Jared Cole

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Jared Cole

What Are the Best and Worst Jobs of 2013? New Survey Shows Surprising Results

By Jared Cole on Friday, May 3, 2013

I remember sitting in journalism school listening to countless professors, guest speakers, and journalists telling me that I’d better love the news, because I’ll be miserable working there. While my concentration wasn’t in news or media, I never understood why working for a newspaper would be that bad. I interned at a magazine and it was rather rewarding.

A new survey by career development website CareerCast has proved me wrong by labeling “newspaper reporter” as the absolute worst job of 2013. If newspaper reporting is the worst kind of job, what’s the best kind of job this year? According to the survey, an actuary, – a professional who assesses financial systems to calculate the impact of risk and uncertainty, is the best job around.

Apparently, writers are out and mathematicians are in for the job market of 2013. Do you agree that the need for workers with math and statistics is on the rise while writers are a dime a dozen? Read the rest of the survey here and let us know in the comments below.

Best and Worst Jobs of 2013

Career Options The Job Search

Welcome to The Real World – What to Do After College

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Congratulations to all of you who will be earning a college degree this month. After years of late-night studying, taking early morning exams, and living on a budget as thin as your ramen noodles, you’ve finally made it! But after receiving the important piece of paper and the celebration high is gone, you will probably ask yourself the same question I asked myself after it was all said and done:

“Now what?”

There are those fortunate few who are able to get a job right after or just before graduation; but for many, including me, there is a greater priority put on working unpaid internships, second jobs, and whatever else needed to keep a roof over their heads. While the job search should start before graduation, it’s not too late to begin after graduation.

We’ve got your back. Transitioning into the real world and finding a job doesn’t have to be an overwhelming and confusing journey. If you follow these guidelines on what to do after graduating from college, your job search might be a little easier.

Set a Goal
Before you do anything, you should have an idea of what you’re trying to achieve. Your goal, “to find a job,” is a given, but consider making smaller objectives that will help you achieve that goal, then build a plan to accomplish them. The more defined and realistic your plan is, the more likely you are to stick with it.

Start small by trying to make a few new contacts, send out resumes, or read a certain number of industry articles every week. Take some ideas from the rest of this blog to make small baby steps toward your goal.

Brake on the Break
Graduating from college is a notable achievement. I spent several years of my life working diligently to make my dream a reality. Since I worked so hard for so long, I felt entitled to take a break and enjoy my freedom for a month… or two. Looking back, I wish I hadn’t.

In a way, I felt entitled to a job since I sacrificed so much for a college degree. When I finally got around to starting my job search, I learned that opportunities wouldn’t fall in my lap – I had to earn them. While you may be tempted to take a break to clear your head, now is the time to make the job search a priority. The harder you work, the more likely you will get noticed.

Fail Fearlessly
Be prepared to fail. Trust me; you might fail more than once. You may be perfectly qualified for a job opening and perform all of the best job search activities, but for one reason or another, the potential employer may choose someone else. Your failures don’t define you, but how you bounce back from them does. Try harder, learn better, and then work smarter so you can be more prepared the next time around.

Monitor Your Social Networks
While it’s important to express yourself on social networking sites, it wouldn’t hurt to treat the content you post with a little class. If you are mindful and tactful on sites like Facebook, your growing professional network can prove to be a valuable asset to potential employers. Don’t forget that sites like Twitter and LinkedIn can be great tools to connect with leaders in your field and learn about job opportunities.

Don’t Stop Reading
Just because you may not be as skilled as other seasoned veterans in your industry, it doesn’t mean you should be lacking knowledge on the latest issues and trends. Find out what your industry leaders are reading and mimic them. It sounds cliché, but as the G.I. Joe shows always said, “Knowing is half the battle!”

Practice the Power of Positivity
When trying to get your foot in the door after college, showing passion and a positive attitude can set you apart from your competition. Your skills are still fairly limited, so displaying a willingness to learn with an optimistic point of view can help potential employers see that you are a worthwhile long-term investment.

Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
We all aspire for that dream job, but many times we aren’t qualified to perform the duties that come with dream jobs just yet. When starting at the entry level, you have to keep your expectations realistic. You may have to adjust the goals you set earlier to not only find a job, but develop your career for that dream job. In most organizations, you have to learn to serve at the bottom before you can work at the top.

Network Like There’s No Tomorrow
It really is all about who you know. It’s not so much the amount of people you know, but the right people you network with. You’ve learned how to build relationships with a diverse group of people, so take those skills and network with peers and leaders in your field who can help you accomplish your goals.

