new | Journey

2013 is Expected to Be a Year of Job Changes. Will You Join?

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Inc. Magazine recently reported that 86% of employees plan to look for a new job in 2013. The article also depicts a workforce that has become dissatisfied and disgruntled because of how they’ve been treated during the recession.

For the past few years, employees have been sticking to jobs they didn’t enjoy in fear of the sluggish economy. But, 2012 showed promising growth, and 2013 is being viewed as optimistic for new job opportunities that fit with workers’ needs. The growing millennial generation is also seeking different benefits and perks to their jobs that older generations haven’t requested before.

For those looking for a job or interested in switching careers, 2013 may become an interesting year. What do you think? Sound off in the comments section below if you agree or disagree with the article.

http://www.inc.com/magazine/201212/matthew-wong-what-makes-employees-unhappy.html

At Work Workplace Relationships

Hey! Stop Complaining About Former Employees!

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Starting a new job may take some time to get accustomed to. A common concern new employees can face is being compared to a previous hot-shot employee, but sometimes you can be compared to the opposite. You could find that you have trouble shaking others’ frustrations of a former employee who wasn’t favored or left on bad terms.

If you have siblings, you probably know all too well what it’s like to be compared to somebody else. The feeling can be even worse when it happens in the workplace. Here are some ways to handle a boss or co-worker complaining about the former, less than desired employee.

Let it Roll
If you’ve just started, let some of the comments roll off your back. You may have only had a few days to a few months to work at your company and you haven’t had much of a chance to make the job your own. It’s important to be patient and let your work do the talking before you make a big deal out of it.

You are trying to figure out your work environment as much as your work environment is trying to figure you out. Your new co-workers don’t have much to base a working relationship off of yet, so it’s easy for them to fall back on the familiar. Give it some time and strive to build strong working relationships with those around you.

Share Concerns Respectfully
If the months go by and you still hear constant complaints and stories about the former employee, it’s apparent that there could be a problem. Maybe it’s a signal that your manager has some significant holes in his or her interpersonal skills, or maybe it’s a clue that your co-workers are projecting burnout of their job onto the former employee. Either way, it might be the time to have a conversation with your manager.

Schedule some time with your leader or co-worker and address the issue, share how the comments make you feel like the ex-employee is still in the room. Stay calm and avoid getting emotional. Use specific quotes others have said and refrain from using inflammatory phrases like “You always…” or “You’re not being fair…”

Ask for Feedback
One of the best ways to separate yourself from the previous employee and add positive conversation among your peers is to ask for some direct feedback. Regularly asking for feedback takes the focus off the annoying ex-employee and puts a positive light onto you. Not only will it keep things positive toward you, but it will also make you become a better employee by getting feedback on what you’re doing right and what you need to do to improve. If you keep improving, it won’t be long before you make the job your own.

It’s easy to complain, especially when a former employee is gone. You may find yourself in that trap of everyone talking about the person you replaced and not on what you can contribute to the organization. That’s why you need to make a name for yourself by doing a good job first, then address the issue if it persists. What have you done to keep others from talking about former bad employees?

Career Options The Job Search

3 Ways to Break into a New Field

By Jared Cole on Friday, August 10, 2012

Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a career change, breaking into a new field can be challenging. So, how can you get your foot in the door when most employers want to hire people who already have some experience? The following tips can help you gain the skills you need to begin a new career.

1. Get the inside scoop through networking.
Attending professional networking events and making an effort to get to know people in your desired field is invaluable. It’s particularly beneficial to have professional contacts who can attest to your intelligence, character, and ambition when your actual on-the-job experience is minimal.

Try to get involved in a professional or industry organization that offers regular meetings with guest speakers so you can learn about the latest trends and developments in the field. And be sure you make the most of mingle time at these events. During these informal networking sessions you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the industry first-hand from those in the know. You’ll also have a good chance of hearing about job openings in the field before they’re posted elsewhere.

2. Test drive the job through temporary assignments.
If you’d like to find out a little more about a potential career while gaining hands-on experience at the same time, accepting a temporary assignment from a staffing agency is a great idea. The right staffing agency can find you a job in the field you’re most interested in joining. This will allow you to learn the ropes and build your resume while determining if the career is right for you.

Not only does working as a temporary associate allow you to preview potential careers and gain much-needed experience, it also opens the door to full-time employment. In fact, many Express temporary associates go on to accept permanent positions at companies they are placed with.

3. Help a good cause and gain experience along the way.
Doing volunteer work is an excellent way to help your community while increasing your job skills. If you’re new to the workforce or interested in changing careers, consider volunteering your time to pick up the skills you need.

