Monthly Archives: September 2014

Poll: What is your biggest roadblock to finishing strong in 2014?

MOV_POLL-ICONThe beginning of fall means we’re entering the home stretch of 2014. And with 2015 just around the corner, many jobseekers are feeling the pressure to finish the year on a strong note. So, for our October poll, we want to know what you anticipate being the biggest obstacle in your path to landing a job and getting a strong start in 2015.

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

Safety: Fire Prevention Week is Right Around the Corner

fire_prevention_webNational Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 5-11. The week commemorates The Great Chicago Fire of Oct. 9, 1871, which destroyed 17,400 structures, left more than 100,000 people homeless, and tragically killed more than 250 people.

Since that devastating fire, great advancements in fire prevention have been made in not only preventing fires, but stopping them from spreading. As a result, National Fire Prevention Week was created. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed.

This important week is meant to remind you about the importance of fire prevention. So, here are a few tips to ensure you stay safe on the job.

Know Your Surroundings
It’s vitally important that you always know where emergency exits are in your workplace so you can get to them quickly and safely in the event of a fire. If you don’t know the location of your emergency exits, there should be evacuation route maps located in the office. If not, ask your manager about the exits and find out if they can post evacuation routes. It’s also important to make sure you know the emergency and safety procedures at your workplace.

Check Your Exit Paths
Ensure your exits at work are not locked or blocked by any materials in their path. Sometimes, materials will be stacked outside exits that are seldom used, blocking them in an emergency. If the exit doors are blocked by any out-of-place material, tell someone who has the authority to move the materials to a safer location.

Act on Your Exit Strategy
In the event that a fire does occur, exit the building quickly. Though you may not want to leave your personal belongings behind, it’s not worth taking the risk to gather everything up – just exit the building. And, help those around you do the same.

How You Can Observe National Fire Prevention Week
While you may not have the authority at work to perform some of the following tasks, it doesn’t hurt to ask around to ensure someone is doing them.

The most important factor in saving lives in a fire is early detection and response. It’s recommended that smoke alarms are checked every month. To make sure these tests are being done, you can ask if anyone at your workplace is in charge of testing the alarms. And if your facility hasn’t had a fire drill in a while, it’s a great time to practice. Fire safety is just as important at home as it is in the workplace, so take this Fire Prevention Week as a reminder to test the batteries in your smoke alarms at home, too.

Fire extinguishers should also be checked once a month, and it helps to designate a specific person to perform the check. All fire extinguishers in your workplace should be checked so they stay properly pressurized, easily accessible, unobstructed, and appear to be in good working order.

Whether at work or at home, take time to focus on fire prevention during National Fire Prevention Week this year. Not only will it help keep you and your co-workers safe, but your preparations can help protect your community as well.

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

Fall Fashion Tips for Your Work Wardrobe

stk325045rknAs summer draws to a close, it’s time to think about what to wear to the office during the cooler fall months. Staying stylish while watching your wallet can be a challenge, but looking your best for the office or on job interviews is important. So, how can you take your existing wardrobe and transition it into new fall styles?

To answer this question, we sat down with Grace Gordon, fashion correspondent for Savoir Flair fashion magazine, to get her advice. Here are three tips to look your best for job interviews and in the workplace this fall.

Go With the Flow – Women’s Wardrobe Tips
While blouses and sweater dresses are big this year, going with the flow is key. According to Grace, “This fall, everything has a flowing, casual feel.” Women’s fashion will incorporate a nice, loose flow to formerly structured suits. Suit and skirt ensembles will be more relaxed, and while the style is loose, it’s also trendy. “We’re looking at wide-legged trousers, but no high waists. Everything sits low on the hip this year,” Gordon said.

Women’s fashion is all about feminine accents this fall. Turtlenecks and layering are back in a big way, and pairing a soft sweater dress with a colorful jacket is a comfortable yet professional look.

