Inside Express | Journey

Associate Spotlight: James Pheonix

By Job Journey on Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Every month, Movin’ On Up recognizes Express Employment Professionals’ associates who have been recommended by one of our offices as outstanding workers, and we would like to give credit where credit is due. Express employed more than 335,000 workers in the United States and Canada in 2011, and each one of them has a story to tell.

As we continue our series on Express’ associate spotlight, we look for certain associates who go above and beyond the call of duty. Not just in their work schedule or duties, but in their attitude, spirit, and dedication.

Express takes pride in 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 effectiveness Express Employment Professionals demonstrates with everyone we work with.

James Pheonix

Our associate spotlight today features James Pheonix. James has been with the Springfield, IL, Express office since March 2008 and has worked 24 assignments. He started his career with Express working for a local pool company. His talent and attitude impressed the company and they have asked him to return to work every summer for the past four years.

Recently, the Springfield, IL, office sent James to work for a new client. He became a valuable asset to the client, and they now want to employ James every winter while he isn’t working for the pool company in the summer. And, according to the local office records, James has never called-in absent from work.

We love hearing stories about the determination and quality work Express associates demonstrate every day. James 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. If you have an Express associate you’d like to feature on Movin’ On Up, let us know in the comments below.

Contests Express in the News Reader Surveys

What’s the Most Aggravating Part of the Job Search? Take Our Poll

By Jared Cole on Thursday, March 1, 2012

There’s a lot to juggle when looking for a job. You have to balance family, finances, schedules, and other issues that can make the hunt for a new position difficult. To add to that stress, the hiring process isn’t always the smoothest. There are some aspects that can really frustrate you, which made us wonder: what are the most annoying aspects of your job search? Let us know in the poll below.

What frustrates you the most about your job search?

National Staffing Week

Associate Spotlight: Jimmy Maher

By Jared Cole on Friday, February 17, 2012

When most people think of staffing agencies, they think of strictly temporary work. The truth is many people have found life-long careers thanks to companies like Express. More and more workers are enjoying the flexibility in their schedule from working with staffing agencies. Employers are also relying more on staffing agencies to fill their open positions before hiring full-time for openings.

Our most recent associate spotlight showcases one of those individuals who finds pride in working with Express as a career for many years. Associates like the ones we showcase are a testament to how work ethic and positive attitude can go a long way in your profession, even in the roughest of economic conditions.

Jimmy Maher

Jimmy Maher started working for the Greensboro, NC Express office in 1992 as a lawn and building maintenance technician. During his time with Express, Jimmy worked with five different clients. Throughout Jimmy’s nearly 20-year career with Express, he worked for a single client for 14 years. In that time, Jimmy’s commitment and enthusiasm were apparent because he didn’t own a car and had to take the bus to work from one side of town to the other.

Over the years, Jimmy was given many raises due to his integrity and dependability. When he celebrated his ten year anniversary with Express, he was given a cash bonus for his loyalty to Express, its clients, and his job.

“Jimmy is a man who believes in hard work, doing the right thing, and being responsible. He was a shining example to others on the job,” said Hope Daniel, Front Office Coordinator of the Greensboro Express office.

When Jimmy decided to retire, the client did not want him to leave. They knew they would be losing a cherished employee. The client wanted him so badly, Jimmy decided to extend his retirement date three times and keep working to aid the client. He is now happily retired and settling down after a fulfilled career.

We are very grateful for having Jimmy as a part of the Express family for so many years. The Greensboro office will miss him, and everyone at Express wishes him the very best in his retirement and future achievements.

When looking for a job, don’t discount what staffing agencies like Express can provide. You may find a long, fulfilling career like Jimmy did through the experience and opportunities that can come from working with Express. If you’re interested, check it out.

National Staffing Week Teamwork

Associate Spotlight: Erin Wharton

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

When looking for a job, it’s easy to overlook the benefits of working for a staffing agency. In fact, companies like Express Employment Professionals can help change lives in the midst of economic uncertainty and provide job opportunities for some of the most hardworking individuals around.

Express takes pride in the accomplishments of those individuals who come to us for work. Without the skills and talents of our associates who provide what companies are looking for, Express wouldn’t be what it is today.

To help recognize outstanding associates and their dedication to Express and the companies they work for, we would like to showcase select associates each month on Movin’ On Up. It’s important to give credit where credit is due, and Express would like to share stories of our associates as an inspiration to you while you strive to achieve professional success.

Erin Wharton

Erin found her current job through the South Indianapolis office in Greenwood, Ind. She came to Express after a rough job search. She spent 14 years with a previous employer in a less-than-constructive work environment. She left in hopes of finding a better place to work, but ended up facing a fiercely competitive job market, sending countless résumés and submitting numerous job applications for weeks with no response.

Fearing the worst, she noticed a job posting for an administrative position through Express. She had no previous experience dealing with staffing companies like Express and was a little cautious about calling to apply, but ended up emailing her résumé and application anyway. Within a couple of days, she was called by Michelle Bright from the Greenwood office for an interview.

“During the phone call, Michelle made me feel comfortable, confident, and helped ease what little fear I had.” Erin said.

When Erin came to the Express office for an interview, her anxiety returned until she met someone in the waiting room who had been working for Express for a few years. The woman told Erin that Express was “great to work with,” and “you’re working with the best.” When Erin sat down for the interview with Express, she was almost immediately told that there was a perfect position for her. After interviewing with McAllister Power on a Friday morning, she was offered a job to start the next Monday.

“Working with Express was by far the best choice I have made. I have even referred people to them. You don’t know how good it feels to be happy, enjoy getting up in the morning and coming to work. I look forward to the next day and what it is going to bring. Every day is something new. The employees here at MacAllister are absolutely wonderful,” Erin said.

We’re excited to have Erin as a part of our Express family. If you haven’t already considered looking into working with a staffing agency like Express, give it a try. You could find the same success that Erin did.

“I owe my happiness and my life to Michelle for matching me with the perfect company. I give everyone at Express my sincere gratitude!”

Reader Surveys Workplace Relationships

Do you Love Your Job? Take Our Poll

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, February 1, 2012

It’s February, and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. To help celebrate the holiday of love, we’d like to know how you would treat your employer on Valentine’s Day. Tell us in the poll below.

If you could give your employer a candy heart, what would it say?

Contests Express in the News Reader Surveys

Express Donates $10,000 to Children’s Miracle Network

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Thanks to everyone who voted in December to choose which charity would receive $10,000 in celebration of the record Express reached in 2011 of 3 million hours worked by associates in just one week. The charity that received the most votes was Children’s Miracle Network.

Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have been working to help as many children as possible by raising funds for children’s hospitals in local communities throughout North America. This donation – made in honor of Express franchisees, and their customers and associates – will help Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fund state-of-the-art equipment, breakthrough research, and care for millions of kids in 170 hospitals.

We’d also like to thank Big Brothers Big Sisters and Habitat for Humanity for participating and for the work these organizations do to change lives across North America and the world.

To learn more about Express’ recent milestone, visit www.expresspros.com/3million.

Reader Surveys The Job Search

How Will you Get a Job in 2012? Take Our Poll

By Jared Cole on Monday, January 2, 2012

The hiring outlook for 2012 remains cautiously optimistic, according to the New York Daily News. With 1.3 million jobs expected to be created, what will your plan be to get hired in the new year? Let us know in the poll below.

What will you do differently during your job search in 2012?