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The Great Debate: Return to School or Get a Job. How to decide your next career move

By shannon on Friday, May 2, 2008

Are you struggling with your job search and getting frustrated because you haven’t landed a job, even though you have the education? Many graduates of high school, college and vocational schools have a hard time finding jobs, even after completing their degrees. Some get so frustrated that they want to head back to school to better their chances of finding a job in a different field. But before you decide to go back to school and pursue a new career, try some of these tips to turn your job search into a success.

Evaluate your situation – Take a look at where you are now, what experiences you’ve had and where you want to be in the future. If you’re looking for a job in a field that you don’t currently have any experience in, find ways to get that experience by volunteering, interning or taking an entry-level position. If you’re considering going back to school, look into the opportunities that a new career could offer. Another degree may not promise a job offer, higher salary or professional growth, so decide if it’s worth it to stick with the degree you have and just gain experience in that field. You may have to make a few sacrifices along the way, but the sacrifices you make now will pay off in the future by helping you land the job you want.

Update your résumé – Résumés create a lasting first impression. If you’ve submitted résumés to several employers and have yet to receive an invitation for an interview, pull yours out and see what updates or changes can be made. It’s important to grab the attention of potential employers, so don’t be afraid to ask someone else for their input, or contact a professional to help you. Co-workers, friends and family members can offer ways to improve your layout, design and content. Going back to school to add another degree will look great on your résumé, but if you lack the experience needed for the position, your extra degree won’t guarantee an employment offer or even an interview.

Practice interviewing – If you’ve been looking for a job for a while and have been to several interviews but haven’t received a job offer, your interview skills may need some tweaking. Ask someone to practice with you and have them ask questions that are frequently asked by employers, specific to your résumé and pertain to the job you’re interested in. When you practice with others, they can help you identify areas that need to be improved and can offer hints to help you really sell your skills to a potential employer. Going back to school won’t help you master interviewing or land a job. Practicing your interviewing skills is easier and less time consuming than school, so consider taking this step to improve your job search before hitting the books.

Finding a job can be a challenge for anyone, but it’s possible to find a job in your field. Before you give up and head back to school or switch careers, try these tips to improve your job search and land the job you want.

Were you able to find a job right out of school? How did you successfully land a job? Give us your feedback in the comments section below.

Career Options The Job Search

7 Tips to Jumpstart your Job Search after Graduation

By Jennifer Kenley on Friday, April 4, 2008

With college graduation around the corner, now is the right time to start looking for an internship or even possibly a job. College graduates are entering the workforce at a time when Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age, and companies are being left with vacant positions that need to be filled. To ensure that your transition from college student to full-time employee is a smooth one, try out these seven tips below.

Visit Career Services. College campuses offer a number of resources to help their students search for jobs and internships as well as assist them with their résumés and cover letters. Use these services while you’re still in school because it can be costly paying for them on your own.

Build a Network. Though college life can be busy, it’s important to make time for networking. Social clubs, career-related organizations and job fairs can help you connect with prospective employers. Networking at every opportunity will link you to individuals who can help you in your job search.

Land an Internship. Internships give you more than just on-the-job training; they often lead to a permanent position within the company. Even if you don’t land the job at your company, your experience will help your résumé stand apart from other applicants.

Practice Interviewing. Interviews can be nerve wracking – but you can gain confidence by practicing with friends. Practicing interviewing equips you with what to expect and how to act in a professional setting.

Be Flexible. Don’t limit yourself in your job search. You could miss out on a great opportunity if you focus too much on a specific job title or company. Some companies may offer you the position you want and maybe even the pay but no growth potential. And the prestige of working for some companies may come with little incentives such as low benefits and little pay. Smaller or lesser known companies may offer opportunities for growth, flexibility and benefits. So make sure you keep your options open so you can see the full value of what each job opportunity has to offer.

Prepare for interviews. Once you land an interview, make sure you research the company and its industry. Also, make sure you know where the company is located. It is equally important to dress appropriately. When in doubt, call the company and ask a receptionist or HR rep what the dress code policy is. Being prepared will give the employer a great first impression of you.

