Tag Archives: the job search

Poll Results: Ageism in the Workplace

Your thoughts on employer discrimination.

Something that comes up again and again from our readers is the amount of age discrimination they believe they face when looking for a job. To examine this issue further, we held a poll asking job seekers whether they felt age has ever been a factor in a hiring decision for a job.

A whopping 84% said they believed their age was a component, while just 16% said “no.” Respondents were then asked to select their age group, with 48% falling in the 55 – 64 years old category.

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What’s It Like to Work in a Call Center?

With more than 500,000 call center job openings across the nation annually, employees are in high demand for this field. From inbound to outbound, customer service to sales, and everything in between, calls center jobs fit most personalities. If you’re looking for a job that has flexible hours, equitable compensation, and requires little to no experience, becoming a call center representative might be the right fit for you.

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The Top 3 Seasonal Work Opportunities

Do you hear that? Turkeys are gobbling and sleigh bells are jingling…

Although seasonal hiring is going on year-round, the end of the year is especially full of tantalizing opportunities. From holiday banquet servers and retail employees to event security at the big game, there’s something for everyone.

These jobs are a great way to pick up some holiday cash. Some even come with the possibility of being picked up for a full-time position.

Without further ado, here are our top seasonal work opportunities for the rest of 2018.

Banquet Servers

What do these last few months of the year have that makes them particularly powerful? Two of the biggest holidays of the year of course! Thanksgiving and Christmas are huge seasonal hiring opportunities, due to the increased need for positions of all stripes and colors.

This includes banquet servers. Do you love turkey? Do you like people? Do you like spreading holiday cheer through the power of fantastic food? This might be the pick for you.

Banquet servers perform all serving responsibilities during an event. This usually includes the serving of food, restocking and cleanup, as well as set up and tear down for the event.

Qualities to have include good communication, a sunny attitude, and being able to follow direction well.

Retail

With end of the year comes Black Friday and the ensuing holiday shopping season. Retail employees serve as the first line of defense against these excited shoppers.

Retail employees can cover a range of responsibilities depending on the type of store they are working at. However, a few common responsibilities include greeting customers, assisting with customer questions and concerns, using the store’s unique inventory and payment technologies, and adjusting or restocking displays.

Retail employees should know as much as possible about the products they are selling, be willing and happy to listen to and help employees, and have a high stress tolerance (especially during the holiday months).

Event Security

Do you love that feeling of enthusiasm and solidarity that comes with a big sports game? Or maybe the annual state fair is your go-to celebration. Perhaps concerts are your go-to hobby. How about taking those hobbies to the next level with an event security position?

Responsibilities can vary depending on the individual position and venue, but common duties include monitoring the event for any signs of unrest or rule-breaking, assisting individuals with directions, directing foot traffic, and escorting troublesome individuals out of the venue.

A security officer should be calm, cool, and collected. Prior security or military experience is a plus.

Contact Express Employment Professionals

Looking for the perfect seasonal job? Express can help you find the type of job that fits for your needs and abilities, and you’ll never pay a fee for our services and support.

Contact a local Express office or register online today!

Do you always follow up after interviews? If not, why not? Let us know in the comments section below!

60 Seconds to Better Personal Branding

BetterbrandingWhether you’re on the job or on the job search, how you brand yourself can have a big impact on your future. From your résumé to your appearance to your experience, expertise, strengths, and knowledge, everything you do at work and on the job hunt says something about who you are to employers.

Every effort, big or small, you make helps to develop your brand. So, take 60 seconds today to boost your brand by making your email signature count.

Having an email signature that represents you well is a must. It not only makes it easier for co-workers, business contacts, and perspective employers to find your contact information, the right email signature can show your professionalism and demonstrate your attention to details. Make sure your email signature has these three things for a better brand.

1. Contact information
First and formost your email signature should contain correct contact information like your name, phone number, and email address. So make sure you provide the right information whether it’s adding your extension, or twitter handle to make it easy for people to contact you. And, don’t forget to update it from time to time when information changes like when you get a promotion and need to change your job title or you get a new cell phone number.

2. The right look and feel
These days, you can go way beyond the simple name and contact information, so make sure your email signature has the look and feel that’s right for you and your brand. If you work in a creative industry for example, consider a fun font and layout for a more exciting signature. You can left justify your signature, center it, bold specific content, change font sizes, add colors, and more!

Have fun with your signature to make it stand out but also remember to keep it professional. If you’re representing a business, keep company branding in mind as well. For example, my work email signature integrates my company’s colors in the links I share. Also, remember to be mindful of fonts and images that may not be compatible with other computers. If you’re emailing perspective employers, you may want to stick with a basic font like Arial, Tahoma, or Times New Roman to make sure they receive it correctly and it’s easy to read.

3. Share links to social media information and more
If you have a LinkedIn profile or a Twitter or Facebook account that you’d like to share, make sure you add the correct links to your email signature. You can even share your or your company’s website. Just make sure that your social media efforts and website information also support your brand. You don’t want to direct a potential employer to your Facebook profile if you have information posted you wouldn’t want them to see.

You can do a lot to help brand yourself for the industry you’re in and every little thing helps. So, take 60 seconds today and reinvent your email signature to help you and your contact information stand out.

The Recession: An Opportunity to Improve Your Life

With much of the media focusing on the negative impact of the recession, new grads looking for employment, mature workers who’ve been laid off, and individuals struggling with survivor’s guilt, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. If you’re feeling defeated in your current job search, look beyond the grim picture the media paints to the opportunities and possibilities ahead of you before you raise the white flag of surrender.

While change and the unknown can be daunting, even frightening, it can also be a chance to redirect your life, to have an adventure, or to do and become more. It may not feel like it now, but the possibilities your life holds and the roads you choose to take are endless. So, if you find yourself at a roadblock, create a new path.  Bravely step out on the road less traveled, and change your life. Choosing this mindset can make all the difference.

Not sure which road to take? Explore these avenues to discover potential alternative career paths.

Start Your Own Business. If you’ve ever wanted to be your own boss, now may be the perfect time to start your own company. While keeping your passions and skills in mind, think outside the box and develop a business that’s right for you, whether it’s a quaint neighborhood restaurant, an in-home day care, or a franchised company. Be innovative and dream big and you’ll take control of your destiny.

Gain Life Experience. If you’re a new grad or just need more adventure than an 8 – 5 desk job has to offer, consider taking some time to discover the world. Think about volunteering for the Peace Corps, or becoming an English teacher in a foreign country. Working abroad will provide you with incredible life experiences, equip you with valuable skills you can use in other fields, and help you determine your priorities and purpose.

Whatever road you choose, whether you’re just beginning or you’ve traveled great distances, take heart. As Dr. Seuss says, “Today is your day. You’re off to great places! You’re off and away! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own and you know what you know and you are the one who’ll decide where to go.”