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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.

At Work Career Options Current Affairs New Job Tips Uncategorized

Hot Fields Hiring Non-College Grads

By leidson on Monday, September 9, 2013

Matching personal skills and abilities with open jobs can be a frustrating task for job seekers. But if you’re curious about what your top options might be without a college degree, read on.

A recent survey of Express Employment Professional’s franchises uncovered the top hiring fields for workers without college degrees. The industrial job category topped the list, followed closely by office services. This aligns with an announcement in July citing the top 10 hardest jobs to find people for that included CNC programmers, welders, machinists, and administrative roles. The survey is part of a series of reports titled America Employed, a look into who is currently getting hired and why.

Before you make a job switch to a field with current open positions, do some investigating into your career options. With 1/3 of your time spent at work, and your work determining your income and lifestyle factors, how are you investigating and planning your career? One tool you may consider is the Occupational Outlook Handbook, which allows you to search job projections and growth rates by education level, training, and pay.

There are many paths toward your career future, and they don’t all include college. Experience in the workplace and your attitude can make a huge impact. So look for ways to get your foot in the door and become a trusted team member. It’s not just your degree – or lack thereof – that determines your job prospects!

Let us know what your biggest asset is in your job search in the comments section below.

Uncategorized

What Do Employers Look For: Experience Or A Degree?

By mrsmith on Friday, August 16, 2013

According to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center of college graduates, 86% believe that their education was a valuable investment. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that college graduates had an income $19,000 greater than those with just high school educations. But in today’s job market, does a college degree carry more weight than skills or work experience?
There are many successful people who don’t have college degrees, most notably Bill Gates. As the CEO of Microsoft, he led the company in many record breaking years, including grossing more than $70 billion dollars in 2011. So don’t be discouraged, a degree doesn’t guarantee a top salary at any company.
Binghamton University in New York, recently released a report about transferable skills. Simply put, these are the skills that you have accumulated and improved upon that apply to numerous jobs and tasks. They could include efficiency in communication, teamwork, and organization, all of which can be gained through work experience. But how do you get your foot in the door without a degree?
Convincing an employer to hire you can be tricky regardless of your level of education. But, focusing on the transferrable skills in your resume can help your chances. To get ahead of the competition you have to focus on your strengths. If you don’t have a degree, list the skills you’ve gained from your previous employers that are applicable to the job you are looking for. Be specific about your skill level and give quantifying examples.
A college degree may seem to make finding a job easier, but there are ways to find a career without a college degree and there are great jobs that can be earned with hard work and diligence, whether it’s through scholarly pursuits or just good ole’ fashioned dedication. Are there skills that you have found that made you more valuable to your current or previous employer, let us know what you think in our poll.