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5 Spring Cleaning Career Tips

By Job Journey on Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Spring has sprung, and with longer days, more sunshine, and warmer weather, it’s time to shake those winter blues! The best way to start embracing the new season is with some spring cleaning. It’s time to de-clutter, throw away, and organize for a more productive and efficient workday.

Whether you’re feeling less engaged with your job, looking for a new career, trying to advance to the next level, or just need a little push when it comes to tidiness, here are some tips everyone can use to add some pep to your step!

Tidy up your workspace.
Your desk or work environment is where you spend a lot of time, so tackle it first. Feeling swamped with papers? Create a filing system for your current projects, articles to read, invoices, and other documents. Organize them in a way that works best for you and set a day of the week to go through each folder and do maintenance. Also, keep in mind that less is more. Don’t clutter your desk with stuff you don’t use regularly. A clean and simple desk allows you quick and easy access to what you need.
De-clutter your e-mail and desktop.
Many people feel overwhelmed with their computer and email organization, or lack thereof. Instead of letting your inbox grow to an overwhelming amount, create a digital filing system. Categorize the emails you need to keep, and delete what you don’t. Also, it’s easy for your computer desktop to become a catchall for items you need fast access to. Try to organize these things into a reasonable amount of files. A clean computer will help prevent you from feeling panicked when you need to look for a file or important email.
Pay attention to your calendar.
Feel like you’re always on the go and never have enough hours in the day? If so, it’s time your calendar becomes a proactive tool in your life rather than an enemy. Look at your calendar daily to see what you’ve got going on. Be sure to not overload yourself to the point of exhaustion or burnout. Learn to say no to some requests that come your way or suggest a time that works better for you. Also, set reminders on your calendar to alert you before an event so you’re not rushing from one thing to the next.
Clean up your social media accounts.
This is a perfect time to go through your accounts like LinkedIn and Facebook. On LinkedIn, it’s a good idea to keep your profile current, even if you love your current job. Pay attention to any new people you should connect with or groups you should delete. The same rules apply to Facebook. Are there groups that are sending you way too many messages you don’t want? Do you have any pictures or posts you need to remove? Is there anyone you need to connect with? Although many people see social media as tools just for fun, they can have a big impact on your professional life too. Be mindful of what yours says about you.
Perfect your resume.
Spring is a great time to ensure your resume is up-to-date. Whether you are looking for a job, seeking a promotion, or applying for a volunteer position, it’s important to do regular maintenance on your resume. Add any new skills you’ve learned or projects you’ve taken on, ensure all dates are correct, and update your contact information if necessary. Also, do a quick look over your reference list. Is there someone listed that you haven’t talked to in a while? Give them a call or schedule a lunch to catch up. It’s important to keep these contacts current so you can take advantage of networking.

In addition to these tips, there are many other ways you can spring clean for your career. What are some of your favorites? Share them in the comments section below.

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

Technology

Low-Tech Tips for Your Job Search

By Job Journey on Friday, July 11, 2014

We live in a technological world. Our phones are smart, our cars are more efficient, and our job listings are online. However, some job seekers tend to forget that the Internet is not the only place they can do their job searching. So, if you’re a tech savvy person who’s in pursuit of a job, but still haven’t had much success, this article is for you. We’ve assembled a list of a few different approaches to use when hunting for a job in addition to using technology.

Low-Tech Tip #1: Drive, Drive, Drive!
This approach is an oldie but a goodie. If you’re searching for a job, get in your car and drive around your city. Using a map, you can strategically plan out what parts of the town you want to visit on certain days, which can save you money on gas. When you see a place of business you are interested in, stop in and ask if they are hiring. If so, fill out an application or take one home with you to fill out and bring back later. Many employers find this tactic to be an impressive show of fortitude. Be sure to dress professionally and make a good first impression. The people you meet are your potential new co-workers and bosses.

Low-Tech Tip #2: Pull out the Yellow Pages
We get them dropped on our doorsteps all the time. These days, the Yellow Pages usually get thrown away or shoved into the bottom of a drawer somewhere. If you’re hunting for a job, though, save that book and keep it out. Look around and search for places that interest you. Then, give them a call and ask if they are hiring. If so, set up an appointment or ask to stop by to pick up an application.

Low-Tech Tip #3: Ask Around
Networking is one of the most important things a person pursuing a career can do. It’s all in who you know. If you’re looking for a job, ask your friends, family, and previous co-workers. Any one of these people could connect you directly to a job or to another person who might know of something. Never take your connections for granted.

Low-Tech Tip #4: Check the Classifieds
Many job listings are still advertised in the classified section of your local paper. So, checking the newspaper is something that could be to your advantage. Read through the list, highlight or circle ones you feel qualified for, and give the listed contact a call.

We sometimes become too dependent upon technology. Job searching is an activity that doesn’t necessarily have to be conducted online. Using these tips can open just as many doors, and in some cases, even more.

Have you had success in job searching without the use of technology? Do you have any other tips on hunting for jobs without it? Let us know in the comments below!

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

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Cracking the Code: 5 Must Have Computer Skills

By leidson on Monday, March 10, 2014

No matter how tech savvy you may be, technology is always changing, so it’s important that you stay proficient in your computer skills as you’re looking for a job or trying to further your career. We asked a few current recruiters what their top five must-have computer skills were, and here is what they shared with us.

1. Microsoft Office, Including Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel
Microsoft Office is not just a computer system you have to use to get through some college classes; it’s used often in almost every corporate setting. From emailing, writing articles, creating PowerPoint presentations, to making a spreadsheet, you’ll most likely use Microsoft Office at some point in your career. If you need to touch up on these computers skills, Microsoft offers free training if you have purchased the software. You can also find courses that teach Microsoft Office skills at many different community colleges and through continuing education programs.

2. Be Comfortable Conducting Business Online
Surfing the World Wide Web is as easy as clicking a button, but most jobs require much more internet knowledge than just the fundamentals. Employers look for people with online skills including: managing passwords, completing transactions, filling out online time cards, ordering supplies, and logging activities. They’re also looking for people they can trust with having a computer and internet access.

3. Basic Typing Skills
Communicating via text or email requires some form of a keyboard, so having basic typing skills is a necessity. Not only are these skills helpful in our everyday lives, they’re an important skill to have when searching for a job. In fact, many employers will administer a typing test before a final interview to see if you can to type efficiently. To improve your typing speed and for typing practice, check out 10fastfingers.com.

4. Working Knowledge of Both PC and Mac
We all need to have some understanding of computers and how they work. Some of the differences between PCs and Mac are their design, software, and technical specifications. Whether you’re searching for a job, working for a corporate company, or are a barista at a coffee shop, it’s good to have a basic familiarity with operating a computer.

5. Knowledge of How to use a Smartphone
Smartphones have advanced to having many of the same capabilities as computers. They can be used for making phone calls, accessing the internet, managing social media, organizing contact information, sending emails, and even finding jobs. A Wall Street Journal article shared, “Employers are starting to experiment with the next frontiers of mobile recruiting: using QR codes and text-messaging, two capabilities that are specifically geared to smartphones.” Getting your foot in the door could be as easy as having knowledge of computers and your smartphone.

Most 21^st century jobs require basic computer knowledge. What skills do you have that helped you get a job? Share with us in the comments section below.

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