job | Journey - Part 5

Tag Archives: job

Poll: Is Business Ownership for You?

By Rachel Rudisill on Friday, May 30, 2014

Recently, the Creative Job Report found that 55% of employed U.S. adults would choose to be self-employed if they could still pay their bills. The numbers were even higher for the Millennial generation, age 20 to 34-years old, with 67% saying they want to start a business. But taking the leap from wanting to start a business to actually being a business owner can be an overwhelming and thrilling process. With more than 500,000 businesses created monthly, we want to know if our Movin’ On Up readers are planning an entrepreneurial rung on their career ladder. Let us know by voting in our poll!

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

Career Advancement Dress for Success Job Interviews Resumes and Cover Letters Social Media The Job Search Uncategorized

5 Great Apps To Help You Prepare For An Interview

By mrsmith on Wednesday, May 28, 2014

“There’s an app for that!” is an iconic Apple Inc. slogan, one of several companies capitalizing off of the trend of desktops being replaced by mobile devices. According to a five year report by “Flurry,” a leading producer of app analytics, consumers now spend two hours and 42 minutes a day on their phone, with 80% of that being used for apps and only 20% for internet search.

This increase in phone usage means the need for apps continually increases as well. From documenting every second of your life to maximizing your next selfie, there truly is an app for everything. Among those millions of apps are actually some very useful tools for job seekers. So which of them can help you land that next job? Below you’ll find five apps that are sure to make an impact on your interview preparation.

Glassdoor
Knowing your audience is very important in many facets of life, and it can definitely be a winning factor in an interview. Glassdoor calls themselves the world’s most transparent career community. It is a largely crowd sourced online resource that connects you with company information, employee reviews, salary information, and job descriptions. This knowledge can be helpful in giving you a deeper understanding of the companies that you are applying with.

Interview Prep Questions
Once you get in the door of an employer, it’s not always smooth sailing. Some hiring managers will ask you tough questions that could rock your boat if you aren’t prepared. This quick-flip app displays questions similar to flash cards and lets you get familiar with frequently asked questions so you can give solid, confident answers.

MonsterInterviews
A simple app by career search company Monster. This app has multiple tools to help you prepare with sample interview questions, company research tools, and last minute tips to keep you calm and collected on the interview big day. Another unique function it provides is a post-interview calendar option. With this you can set reminders for follow up calls and save important notes that you can reference if you get called in for a second interview.

Google Maps
Although not directly related to the actual interview, knowing where to go for your interview can relieve one more stressor and help keep you focused on the task at hand. I speak from experience – getting lost and calling the employer for directions doesn’t help put your best foot forward.

How-to-tie-a-tie
An integral part of getting your next job is dressing the part. And, anyone who wears ties in their day-to-day lives will tell you the knot in your tie is very important in how you present yourself. So if you aren’t familiar with tying a tie, this app can definitely help top off your appearance with a top-notch knot.

Not everything can be solved with your digital companion, but when job hunting you can never have too much support. Regardless of how you prepare, be sure to research and prepare for the tough questions. Most importantly, be sure to stand tall, stay confident, and present yourself like you are their next most valuable employee. If you know of other apps that are complementary to the interview preparation be sure, to let us know in the comments section below.

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

At Work Career Advancement Career Options New Job Tips The Daily Grind The Job Search Work/Life Balance

Portraits of Hope

By leidson on Wednesday, April 30, 2014

As the American economy continues to recover from the Great Recession of 2008, Express Employment Professionals, the nation’s largest privately held staffing firm, released a book titled “Portraits of Hope,” a compilation of inspirational stories from people who have found success despite the shaky economy. In this book you’ll hear about how Express Employment Professionals has helped people find work and how having a job has made a positive impact in their lives and the lives of others. These encouraging stories are sure to inspire you, highlighting people who seized opportunities to build a better life. Some people were helped by friends and neighbors, while others were guided by faith and determination. Each person persevered through struggle and was able to pick themselves up, find work, and press on.

Some of the individuals featured in “Portraits of Hope” include:

Janice Andrick – Rossville, KS

Janice, born with cerebral palsy, was brought into a society that offered few opportunities for quadriplegics like her, but found hope in the support and therapy provided by the Capper Foundation for Crippled Children in Topeka, KS. There, she also found her first job. The 1990s brought the Americans with Disabilities Act and new technologies that made it possible for Janice to do a wider range of work. Through Express, she found a position doing clerical work with the State of Kansas Department of Disability Services.

