Tag Archives: holiday

Landing a Seasonal Job This Holiday Season

We’re nearing the end of the year, and it’s time to start creating a game plan for the holiday season. While many people are planning their holiday celebrations, businesses are increasing their efforts to recruit and hire additional help during this busy season.

If you need some extra money to get through the holidays or are simply looking for a new opportunity during this time, finding a seasonal job may be the solution. We want you to land a job by making the holiday hiring season work in your favor. (more…)

Poll Results: What Stresses You Out the Most During this Festive Season?

Here’s what you had to say.

The holidays are a wonderful time, full of cheer and excitement. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be stressful, especially when it comes to juggling holiday responsibilities with work commitments.

But what exactly makes the holidays so stressful for working folks? We decided to ask you, our Job Journey readers in November, to find out.

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What Can You Expect From Your Employer This Holiday Season?

what_workers_want_poll_webThe holiday season is here and as the song goes, for many employees, this will certainly be the most wonderful time of the year.

A recent poll conducted by the Refresh Leadership blog revealed that a majority of businesses plan to show their employees appreciation this year through some type of gift. A majority will give a cash bonus (26%), while others (19%) said they’ll give a combination of gifts.

Other business leaders said they’ll give gift cards (16%), another type of tangible gift (13%) or extra days off (7%).

“This time of the year is a great time for employers to show their employees how much they appreciate their work throughout the year,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express Employment Professionals, and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. “It’s also an encouraging sign of a strengthening economy that 93% of businesses in the poll plan to give bonuses, a significant increase since last year.”

“The holidays provide the perfect time for businesses to set themselves apart and attract great talent by recognizing their employees’ hard work. Regardless of how your business is faring this holiday season, take time to make sure your employees know how much you value and appreciate them.”

What This Means for You

Not every business is the same, but these poll results are a good indication that you may see some type of gift this holiday season. If that’s the case, then your response should be one of thankfulness and gratitude.

Whatever the gift may be—a cash bonus, gift card, or extra day off—be sure to send a thank you note to your leader to let them know how grateful you are for their generosity. Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen often, so when you take time to express thanks, you stand out as an example of gracious character.

If, however, you don’t get a gift this year, don’t get down. Businesses experience ebb and flow throughout the year and may not be able to offer a gift. If you don’t receive a gift from your employer, that doesn’t mean you can’t show appreciation to them and your co-workers. A thank you note to your teammates can leave a lasting impression.

What do you plan to give your co-workers, if anything? Share with us in the comments section below.

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

‘Twas the Night Before the Job Interview

Do you have a big interview coming up? Are you feeling festive? Take a look at our holiday poem below to help you remember the importance of preparing for your interview.

'Twas the Night Before the Job Interview

‘Twas the night before the job interview, when all through the house
A job seeker was ironing the wrinkles from her blouse
Her outfit, she prepared for the next day with care
In hopes she would have the perfect one to wear

On this night, she wasn’t nestled all snug in her bed
She was on the computer, researching instead
She closely studied the company’s website and map
To avoid an uncomfortable interview mishap

When her search revealed tips for interview chatter
She learned how to respond, to smile, and flatter
And away to the search engine she flew like a flash
To find more tips for this researching bash

The articles she found helped her knowledge to grow
Yet still, she felt there were more things to know
When what to her wondering eyes should appear
But a website that aims to advance her career

With excitement and hope, she began to click, click, click
And knew in a moment these tips would stick
This website she found, Movin’ On Up was its name,
Helped her prepare for the interview in a short timeframe

Yet, she still felt as though something important was missing
So she called up her friend and asked her to listen
She practiced her questions and by the end of the call
Her confidence was high enough to answer them all

With her outfit set out and her research complete
The job seeker settled down for a good night’s sleep
And in the morning she’d find she no longer had fright
On account of her great interview prep that night

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

Stay Safe This Holiday Season

IBeat the Winter Bluest’s the most wonderful time of the year—unless your holiday is disrupted by a trip to the hospital, a visit from the fire department, or a case of the blues that steals the joy of the season.

How do you keep your holidays as safe as they are festive? Here are five tips to keep in mind.

Talking Turkey
You may be trying out a brand new recipe, roasting your first big turkey, or just so caught up in fun and conversation that you can’t remember how long the roast beast has been sitting out.

To keep food poisoning off your guest list, try these tips from the Food and Drug Administration. In addition, stuffing is a common culprit of food-borne illness, so pay special attention to its temperature, and don’t ever stuff a turkey the night before roasting.

Deep frying a turkey includes different hazards, including fryer related fires, burns, explosions, and even carbon monoxide poisoning. Use these safety tips from the National Safety Council to stay safe.

(Don’t) Keep the Home Fires Burning
According to the National Fire Protection Association, holiday decorations cause 860 home fires each year, and Christmas trees trigger another 210 blazes. Untended candles and fireplaces also increase the risk that your holiday will go up in smoke.

Following these tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International can help your holidays stay delightful, not frightful.

To Grandmother’s House We (Carefully) Go
Today’s parents are experts at child proofing their own homes, but holiday travel takes babies and children into new environments where toilet seat locks and safety latches are not part of the floor plan.

Even the most child-proofed grandparent’s home may pose a real potential safety risk: poisoning. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, grandparents’ medicines are among the most dangerous causes of childhood poisoning.

If you’re traveling with kids or hosting them, these tips from Poisoning.org can be a big help.

Home for the Holidays
In 2015, more than 100 million travelers hit the road for the holidays, according to AAA, and that number is only expected to increase this year. Here are three tips to remember if you will be driving to join in the season’s festivities:

  • Try traveling a bit earlier or later than the typical holiday travel days. Traveling on the holiday typically means less traffic overall.
  • As you eat, drink, and be merry, make sure you are not impaired before you head out in your car. If needed, call a cab or app-driven ride service.
  • Avoid distractions, such as texting while driving. The government reports that distracted driving results in hundreds of thousands of injuries per year, as well as thousands of fatalities.

Traveling overseas? Check the alerts and warnings advisory put out by the U.S. Department of State and the Government of Canada.

Not Every Spirit is Bright
Despite the joy of the season, many people experience depression or “the blues.” And for Millennials, holiday gatherings can also bring a different kind of stress.

An article in Fortune reports that 70% of this generation experiences social anxiety around the holidays. Some tips for navigating these stressors:

  • Choose gatherings where you feel the highest comfort level.
  • Don’t feel pressure to attend too many parties. A little quiet time can help you stay rested and refreshed.
  • Seek counseling if your holiday social anxiety or depression escalates from discomfort to a serious issue that interferes with your ability to enjoy life. This list of emergency hotlines is good to keep on hand if you, a friend, or family member needs help.

Above all, remember that no holiday is ever perfect. Don’t get stressed out trying to do too much in too little time. You’ll enjoy friends and family more if you’re relaxed and rested.

What are you doing to stay safe this holiday season? Let us know in the comments section below!

Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Holiday Job

Holiday_Spending_Poll

Holiday hiring is here, and many people have been or will be working a seasonal job this year. While some of those workers will use these jobs as a way to bring extra income, many hope that this will be their jumping off point into full-time work.

If you’re one of those workers wanting your holiday job to become permanent, there are a few things you should know to set yourself up for success. (more…)