that you are nervous, but beware of using this tactic too freely. While honesty is top priority, confidence is a highly sought after trait in an employee.

Have a Snow Route in Your Brain
Have you ever been asked a question in an interview, and suddenly your mind goes blank? Luckily, you know you’re in brain freeze, so you can break yourself out of it if you already have a backup route in place.

Ask the interviewer to repeat the question. This tactic gives you time to calm down, hear the question again, and answer intelligently. If you are still stuck on thin ice, paraphrase the question back to the interviewer. Again, this buys a little time to dig yourself out of the snow drift.

However, if none of these tactics work, ask the interviewer for a moment to really consider the answer.

Limit Nervous Behavior
Even if you are scared to death and nervous as a winter hare, limit the giveaway signs of nervousness. Don’t fidget. Don’t speak too quickly or ramble on.

You know what nervous habits you possess, so practice controlling those ahead of time. Try speaking to a friend with your hands folded in your lap and your tapping leg still.

Holding a pen or a copy of your resume during the interview may help chill out the nervous behaviors as well.

Remain Positive
When it comes to not freezing up during a winter interview, the best advice is to remain positive, confident, and polite. Everyone has brain freezes on occasion, and interviewers know you are nervous. Cool your nerves by telling yourself that you deserve to be in the interview—you wouldn’t have been invited if you weren’t.

Have you ever had brain freeze during a job interview? How did you break out of the situation? Share your best tips with us in the comments below.

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