Non-profit organizations are always in need of volunteers to help them with a range of tasks. To gain experience in your field of interest, call around to local charities and ask them if they could use assistance in those areas. Chances are, you’ll find several places that are more than happy to let you help their cause while boosting your resume.

Whether you’re searching for your first job out of school or ready for a change of pace in a new line of work, having the right experience will help you break into your new career. Networking, working temporary assignments, and volunteering are all excellent ways to build your expertise and make yourself an in-demand employee.

Associates of the Month Inside Express

Associate Spotlight: Sarah Reid

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, April 25, 2012

To help recognize outstanding associates’ dedication to Express Employment Professionals and the companies they work for, we like to showcase exceptional associates each month on Movin’ On Up. It’s important to give credit where credit is due, and Express loves to share the stories of our associates as an inspiration to you while you strive to achieve professional success

Our most recent associate spotlight showcases one of those individuals who finds pride in working with Express as a career. Associates like the ones we feature are a testament to how a good work ethic and positive attitude can go a long way in your profession, even in the roughest of economic conditions.

Sarah Reid
Sarah has been recognized by the Express office in Greenwood, IN as an excellent associate. She’s currently assigned to JT International, a leading international horse equipment wholesaler, who has had nothing but great things to say about her.

When Sarah started at JTI, she had little experience with or knowledge about horse products, but in a few short months, she took on a leadership role and brought improvement and productivity to the administrative office. Sarah has never missed a day on the job, has a great attitude towards her work, and strives to better herself and the company.

“Sarah has been a true blessing for our company. She gets along with everyone, works hard each and every day and has really helped keep the morale up in our office,” said Jan Knepp, Sales Supervisor at JTI. “Every time Express calls me asking what my needs are at this time, I ask to find me another Sarah, find me a clone of her. That is simply how thankful we are to have her on our team!”

We’re excited to have Sarah as a part of our Express family. If you haven’t already considered looking into working with a staffing agency like Express, give it a try. You could find the same success that Sarah did.

If you know an Express associate who would be a great candidate for our associate spotlight, let your Express office know. If you have Express associates you’d like to feature on Movin’ On Up, you can nominate them in the comments below.

“I am so thankful that Express gave me the opportunity to branch out into a new profession. I love my job and I am very grateful that Express found this placement for me,” Sarah said.

At Work New Job Tips Workplace Relationships

The Boss That Binds: Building Trust With Your Manager

By Jared Cole on Tuesday, February 7, 2012

There are many reasons you could start working with a new boss. You’ve started a new job, and you’re ready to serve your new supervisor. Or maybe a few years into your job, the management shifts and you have to start working for a new team leader. Whatever the reason, there may be a situation where you want to start building trust with a manager.

Unfortunately, trust isn’t earned overnight. Building trust is like growing a flower. It takes time and attention to grow properly, and needs to have strong roots to keep it from toppling over. If just starting out, it can be difficult to find a place to start or know what to do. Take a deep breath and take a look at these three helpful hints to build trust with your boss.

Under Promise and Over Deliver

Too often, new employees are very eager to impress their supervisors by taking on extra responsibilities and tasks in a shorter amount of time. While it does showcase your enthusiasm and drive, you could also set yourself up for failure. If you want your boss to see your strengths and talents in the long run, make obtainable goals for yourself and aim to accomplish more.

When you strive to finish your projects early, you have the opportunity to let your manager review your final product. This way, your boss will see that you are taking an active interest in your manager’s opinions and have the ambition to create better work quality.

Be Open, Honest, and Ready

Your boss may have different managing styles; some are more hands-on while others are more inclined to delegate and expect occasional updates. No matter how your boss works, you should try to match their style. Set up a schedule of updates for your active supervisor. If you have a more hands-off manager, have your accomplishments, plans, and ideas ready for when your boss wants an update. If you’re not sure, try a scheduled 30-minute meeting with your supervisor every week or every other week to make sure you are up to date with each other.

It’s also important to explain challenges or mistakes you’ve made. Mistakes happen and a good manager will understand and work with you to get the job done. That kind of honesty can go a long way in building trust with your boss because you will be known for being honest when asking for feedback and opinions.

Go Beyond the Shift

Take some time to learn more about your boss on a casual basis. Learning more about your manager as a person can help develop a stronger rapport, which can help strengthen communication. By getting to know a manager on a more personal level, trust is built by connecting with their points of interest. Try going out to lunch a few times to get a glimpse of how your boss is outside of work and find out more about them. When the personal connection and trust has been built, ask for feedback during informal meetings. Developing relationships can create more trust with the relationship.

Building trust with your supervisor doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does take time and patience. Trust isn’t something that can be automatically granted. You have to earn it. If you follow these simple tips on how to build that trust, it can happen naturally, and you can become a better employee at the same time. What are some stories of how you and your boss have built trust?

Tag Archives: new