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If You Don’t Follow Up Now, You’ll Hate Yourself Later

By Jared Cole on Friday, March 16, 2012

When it comes to following up after interviews, there is a fine line between being persistent and being annoying. Most people know the basics like sending a thank-you note and calling to check on the hiring process, but here are three new tips to stand out, in a good way, with your interview follow up.

1. Ensure appropriate follow up.

This part of the application process begins during your interview. Be ready to take notes during the interview and ask specific questions about who is involved in the hiring process, what the steps are in obtaining a position, and the timeline looks. Make sure your follow up is in alignment with their process. Also, if during the interview you’re asked to take some additional steps in the application process, like taking a personality test, completing a drug-screening, or providing work samples, make sure you write down when you’re expected to do that by and how you are to touch base once that is completed. Often an interviewer will ask for more information on part of your work history or for you to provide a list of references. And sometimes, you’ll be asked to complete a task as part of the interview process. Your ability to complete the tasks as requested is also part of your interview, so take it as seriously as the face-to-face interview. Not following up as instructed could make the interviewer question your interest in the position and your ability to follow through.

2. Always add value when you follow up.

Instead of just sending a thank you note, include a highlight of what interested you most about the position and what you found exciting about the company. Share a thought of how you saw yourself working in the role. For example, if it’s a job in engineering, share specifics on design and technology developments you recently read about that you think would be applicable. Another way to provide value is to invite the interviewer to join you for an upcoming networking or industry trade event. If you’re active in a professional association, include something like, “I hope to see you next month at the downtown Society of Human Resource Management meeting. I’m excited to hear from the guest speaker on leadership traits and time management styles.” It’s always good to reinforce your personal professional development plan and encourage further networking.

3. Network for the long term.

No doubt in your job search you’ll go on several interviews before the right job opportunity comes along. Think of the interview process as a way to build your network for two reasons. First, while you may not get the job you applied for, other openings may come up in the future that drive the company to return to their pool of already-interviewed candidates. Second, the person you interview with may move on to another opportunity and you could find yourself working with them somewhere else or interviewing with them again. A few ways to make connections with individuals you interview with include sending a LinkedIn connection request, keeping a personal file of names and contact information of everyone you’ve interviewed with, and following up with contacts after you’ve found a job. Once you’ve landed a new job, it is appropriate to send out an email or LinkedIn message letting people you interviewed with know where you’ve accepted a position and what your new role is. Be sure and thank them again for the time they spent with you. Additionally, if you hear that a company you interviewed with celebrates a milestone or receives an award, especially specific to your industry, make sure to reach out again to congratulate them.

Getting the interview is your opportunity to connect and shine, and following up after the interview is your opportunity to show your diligence and communication skills. In your career development, always be thinking of ways you can add value to other professionals, create a larger network, and develop your professional reputation.

What are some unique ways you’ve followed up after an interview?

By Rachel Rudisill

Career Options The Job Search

Jobs After Jail

By Jared Cole on Friday, February 10, 2012

More than 650,000 people in the U.S. are released from prison every year. After serving their time, they face many obstacles including finding a job. Many who have served time struggle finding employment because of their criminal record. Even an arrest for a felony not resulting in a conviction stays on record and can cause trouble for someone who wants to start their career.

It can feel like those trying to enter the job market after serving time are constantly being re-punished. It may be a challenge, but it’s a challenge you can overcome. Here are some tips on how to pick yourself back up, build up confidence, and re-enter the job market.

Understand Your Current Situation

It’s important to know what options are available in your job search. Before you start looking for a job, take the time to research what jobs are open to you. You might not be eligible for some jobs due to statutory prohibitions.

For instance, if a job requires earning a license, some felonies or convictions disqualify you from getting those licenses and therefore disqualifies you from jobs like being teachers, physicians, real estate agents, or attorneys. Another example would be if you were, if being on parole or probation resulting from a drug-related crime, it’s possible that you may not be allowed to work in a pharmacy.

Take the time to consult with administrators related to your case like a counselor, judge, or parole officer to help you make an informed decision on what direction to take your job search.

Bottoms Up

It’s a hard truth, but you might have to take a job starting at the bottom of the barrel. On the bright side, the only place to go is up.

