How Giving Back Makes You More Employable

giving_back_makes_you_more_employable_webAccording to the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), volunteering raises your odds of finding employment in today’s job market. In fact, a recent report from CNCS reveals that volunteers have 27% higher odds of finding employment than non-volunteers, and the relationship between employment and volunteering was strongest for those without a high school diploma or who live in rural areas.

Who Is Volunteering
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25% of Americans age 16 and older engaged in volunteer opportunities in 2014. This equates to 62.8 million volunteers, and the median number of volunteer hours worked was 50. People most likely to volunteer are those between the ages of 35 and 44, while volunteer rates are lowest amongst those 20 to 24 years of age. The report also found that the organizations people volunteered with most were religious (33%), education or youth-service related (25%), and social or community organizations (14%).

What Are the Benefits
While the benefits of volunteering are numerous, there are a few positive effects that stand out, including:

  • Acquire new skills. When you volunteer your time, you often have the opportunity to learn new skills or trades you may not have been exposed to otherwise. These new skills are not only great for you personally, they are also important to building an impressive resume.
  • Stay engaged in the working world. If you’ve been out of work for a while, the job search can be tough. Volunteering not only allows you a chance to work on a new project that may clear your mind for a bit, it also shows potential employers that you’re driven, motivated, and encouraged to stay working despite gaps between paid jobs.
  • Improve your resume and LinkedIn profile. In addition to adding new skills to your resume, volunteering also helps you beef up the experience portion of this important document. Any experience you can add to your resume will help you stand out from the competition. Additionally, people you meet while volunteering can make great connections on LinkedIn.
  • Make new contacts. Speaking of LinkedIn, volunteering is a great way to kick-start your LinkedIn profile or enhance an otherwise stagnant one. Volunteering is an opportunity for you to network with those in your industry, or in other industries you may like to work.
  • Better understand today’s work environment. If you are an older job seeker or have been out of the workforce for an extended period of time, volunteering is a great way to get back out there. You can learn skills that are important to today’s employers while also working with younger generations to better understand the new workforce.
  • Gain self-confidence and lift your spirits. When you volunteer, you experience first-hand the difference you’re making in your community. This feeling can lead to a boost in self-confidence, which may be beneficial if you’re struggling with a particularly stressful job search.

How to Find Volunteer Work
Now that you know how volunteering can make you more employable, it’s important to know where you can find volunteer work. To find your next opportunity, try these methods:

  • Use your skills. Look to your current sets of skills to find an opportunity that’s right for you. For example, if you’re a skilled marketing professional, look for volunteer opportunities in this field. Or if you love to paint, you can search for volunteer work painting homes or other buildings.
  • Plan for the future. If there’s a job you’d like to have, use volunteering as an opportunity to help you reach that goal. Volunteer at organizations that will help you learn the skills you need for your dream jobs and help you find the people who can get you those jobs.
  • Ask your friends. Your friends and family may have volunteer experience you can benefit from, especially if they work in an industry you’re trying to break into. Ask them where they volunteer or who they volunteer with to help you find a new opportunity.
  • Search the internet. There are a number of websites that can help you find the perfect volunteer opportunity based on your skills and interests. Check out sites like VolunteerMatch.org and Serve.gov for local opportunities. If you’re age 55 or older, try the Senior Corps website, which is made specifically to help you find volunteer work.
  • Start your own. If you can’t find the right volunteer opportunity for you, or if you have an idea of your own, consider creating a volunteer opportunity or cause. You may even be able to partner with an organization that can get your idea up and running.
  • Join Express for Brand It Blue Day. On Saturday, June 13, Express offices across North America will set aside time to give back to local food banks, pantries and other nonprofit organizations. Visit ExpressPros.com/BrandItBlueDay to find out if an Express office near you will be a part of this day of service and how you can be involved.

When you look for volunteer work, seek out meaningful jobs that will help you network, learn new skills, and reach your professional goals. And remember to always treat your volunteer job as if you’re being paid. You never know who will be volunteering with you or how they may be able to help you land your next job.

How does giving back make you more employable? Share your stories in the comments section below!

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

Happy Staffing for Canada Week!

June 1 – 7 is Staffing for Canada Week, and we’re excited to celebrate all of our Express Employment Professionals offices in Canada and the amazing associates they place in jobs every day!

Organized by the Association of Canadian Search, Employment, and Staffing Services, Staffing for Canada Week is an annual event aimed at acknowledging the people who are employed through the staffing profession in Canada.

