Journey

Thanks for Joining Us for Our Online Educational Event

By Job Journey on Friday, January 23, 2015

new_year_new_job_thank_you_web Our “New Year, New Job” online educational event was held on Wednesday, Jan. 21, and we want to thank everyone who participated!

We had more than 1,500 people register for the event!

Guests were able to view informational videos, download helpful job search materials, and check out available jobs at Express. There were also chat features available, including live chats with recruiters and leadership experts.

If you missed the event, you can still check out the virtual environment through February. You can watch videos and download material, but please note that the chat functions are no longer active. Check out the virtual job fair online here.

Did you attend the online job fair? What did you enjoy most about the event? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

Events

New Year, New Job – Today Is the Day!

By Job Journey on Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Are you ready for that new job and perfect career? If so, today is the day you’ve been waiting for.

The new educational online event by Express Employment Professionals, “New Year, New Job,” is an exclusive, free event designed to help you learn everything you need to know about job hunting, resources for your job search, leadership lessons, and best practices.

The “New Year, New Job” online event is today, and you can sign up right now from the comfort of your own computer to gain skills and enhance your chances of getting hired.

Besides learning all about the job hunt, interviewing, career development, and more, you also have the chance to win exciting prizes all day long. Click here to learn more!

Sign Up Now!
This is a one-day seminar, so don’t miss out! You’ll hear from experts like former NBA player Walter Bond, author of the ebook “Think. Execute. Dominate. 31 Truths to Boost Peak Performance” and star of the DVD “No One Can Stop You, But You.” Walter will speak at noon EST.

David Lewis, author of “The Emerging Leader,” will host leadership lessons during his online chat at 3 p.m. EST, and Express Employment Professionals will have job openings posted for attendees.

Advice from recruiters will cover topics like:

Resume Questions – 11 a.m. EST
Interview Questions – 2 p.m. EST
Compensation Questions – 5 p.m. EST

It’s not too late to register, so sign up now!

Win Prizes!
You can also win cool stuff during the “New Year, New Job” online event to help you with your search. For instance, those who download resources, participate in chats, and watch videos will have the chance to win:

A Power Bank Rechargeable Battery Smart Phone/Tablet Charger
An eBook download of the eBook “Think. Execute. Dominate. 31 Truths to Boost Peak Performance,” by motivational speaker and former NBA player Walter Bond
A DVD presentation “No One Can Stop You, But You!” featuring Walter Bond
A copy of “The Emerging Leader,” by Express vice president of franchising David Lewis

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

Career Advancement

Be a Leader on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

By Job Journey on Monday, January 19, 2015

One of the greatest leaders in American history was Martin Luther King, Jr. His leadership, influence, and impact on the civil rights movement was so memorable that he has a day dedicated in his honor – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Observed on the third Monday of January, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday marking the birthday of the fallen leader and offering a way to honor his contributions to American society. To date, King is the only non-president to receive a national holiday dedicated in his honor.

Martin Luther King, Jr. remains famous for his role in the modern American Civil Rights Movement in the 50s and 60s. He stood for nonviolent resistance and worked to end poverty and international conflict until his assassination in April of 1968.

A powerful leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired people across the world with his relentless spirit and tenacity. But, King’s influence did not end in the 60s. In fact, today’s job seekers can still take advice from the famous activist. As King himself showed, you don’t have to be in a leadership position to make a difference and enact a positive change. With determination, a strong work ethic, and an end goal in mind, you too can have a very powerful dream.

As King said, “Whatever your life’s work is, do it well.”

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

Workplace Relationships

Be a Mentor at Any Age

By Job Journey on Friday, January 16, 2015

Did you ever have a teacher or a friend who – no matter what happened – believed in you and wanted you to succeed?

Did that person give you advice, encouragement, and guidance? Did you look up to that person and become better thanks to the attention they gave you?

If so, you are probably one of many people who had a mentor!

Mentors are invaluable, and many people have had one at some time in their life. The best part is that you’re never too young to be a mentor. High school students, middle-school students, college-aged youth, and young professionals can be a mentor to someone else.

What is a Mentor?
A mentor is usually someone older than the person being mentored, who takes a personal interest in the success and well-being of another. They not only share knowledge, skills, and experience, but also discuss new ideas and help the mentee work out solutions on their own and with guidance.

A mentor challenges, protects, offers support, shows patience, and is enthusiastic about helping their mentee grow and be successful.

While those qualities may seem a bit overwhelming, it’s important to know that anybody can be a mentor, no matter what the age. Even students still in high school can start mentoring by reaching out to someone younger. The mentor should ask questions about what is important to the mentee, and above all, should be a cheerleader for that person by boosting their confidence and leading them to success.

What Does a Mentor Do?
Some examples of what a mentor does include:

Provides the same type of help that you do in everyday life. If you naturally “help others,” you can use those same practices in a mentorship role.
Provides information and advice based on your own ideas, successes, and experience.
Encourages others to take positive risks and have a positive and healthy outlook.
Offers honest and constructive feedback.
Helps with planning or thinking through a problem or challenge.
Listens to the concerns, points of view, and dreams of the mentee.
Shares different views and ways of thinking.
Introduces that person to others who can help and advocate on their behalf.

