Monthly Archives: April 2012

3 Things Your Boss Doesn’t Want to Hear

3 Things Your Boss Doesn't Want To Hear When it comes to mistakes in the workplace we know they happen, but there are some phrases that can cause your boss to go on high alert, and question you further. Here are three phrases that don’t hold up with most bosses.

1. I didn’t get that email.
The problem isn’t usually that you didn’t get that email, it’s that you got so many emails you didn’t notice the one your boss is talking about. Rather than saying you didn’t get it be honest and say you didn’t read it. Chances are that email is in there, unless your mailbox was so full it couldn’t receive it or the attachments were so large it wasn’t received. And, if you aren’t reading emails because you’ve been focused on a deadline for a big project, let your boss know. Saying you didn’t get it just allows your boss to show a sent receipt and point out that it was sent, which is a conversation you can easily avoid, and really just distracts from the subject matter of the email in question.

2. I am sick.
You may really be sick, and if that is the case, make sure you are taking a day off to stay home and rest, not recoup laying by the pool. If you are sick, here are some tips for calling in. If you just need a day off, schedule one instead of taking an unexpected sick day. Everyone deserves to use their time off, and if you ask in advance and make sure all your lose ends are tied up at work, you manager will be more likely to be supportive of your time out of the office.

3. I’m pretty sure I turned that in.
If a manager asks where you filed a report or sent a file to a client, they are probably asking because they’ve heard otherwise. Now is not the time to use words like “pretty sure” or “thought I did.” If you don’t know the answer to the question, tell your boss you’ll need to check your files, computer, or desk, and get back to them with an answer. It’s alright to say you can’t remember, but you’d be happy to check and get back to them right away.

What’s in a phrase that makes you question the truth behind the statement? Often times a quick language shift prevents you from further accusations. If you’re vague and dishonest in your initial answer, that’s only going to come back to haunt you as you work through solving the situation.

Tweet Your Way to a Job Offer

twitter for a jobTwitter is kind of a big deal – more than 140 million active users posting 340 million tweets daily big. I was pretty skeptical of Twitter when I first heard about it in 2007, but like most people, it’s become one of the biggest sources of instant information on what’s happening right now across the world.

It’s a social media site where users post small elements of information in less than 140 characters and share them with other Twitter users. Not only is it a great source of info, but it’s also a large market of influencers, recruiters, employers, and an opportunity for find work. Here are four ways you can use Twitter to find a job.

You’ve Got the Look
The first thing to do is make sure your profile is employer friendly. The ideal profile picture should portray you in a professional manner, and your about paragraph should include your elevator pitch, a to the point overview about yourself. Utilize your background space to best promote yourself. The Closet Entrepreneur has an easy method to create a good looking Twitter background. Don’t forget to link to your LinkedIn profile in your bio section.

Join the Conversation
What makes Twitter powerful is the interaction and engagement with other users. Use the Twitter search to look for interesting companies, industry experts, recruiters, or even local leaders.  When you follow them, you’ll notice the people they talk to and the hashtag (#) conversations they participate in. That’s your chance to start a conversation with them or jump in a group discussion. Contributing to chats can help you get advice and get noticed. You don’t have to blast them with your job search story or experience, but you can build the relationships naturally.

When using Twitter, you should post relevant content and comments. No one will follow you if you talk about what you had for lunch or where you’re about to shop. Post thoughts about what’s going on in your industry, link to interesting blog posts or news articles, or retweet, something that was posted by someone you’re following that you found interesting. The more professional content you post, the more business/industry followers you’ll get.

Give, Give, Give
Don’t just promote yourself, help others promote themselves too. Job hunting as a community can have a much bigger impact. Nothing gets more credibility than helping others as opposed to always self-promoting. Hear of a job lead that’s not fit for you?  Tweet about it so that others might apply to it.

Treat Your Followers Like a Garden
It’s not about how many followers you can have under your name, but the quality of followers you interact with. You’ll find more success by developing fewer, but stronger, relationships with Twitter users than having a huge list of unengaged followers. Just like a garden, developing connections on Twitter takes lot of time, attention, and care to grow.

What are some ways you’ve used twitter to help your job search? Sound off in the comments below.

Associate Spotlight: Sarah Reid

Sarah Reid Associate for Express Employment ProfessionalsTo 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.

Dealing with the Death of a Co-Worker

Dealing with the Death of a Co-workerWe don’t normally think about it, but it can happen at any moment. We can spend 40 hours or more every week with co-workers, which can make them feel like they are part of your extended family.

With the passing of a co-worker you may be faced with dealing with how to deal with that new situation. Here are some guidelines you can use to help you when mourning the death of a co-worker.