There’s a lot to figure out after graduating from college. But, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Take these guidelines and start searching for a job now. What was your job search like after college? Let us know in the comments section below.

Inside Express Reader Surveys

Did College Prepare You For The Workplace? Take Our Poll!

By Jared Cole on Monday, April 29, 2013

Last year, Woods Bagot – a global architecture and consulting studio released a survey asking whether or not recent college graduates are ready for today’s workplace. Of the more than 500 C-suite executives surveyed, 70% believe fewer than half of the graduates entering their companies have the skills to succeed in entry-level positions.

What do you think? Did college prepare you for a successful career? Do you think completely achieving any higher education or a training program gives you the necessary skills in the modern workplace? Let us know in our survey below.

Job Interviews The Job Search

The Worst and Best Interviews in Movies

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Preparing for a job interview can be a big task. It can take hours at a time and could start days in advance of the actual interview. They can be stressful, nerve-wracking, and exciting all at the same time. But, job seekers can spend so much time and energy practicing and preparing to avoid mistakes that they don’t notice how much they actually do right.

To ease the tension that comes from interviewing, here is a list of my favorite job interview scenes from the movies. You’ll see interviews that go horribly wrong, and others that go really well.

Please note, the video clips herein and their sponsors do not necessarily represent the views of Express and are used for educational purposes only.

The Worst

Staffing Agency in “Mrs. Doubtfire”
Robin Williams plays Daniel Hillard – a down-on-his-luck father whose lack of responsibility and maturity have caused divorce and custody battles. Before he hatches a scheme to disguise himself as a British nanny, Daniel tries to find solid work through a staffing agency. While hobbies and passions can be used as an aid, not displaying solid transferable skills can result in a less than productive interview experience.

In it For The Money in “The Wedding Singer”
Honesty is one of the most important aspects of the job search. But, when it comes to payment and negotiation, being honest is expected. Employers know you are there to work for money, but they want to know why you want to get paid by them instead of their competition. Focus on applying for jobs at organizations you are passionate about so you don’t end up like Adam Sandler’s character Robbie Hart.

Columbus Day in “You, Me, and Dupree”
You are trying to sell yourself in an interview. The whole point is to prove to an employer that you are the best candidate for the position. Owen Wilson, playing Dupree, does the opposite. He even gives up after learning that he won’t get off work for Columbus Day. While he’s a comedic example of an extreme slacker, you could take notes on being aware of company culture when interviewing.

The Best
I Know All About You in “Family Man”
Nicholas Cage plays Jack Cambell, a man trying to regain his old life back. While he appeared unqualified and only had knowledge from his past life, Jack came into the interview prepared and well educated about the potential employer.

Internship Interview in “The Pursuit of Happyness”
Chris Gardner, played by Will Smith, was arrested the night before his interview and had no choice but to show up wearing his painting clothes. Being calm, collected, and aware of his situation helped him get the internship he was after, despite making mistakes.

What are your favorite interview scenes in movies? Sound off in the comments section below.

Associates of the Month Inside Express

Associate Spotlight: Ashley Bensko

By Jared Cole on Friday, April 19, 2013

Movin’ On Up takes pride in recognizing Express Employment Professionals associates who have been acknowledged by one of our offices as outstanding workers, and we want to give credit where credit is due. In 2012, Express helped more than 367,000 people find jobs, and each one of them has a story to tell.

Express wants to give credit to the accomplishments of those individuals who come to us for work. Without the skills and talents our associates provide to employers, Express wouldn’t be what it is today. Our newest associate spotlight is a great example of the kind of spirit and integrity Express demonstrates with everyone we work with.

In this month’s associate spotlight, we’re recognizing an associate who consistently maintains a positive attitude and strong character despite facing layoffs and downsizing. Her willingness to go above and beyond impressed her local Express office so much that she was named their Associate of the Month.

Ashley Bensko
After attending Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL in 2010, Ashley Bensko faced the same struggle of finding a job that many college graduates faced during The Great Recession. Entry-level jobs were scarce, and most jobs required several years of experience that Ashley didn’t have. To get by, Ashley worked at the Building Blocks Day Care Center for more than two years.
In 2012, Ashley came to Express from a recommendation by a friend who was a manager of a local Wells Fargo bank. The manager used Express employees and knew Ashley could find better work through the Springfield, IL Express office.

After applying to Express, Ashley was assigned to operate wires and notes for the New Loan Reconciliation Dept. for Wells Fargo. Her determination and attitude impressed the bank staff, and within months, she also trained new hires on these functions.