Show your personality. During the interview, let the interviewer see a little bit of your personality. Tell them a funny story about when you were younger, or share about your interests or hobbies outside of work. Letting prospective employers see a little bit of who you are differentiates you from other candidates. But, make sure you stay focused and professional during your interview, don’t reveal too much information or details that would make potential employers uncomfortable. Be sure to highlight your credentials and qualifications above anything else.

Finding a job after you graduate can be difficult, but with these seven tips, you can increase your chances of landing a job and decrease your stress level.

Career Options

Top 3 Benefits of Temp Jobs

By Jennifer Kenley on Thursday, March 20, 2008

When looking for employment, most people don’t want a temporary job; they want a permanent one – or at least one that has the potential to become permanent. However, what many people don’t realize is that most temporary positions offer a chance at permanent employment and much more. According to the American Staffing Association, 90% of all companies use temporary employees.

Below are three additional benefits temporary work offers individuals beyond permanent positions.

Sizing up the company. I don’t know about you, but whenever I’ve looked for jobs in the past, I worried about impressing the employer. However, often times, after I was hired, neither the job nor the employers impressed me, and I had to figure out how to quit. To be happy in your job, you must not only make a good impression on your employer, but they must make a good impression on you. Working in a temporary job allows you the opportunity to see if you like the company’s culture, the job and the industry before making a commitment.

Building your résumé. If you’re between permanent jobs, working in a temporary position allows you to build and strengthen your résumé while looking for something more permanent. The American Staffing Association reports more than 90% of staffing companies provide training to their temporary workers, and 70% of temporary employees report gaining new skills during their job assignments. If you’re afraid of being known as a job hopper, make sure to show you worked for one temp agency and worked in many different roles. Make sure to list all the skills you obtained during your employment with the agency. Temporary positions allow you to build your résumé through on-the-job training and make you more attractive to potential employers.

Creating flexible work schedules. Maybe you’ve just had a baby, or you’re looking for a new career path. Flexibility is an excellent benefit that temporary jobs offer because it allows you to work part-time when you need to tend to personal obligations or go on job interviews while still making money. If you need some time off for personal matters, or if you just like having the opportunity to travel every few months, temporary positions offered through staffing companies allow you to work when you want. No matter what the reason – having flexible work options allows you to take care of the things that are important to you and still earn a little cash in the process.

Whether you’re searching for a new career path, building your résumé, starting a family or working to support your true passions in life, temporary jobs allow you many benefits and opportunities in the many different stages of your life. Make sure you investigate different temp agencies and the benefits they offer, as some may not offer as much as others. Click here to view the benefits of Express Employment Professionals.

What benefits has temporary employment offered you, or why do you choose to work on temporary assignments?

Dress for Success New Job Tips

You’ve Got the Job, Now It’s Time to Dress the Part

By shannon on Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Every office and company differs in their dress code. Some require professional dress Monday through Friday, others offer business casual with casual Fridays. But do you know what the expectations are for these recommendations? Will you be able to dress the part and fit in at your new job? Here are a few basic guidelines for common dress code types to help you dress for success.

Professional – This dress code consists of suits, button down shirts and dress shoes. It can also include ties and vests for men, and pantsuits or skirts with nylons for women. Professional attire is the most formal in a business environment. Full suits are appropriate for everyday wear in certain professions, as well as special presentations and meetings in more casual atmospheres. Professional dress is also the most appropriate interview attire.

Business Casual – Saved for relaxed but professional atmospheres, business casual attire is made up of button-down shirts and slacks for men, and a skirt or slacks with a blouse for women. Wearing a coordinating sport coat or blazer is a nice touch but isn’t usually required. Khakis and a polo shirt that bears the corporate logo is usually acceptable as well.

Casual – This type of attire is reserved for the most casual work environments. In some offices, it’s only allowed on casual Fridays. Casual wear can include jeans, sneakers, polos or even Hawaiian print shirts. If your company allows you to wear casual attire, avoid wearing jogging suits, T-shirts, sandals or revealing clothing. If you aren’t sure how to dress on casual Fridays, khakis and a polo are a safe bet. It’s better to dress one step up than one step down from the dress code.

