You put in the work and sent out plenty of job applications, and you had the opportunity to interview with some great companies. But for some reason, even when you think those interviews went well, you never get a second interview.
What’s going on? Is there something you’re doing wrong? Not necessarily, but there might be a few things you can improve. Here are a few reasons for not getting a second interview and solutions to help you move forward. (more…)
Interviewers are there to test whether you’re the right pick for the job. They want you to be the right fit so they can stop interviewing folks. You know that. It makes sense. But that doesn’t make their questions any less nerve-wracking or the experience any less awkward.
We can’t be there with you during the interview, but we want to help by spotlighting a few of the most popular interview questions. For even more detailed info, check out our Job Spotlight eBook: Are You Ready for a New Career? It’s full of helpful tips and interview hacks.
Today’s focus is one of the most dreaded interview questions of all: why are you leaving your current company? You can’t really say it’s because you hate your job, your boss is the worst, or your coworkers keep stealing your yogurt.
Instead of being brutally honest, keep thing things optimistic and professional. (more…)
With the way 2020 has gone, it’s easy to get discouraged with your job search. If you graduated in May, you’ve likely found it difficult to find anyone who is hiring. And if you found yourself unemployed soon after the pandemic began, it was similarly tough to find positions to apply for.
As time has gone on, companies have started to hire again. However, the opportunities available might not match what you previously saw yourself doing. In-person networking events are also out, and it can feel like you’re sending resumes out into the void. You never hear back, you never talk to anyone, you can’t get feedback, and you start to feel defeated.
The first thing to realize is this isn’t your fault; there’s most likely nothing wrong with you as a job applicant. The market is just different now, and there could be plenty of reasons you aren’t hearing back or getting interviews. Know that, especially now, the job search is partly a numbers game: you need to accept rejection is part of the game and send out as many applications as you can. Since the job market looks different, your job search should too. Here’s how to make that happen. (more…)
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has changed what seasonal hiring looks like this summer, there are still jobs available. Physical workspaces re-opening means more janitorial and temperature screener jobs, while companies still utilizing remote work need additional remote employees. Here are a few hot jobs this summer.
Are you keeping up with your job search goals?
February is nearly over, which means March will be here before we know it. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating New Years and planning our job search resolutions for 2020.
If you’re up-to-date with your resolutions, you’re ahead of the pack. According to research conducted by Strava, a social network for athletes, Jan. 12 is the day most folks give up on their resolutions. That’s less than two weeks of trying. If this sounds like you, don’t worry; there’s a whole year to achieve your goals!
If you aren’t quite caught up with your job search goals, that’s understandable. New Year’s resolutions can be hard to keep up with when you don’t have a plan. Here are our tips for keeping your job search resolutions going this year!
Have you considered trade schools?
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again—the traditional four-year college experience isn’t for everyone. If you love to work with your hands, why not consider trade school instead?
Also known as technical, career, or vocational school, a trade school is defined by PrepScholar as “a post-secondary institution that’s designed to give students the technical skills to prepare them for a specific occupation.” They frequently offer two-year programs and cost much less than the traditional four-year college experience.
Trade schools are open to all students with high-school diplomas or GEDs, regardless of age. This makes them a perfect option for both fresh high-school grads or those looking to make a career change later in life.
But what about career options? Is it possible to make a good amount of money with a trade school degree? Yes it is. And here are some options to prove it, courtesy of Trade-Schools.net and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists clean teeth. They keep an eye out for tooth or gum problems and support the dentist in several ways, including taking notes and data input. They’re also available to answer general dental health questions.
Electrician
Electricians are unsurprisingly the experts of all things electrical. This means installing, maintaining, and fixing electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures in buildings. They can work in homes, businesses, warehouses, and anywhere else with electrical wiring. Some jobs can be outdoor, while others are indoor.
Heavy Equipment Operator
Heavy equipment operators, also known as construction equipment operators, drive or operate heavy machinery. If you’ve ever wanted to embrace your childhood dreams of driving heavy construction vehicles, you might consider this position.
Equipment used includes excavators, wrecking balls, and all sorts of other hulking vehicles. They use this equipment to build everything from roads and bridges to buildings and more.
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse
If you care for others and want to help them stay healthy, consider a job in nursing. A licensed practical or vocational nurse does not need a degree.
These nurses provide basic care while working under registered nurses and doctors. Job environments can vary, from nursing homes and hospitals to physician’s offices and even private homes.
Looking for further information on other job types? Check out our Job Spotlight blog series.
Do you have one of these jobs? Are you interested in one? Let us know in the comments below!
All year long, American workers are doing incredible things. Whether you’re a builder, welder, construction worker, office worker, researcher, doctor, lawyer, healthcare worker, social worker, retail salesperson, cashier, receptionist, or any other of the wonderful types of workers in this country, you have the potential to do something great.
At this time every year, from Sept. 18 – 24, the American Staffing Association “celebrates the contributions of millions of individuals across the U.S. employed staffing firms.” This celebration is known as National Staffing Employee Week.
Since Movin’ On Up is a blog focused on job seekers, we wanted to spotlight workers this week who have had incredible careers that started with one seemingly simple job. For some it was working in the fast food industry, for others it was in a busy office, and still others were construction workers or train operators. But those great jobs led them to the wonderful careers they have now.
We’ll kick things off with Kathy Hefton, Client Marketing Manager of Express Employment Professionals.
“I actually got my first job out of college from a temporary service. I was placed at a local company as a data entry clerk. It was my first office job, so it built the foundation for the rest of my office career.
I learned the ins and outs of Microsoft Office because of my great supervisor. She encouraged me to seek out training, and made sure that I got it.
In the end, every job I had led to the next one, even though I didn’t always know what that next one was. I learned about computers and spreadsheets in that first office job and used those skills to get another office job. At that second job, I worked closely with hotels and decided that was where my future was. Fast forward 20 years or so, and now I’m at Express.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that you don’t always know where your current job will take you. So make sure to excel and learn as much as possible. “
Have a first job story of your own to share? Let us know in the comments below or post on Facebook with the hashtag #MyFirstJob.
