Events

Happy Veterans Day and Remembrance Day

Honor1Veterans Day is Nov. 11 in the United States. First proclaimed “Armistice Day” by President Wilson some 97 years ago, this day was created as a celebration with public meetings and a parade. The day became a legal holiday in 1938 as a way to honor America’s soldiers.

Today, Express Employment Professionals is proud of our veterans and we want to wish everyone a very happy Veterans Day!

RemembranceDay1And to our friends in Canada, we wish you a happy Remembrance Day! A day observed to remember the members of Canada’s armed forces who died in the line of duty, Remembrance Day is sometimes known as Poppy Day and is also celebrated on Nov. 11.

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

Time to Fall Back and Gain an Hour

If getting out of bed while it’s still dark outside is getting old, have no fear. This weekend, that all changes.

At 2 a.m. on Sunday, most of North America, and other countries around the world, will gain an hour as daylight saving time comes to a close. Daylight saving time (DST) was first implemented to save energy and make better use of daylight in Thunder Bay, Canada, in 1908, according to Timeanddate.com. A daylight saving time law was introduced and signed by United States President Woodrow Wilson in 1918, but it was repealed only seven months later. DST has undergone several changes since then, but was more regulated in 1966 under the Uniform Time Act. The act established one pattern across the country, exempting states in which the legislatures voted to opt out.

Despite gaining an hour of sleep this weekend, you may actually feel even more tired than usual when you go into work on Monday morning. Follow these great tips to make the transition as smooth as possible.

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

The Haunting of a Bad Career Decision

Halloween at workYou’ve been seeking employment for a while and you’ve become desperate enough to accept the first opportunity that comes along. Now that you have accepted the position, it has proven to be undesirable and doesn’t match your skills. You may be miserable and feel as though you are in a career rut, but don’t let this mistake steer you from your ultimate goal. Instead, build upon the opportunity and look at the failure as a catapult to move forward into the career or a new position with your current employer. This could end up being the break you’ve been waiting for.

So, take a step back and look at your options; you may consider staying and making it work for you. Create a plan with a timeline to help keep you focused on your next steps, whether your decision is to stay or seek employment elsewhere. Having a strategy in place will help shift your mindset away from panicky thinking and give you a clearer vision as to whether the job is doable or not.

Here are some questions you may want to ponder:

  1. How long will you try for?
  2. Are you sure you can change the situation for the better?
  3. What has to be in place for you to stay and feel satisfied?

However, anxious you may be to escape your current job, keep in mind what makes you the professional you are. A single choice doesn’t have to define your entire career. Even if your successes don’t occur in your current position, don’t negate earlier achievements just because they are from previous years—use them to draw upon. Sell your expertise. Experience goes a long way.

We’ve complied four Movin’ On Up articles that you may find helpful while overcoming a bad career decision:

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

Hoo Rah! It’s Boss’s Day

It’s not a federal holiday, but Boss’s Day is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada. A day dedicated to all employers, it’s a time to appreciate bosses and thank them for their work throughout the year. It’s easy to overlook everything supervisors do to keep their employees working, and this day can be used as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship you have with your boss.

How do you celebrate Boss’s Day? Let us know in the comments section below.

Celebrate Grandparents Day With Lessons From the Wise

grandparents_day_webIn the United States, National Grandparents Day is Sunday, Sept. 11. It’s a day designated to honor grandparents for their love and sacrifice. Grandparents are often associated with wisdom due to their years of experience and adventure. There have been countless wise leaders in the history of the world, and we want to share lessons from some of the most famous as we celebrate the wisdom of our elders.

Wisdom About Teamwork
Mother Teresa was a nun and missionary who founded the Missionaries of Charity, a worldwide religious congregation that runs hospices and homes for those in need. In 1979, she won a Nobel Peace Prize for her work. Mother Teresa lived to be 87 years old, and was admired by many for her charitable works. She once said:

“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot, together we can do great things.”

Mother Teresa’s wise words are a reminder of the value of teamwork. While being your personal best is important, so is working well with those on your team. Most likely, there’s someone in your workplace who has a skill you don’t have. Likewise, you may know how to do something your co-workers do not. By working together and helping each other use your talents, you can create something you wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. Take the time to get to know your co-workers and find out what skills and talents they have so you can be better prepared to take on team projects.

Wisdom About Pride
Known for his spiritual wisdom and teachings, Mahatma Gandhi was the leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India. Gandhi became famous for his non-violent movements and lived to be 78 years old. Gandhi once said:

“Nobody can hurt me without my permission.”

There is a great lesson to be taken from Gandhi’s words of wisdom. You have power over your emotions, and only you can decide how you let yourself feel. If a supervisor, customer, or co-worker says something that is hurtful, you can control how you let it affect you. While it’s true that some criticism can be constructive, not all of it is meant to help you grow. Decide for yourself what you will listen to, and remember that you are in control of your reactions.

Wisdom About Goals
Writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is often referred to as the most intelligent man in history. According to Business Insider, Albert Einstein himself is said to have called Goethe “the last man in the world to know everything.” When it comes to wisdom, there’s no doubt Goethe had it. He founded the science of human chemistry and developed one of the earliest known theories of evolution. His estimated IQ score ranged from 210 to 225, on a scale where genius intelligence is measured at 145. Goethe once said:

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

Those wise words serve as a reminder that you can’t accomplish your goals if you don’t try first. Whatever your goal is—whether it’s to land your dream job, get an interview, or receive a promotion—it’s time to start on your path. There’s no better day than today to dust off your resume, submit an application for the job you want, or take on a new project. If you don’t start, you can’t reach the finish line.

What wise words do you live by? Share yours in the comments section below!

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

Happy Labor Day!

Monday, Sept. 5, is Labor Day in the United States and Canada, and we want to thank all of our Express associates for their hard work and dedication. At Express, we know how much of an impact a job can have on someone’s life. We take pride in helping our associates find great jobs, and you’re helping us reach our long-term goal of putting a million people to work annually. We hope you have a great holiday!

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