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Monthly Archives: April 2013

Did College Prepare You For The Workplace? Take Our Poll!

By Jared Cole on Monday, April 29, 2013

Last year, Woods Bagot – a global architecture and consulting studio released a survey asking whether or not recent college graduates are ready for today’s workplace. Of the more than 500 C-suite executives surveyed, 70% believe fewer than half of the graduates entering their companies have the skills to succeed in entry-level positions.

What do you think? Did college prepare you for a successful career? Do you think completely achieving any higher education or a training program gives you the necessary skills in the modern workplace? Let us know in our survey below.

Job Interviews The Job Search

The Worst and Best Interviews in Movies

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Preparing for a job interview can be a big task. It can take hours at a time and could start days in advance of the actual interview. They can be stressful, nerve-wracking, and exciting all at the same time. But, job seekers can spend so much time and energy practicing and preparing to avoid mistakes that they don’t notice how much they actually do right.

To ease the tension that comes from interviewing, here is a list of my favorite job interview scenes from the movies. You’ll see interviews that go horribly wrong, and others that go really well.

Please note, the video clips herein and their sponsors do not necessarily represent the views of Express and are used for educational purposes only.

The Worst

Staffing Agency in “Mrs. Doubtfire”
Robin Williams plays Daniel Hillard – a down-on-his-luck father whose lack of responsibility and maturity have caused divorce and custody battles. Before he hatches a scheme to disguise himself as a British nanny, Daniel tries to find solid work through a staffing agency. While hobbies and passions can be used as an aid, not displaying solid transferable skills can result in a less than productive interview experience.

In it For The Money in “The Wedding Singer”
Honesty is one of the most important aspects of the job search. But, when it comes to payment and negotiation, being honest is expected. Employers know you are there to work for money, but they want to know why you want to get paid by them instead of their competition. Focus on applying for jobs at organizations you are passionate about so you don’t end up like Adam Sandler’s character Robbie Hart.

Columbus Day in “You, Me, and Dupree”
You are trying to sell yourself in an interview. The whole point is to prove to an employer that you are the best candidate for the position. Owen Wilson, playing Dupree, does the opposite. He even gives up after learning that he won’t get off work for Columbus Day. While he’s a comedic example of an extreme slacker, you could take notes on being aware of company culture when interviewing.

The Best
I Know All About You in “Family Man”
Nicholas Cage plays Jack Cambell, a man trying to regain his old life back. While he appeared unqualified and only had knowledge from his past life, Jack came into the interview prepared and well educated about the potential employer.

Internship Interview in “The Pursuit of Happyness”
Chris Gardner, played by Will Smith, was arrested the night before his interview and had no choice but to show up wearing his painting clothes. Being calm, collected, and aware of his situation helped him get the internship he was after, despite making mistakes.

What are your favorite interview scenes in movies? Sound off in the comments section below.

At Work Cube Life

Express Your Appreciation for Co-workers

By Movin On' Up on Monday, April 22, 2013

If you’ve ever worked in a department with other employees or as part of a team on a project, chances are, someone has helped you out somewhere along the way. From showing you how to complete a task to lending you advice on a project, co-workers often provide guidance and support as you work together to get the job done. Building good workplace habits, such as expressing gratitude, is a great way to build rapport. A little appreciation goes a long way, so make sure to show your gratitude for the help you receive from your co-workers. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are three simple ways you can express your thanks any time of year.

Say Thanks
The easiest way to express your gratitude is to simply say thank you. Whether you express your appreciation verbally, through an e-mail, or in a handwritten note, saying thank you to your helpful co-worker shows that you value their help and recognize that you might not have been able to complete your assignment without their assistance.

Share Recognition
If your department or team hosts weekly or monthly meetings, recognize your co-worker for their assistance by formally thanking them in front of your supervisor and other co-workers. A small gesture like this can be very meaningful.

Return the Favor
One of the best ways to show your appreciation for someone’s help is to return the favor. If they need help on a project or advice on a task you’ve completed before, offer to guide them through it. When you have skills or experience to offer, take the opportunity to share your knowledge. This demonstrates not only that you’re thankful for the help, but that you’re the type of person who is willing to lend a hand.