If offered a low paying job, ask if there are opportunities for pay increases after proving your value to the company. With some hard work and after developing leadership skills, you can eventually earn a higher pay rate. After several months of earning experience, you can start looking for something better. But, try to stay with the same employer for as long as possible. It helps strengthen your résumé and makes you look reliable to potential employers.

Out in the Open

Your gut instinct might be to hide your criminal record, but you should learn how to honestly discuss it with potential employers. On job applications, when you get to the section asking if you have been convicted of a crime, consider putting “please let me discuss this with you when we meet,” after checking the “yes” option.

Work on confidently getting the point across in interviews that you have paid your debt, put that part of your life behind you, and are working to become a better person. It’s not easy, but you are a different person. With lots of practice, you can build self-confidence and prove that you have taken responsibility for your actions and are ready to move on.

You’re Not Alone

Don’t underestimate the benefits of going to a staffing agency. Not only will the staffing company be helpful in finding long-term employment, but choosing to go with temporary jobs can help build valuable skills to help make you more marketable to employers.

Look into your community programs. Some offer training programs that, upon finishing certain requirements, may guarantee interviews with local companies. Talk to social service workers, counselors, or probation officers to see what options are available in your area.

There are several online resources for you to take advantage of when looking for work after serving time. Try visiting the Legal Action Center, National H.I.R.E. Network, Project Footprints, and The Women’s Prison Association to help connect with others, information, and helpful resources that can help you make a career after prison.

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!”

Career Options Dress for Success The Job Search

Women’s Work Attire That Never Goes Out of Style

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Women's business attire In a previous post, we discussed traditional styles of men’s work attire that have stood the test of time. They are still some of the best ways to make a good first impression when interviewing and working with colleagues. This post will highlight some professional styles for women that never lose their elegance and look good too.

Some may consider business fashion more difficult for women because of the constantly changing trends and styles available to them, but it’s surprising to know that when it comes to classic attire that is timeless and still means business, women’s fashion is very similar to men’s.

That Suit Looks Like a Lady

If you’re looking for classic, then go with wearing the skirt suit. Skirt suits are considered to be the best option when interviewing or showing for a very professional look. If you absolutely loathe wearing skirts and pantyhose, check with your employer’s dress code before wearing a pantsuit. While some organizations may allow them, more traditional companies won’t because pantsuits are still considered less formal.

Just like men’s suits, going with dark brown, gray, or navy will give you a professional, confident look without bringing attention to yourself. Blouses should remain a light color, but avoid low cut or revealing shirts. If you want to accessorize, consider wearing a softly colored scarf. If you have to question yourself about a color being appropriate, go ahead and choose a different color. While it may be fun to mix and match your colors, having a matching suit is preferred.

Don’t Skimp on the Skirt

The hemlines of your skirt should be mid-knee length or longer. Miniskirts are not only inappropriate, but they also send the message that you’re not serious. When wearing longer skirts, avoid wearing ones with deep slits at the sides, back, or front.

Sometimes the constant struggle with wearing pantyhose can lead many women to consider pantyhose their worst enemy. But, full-length pantyhose should be worn with a business suit. Natural skin tone colors are best, but you can wear colored hose as long as they stay opaque and don’t look like tights. As far as classic shoes, you can wear some with a pattern, but keep them the same color as your suit.

Don’t be an Accessory to a Fashion Crime

When it comes to attire in the workplace, less is more. Accessories and jewelry should be kept to a minimum. Try to limit yourself to about four accessories with earrings counting as one. Over accessorizing can bring a lot of unwanted attention to yourself, instead of wanted attention to your work. Earrings should be modest, including a stud-type or small hoops, and not dangly. All jewelry should be conservative to enhance your suit, and should not be distracting or flashy.

Makeup should appear natural. Avoid using overly dark or bright eye shadow and lipstick. It’s best to save your creative or stylish makeup routines for outside of work activities. While nails should be clean and manicured at a decent length, avoid using bright or decorated polish. No one wants to shake hands with Freddy Krueger. If you want to wear perfume, keep it light, but try avoiding using it at all.

Wearing traditional business attire doesn’t have to be rocket science or boring. If you follow our easy guides on appropriate business attire that never goes out of style, you’d be surprised how effective ditching the latest trends for the classic look will be for your career. What are some fashion tips you think should be included on this list?

