2015 | Journey

New Year, New Job! Enhance Your Chances of Getting Hired

By Job Journey on Friday, January 2, 2015

As the final minutes of 2014 slipped away, many people pledged their New Year’s resolutions for 2015. What did you pledge? Exercise more, eat healthier, read new books, wake up earlier?

If you chose to find a new job as your resolution in 2015, Express Employment Professionals is hosting a free online event that could help you reach your goal.

Many people are stumped on where to look for jobs, how to write a resume, or how to prepare for an interview. Since so much has changed in the world of job seeking, those wanting a new and rewarding career need to stay up to date on top trends and best practices.

Tell Me More
This new educational online event is designed specifically to enhance your chances of getting hired. “New Year, New Job” is an exclusive free event that allows you to attend from the comfort of your own home. The online job seekers’ event will let you:

Learn the details of each step of the job hunt process
Chat with a recruiter about best practices
Discover practical leadership lessons from the experts
Connect with other resources to amplify your job search
Win prizes
See the jobs Express has available

Need Another Reason?
Job seekers with the new career resolution can also win prizes during the “New Year, New Job” online event to help them with their search. For instance, those who download resources, participate in chats, and watch videos can win:

A Power Bank Rechargeable Battery 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

But, Wait! There’s More
Register today for the live event, taking place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Just signing up for the event registers you to win a Bluetooth speaker.

So if you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution you can stick to and that can really pay off in 2015, sign up today for “New Year, New Job” hosted by Express Employment Professionals.

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

Job Interviews Networking

7 Tips for Setting Your 2015 Job Search Goals

By Job Journey on Wednesday, December 31, 2014

As we begin a new year, it’s time to make our resolutions a reality. As part of 2015’s resolutions, many people are setting their sights on finding a new job. Whatever your reasons – higher pay, promotions, or better work-life balance – for wanting to make a switch in 2015, here are a few tips to help you set your job search goals.

1. Ask yourself what you want.
Do you know why you’re looking for a new job? Now is the time to identify what you want in a position that you don’t already have. Are you wanting more time off? If so, how much more do you want? If it’s more money, what salary is ideal? Do you want to learn something new? By answering these questions, you’ll have a better idea of how to direct your focus.

2. Identify your skills.
It’s time to list out your skills and qualifications. As you continue to work, you’re acquiring more skills. Take an inventory of what you’re good at and areas where you want to make improvements. After identifying your skills, update your resume and cover letter to reflect your top traits that will help move you in the direction you want to go.

3. Do your research.
You don’t want to apply for every available job out there because doing so may be a waste of your time and energy. Instead, focus your attention on the companies you admire and look at what jobs they have available that seem interesting to you. By reining in your search, it allows you to tailor your resume and cover letter to each organization.

4. Network, network, network.
Networking is key to finding a new job. As the old saying goes, sometimes “it’s not what you know, but who you know.” Your current connections and friends are a wealth of information. They may know a friend who works at a certain company that has a job you’d be perfect for, and it may be a company you would have never thought of before! Utilize your current connections, but also make it a point to meet new people. Look to join professional groups in your industry. They usually hold networking meetings once a month where people catch up or share about job opportunities.

5. Visit a career coach or staffing agency.
Just like networking, it never hurts to meet with a person who can help you find a job. You can give them a copy of your resume and let them know what you’re interested in. Then, they can give you feedback not only on your resume and cover letter, but also offer advice on interview skills. In addition, a staffing agency has many businesses as clients and can keep you in mind if one of them has an opening that meets your skills.

6. Stay positive.
Know that any job search may not turn up many leads or a new job right away. Sometimes it can happen quickly and sometimes it can take upwards of six months to find the perfect match. Don’t get discouraged. Every networking opportunity and job interview gets you closer to where you want to be and closer to a yes!

7. Plan for your retirement.
Although your goal may be to just find a new job, don’t forget about your plans for retirement. Let’s be honest – the ultimate goal is to not work forever. During your hunt, remember to keep your finances in check, saving money aside for your retirement. Also, as you interview, be sure to ask about the company’s retirement plans and what benefits they provide, such as 401(k) matching.

How are you planning your job search goals for 2015? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

Reader Surveys

Poll: What Are Your Job Market Predictions for 2015?

By Job Journey on Friday, November 28, 2014

With 2014 coming to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year and look forward to a new one too. Last December, we asked Movin’ On Up readers what they predict the job market to look like in 2014, and 36% said they expected things to get worse, followed by 23% who felt the market was stable enough to try for a new job. Readers who were confident they’d get a job offer in 2014 made up 19% of respondents, while 13% planned to stay where they were in their career paths.

This year, as we look toward 2015, we want to know if your expectations have changed. Do you think the job market will grow, remain the same, or plummet? Do you feel the same way as our readers did last year, or did your year affect your outlook on 2015? Let us know by voting in our poll!

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

The Job Search

State of the Job Seeker Today

By Job Journey on Monday, November 24, 2014

Unless you earned a degree in economics, the news reports on how the job market is shaping up can be confusing and frustrating. But if you’re on the hunt for a job, it’s important to understand the current issues surrounding unemployment, hiring, and pay. Here’s a little help looking at the big picture and what it means to you.

Unemployment Situation
According to a recent article in Forbes magazine that took an in-depth look into the unemployment numbers from last month, there has been some slight improvement. The “official October jobless rate fell to 5.8%,” and even the so-called “real unemployment rate,” which includes part-time workers who want to be full-time and people who are too discouraged to look, “fell sharply in October to 11.5% from 11.8% in September.”

Both of those rates are better than this time last year, which is a good sign for job seekers. However, Forbes also reports that almost 4 million non-retired Americans have given up on finding a job and nearly a third of job seekers who have been looking for jobs over the previous month are going on at least six months of joblessness.

Hiring Outlook
“Employers added an estimated 214,000 jobs in October,” according to the same Forbes article. New jobs are always a good sign for job seekers. CareerBuilder’s Fourth Quarter Forecast echoes more good news, as it shows that more than 25% of employers want to hire permanent, full-time workers before the end of the year. And, 43% of retailers and 26% of employers overall plan to hire seasonal staff, which means now is the time to land a seasonal job so you can finish out the year employed. That is especially true considering this other piece of good news from CareerBuilder – almost 50% of companies who hire seasonal workers want to eventually transition some of their seasonal workers into more permanent roles after the holidays.

Pay Rate
Across the board, it looks like the average pay rate is going to remain about the same, which means you’re not likely going to see a pay raise or a pay cut anytime soon. CareerBuilder found that, in regard to seasonal workers, 27% of employers will pay more than last year, while 13% will pay less. This mimics what Forbes has to say about October’s average earnings. There was a miniscule increase of 0.1% in average pay from September to October, with only a 2% increase over the entire year. So, as the worker, it’s up to you to decide if you want to see the glass as half empty or half full.

Overall, the numbers and reports seem to paint a decent picture for people on the job hunt. Companies are hiring, and, while you might not land the full-time position you were hoping for just yet, the holiday season has provided plenty of opportunities to boost your resume and add more money to your bank account. And that’s always a good thing.

What’s your job hunt experience been like lately? Do you think it’s getting easier or more difficult to find a job? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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

Tag Archives: 2015