Expressing your appreciation for your co-workers helps build your team. So, make sure to recognize your co-workers the next time they offer to step in to help you out. Your acknowledgement can inspire your co-workers to give more and help others more often.

Associates of the Month Inside Express

Associate Spotlight: Ashley Bensko

By Jared Cole on Friday, April 19, 2013

Movin’ On Up takes pride in recognizing Express Employment Professionals associates who have been acknowledged by one of our offices as outstanding workers, and we want to give credit where credit is due. In 2012, Express helped more than 367,000 people find jobs, and each one of them has a story to tell.

Express wants to give credit to the accomplishments of those individuals who come to us for work. Without the skills and talents our associates provide to employers, Express wouldn’t be what it is today. Our newest associate spotlight is a great example of the kind of spirit and integrity Express demonstrates with everyone we work with.

In this month’s associate spotlight, we’re recognizing an associate who consistently maintains a positive attitude and strong character despite facing layoffs and downsizing. Her willingness to go above and beyond impressed her local Express office so much that she was named their Associate of the Month.

Ashley Bensko
After attending Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL in 2010, Ashley Bensko faced the same struggle of finding a job that many college graduates faced during The Great Recession. Entry-level jobs were scarce, and most jobs required several years of experience that Ashley didn’t have. To get by, Ashley worked at the Building Blocks Day Care Center for more than two years.
In 2012, Ashley came to Express from a recommendation by a friend who was a manager of a local Wells Fargo bank. The manager used Express employees and knew Ashley could find better work through the Springfield, IL Express office.

After applying to Express, Ashley was assigned to operate wires and notes for the New Loan Reconciliation Dept. for Wells Fargo. Her determination and attitude impressed the bank staff, and within months, she also trained new hires on these functions.

Wells Fargo was very impressed by Ashley and constantly reported to Express about her courtesy and diligence when dealing with clients. Ashley took ownership of client’s problems and devoted herself to resolving their difficulties. Even after Ashley’s time with Wells Fargo, Express still received letters from bank customers praising her commitment to solving their issues and complaints.
“Ashley’s professionalism, initiative, energy level, flexibility, interpersonal skills, and knowledge rank among the very best,” said Kayla Edwards, director of client services for the Springfield Express office. “She has also demonstrated her ability to train others.”

We love hearing stories about the determination and quality work Express associates demonstrate every day. Ashley is just one example of thousands of Express associates who achieve success through their strong talent and resolve. If you’re searching for a job, consider working with a staffing agency like Express. More and more employers are relying heavily on staffing companies to fill open positions before hiring them on as full-time employees.

If you’re an Express associate and know a fellow associate who would be a great candidate for our associate spotlight, let your Express office know. And if you have an Express associate you’d like to feature on Movin’ On Up, let us know in the comments below.

Resumes and Cover Letters The Job Search

Whitepaper: This is Your Resume Format Fight Night

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the main event! Since the dawn of electronic resumes, two formats have stood the test of time – Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF. These two file types have been debated among job seekers for several years, and each side won’t back down. This hot debate is a passionate royal rumble.

Almost all job seekers email their resumes instead of printing them. With so many filling up hiring managers’ inboxes, employers are developing ways to filter these resumes. Which format do you use to get through the noise and grab an employer’s attention?

Check out this informational whitepaper about two popular resume formats to find out which one will get caught in the clutter and which one can help you get hired.

Download “The Heavyweight Debate: PDF vs. Word Resumes”

At Work New Job Tips The Daily Grind Uncategorized

What to Do About an Overwhelming To-Do List

By Rachel Rudisill on Monday, April 15, 2013

THE LIST. That list of things you have to get done or at the least, it’s the list of things you think you have to get done. But do you have the feeling that you’re forgetting something? If you’ve found yourself in a situation where your to-do list is overwhelming, here are a few tips for getting it under control.

