Tag Archives: 2015

Make Your Move: Life After Graduation

make_your_move_life_after_graduation_webFor many, graduation day is around the corner. While graduating from college or high school can be an intimidating time, there’s hope for recent graduates in the job search. According to a survey by Michigan State University, 97% of employers plan to hire at least one new college graduate this year. While the odds are in your favor, you have to put in the effort to land the job of your dreams. To help you join the workforce, check out these five tips for making your move after graduation.

Know what employers are looking for.
A recent Movin’ On Up article compiled survey results from a variety of institutions who conducted research on the 2015 job outlook for recent college graduates. These results included a look at the job forecast, which revealed that employers plan to hire 9.6% more graduates in the United States than they did in 2014, and lists of the most in-demand college degrees and skills for new hires. Before you start your post-graduation job search, check out the statistics to better understand what employers want.

Use the power of social media.
Whether you’re graduating from high school or college, it’s never too early to create a LinkedIn profile. Even if you don’t have much to add to your profile yet, go ahead and get started on your account so you can use it to network with potential employers and get noticed. Forbes states that only one-third of college students have a LinkedIn profile, so creating one of your own is a quick and easy way to stand out from the competition.

Include any jobs you’ve had, from babysitting to retail, and list the skills you gained from those jobs. Make sure you also list your educational achievements, including any degrees, diplomas, and extra-curricular activities like newspaper or debate club. If you received any awards in school or your community, like volunteer or academic honors, list those too.

It’s important to remember that while employers are primarily searching LinkedIn for potential candidates, they can also find your other social media accounts too. So, keep your Facebook, Twitter, and other public profiles clean and professional at all times.

Get an internship, or volunteer in your community.
According to a study by Millennial Branding, a research firm, 85% of college students believe having an internship is either important or very important for their career. Furthermore, 52% said they hope to have had three or more internships before graduating, and 40% have already completed one internship. Since so many college graduates are looking to internships to gain experience, skills, and networking opportunities, you want to make sure you’re one of them. Try to find companies that are easily recognizable, either in the community or nationally, to help your resume stand out.

In addition to internships, you can also get ahead of the competition by actively volunteering in your community. There are numerous volunteer opportunities to consider, from working at a food pantry to helping build houses for the needy. By volunteering, you not only add valuable skills to your resume, but you also have the opportunity to network with others and do something charitable in the process.

Find a mentor.
We’ve talked about the importance of having a mentor, and the results of Millennial Branding’s survey support our stance. In fact, the survey revealed that 70% of college students have at least one mentor. Among the mentors listed were parents, professors, family, friends, and employers. Having a mentor can help you grow both professionally and personally, and can even help you on your job search. But, finding the right mentor is important to making sure you’re learning all you can. When you’re ready to pick a mentor, check out these five traits of a great mentor first.

Call on your school for help.
If you’re a college student, your school’s career services office can help you with the next step in your job search. Career offices can assist with resumes, cover letters, job interviewers, and more, but Millennial Branding reveals that only 29% of students use these offices. Be part of that group by visiting your school’s office and asking about what resources they can offer. In addition to workforce preparation, many offices also have an alumni database, which can help put you in contact with recent graduates in your field of study. Those graduates have already been in the workforce for a few years and may have tips of the trade you could learn, so take advantage of those resources.

Congratulations to the class of 2015, and good luck with your job search! Remember, even if you’re not a recent graduate, these tips can help you with your job search goals. It’s never too early to get started!

How do you plan to make your move after graduation? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

You Can Be Part of Brand It Blue Day

On Saturday, June 13, Express Employment Professionals offices across North America will gather together for Brand It Blue Day. The event is a day of service aimed to help in the fight against hunger, and you can be a part of it!

Why Is It Important?
Summer is an especially difficult time of year for children as most of the school meal programs end, leaving millions of kids at risk of going hungry. In 2013, more than 21.5 million children received free or reduced-price meals through their school programs and only 2.5 million of those children took part in summer food service programs. In Canada, more than 310,000 children receive their meals through food banks each month.

What’s The Impact?
In 2014, 205 Express offices participated in Brand It Blue Day and more than 1,000 volunteers showed up at their local food pantries to help. Thanks to everyone’s help, Express was able to collect enough food and donations to provide more than 55,000 meals to those in need. During the past two years, Express has supplied more than 91,000 meals.

Why Should You Help?
Volunteering adds valuable experience to your resume. Whether you’re a job seeker who just graduated or someone who has been out of the workforce for an extended period of time, volunteering can help add to your work history and set you apart from the competition. Spending your time serving in your community helps you gain networking opportunities that can lead to jobs, provides new skills that you can add to your resume, and shows you have a passion for helping others. In fact, a recent report by the Corporation for National and Community Service found that volunteering was associated with 27% higher odds of employment.