Wells Fargo was very impressed by Ashley and constantly reported to Express about her courtesy and diligence when dealing with clients. Ashley took ownership of client’s problems and devoted herself to resolving their difficulties. Even after Ashley’s time with Wells Fargo, Express still received letters from bank customers praising her commitment to solving their issues and complaints.
“Ashley’s professionalism, initiative, energy level, flexibility, interpersonal skills, and knowledge rank among the very best,” said Kayla Edwards, director of client services for the Springfield Express office. “She has also demonstrated her ability to train others.”

We love hearing stories about the determination and quality work Express associates demonstrate every day. Ashley is just one example of thousands of Express associates who achieve success through their strong talent and resolve. If you’re searching for a job, consider working with a staffing agency like Express. More and more employers are relying heavily on staffing companies to fill open positions before hiring them on as full-time employees.

If you’re an Express associate and know a fellow associate who would be a great candidate for our associate spotlight, let your Express office know. And if you have an Express associate you’d like to feature on Movin’ On Up, let us know in the comments below.

Resumes and Cover Letters The Job Search

Whitepaper: This is Your Resume Format Fight Night

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the main event! Since the dawn of electronic resumes, two formats have stood the test of time – Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF. These two file types have been debated among job seekers for several years, and each side won’t back down. This hot debate is a passionate royal rumble.

Almost all job seekers email their resumes instead of printing them. With so many filling up hiring managers’ inboxes, employers are developing ways to filter these resumes. Which format do you use to get through the noise and grab an employer’s attention?

Check out this informational whitepaper about two popular resume formats to find out which one will get caught in the clutter and which one can help you get hired.

Download “The Heavyweight Debate: PDF vs. Word Resumes”

At Work Workplace Safety

The Shocking Truth Behind Electrical Safety

By Jared Cole on Friday, April 12, 2013

Electricity drives almost everything. From starting the car for the morning commute to setting the alarm clock before going to bed, electricity is a necessity. Throughout the day, most people don’t realize how much electricity they use. According to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, the world consumes an estimated 19 trillion megawatt hours every year. One megawatt can sustain power to 1000 houses for one hour.

It’s easy to take electricity for granted when few people get to see what goes into producing the energy. Thousands of workers spend the majority of their day operating on or near electric circuits and equipment – and it’s a dangerous job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrocution is the fifth leading cause of work-related deaths for 16- to 19-year-olds.

Working on or around power doesn’t have to be an accident waiting to happen. Here is how you can keep yourself safe when working near electricity.

Getting Electrocuted is no Electric Boogaloo
Many make the mistake of assuming that low voltage means low risk. But voltage is only half of it. The amount of charge passing through a conduit, called an ampere or amp, can have a big impact on the danger of electrical work. Amps can be so dangerous that 1/10 of an amp going through the body for two seconds is enough to cause death. The average light bulb can have at least two amps flowing through it. Think of it like a tube of water: the amount of water flowing is the voltage and the speed of the flow is the amp current. Multiplying the numbers determines the power, or wattage, of the electricity.

Electricity also flows from point-to-point until it can disperse or move somewhere else. If electrocuted through your head, hands, or feet, the current can flow through your body and cause severe damage to vital organs like the heart or brain. It’s best to assume that all wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe to touch even if it is down or appears to be insulated.

Recognize and Evaluate the Hazards
It’s important to follow any company policies on working near electricity. Discuss these policies with your co-workers so everyone will be responsible for each other and inspect electric cords and equipment to ensure that they are in good condition and free of defects. But, never try to repair any lines or equipment unless qualified and authorized. Look to see if your work environment is damp or close to water, then use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).

Avoid the Danger
Wearing the proper protective equipment should be mandatory for avoiding electrical accidents. Before starting work, survey the area for lose wires or unsafe situations. Also, be aware when a current is active or “hot” and when it’s shut off, and then stay at least 10 feet away from wires during cleanup.

Saving a Co-Worker in Danger
Even though you may be doing all you can to keep yourself safe, there’s a very real possibility that co-workers can put themselves at risk of being shocked, which could endanger you and others.

The most important thing to remember is to not touch anybody who is still in contact with a live electrical circuit. Make sure you shut off the source of the electrical current while somebody else calls for help. Once the current is cut, stay with the victim until emergency medical services arrive. Call out to the victim to see if they are conscious. If awake, tell the victim not to move, there could be an injury the victim isn’t aware of. Inspect them for any signs of major bleeding, and apply pressure with a cloth until qualified help arrives.

While electricity can be in almost every aspect of daily life, don’t allow the possible danger when working with electrical circuitry or power lines to become routine. With these guidelines, you can keep you and your co-workers safe from any shocking turn of events.