It’s OK to Grieve
Many workers aren’t given the appropriate time to mourn the death of a co-worker. Some employers give their employees up to a few days of bereavement leave for family and close friends, but the entire workplace can’t stop working if a co-worker dies. That’s why it’s important for everyone to grieve in their own way.

Studies have shown a decline in work productivity while holding in the pain and loss of a co-worker. Not only has it lead to increased traffic accidents during workers’ commutes, but the lack of focus has also increased safety hazards when working in a production or manufacturing environment with heavy equipment. Try having a private area where you and your co-workers can take breaks from work to mourn without public scrutiny.

Lean on Each Other
Mutual support can help everybody in your workplace get through the grieving process. Consider getting together during lunch breaks so workers can discuss their feelings and memories of your deceased co-worker. Get with those who were closest to the co-worker and try to organize a memorial service before or after work.

Your business may even have resources you can use to help you and your colleagues deal with the loss. Check with the HR department to see if your employer has any employee assistance programs that can offer support and structure during your grieving period.

Keep Going
While you need to properly mourn and grieve for your deceased co-worker, it’s important to get back into the work routine in a way that shows respect. Returning to work can ease healing if your group makes an effort to uphold values held by the departed and work toward goals that he or she particularly valued.

If the open position left by the passing co-worker is filled with a new employee, don’t make that person feel like a replacement. Try talking to your management to reorganize responsibilities and move desk space or work stations to  help spare the new employee and others the painful experience of having somebody new doing the job and working at the desk of the deceased co-worker.

Do Something Positive in Remembrance
In addition to a memorial service, get with your managers to see if company events like an annual picnic, party, award, or even a meeting room can be named after the deceased co-worker. That way, the person can be remembered with a celebration, not just a time of sorrow.

Another way to memorialize someone is to establish a fund in that person’s name. Try setting up a scholarship fund for his or her children, a donation to that person’s favorite charity, or money for a cause if the person died of a particular illness.

When grieving the loss of a co-worker, it’s important to think of the positive contributions he or she made to your life and to the lives of others. Try to make the same impact the co-worker had on you to others.

Don’t Get Carried Away Working on Conveyor Belts

belts and loose clothingConveyor belts don’t seem like much. Compared to crushers and screening machines, belts seem rather harmless and easy. But in some industries, belt speeds range from 200 to 500 feet per minute, which can go more than eight feet per second. For the average person, the time needed to react is about one second.

Getting pulled up to eight feet is enough time to draw your hand, arm, or loose clothing into a pinch point before you can react. To avoid serious injury, here are some ways you can work safely on a conveyor belt.

Know the Rules
Before you touch heavy equipment like conveyor belts, make sure you are fully trained and educated on the proper safety procedures. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with deadlines and stressful work environments, which can lead to cutting corners on safety policies and processes. Also, before using a conveyor belt, be sure to know where the emergency shut-off is.

If you feel undertrained or unqualified to work near certain types of conveyor belts, notify your manager and request proper training. If you’re concerned with retaliation, consider weighing the importance of your health and safety with your job.

If the belt breaks down and you need to make a repair, be sure the belt is locked out. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the belt should also have a sign reading “Do Not Operate” while the belt is under repair.

Protection is Pivotal
When operating or repairing a conveyor belt, loose clothing shouldn’t be worn. And remember never to lean over or across a conveyor to retrieve an item, because it increases the chance to be injured. Be sure to know your employer’s requirements for safety clothing before operating the conveyor belt.

Also, especially when repairing a conveyor belt, OSHA recommends that you should consider wearing safety equipment like hard hats and closed-toed shoes. Hard hats can protect a blow to the head when working below a conveyor belt. Safety glasses should also be worn to prevent pieces of debris from hitting your eyes.

Your employer is responsible for having all conveyor equipment carefully checked to ensure that guarding is provided for all exposed power transmission equipment and that guarding is maintained.

Don’t Make it a Hairy Situation
Loose clothing shouldn’t be the only thing kept away when working on conveyor belts. If you have long hair, make sure to keep it tied up and securely tightened on your head or in a safety hat. It’s best to keep it from hanging because it’s possible for hair to get caught in the belt, which can lead to head injuries. Accessories like jewelry or any item of clothing that could potentially be caught in the machinery shouldn’t be worn while working.

Being safe doesn’t have to interfere with your productivity and can actually improve it in the long run. Conveyor belts don’t have to be dangerous situations if you’re smart, follow safety procedures, and avoid wearing lose clothing and accessories.

Use Your Military Experience to Find a Job

As tens of thousands of our brave men and women return home from defending our country in Afghanistan, Iraq, and abroad, they face a staggering 11.7% unemployment rate for veterans. While the job market is improving, there is still a shortage of jobs to cover the rising workload. They have little time to train anyone, so the ideal new hire is someone who has done the exact job in a similar organization.