There are currently 34 Express offices in Canada, and we placed 15,715 Canadian workers across five provinces in 2014. We’re proud of all of our associates and wish everyone a happy Staffing for Canada Week!

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

Poll: Have You Considered Being an Independent Contractor?

MOV_POLL-ICONWhen it comes to the workforce, there are a number of different job types available, including full-time, part-time, temporary, and independent contractor work. An independent contractor is a person that provides goods or services to another entity under terms specified in a contract or verbal agreement. They do not work regularly for an employer and are usually paid on a freelance basis.

Fortune Magazine reports that 42 million people in the American workforce are freelance or contract workers, and the U.S. Department of Labor predicts that this number will grow to 65 million in the next five years. Given this growing popularity, we want to know if you’ve ever considered being an independent contractor. Let us know by voting in our poll!

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

4 Hot Summer Jobs

Summer is just around the corner, and it’s a great time to start searching for a job to fill your time off. Since summer jobs are important to build your resume and help you network, finding the right fit is essential. To get started on your job search, check out these four jobs that are popular during the summer months!

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

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Celebrate Memorial Day With These Facts

In the United States, Memorial Day is Monday, May 25. Established after the Civil War by Union veterans, the first Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day) was celebrated in 1868. In 1971, the day became an official U.S. holiday and is now celebrated on the last Monday in May.

Memorial Day Facts

  • You may know that Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the military. But, did you know that Congress passed an act in 2010 that encourages everyone to stop at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day for a moment of silence? During this time, Americans are urged to observe a moment of remembrance for all who lost their lives in wars throughout the years.
  • Huffington Post reported in 2013 that there have been a total of 1.19 million war casualties. This equates to an average of 28 burials each weekday at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
  • The 3rdS. Army Infantry Regiment has placed flags on Arlington graves since 1948, and 220,000 flags were placed for Memorial Day in 2012.
  • The song “Taps,” the 24-note bugle call played at military funerals, was originally used as a signal to notify soldiers to cease their evening activities and return to their garrisons.
  • Many people wear poppies to honor America’s fallen soldiers on Memorial Day. The practice of wearing poppies originates from a poem written by World War I Colonel John McCrae titled “In Flanders Fields.” The poem had a huge impact on two women who worked to initiate the sale of artificial poppies to help those left orphaned or alone after the war.
  • On Memorial Day, it is customary to fly the American flag at half-mast until Noon before raising it to the top of the staff until sunset.

On this day of remembrance, Express reminds everyone to take time to honor our fallen soldiers and loved ones. We wish you a happy Memorial Day!

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

How to Tie a Bow Tie

windsor_knotLooking professional both in interviews and on the job is an important element of your professional life. To help add a professional look to your wardrobe, we want to share easy how-to instructions for wearing common tie knots.

Recently, we shared instructions for completing the Windsor knot and Kelvin knot. This month, check out how to tie a bow-tie knot below.

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Step One: Before you start, make sure that one end of the bow tie is longer than the other by a few inches.

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Step Two: Cross the longer end of the tie over the shorter end.

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Steps Three Through Five: Bring the longer end of the tie underneath the shorter end.

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Step Six: Lay the long end flat again.

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Step Seven: Place the long end over your shoulder.

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Step Eight: Fold the shorter end of the tie horizontally.

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Step Nine: Place the longer end of the tie over the shorter end.

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Step 10: Pull the longer end down.

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Step 11: Fold the longer end of the tie horizontally and begin to bring it underneath the shorter end.

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Steps 12 Through 14: Insert the longer end of the bow tie through the loop at the back of the shorter end.

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Step 15: Pull on both ends to secure the knot.

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Step 16: Check out your bow tie in the mirror. If it looks good, you’re ready for your interview or workplace!

Were you able to conquer the bow-tie knot? Share these how-to instructions with friends or on social media by sending them this article or by using the image below. Keep watching Movin’ On Up for more tie tricks!

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

Three Quotes to Keep You Motivated

It’s not always easy to stay motivated in the workplace, at home, or in your job search. Often, there are factors outside of our control that add stress to our daily lives and bring us down. If you’re struggling with a particularly tough job search, for example, you may feel like giving up. But, it’s important to remember your goal and the rewards you’ll receive for accomplishing it. To help keep you motivated on your journey, check out these three inspirational quotes and share them with anyone you think could use an uplifting thought today!

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How do you stay motivated to reach your goals? Share your tips in the comments section below!

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