When is it Due?
When you find your to-do list is out of control, sometimes you need to just focus on the things that need to be done soon. There is nothing worse than ASAP; it means everything and nothing. Be realistic about when something has to be done, ask for specific clarification, and pay attention to what you’ll need done before you can complete a task. You can’t plan to pack boxes for shipping that afternoon if the products aren’t going to be ready until the next morning. Don’t forget to take team members or other vendors into consideration when figuring out when something needs to be done.

How Long Will it Take?
Sometimes you’ve got three or four tasks on your to-do list that will just take a few minutes and a couple tasks that are going to take much longer. If you find your list overwhelming, and deadlines allow, see if you can take care of a few quick tasks right away. You’ll feel much better after you mark a few things off the list, giving you renewed strength to focus on the more arduous tasks.

Who Else?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Review your list and see if there is anything you can ask for help with or decline. Most people enjoy helping others and find it easier to say yes than no, resulting in a to-do list they can’t keep up with. Also, seek the advice of your manager when prioritizing your to-do list. Don’t assume everything has the same priority level. Check in with your leader to see what expectations or suggestions they have.

What are your best tips for taking control of your to-do list? Share them in the comments section below.

At Work Workplace Safety

The Shocking Truth Behind Electrical Safety

By Jared Cole on Friday, April 12, 2013

Electricity drives almost everything. From starting the car for the morning commute to setting the alarm clock before going to bed, electricity is a necessity. Throughout the day, most people don’t realize how much electricity they use. According to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, the world consumes an estimated 19 trillion megawatt hours every year. One megawatt can sustain power to 1000 houses for one hour.

It’s easy to take electricity for granted when few people get to see what goes into producing the energy. Thousands of workers spend the majority of their day operating on or near electric circuits and equipment – and it’s a dangerous job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrocution is the fifth leading cause of work-related deaths for 16- to 19-year-olds.

Working on or around power doesn’t have to be an accident waiting to happen. Here is how you can keep yourself safe when working near electricity.

Getting Electrocuted is no Electric Boogaloo
Many make the mistake of assuming that low voltage means low risk. But voltage is only half of it. The amount of charge passing through a conduit, called an ampere or amp, can have a big impact on the danger of electrical work. Amps can be so dangerous that 1/10 of an amp going through the body for two seconds is enough to cause death. The average light bulb can have at least two amps flowing through it. Think of it like a tube of water: the amount of water flowing is the voltage and the speed of the flow is the amp current. Multiplying the numbers determines the power, or wattage, of the electricity.

Electricity also flows from point-to-point until it can disperse or move somewhere else. If electrocuted through your head, hands, or feet, the current can flow through your body and cause severe damage to vital organs like the heart or brain. It’s best to assume that all wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe to touch even if it is down or appears to be insulated.

Recognize and Evaluate the Hazards
It’s important to follow any company policies on working near electricity. Discuss these policies with your co-workers so everyone will be responsible for each other and inspect electric cords and equipment to ensure that they are in good condition and free of defects. But, never try to repair any lines or equipment unless qualified and authorized. Look to see if your work environment is damp or close to water, then use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).

Avoid the Danger
Wearing the proper protective equipment should be mandatory for avoiding electrical accidents. Before starting work, survey the area for lose wires or unsafe situations. Also, be aware when a current is active or “hot” and when it’s shut off, and then stay at least 10 feet away from wires during cleanup.

Saving a Co-Worker in Danger
Even though you may be doing all you can to keep yourself safe, there’s a very real possibility that co-workers can put themselves at risk of being shocked, which could endanger you and others.

The most important thing to remember is to not touch anybody who is still in contact with a live electrical circuit. Make sure you shut off the source of the electrical current while somebody else calls for help. Once the current is cut, stay with the victim until emergency medical services arrive. Call out to the victim to see if they are conscious. If awake, tell the victim not to move, there could be an injury the victim isn’t aware of. Inspect them for any signs of major bleeding, and apply pressure with a cloth until qualified help arrives.

While electricity can be in almost every aspect of daily life, don’t allow the possible danger when working with electrical circuitry or power lines to become routine. With these guidelines, you can keep you and your co-workers safe from any shocking turn of events.