How Can You Help?
Now that you know the impact of Brand It Blue Day and the value of volunteering, you may be wondering how you can be part of the big event. If the Express office in your city is taking part in Brand It Blue Day, you may be able to volunteer your time at a food bank or bring in donations to a canned food drive. Contact your local Express office and find out if they’ll be participating in this day of service so you can help!

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

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Attention 2015 Graduates! Check Out These Statistics

statistics_for_2015_graduates_webAre you graduating from college this year? If so, there’s some good news. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers are planning to hire 9.6% more graduates in the United States than they did in 2014. Additionally, 55% of survey respondents plan to increase their hiring numbers this year, up from 46% in the fall of 2014. Michigan State University also conducted a survey that revealed 97% of employers will hire at least one new college graduate in 2015.

The Degrees That Get You Hired
Employers are hiring more, but who are they hiring? According to NACE’s survey, which also asked employers to rate the college degrees they most desire in new hires, the top 10 most in-demand degrees are as follows:

  1. Engineering
  2. Business
  3. Computer Sciences
  4. Accounting
  5. Miscellaneous Majors
  6. Economics
  7. Physical Sciences
  8. Communications
  9. Humanities
  10. Social Sciences

The Skills That Get You Hired
The same survey also reported the skills that employers value most in recent graduates. Based on a 5-point scale, the skills employers want to see most often are:

  1. Critical thinking/problem solving – 4.7
  2. Teamwork – 4.6
  3. Professionalism/work ethic – 4.5
  4. Oral/written communication – 4.4
  5. Information technology application – 3.9
  6. Leadership – 3.9
  7. Career management – 3.6

Top Places to Start Your Career
Businessweek.com compiled a list of the top cities to start your career. The findings are based on job availability, affordability, and average income. The results are:

  1. Houston
  2. Washington D.C.
  3. Dallas
  4. Atlanta
  5. Austin

Express Employment Professionals recently released a study on the top 10 cities with the most unfilled job openings. To find out which cities made the list, click here.

Where to Go From Here
Now that you know the careers and skills employers are looking for, how do you make yourself the top candidate for open jobs? Forbes advises that you visit your school’s career services offices before graduation and ask for advice on networking, internships, and organizations within your field of study. Networking with students from your school who have already graduated in the field you’re interested in can also be beneficial in your job search efforts. Those graduates have already been in the workforce for a few years and may have tips of the trade you could learn. Visit your school’s career services offices for assistance finding alumni who can help.

It’s Not Too Early to Start
Even if you’re not graduating in 2015, it’s never too early to get a head-start on finding a job after graduation. As early as your freshman year, you should consider visiting your school’s career services offices and begin networking. Remember to keep your grades up and try to find internships and extra-curricular activities that would interest an employer. Joining the debate team, helping with a political campaign, or being part of the advertising club can help you stand out on your resume. Additionally, volunteering your free time in your community can also set you apart from the rest of new graduates.

The hiring outlook is bright for new graduates, so how do you plan to land a job after graduation? Share with us in the comments section below!

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

Do You Have What It Takes to Play On A Championship Team?

super_bowl_2015_webExcitement is growing each day as we get closer and closer to the kickoff of the big game. Friends are planning parties and fans are picking sides. And in the spirit of one of the world’s largest sporting events – it’s time to put your game face on and attack your job search. Here are five tips to help you become a champion in the job search competition.

Develop a Game Plan
Research companies you would like to work for and develop a plan of action to be part of their team. The most obvious search would be the company’s website to see if the company culture aligns with your values. Consider asking friends who might work at the company or individuals you might know through professional networking organizations. Execute your plan daily with determination, drive, and passion.

Fundamentals are Key
In football and in life, fundamentals are key. You need to practice your skills to make sure you are sharp and ready for any assignment. If you are just entering the workforce and don’t have the experience yet, consider volunteering with a nonprofit to gain some valuable skills like organization, time management, and team building. Or, if you are in the workforce and are looking for a change, you may need to think about career technical school or night school to acquire a new set of skills.

Outplay Your Competition
After you’ve practiced, sharpened your skills, and executed your plan, you’re set to outplay your competition. Here are some suggestions that can set you apart from the competition: dress appropriately for the interview, know what employers may ask in an interview, and be on time. Once you have an interview, make sure you follow up with a thank-you note to the interviewer.

Go Long
It’s 4th down and inches and you are faced with a choice: do you go for it or punt. If you are willing to take a risk on a new job opportunity, but still have questions, it’s okay to ask the interviewer questions. You may consider asking what does a normal workday for this position look like or what is the biggest challenge someone in this position typically faces.

Leave Everything on the Field
You’ve prepared for that dream job and got an offer, now what do you do? Make sure you are on time for work and for meetings, work hard to hit your deadlines, and contribute solutions to projects at hand. Above all, work hard and celebrate with your new championship team.

What are some ways that you attacked your job search with a game plan and landed on the championship team? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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

Thanks for Joining Us for Our Online Educational Event

new_year_new_job_thank_you_webOur “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.

 

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

walterbond_webAre 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.

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

job_market_predictions_2015_webAs 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.