Make sure you check the company’s dress code before you start your first day at a new job and plan accordingly to make a great impression. If you aren’t sure what dress code should be followed once you’re on the job, ask a supervisor or manager. You can also take clues by observing what others wear to the office, especially those in leadership positions.

Career Advancement Job Interviews Workplace Relationships

Are You Trainable? 3 Qualities You Need To Learn Anything

By summer on Thursday, February 7, 2008

You may have noticed that a job offer or promotion doesn’t always go to the candidate with the most experience or best training. Instead, employers often hire and promote the candidate who seems most willing and able to learn the new role.

You might be asking yourself why a manager would ever pass up on a candidate with greater experience or more up-to-date skills. The reason is simple, really. While work history and capabilities are important, they’re no match for a willing attitude. In any new position there will always be new things for the employee to learn. That’s why the candidate who’s most trainable is often the preferred choice.

Becoming more trainable will not only make it easier to learn a new job, it will also boost your career by demonstrating to employers that you’re ready for any challenge. If you’re not sure how teachable you are, review the traits below and find out. If you fall short, don’t worry – once you know where you’re lacking, you can work on making improvements.

1. Enthusiasm – Eagerness to learn is a quality employers value highly in job candidates as well as internal recruits. A go-getter attitude makes learning any job easier, and enthusiasm increases a hiring manager’s confidence in potential employees’ abilities.

If your outlook toward work tends to be more ho-hum than vroom vroom, you can kick up your career a notch by displaying enthusiasm during interviews or at your current job.

Remember, it’s no fun to train someone who doesn’t want to learn. That’s why when someone comes off disinterested, it’s no wonder employers are skittish about offering a position. So, slap a smile on your face and show some drive by demonstrating excitement about your work.

2. Humility – It’s impossible to learn new things if you don’t think those around you have anything to teach you. Author C.S. Lewis once said, “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you.”

In order to be trainable, you have to come to new situations with an acceptance that you don’t know everything. Being humble isn’t the same thing as putting yourself down or having low self esteem. It’s important to feel good about yourself and to display confidence, but that doesn’t mean stepping on other people or refusing to listen to their instructions.

You can show your willingness to learn by valuing the opinions of others and asking for advice from time to time. When employers see that you respect the knowledge of those around you, they’ll be more inclined to hire and promote you.

3. Commitment – Learning new things isn’t always fun. Sometimes, training can be frustrating or boring. But, dedication is what enables you to overcome hurdles and succeed in a new role.

Do you stick it out even when times get tough? Hiring managers know that there’s a learning curve associated with any new position. That’s why they want to hire and promote individuals who are willing to stay the course.

You can increase your level of professional dedication by always following through on your commitments, turning projects in on time and keeping your word. Employers will be convinced of your perseverance when you can show a track record of dependability.

Do you want to be an in-demand employee? If so, focus on becoming more trainable by demonstrating enthusiasm, humility and commitment. Your efforts will be rewarded with interest and respect from employers.

Resumes and Cover Letters The Job Search

Five Things No Résumé Should Ever Say

By tiffany monhollon on Tuesday, February 5, 2008

It’s hard to know exactly what to say in a résumé, much less how to say it. A great résumé will highlight your experience, skills, qualifications, education or training, and community involvement. A well-written resume will also leave out certain details that are either best left for the interview or best left unaddressed altogether. Check out this list of things to avoid on your résumé.

1. “I”
Along with “me,” “my,” and “mine,” this word is off limits in résumé writing. The document has your name on it, so recruiters will know who it’s referring to. Putting too much of this self-focused language in your résumé will make you sound inexperienced at best and self-absorbed at worst. Instead of saying “I exceeded the goal by 30%,” simply put “Exceeded the goal by 30%.”

2. “Failed”
Your résumé should honestly represent your work and accomplishments, not dwell on your failures. Focus on the positive when writing your résumé, and describe actions, results and improvements you made. Employers may ask questions about strengths and weaknesses in an interview, which gives you a chance to elaborate in person, so save stories of failure and triumph for when you’ve already got the employer’s attention.