There is a pressing need for employers to hire these veterans and for their families become integral parts of our economy. Veterans have unique qualities that employers desire, which can give them an advantage in the job search. The problem is getting that message across. Here are some ways vets can use their military experience to become one of the most sought-after candidates in the workplace.

Unique Skills, Unique Environment
Veterans generally have a strong code of ethics. They’ve gone through detailed background checks and character evaluations to even join the armed forces. Now is the chance to utilize military ethics to market a vet job seeker as trustworthy and able to handle high-level, classified information, which can make them an asset to employers.

Veterans come from a culture and workplace that focuses on action and reliability. They have been trained to finish what they say they’ll do in the established time frame. The ability to finish projects in a timely manner is highly sought after in the private sector.

Speak in Civilian Terms
Veterans are a highly skilled and educated group of people. At any length of service, veterans have had hands-on training and education on technical and leadership skills. The problem many veterans face when looking for a job is getting employers to understand the value of their military experience.

The key is to put military terms, jargon, and information into something employers understand and desire. Look at interested companies and openings and research their needs and requirements. Then, tailor the résumé and interview answers to satisfy them. If vets need help explaining their skills, military.com has an excellent tool to translate military experience into civilian terminology.

Less is More
War is ugly. With many veterans coming back from dangerous combat zones, they have stories and experiences of the most admirable pursuits of a soldier. Unfortunately, those kinds of references can make employers uncomfortable and possibly squeamish. It’s best to tone down or remove references of the battlefield when explaining applicable skills from combat.

The office is also a much different environment than that of the military. The military has a strict line of authority and behavioral policies. The civilian workplace varies from employer to employer and is full of different personalities, cultures, and styles. While the “find the problem, fix-it, and move on” attitude of the military is a quality employers seek, fellow employees may be intimidated with military office culture. It’s best for veterans to find an employer that best fits their working style and attitude.

Put Your Résumé Through Civilian Boot Camp
Movin’ On Up has a Résumé Boot Camp to help job seekers make sure their résumé is most effective. Veterans looking to get back in the workplace should put their résumé through a strict regimen of civilian review. If veterans have an industry in mind, they should ask professionals to evaluate their résumé and find out what skills and experience employers in the industry are looking for. Not only will their résumé improve, but it will also give them a chance to network.

Those brave men and women who served our country shouldn’t have to feel frustrated and excluded from finding a job, settling back down, and enjoying the freedoms they fought to defend. As a veteran, what are some ways you’ve used your military experience to help your job search?

Quit with Class

quitting with classIf you’ve been looking for a job, it may not be because you don’t have one, but because you’re ready to move on to something new. If that is case, you’ve got a task to take care of once you find that new job, quitting your current one. Here are three things to consider before you head out the door.

1.    Think it through.
Before you give notice to your current employer, make sure this is a step you want to take. Confirm you have a true job offer and that you’ve been accepted into the new job. Make sure you understand the function of the job you’ve been offered, agreed to the pay and benefits, and have an understanding of when the job will start. Jumping in too quickly to give you’re “I’m outta here” speech could end badly if things fall through with the new job.
Also, before you make your big announcement take some time to retrieve any work files, contact information, or personal belongings just in case you’re requested to make a fast exit after you give notice. It’s common to work two weeks after you give notice, but some workplaces have a policy to walk people out once they quit. It’s best to prepare yourself for that before you make your announcement.

2.    Remain calm and professional.
While you may dream of walking in and telling your boss to shove it, this really isn’t going to benefit you in the long run. It’s okay to inform them of your reasons for leaving, be it the lack of opportunity for advancement or development, the pay, or the schedule, but going off on a rant won’t communicate your message effectively. If possible, offer to work for two more weeks to give the employer some time to start looking for your replacement.

3.    Leave a lasting positive impression.
Think of ways to make your job easy for the next person to walk into. Discuss with your manager the production schedule and work load you’re leaving and update them on the status of your projects. If you work with equipment, make sure to create a log of when the machine had its last routine maintenance, what supplies may need to be ordered, and any challenges that may occur. If you have files stored within a network, leave clear instructions on where those files are stored.  Take a look at your job description and provide notes or guides on how to find the materials to complete the tasks listed there. Taking time for these steps will cause your co-workers and manager to appreciate you long after you’re gone.

Quitting a job can be exhilarating and emotional. And while you may go out celebrating with your family about your new job opportunity, you don’t really have a lot to gain by going out in a negative way when you leave your employer. Remember, whether you loved your job or not, it’s been paying your bills and has given you some experience to get that new job you are in love with.

Do you have any stories to share on how you’ve left a job in a classy way?