Job Interviews Resumes and Cover Letters The Job Search

Smart Phone Apps for a Smarter Job Search

By Jared Cole on Monday, December 19, 2011

In a job market that is becoming increasingly competitive, having an advantage is crucial to finding a job quickly. The job market is constantly changing and seekers have to be ready for opportunities at a moment’s notice. To be successful, more job chasers need their professional networks and materials when at home or on the go.

With current hiring trends evolving, technology can easily give you access to social networks, job listings, and powerful tools to help you stay connected to people and opportunities with the push of a button. Smart phones are becoming more common every day and can be a powerful source when looking for a job. Here are some apps for your phone that can better prepare you for your job search and give you the upper hand on the competition.

Refresh That Résumé

Resume App: (iTunes®)Resume App will help you design, build, and create a custom and professional looking résumé in a PDF format that you can send to potential employers from your phone.
Pocket Resume: (iTunes)(Android™) Pocket Resume is one of the best-selling résumé apps on the market. It uses a unique PDF rendering technology to create professional résumés that can be updated and emailed from your phone.

Never Stop Networking

SnapDat Digital Business Cards🙁iTunes) SnapDat is an amazing app on the iPhone® that allows you to create custom digital business cards. You can create unlimited business cards that are fully customizable that can be emailed to a potential employer or new contact.
Business Card Reader: (iTunes)(Android) Business card readers allow you to scan a new contact’s number and automatically put their information in your phone’s address book. This way you’ll never have to search your house looking for a contact’s email or worry about finding a phone number when you’re not at home.
BeKnown: (iTunes)(Android) BeKnown, powered by Monster.com, is a professional networking app on Facebook. Catch the buzz by easily tapping into new professional opportunities anywhere, anytime, by staying on top of what your professional contacts are doing while meeting new ones.

Find Those Jobs

JobCompass: (iTunes)(Android) JobCompass uses your phone’s GPS to find available job openings in your area. It also gives you job descriptions and allows you to apply directly through your phone.
JobAware: (iTunes) JobAware searches for jobs in your area, tracks your progress through the application process, offers salary comparisons for several occupations, and integrates with your LinkedIn account to get updates and advice from your network and career professionals.
Jobs – by CareerBuilder: (iTunes)(Android) With the CareerBuilder app, you can instantly search one of the largest job opening websites in the U.S., easily and straight from your phone for free.
Monster.com Jobs: (iTunes)(Android) The Monster Job Search app lets you access your Monster account while on the go so you can apply to the latest job openings from your mobile device no matter where you are.

Interview Improvement

What Color is your Parachute?🙁iTunes) An app based on the best-selling job hunting guide, “What Color is Your Parachute?” gives insightful tips on how to stand out, nail the interview, and land the job.
Interview Pro: (iTunes) Interview Pro provides more than 80 job interview questions and answers ranging from communication skills to team dynamics.
Interview Buzz Pro: (iTunes)(Android) Interview Buzz Pro not only provides more than 300 questions and answers to prepare you for your next interview, but it also offers additional features like instructions on how to tie a necktie and the option to add comments to interview questions to help you prepare.

When looking for a job, we all want a leg up on the competition. Sometimes, you may not know when a job opportunity arises, or you’re away from your home or computer. The next time you need your résumé or professional information in a hurry, you’ll be prepared for it. What are some apps that have helped you in your job search?

Job Interviews Salary and Promotions The Job Search

To Share or Not to Share Your Salary History

By Job Journey on Wednesday, November 30, 2011

A key question for many job seekers is “How much does the job pay?” But, the flip side of that conversation for potential employers is “How much do you currently make?” It can be hard to decide how and when to share your salary history with a potential employer, or even to decide if you are willing to share it at all. All of this is compounded by the fact that talking about money is usually taboo, right up there with religion and politics in the workplace. However, when it comes to your career, learning how to professionally discuss your salary can pay off in a big way.

Why Does an Employer Want to Know?

