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Persistence in the Job Search

By leidson on Friday, September 27, 2013

Whether you’ve been searching for a job for just a few days or more than a year, it’s easy to become discouraged. The continual hunt for new openings, tweaking your resume over and over, rewriting your cover letter for the hundredth-time, and going through the roller coaster of emotions is enough to make anyone want to give up. But giving up isn’t how you land a job.

Unfortunately, millions of other Americans have stopped being persistent and have fallen into defeat. This current phenomenon is the focus of a recent Express Employment Professionals white paper. The Great Shift highlights the recent decline in America’s labor force participation rate, which describes the percentage of working-age adults that are either actively searching for a job or currently working. Today, the rate stands at 63.4%, a level not seen since the 1970s. As the white paper points out, that rate means “among the estimated 89.9 million Americans not in the labor force as of July 2013, at least 6.6 million still want a job.”

Those are some pretty bleak numbers. To get the full picture of the situation and learn why it’s happening, you can check out Express white paper.

It would be easy to let these facts dissuade you from continuing your hunt. However there is something that sets you apart from those millions of Americans, and that one thing is you. While you may not be able to give yourself a job, you do have the ability to NOT give up. Staying hopeful and remaining persistent is the name of the game, and there are some practical ways to keep yourself from losing momentum.

Set Goals
Searching for a job is practically a full-time job in its own rite, so treat it like one. Set daily and weekly goals for yourself, such as spending a certain amount of time each day looking through online job boards or applying for a specific number of positions per week. This will keep you moving forward and give you achievable short-term targets to hit along the way.

Review Your Skills
If you haven’t already, take an inventory of your skills. Consider both your hard skills, like education and work experiences, and your soft skills, such as time management and flexibility. Are there skills listed in the jobs you’ve been applying for that you lack? Do you have the top three hard skills employers want to see in a job candidate? If there are areas you need to work on, make a plan to grow those specific skills as you continue the hunt.

Check Your Expectations
No one wants to be in a job they’re over-qualified for, but turning down a job when you’re out of work just because it doesn’t meet your expectations isn’t the best move. In the argument between underemployed and unemployed, underemployed wins out. So don’t derail your job search by saying “no thank you” to a legitimate job and then buying into the idea that there is nothing out there. You can always take the job and still keep looking.

Don’t let yourself become another worker who’s given up and called it quits. Being persistent will pay off in the end. Share your ideas for staying positive and persistent during a job search in the comments section below.

The Job Search Uncategorized Work/Life Balance

The Cost of a College Education

By leidson on Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Gust Post: Marcela De Vivo

It seems like no matter how good the job market is, it’s still nearly impossible to sail through the interview process and land the job of your dreams. Between never knowing what employers really want, and making yourself memorable among all the competition, getting a job can be brutal. But what might be even more difficult is actually earning a degree that will help you get noticed. A college degree is quickly becoming a necessity in the job world, but when college is so expensive, what should you do?

Unfortunately, far too many students borrow money, and suddenly, they are so deep in loan debt, they can’t even see past their next paycheck. Studies have shown that 37 million people in America carry debt that they accumulated in college, due to the amount of loans they took out. Without being educated on a better financial plan to pay for college, students get stuck with debt they have no way of paying back. So, before you jump into the world of loans, educate yourself on the cost of a college education. It’s always better to be informed.

New Job Tips The Job Search Uncategorized

Is It Time for a New Job?

By leidson on Monday, September 23, 2013

Earlier this year, Inc. Magazine reported that 86% of employees plan to search for a new job in 2013. Maybe you’re in that 86% majority. Or maybe you’re in the 14% who aren’t actively seeking other employment but wondering if you should be. Either way, before you commit your time and energy to a new job hunt, you need to know if it’s the right time for a change.

Any time you change employers, there are a lot of factors involved. Changing jobs means you’re entering into a brand new environment with new people, new expectations, rules, responsibilities, and a new culture. You’ll want to make sure you’re leaving your current job for the right reasons.