Why Be a Mentor?
Being a mentor doesn’t just help the mentee. It is also a chance to look at yourself more closely and explore your own opportunities.

You have the chance to become more successful and confident as you instill those qualities in another person. You’ll also become more open to reaching out to your own mentors who can help you succeed in school, college, or your career.

By mentoring, you improve your personal and professional responsibilities as you learn, grow and become more accountable to others. As you model the professional and personal values that others admire, you will teach them how to live up to those values.

In terms of leadership, you can’t go wrong with becoming a mentor. Talk to your school’s counselor or company’s HR department about how to become a mentor. It’s a move that can help you – and someone else – succeed!

Have you ever been a mentor? Did you have someone special who helped you? Share your stories in the comments section below.

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

Ask a Recruiter

“Ask a Recruiter” Advice Column Coming Soon

By Job Journey on Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Here on the Movin’ On Up blog, we strive to provide readers with useful, timely, and informative content that can help improve job searches, interviews, resumes, and more. While it’s our goal to help job seekers better prepare for their job search, we know that we can’t always answer all of your questions. That’s why we’re introducing our new column, “Ask a Recruiter.”

Like advice columns you may find in newspapers and magazines, “Ask a Recruiter” will feature questions asked by Movin’ On Up readers. Those questions will be answered by a panel of industry experts, from recruiters to staffing consultants, and posted right here on the blog.

The first “Ask a Recruiter” column will be featured soon, but first we need questions from you! Do you have any questions about the job search, hiring, or recruiting process? Is there something about resumes, interviews, or networking that confuses you? Now’s your chance to have your question answered by industry professionals who find, interview, and hire people every day.

Ask your question in the comments section below and check back soon to read what our experts have to say!

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

Career Advancement

8 Keys for Success in 2015: Tips for Living a Peak Performer’s Life

By Job Journey on Monday, January 12, 2015

Are you looking for success in 2015? What does success mean for you? Maybe it’s finding a new job, getting a promotion, or switching careers. Whatever your goal is this year, it’s important that you have the motivation and tools to achieve it. According to former professional basketball player and motivational speaker Walter Bond, there are eight keys to success that can help you be your best in 2015.

“What I want to do right now is be your friend and I want to give you some great information to make sure your new year is awesome,” Walter says. “I want you to take everything about your life to the next level.”

As part of his year-long series of motivational messages, Walter Bond discusses the importance of positive self-talk, prioritizing your goals, owning your mistakes, continuing to learn, and more. Check out the full message below.

Which of Walter’s eight keys to success resonates most for you? What are you doing to help you reach your goals this year? Let us know in the comments section below.

About Walter Bond
A former professional basketball player, Walter Bond’s NBA career included 153 games with the Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, and Detroit Pistons. Now, Walter takes what he learned from his life on the court and translates it into motivational and educational messages for thriving businesses and careers. With entertaining and dynamic messages, Walter has spoken to companies and associations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.

For more information about Walter Bond, visit WalterBond.com .

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

Reader Surveys

The Results Are In: What Are Your Job Market Predictions for 2015?

By Job Journey on Friday, January 9, 2015

As 2014 wrapped up, we asked Movin’ On Up readers to reflect on the year by sharing their predictions for the job market in 2015. It’s a question we’ve asked for several years in a row, and the results have been anything but consistent.

Three Years of Results
This year, the majority of readers (35%) answered that the job market is “good enough to test the waters and see what else is out there for me.” In 2014, 35% of readers decided that “things are going to get worse before they get better,” while 35% of readers selected “I’m definitely getting a job offer or promotion this year” in 2013.

This trend suggests that 2013 was a year of hope for many job seekers who had an optimistic outlook after the Great Recession. In 2014, however, those hopes were dashed as job seekers may have shifted to a negative outlook on the job market. This year, it seems that job seekers are taking a more neutral stance. While the market is improving, the majority of readers believe it’s strong enough to up their job seeking efforts in 2015.

Other responses to this year’s poll included 27% of readers who decided that “things are going to get worse before they get better,” 17% of readers who reported “I’m definitely getting a job offer or promotion this year,” and 11% who chose “I’m staying where I am. I don’t expect things to get better.”

Additionally, 9% of respondents selected the “Other” option in our poll and left responses including:

“I’m still in school, so I’m waiting to get a different job.”
“Structural income problems in America need addressing.”
“Expect to stay unemployed.”

Predictions for the New Year
As we enter 2015, many people are testing the job searching waters. And according to MarketWatch, it may be a good time to do so. “Businesses are already responding,” the website reported in a recent study of the U.S. economy. “Job openings in November [2014] hit the second highest level in 14 years. In another telltale sign, people are quitting jobs at the fastest rate in five years. Research shows that people who quit one job for another typically do so because they are offered higher pay.”

Prepare for Your Job Search
If you’re one of those job seekers who is hopeful enough to send your resume around or even try for a career change, make sure you’re prepared to reach your goal. For an additional boost to your efforts, check out these recent Movin’ On Up articles:

And don’t forget about the “New Year, New Job” online event hosted by Express Employment Professionals on Wednesday, Jan. 21. For more information about the event, click here.

Do you notice any trends in the past three years’ poll results? Do you think the job market is on its way up? Let us know in the comments section below!

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