According to Gordon, jewel tones are the color of the season. Try pairing emerald blouses with neutral skirts or jackets for color that stands out. “If you are at a desk for most of the day, look for knit-wear and looser shapes for comfort,” Gordon said. “For interviews, a loosely-tailored suit with a metallic blouse will show power.”

Statement necklaces are still in, and Art Deco is coming back in style. “Sculpture jewelry looks like art,” Grace said. And, handbags and purses reflect the jewel tones of fall with lots of hand beading in vibrant colors and even colored feathers. This fall, little details pack a big statement.

Trendy Tailored Look – Men’s Wardrobe Tips
Mix fabrics like wool with embellished trim or find unique color blocking patterns to stay trendy this fall. And, don’t forget the importance of tailored clothing. Instead of getting stuck with an ill-fitting dress shirt, invest in custom-cut work shirts. Though they can be pricey, companies like ShirtsMyWay let men create their own shirt designs and measurement profiles so that they can get exactly what they need.

Gingham shirts are always a popular choice for fall and can be used at smart, casual work environments,” Gordon said.

If your workplace requires ties, or you just like to step up your wardrobe, go for knit ties this fall. And, classic leather accessories like messenger bags add that extra touch of class to any work outfit.

Remember the Dress Code
As with every season, the set guidelines for dress in your office are the ultimate say-so in choosing a nice fall fashion. If your office is more traditional, you may want to stick with neutrals and classic cuts even if the runways are all abuzz about leather and loose-fitting suits. Just because it’s listed in this article doesn’t mean your boss will agree.

Always strive to look your best and represent your workplace the way it intends to be represented. There are ways to look good, no matter what the policies dictate! And, since trends tend to change year-by-year, the more timeless you can keep your outfit, the more money it will save you in the long run. Stay modest, stay colorful, and stay professional!

Do you have any tips for transitioning into a fall wardrobe? Are there more fall trends that we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments below!

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

The #1 Soft Skill Every Job Seeker Should Have

softskills_Sept2014_webWhen employers evaluate potential employees they look at two different skills sets – the applicant’s hard skills and the applicant’s soft skills. The hard skills you possess are skills you’ve acquired through education and experience, skills like your ability to operate a machine or a computer, for example. The second set of skills employers look at is your soft skills.

Soft skills include skills like how well you communicate with others or how well you manage your time. They are generally considered more subjective but are equally, if not more important, than the hard skills you have.

Every time you communicate with a potential employer whether it’s through your cover letter, resume, during the interview, or in your follow up, you are revealing some of your soft skills. But which ones help you stand out from other applicants?

The Top Five Soft Skills
In a recent survey of 115 Express franchises across the nation, Express found that the top five most important soft skills employers look for are:

  1. Dependability
  2. Communication
  3. Commitment
  4. Motivation
  5. Initiative

For the second year in a row, dependability was considered the most important soft skill to have.  Employers need to put a lot of trust in their employees, so they need people they can count on no matter what. You can teach people hard skills, but soft skills like dependability have more to do with who you are (your character) than what you know.

Demonstrating Your Dependability to Potential Employers
If dependability is the top soft skill employers are looking for, then it’s important to make sure you exhibit your reliability during the application and interview process. Here are some ways to do just that:

1. Update Your Resume and Cover Letter
Because resumes and cover letters are an important part of getting an interview it’s very important to ensure your resume illustrates your dependability as much as possible. Employers will look for signs of your dependability like the time spent at each job and the projects you were tasked with. You can emphasize your dependability in your resume and cover letter by using words like consistent, diligent, reliable, persistent, and improved.

2. Give Examples During Your Interview
If you go on to an interview, be sure to have some examples prepared of times that you went above and beyond the call of duty at work.  Whether you helped a coworker out or solved a problem for the company, think of times when your past employers relied on you and be prepared to share those examples in your interview.