You’re Ready for Career Growth
When it comes to your career, you should be in the driver’s seat, so it’s important to know when you’re on the right path and when you’ve taken a detour. If your desire is to move up into a management position and you feel you’re ready to go to the next level, try having a conversation with your current manager or boss and let them know your goals. Remember, communication is key. Before leaving any company it’s important to understand your options. If you are unhappy and stressed out all the time maybe some things need to change. Don’t mistake being stressed out for being burned out. Here are a few scenarios to help you determine the difference. If you find there is no room for growth, it may be time to find something new. As you’re looking, just remember to continue to find ways to grow your knowledge and skills no matter where you are. The same goes for when you want new responsibilities, to move into another area of work, or receive a fair compensation increase. Always be sure you’ve communicated with your employer about your desire, and not just assumed something’s not possible.

You’re Experiencing Toxic Relationships
The people you work with every day can make or break a job. No matter where you work, there may be conflict from time to time, so you shouldn’t decide to leave just because you don’t get along with someone. But, if the overall attitudes of your coworkers are negative, or you have a bad boss, it may be time to consider moving on. Relationships play a big role in how engaged, fulfilled, and happy you are in your workplace.

You Don’t Feel It’s a Good Culture Fit
How you mesh with your employer’s culture, including their values, work pace, and expectations, is another important factor in charting your career plan. If you’re finding yourself constantly at odds or frustrated with your company, ask yourself a question. Have you changed, has the employer changed, or has it always been this way? If something has changed recently, like a shift in what you value in an employer or a change in direction from corporate leadership, then you need to weigh the pros and cons of leaving. If nothing’s changed, and you came on board with the company knowing about your differences, then try thinking back and remembering why you took the job in the first place. This will help you make the best decision, whatever it may be.

Changing jobs can be exciting, rewarding, and a great step for your career, but breaking up with your employer isn’t something to be taken lightly. You should always check your motives. If you’re sure that you’re doing the right thing, go ahead. Just remember to not burn any bridges along the way because you never know where they can lead, stay classy.

How did you know it was time to change jobs? Share your story below.

At Work The Daily Grind Uncategorized Workplace Relationships Workplace Safety

Workplace Violence: Three Measures To Stay Safe

By leidson on Friday, September 20, 2013

Occupational violence is a scary subject. We spend a majority of our time at our job and being safe is something many take for granted. This isn’t to say that it is inevitable that a violent uprising will overtake your place of employment, but being prepared or aware of the potential is important.

According to OSHA, more than two million American workers are victims of some form of workplace violence ranging from verbal abuse, bullying, and more serious physical assaults. Workplace violence also doesn’t necessarily mean it has to occur at the workplace; conflicts between co-workers outside of the office also fall into the definition. So, how do we avoid or at least curb the potential threat? Below are three measures you can take to stave off the danger.

1. Read up on the policies and procedures.
Many employers have sections on workplace violence in their handbooks. These policies protect employees from liability and are almost always enforced without prejudice. If you are unsure of your company’s policy or procedures on handling occurrences, ask your supervisor or a representative of your HR department. Following these procedures can ensure your safety as well as that of your co-workers.

2. Be aware of your surroundings.
Look for signs of distress from your co-workers. If a co-worker seems to be struggling with their day-to-day life, makes threats or mentions getting back at their employer, or exhibits irregular behavior out of the ordinary, these could be signs of instability. If you are concerned for a co-worker, don’t attempt to console them, instead notify a supervisor in private of your concern.

3. Avoid danger.
If you’re placed in a situation with a hostile individual, don’t panic. Respect their personal space and don’t exhibit any body language or tone of voice that makes you seem like a threat. By placing obstacles between you and the person, and staying four to six feet away from a point of exit, you have the opportunity to flee if the circumstances require you to remove yourself from the situation. Never use physical force unless it is for defense against an assault. Once again, notify your supervisor if such an event occurs.

No one is immune to workplace violence, but a little bit of preparation and being aware of measures to prevent such occurrences just may protect you from harm in the event you are placed in an undesirable situation. Share your practices to avoid workplace violence in the comments section below.