Garrett Fairbanks – Kenosha, WI

A native of Kenosha, WI, Garret Fairbanks lost his job during the Great Recession. He found himself homeless, carrying a bag on his back, and selling aluminum scrap just to put money in his pocket. After finding a church program that offered him a place to sleep, Garrett found Express, and within a week after filling out an application, he was hired as a machinist. Today, he’s proud to be financially stable and living in his own apartment. In 2012, he was recognized by Express as the Wisconsin Employee of the Year.

Inder Narang – Northridge, CA

Born and raised in New Delhi, Inder Narang graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in India, but the only work he could find paid little, and there was no room for advancement. He decided to follow his brother to the United States in hopes of finding a job. But, he soon realized he lacked the necessary experience for the engineering jobs he applied for. He took a job as a department store sales associate. Before moving to L.A., Inder and finding an engineering job through Express — one that he enjoys and allows him to pay the bills.

“Read these stories and you understand why we do what we do,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express, and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. “Finding people a job so often means giving people hope and a chance at a better future. I’ve seen it over and over: a life can be drastically changed by just one job.

“We feel privileged at Express to have played even a small part in the lives of these remarkable individuals, whose determination to succeed allowed them to overcome tremendous challenges and to make it in America. I’m inspired by them, and I’m sure they’ll inspire others.”

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

Career Options New Job Tips The Daily Grind The Job Search Uncategorized

Explore a Job at the U.S. Science and Engineering Festival

By leidson on Friday, April 25, 2014

More than 200,000 kids and their families are expected to attend the annual U.S.A. Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C., April 26 and 27. This celebration of science and the trades within that arena will offer attendees the opportunity for hands-on fun and engagement in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Attendees Can Explore the Possibilities
Express Employment Professionals is excited to participate as an exhibitor at this event! Express will give attendees a unique way to explore some top job opportunities and bring to life the impact of Express and staffing in the marketplace. Through robotic games, attendees can explore jobs such as a CNC machinist, commercial driver, accountant, and web app developer. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore Express by solving life-sized math challenges. On Sunday, April 27, at 9 a.m. EDT, Express will offer attendees the chance to play a game on stage with a Nao humanoid robot, and one person will be interviewed by the robot.

Getting Informed on Your Future Career
Annually Express Employment Professionals puts 400,000 people to work in positions with 53,000 client companies. Businesses turn to Express to help them manage a changing workforce and to find skilled workers for key positions. Last fall, a survey among Express locations uncovered the top fields hiring workers, specifically for jobs that did not require college degrees. This study was part of a series of reports titled America Employed, which explores who is currently getting hired in America and why. Through this series, Express sees a continuing need to expand the workforce in skilled trade positions, as well as technology and math. By encouraging students and parents to explore the current job market and the education and skills required for those jobs, Express hopes to help attendees make informed decisions about their options for attending college and getting prepared for the positions in demand. The U.S. Science and Engineering Festival is also way for Express to reach out to the upcoming workforce.

How your family explore the changing job industry? How do you stay informed on the best positions open for employment? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

At Work Career Advancement Career Options New Job Tips The Daily Grind Work/Life Balance Workplace Relationships

Administrative Professionals’ Day

By leidson on Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Today is Administrative Professionals’ Day, a day set aside to let administrative workers know how much they are appreciated for everything they do in their workplaces.

It takes a special person to fill the role of administrative professional. The job title doesn’t do justice to the huge contribution those people provide their companies with daily. Administrative professionals do a lot of behind the scenes work that many people don’t realize and they deserve to be celebrated.

Ways to Show Your Appreciation
How can you acknowledge the hard work of the administrative professionals at your company? Depending on where you work and how well you know the administrative assistants, you may offer to take them out for lunch, buy them their favorite chocolate or coffee, or write them a note to let them know how grateful you are for their hard work. Taking the time to show your appreciation will brighten their day.

I don’t know about you, but the administrative professionals at my workplace are some of the greatest people I know. They’re incredibly hard working and choosing one day out of the year to let them know they are appreciated is a good start. So, remember to acknowledge your administrative professionals and let them know you appreciate them for all they do.