It’s important to first understand why employers request salary information during the application process. Typically, employers have a set budget for positions based on the job duties and market value in that area. If an employer is asking for salary information to be included when you apply, they may be using this as a quick way to determine who to interview for the position. Employers may not want to interview candidates who have a higher salary than they are willing to pay, or they may seek to interview candidates with the closest pay rate, regardless of experience.

Check out this video on discussing your salary history in an interview from career coach Karen Chopra.

Karen Chopra, Career Counselor, Washington, D.C.

Please note, the video clips herein and their sponsors do not necessarily represent the views of Express and are used for educational purposes only.

What’s the Best Way to Share Salary Information?

Even if salary information is requested when you apply, you don’t necessarily have to submit it. Typically you want to be able to discuss salary history and compensation, it’s a conversation best not left to written correspondence. With this in mind, state on your résumé you are willing to submit salary information when requested. This puts you in control of who sees your salary history and how it is conveyed. Ideally you won’t share salary information until your interview, when you can have a conversation about your job duties and additional compensation.

How do You Evaluate Compensation?

It’s important to keep in mind that your salary is more than just your pay, your compensation includes things your current job might provide, including health insurance, 401(k) matching, education reimbursements, and more. When you discuss pay with your potential employer, let them lead the discussion before you share your salary history. Ask what benefits you’ll receive besides pay that will make up your total compensation. Research the job market to learn what salary ranges are being offered for similar positions. Understand what the position requires in terms of education and experience and be prepared to discuss how your education and experience should impact your salary. Make sure your salary research is done in coordination with the city where the position is located, because pay is typically impacted by geography.

The last tip to keep in mind when discussing your salary with potential employers is to make sure you are consistent. If you’ve cited salary information within online job board databases, like your CareerBuilder or Monster profile, make sure the information on your résumé is documented the same. If you are including benefits and other compensation factors, let the employer know you are willing to negotiate within these pending factors. Your credibility is on the line during your job search, and misrepresenting your salary history can be detrimental to you career.

By Rachel Rudisill

At Work Career Advancement

The Benefits of Being Punctual

By Job Journey on Friday, August 12, 2011

You can run late or miss a deadline for a variety of reasons. “The alarm didn’t go off,” or “I hit every red light on the way to work.” Whatever the reason, you can take control of being punctual. If you were headed to an important interview, you would probably take traffic into consideration and show up well in advance. But sometimes it’s hard to treat every workday or deadline as if it were an important interview.

Unfortunately, constantly being late can send the wrong message to co-workers and your employer. Some see being late as a disregard for company policy. Others may believe you are late because you are disorganized. These messages can translate into assumptions about your character and work ethic. For example if they think you are late because you are disorganized, you may not be considered for leading a big project with a tight deadline.

Here are a few good reasons to be early or on time that can have a positive impact on your image in the workplace.

Building Respect
Respect is a big thing in the workplace. Being constantly late, whether its to work, to a meeting, or with a project, is rude to your co-workers, manager, and clients. Being late is seen as disrespectful and that image can be difficult to recover from professionally. When you are on time you show your respect for the policies of your employer, as well as the time of peers and leaders.

Being Reliable
This isn’t high school and your boss is not your teacher, so resist the urge to be the cool kid that comes in late and slacks off. On the flip side, showing up early does not mean that you are trying to show up your co-workers that might struggle with being on time. Try not to get caught up in who is showing up on time for work or returning quick from lunch. Unless you are a manager, all you need to worry about is your own punctuality. Don’t worry, people will notice that you are always on time and that they can count on your dependability. You’ll know your reputation for being on time has had a positive impact when people start to rely on your departure from your desk to signal them its time for the weekly staff meeting.

Relieving Stress
Apart from the normal stressors of a workday, always having to rush because you are running late will compound stress. It can just pile on – being late can mean having to park far away, which causes you to be even later by having to walk further to your building, etc. – and it’s not a good way to start your morning off. Once you get into a routine of being on time you may find the rest of your calendar falling into place. You should be scheduling your day, not reacting to a schedule imposed upon you.

Clearing Your Mind
When you are running late all the time or pushed up against a deadline, you don’t have time to think. To foster creativity you need to allow yourself time to problem solve and brainstorm. Working ahead of schedule allows you time to develop alternative solutions or try out a few ways of completing a task before having to meet a deadline or turn in something you don’t feel totally finished with.