Guest blog by: Mike Smith

Career Options The Job Search Uncategorized

Staffing Week – The Role of Staffing Companies and Employment

By leidson on Monday, September 16, 2013

Did you know 11.5 million temporary and contract employees are hired by U.S. staffing firms over the course of a year? Sept. 16-22 is National Staffing Employee Week and we think it’s a great time to look at the impact of this industry. Temporary and contract work can lead job seekers to the possibility of full time employment, because workers can try out a prospective employer and showcase their skills for a full time job. Many people choose temporary and contract work as an employment option. They can select their work schedules and choose among a variety of diverse and challenging assignments. The staffing industry also provides free training for millions of temporary and contract employees to help meet today’s demand for skilled workers. Express also celebrates this annual week by announcing our Employee of the Year recipients.

Staffing Statistics

In a year-over-year comparison of the payroll period Aug. 19–25, 2013, the American Staffing Association (ASA) reported that staffing employment is up 4.5%! Since the beginning of 2013, staffing employment has increased 11.7%. In 2012, staffing companies employed an average of 2.91 million temporary and contract workers per day, according to the ASA. Not only do staffing companies offer jobs in virtually all fields of work, from day labor to executive placements, staffing companies also provide scheduling and occupational flexibility, an opportunity for full time employment, choice of assignments, and training. For more information on the role of staffing companies and employment check this out.

Career Options The Job Search Uncategorized

Millenials and the Job Search

By leidson on Friday, September 13, 2013

Out of all the generations in the workplace, the Millennial generation seems to be the most talked about and researched today. Those born between 1980 and the late 1990s have shocked and awed the professional world, earning themselves a variety of titles, including “the most innovative generation” and “the most entitled generation.” But, love ‘em or hate ‘em, Millennials are changing the workplace and causing business leaders to question just about everything. What do they want in a job? How do they approach the job? How do millennial employees want to be managed?

Turnover and Retention
Last month, Beyond.com, a career network for advancing professionals, and Millennial Branding, a research and consulting firm, provided new data that could help answer these questions. Their national survey, “The Cost of Millennial Retention,” specifically looked at Millennials, also known as Gen Y, turnover and retention from the employer’s view. Here are a few conclusions about Millennials, based on their findings:

• Millennial workers are on the move – 30% of companies surveyed reported losing 15% or more of their Millennial employees in the past year.

• They aren’t afraid to change jobs if they aren’t getting what they want – companies are implementing programs to entice Millennials to stay, including workplace flexibility (48%), mentoring (40%), and internal hiring (37%).

• Millennials will do what’s best for their career – the top reasons for Gen Y employees to leave their jobs were that they had received a better job offer, their career goals didn’t match with their employer, and the company didn’t offer career growth opportunities.

• Millennial professionals use a variety of tools for their job search – recruiters connect with Millennial candidates on job boards and corporate websites (62%), as well as LinkedIn (9%).

Share Your Thoughts
These stats provide some good insight into how Millennials approach their career, which affects everything from their job hunt to what they need to stay with an employer. With these findings in mind, share your opinion on how Millennial workers want to be managed in our monthly poll.
If you’re a Millennial, do you think these statistics accurately portray you? How do you think any job seeker, no matter their age, could use this information to help them in their job search? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Career Advancement New Job Tips The Job Search Uncategorized

Work Ethic/Integrity Most Important Atribute in Hiring

By leidson on Thursday, September 12, 2013

Express Employment Professionals recently asked leaders and job seekers about the most important attributes in hiring a new employee, and both parties agreed that work ethic/integrity are at the top of the list. College degrees ranked the lowest, continuing the debate about the value of a college education. Since work ethic and integrity rank so high on this poll, check out this post on ways to improve your integrity on your cover letter.

Number two on the list was work experience, proving that taking temporary assignments can really pay off. There is a variety of part-time and full-time work available that can utilize the skills you’ve obtained. According to the American Staffing Association, 40% of staffing employees use temporary work to obtain employment experience or job training.

A popular discussion point in the “Other” category by leaders was attitude.

This poll is part of a larger conversation by Express within America Employed, a series of reports on the state of employment and unemployment in America and who gets hired and why.