How do you recognize the administrative professionals at your workplace and celebrate their hard work? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

At Work Career Advancement Career Options New Job Tips The Daily Grind The Job Search Work/Life Balance

What You Don’t Know About Career Technical Education

By leidson on Monday, April 21, 2014

As the first college graduate in my family, I realized college really isn’t a good fit for everyone. There are other, more affordable options, and in today’s economy, affordability is key. Throughout the four years I spent in college, many of my peers chose to further their education through Career Technical Education (CTE).

What is Career Technical Education
According to the Association for Career and Technical Education, “Career and technical education (CTE) prepares both youth and adults for a wide range of careers and further educational opportunities.” CTE offers certifications, licenses and degrees in various trades and industries. “A stable career doesn’t always require a four-year degree. Career Technical Education can deliver what so many Americans want – a promising career at an affordable price,” said, Bob Funk, CEO and Chairman of the Board at Express Employment Professionals. CTE, previously known as vocational-technological education, provides skills and training needed for a variety of careers.

CTE offers industry-specific training in highly skilled trades, including:

• Mechanical Drafter
• Welder
• IT Technician
• Physical Therapist Assistant
• Biomedical Equipment Technician
• Legal Secretary
• Aircraft Mechanic
• Real Estate Appraiser

CTE also offers students the opportunity to earn a variety of credentials, including:

• Post-secondary certificates
• Certifications
• Licenses
• Associate degree

Another great benefit of CTE is that it doesn’t require tens or hundreds or thousands of dollars in student loans. “Many students find their passion in CTE programs and, in turn, develop substantially better academic performance that results in more life options for them,” said Robert D. Sommers, Ph.D., Oklahoma Secretary of Education and Workforce Development State Director, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.

CTE Workers Are in Demand
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 14 of the 20 fastest-growing occupations in America require an associate’s degree or less. These are exactly the types of careers that CTE provides training and credentials for. This is great news for high school students wanting to further their education somewhere other than a university. It is also encouraging for those who want to change their career path.

For more information on this hot topic, check out Express Employment Professionals latest white paper, The Hard Truth About Higher Education.

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

At Work Career Advancement Career Options New Job Tips The Daily Grind The Job Search Work/Life Balance Workplace Relationships

Who’s Hiring this Summer

By leidson on Friday, April 18, 2014

Summertime is just around the corner, and every year many people take on summer jobs to earn some extra cash. Working a summer job can expand more than just your pocket book – it can also benefit your future! Summer jobs allow people the opportunity to explore a career path, gain experience, and find full-time work. So, if you’re looking for work this summer, check out this good news!

Positive Outlook
According to the annual summer jobs survey by Snagajob, this summer’s hiring trend looks the brightest it’s been in a while. The number of hiring managers planning to hire more seasonal staff in 2014 is up 10% from the summer of 2013, and wages are at their highest level in six years. Additionally, the number of hiring managers who don’t plan to hire help this summer is down 14% compared to last year at this time.

Even more positive news: Snagajob also shares that hiring managers expect 10% fewer workers to return this summer compared to the summer of 2013, creating more job openings and making 2014 one of the best years for job seekers to get their foot in the door. As in years past, a 54 percent majority believe the biggest competition for summer jobs will be among high school and college students.

Seasonal Jobs
Many cities have local recreational parks and departments that are responsible for local pools, golf courses, and other activities. To find more information on jobs in your community, check out your local parks and recreation website. Another great summer job would be working at a camp, but if you’re not much of an outdoor person, look into working at your local YMCA. Since many children are out of school in the summer, child care is another job option.
So, if you’re out of school, between employment, or just looking to make some extra cash, make sure to check out these summer job opportunities in your community.

Outdoor:

Lifeguards
Park concession, such as selling snacks or accessories
Golf course attendants and golf cart drivers
Sports umpires and referees
Park maintenance and security
Lawn maintenance

Indoor:

Daytime camp counselor
Tutor
Childcare giver
Class instructor, such as arts and crafts or sports
Summer school assistant

Getting a summer job can be a great way to build your resume, earn income, and even make friends while having fun in the sun. The possibilities of summertime employment are growing, so find the job that’s right for you.

Express Can Help
Whether you’re starting a new career, re-entering the workforce, or supplementing your income, Express has the resources to match you with a job that fits your desires and abilities. To search for an Express office near you, visit ExpressPros.com.

What are your plans for summertime employment? Share with us in the comment section below!

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