3. “GPA”
Unless you recently graduated and had a grade point above 3.5, don’t put your GPA on your résumé. A high GPA is not usually relevant to employers, and a low GPA can actually take you out of consideration, so save that space to describe community involvement instead.

4. “Fired”
Stating explicitly on a résumé that you were fired from a position, even if you go into detail and explain your side of things, is an absolute no-no if you want to land another job. You may (or may not) have been on the side of right in a termination situation, but bringing it up on your résumé that you were fired not only demonstrates that you could be a difficult employee to work with, it also makes you appear naïve to the hiring process.

5. “Hate”
It doesn’t matter how much you despise something – a task, a company, a political stance, a policy, a person or a former employer. No matter what, avoid saying you hate anything in your résumé. Negative language makes you appear to be a negative person, a trait which isn’t looked upon kindly by recruiters.

Take a glance at your résumé and see if any of these no-nos made their way into it. If so, it’s time to update it. And while you’re at it, you might enjoy these related posts.

Career Advancement

What Super Bowl Ads Can Teach You about Your Career

By tiffany monhollon on Monday, February 4, 2008

Whether you caught the Super Bowl or are just catching up on the buzz, you’ve likely already seen or heard about all the commercials. So if you’re looking for an excuse to check them out again, why not learn something in the process? Here’s what some of the ads from this year’s Super Bowl game can teach you about your career.

Budweiser Dalmatian Spot – What’s better than a Rocky-style story of a Dalmatian training a down-on-his-luck Clydesdale and helping him make the hitch? This No. 1 favorite of the night can do more than bring a tear to your eye, it can also teach you something about persistence and the value of mentors.
Career Moral: Don’t give up if you miss that promotion. With hard work, you can improve your career. And don’t underestimate the value of a workplace mentor who believes in you and will help you achieve your ambitions.
Carrier Pigeon Fed Ex Commercial – An employee showcases a cost-saving innovation to his boss, but it turns out to be a disaster.
Career Moral: We all make mistakes at work. When you do, it’s important to do what you can to remedy the situation and improve things. Also, don’t hide mistakes from your boss, learn to communicate bad news instead. They’ll find out eventually. It’s better to face problems head on.
Tide Talking Stain Spot – A qualified-sounding candidate’s job interview is derailed by an unsightly (talking) stain on his shirt.
Career Moral: In the interview, first impressions are everything, so don’t forget to check your appearance and hygiene before your interview. Make sure your clothes are unstained, pack some breath mints, spit out the gum and take a glance in a mirror. The little things can make the difference between landing the job and inspiring a Super Bowl commercial like this one.
NFL True Story with Chester Pitts – Ephraim Salaam discovers Chester Pitts in a San Diego grocery store. The oboe-playing grocery bagger was drafted in the second round and now plays for the Houston Texans.
Career Moral: This inspiring story of success, dreams and the power of having someone believe in you shows us never to underestimate the power of networking. You could find your next career-making relationship anywhere.
Coca-Cola Ad with Bill Frist and James Carville – The two politically differing figures stop arguing for a minute through the shared love for Coke and end up sharing some quality time in Washington together.
Career Moral: You can get along with people you don’t see eye to eye with in the workplace. The trick is finding commonalities and giving them a chance.
Taco Bell Fiesta Platter Ad – Two employees rush to a meeting with their lunch in hand. They’re encouraged to take time to savor their lunch instead.
Career Moral: Win at work life balance – take a lunch break!
Follow Your Heart CareerBuilder Spot – A woman at boring job watches her heart jump out of her chest and speak the truth to a horrible boss.
Career Moral: Sometimes, change is necessary. Listen to your heart to see if you need a change.
Gatorade Ad with Derek Jeter – Everywhere he steps, Derek’s surroundings are influenced by the game. He notes that for him, “… the next game begins when the last one ends.”
Career Moral: When you’re passionate about your work, it’s visible.

In case you missed them, USA Today has a rundown streaming all this year’s Super Bowl ads.