It’s also important to remember that dependability isn’t just about what you do in difficult or big situations. It’s about what you do in the everyday, small things that matters most, like showing up to work early every day. With that in mind, remember that it’s so important to show up to your interview on time because that too will be a demonstration of your dependability to an employer.

If an employer asks you when you’d be available to work and you’re currently employed at another company, be sure to let them know that out of respect, you want to give your current company the standard two week notice. They would want the same courtesy shown to them if the tables were turned, so this is just another way you can demonstrate your reliability.

If they ask you not to share information about their interview process for privacy or security reasons, as tempting as it may be to talk about it with your friends and family, be sure to respect their wishes and keep it to yourself. You never know how it could get back to someone if you’re not careful. The more trustworthy you are in the small things, the more trustworthy you will be in the big things.

3. Your Follow Up
After the interview, if you were assigned a task or project to submit as an example of your work, be sure to complete it as soon as possible and get it back to the perspective employer on time. This is an important opportunity to display your hard and soft skills at the same time.

These are just a few of the ways you can demonstrate your dependability to an employer. Share some of the ways you demonstrate your dependability in the comments section below.

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

Green Is In: How To Ask for a Raise

ask_for_raise_webThe top fashion color for 2014 may still be Radiant Orchid according to Pantone, but green accessories are also in style this fall, especially the kind that fill up your wallet or purse. And with the start of the fourth quarter and end of the year drawing near, now could be a good time to consider asking for a raise. This can undoubtedly be an intimidating task, so here are three steps to prepare you for taking the next step.

1. Consider the timing.
Timing is everything, particularly when it comes to asking for a salary increase. So, think about if right now is the optimum time to discuss the subject of a raise with your boss. Take into consideration the economy, how well the company is doing, if there have been signs of budget cuts or increases lately, and when compensation adjustments are usually done. On the other hand, if your employer does performance reviews at the end of the year, right now could be the perfect time to bring up the possibility of a raise. Often, employers have already budgeted for pay increases prior to employee reviews.

2. Do your homework.
If the timing seems right, then you need to do your homework so you’re prepared to logically and persuasively make your request. If you’re asking for a pay increase, there needs to be a good reason for it. Simply showing up every day and doing what’s expected of you isn’t enough. You must be able to prove that you’ve exceeded expectations, reached and gone past your performance goals, or provided tremendous value to the company. Keeping a running list of your accomplishments and praises from others will help ensure you don’t forget anything important. Your list should also include legitimate numbers that place a quantitative value on your work.

3. Second-guess yourself.
Once you think the time is right and you’ve gathered all the pertinent information, stop and second-guess yourself. Consider if your work performance and accomplishments truly merit a pay increase. Can you numerically show how your work has positively impacted your employer’s profits? If the answer is yes, then think about your attitude. Are you entering this process with a humble, thankful spirit or with an attitude of arrogance and entitlement? Even if you truly have earned a salary increase, your attitude and how you handle conversation with your boss could be the deciding factor in you seeing a higher number on your next paystub.

Everyone wants a raise, but most people don’t want to have the uncomfortable conversation about it with their managers. After all, it can be scary and intimidating to ask your boss for more money. If you properly prepare for it, though, asking for a raise can be a positive experience.

Do you have other tips for successfully asking for a salary increase? How have you secured raises in the past? Share your experiences of asking for pay raises in the comments section below.

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

2014 Holiday Hiring Starts Now! Why Job Seekers Should Take Notice

RET_005It’s the time of year when companies everywhere start gearing up for the holidays by hiring seasonal workers. From the retail industry to hospitality and manufacturing, employers are stocking up on good employees who can help get them through one of the busiest seasons of the year.

Macy’s for example, has a website decked with holiday job opportunities, inviting jobseekers to “Be a part of the Magic.” And, just this week, the United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) announced plans to hire up to 95,000 seasonal employees, nearly double the amount they hired in 2013.

Seasonal Jobs Really Can Lead to Full-Time Employment
For many years, career advice blogs and media outlets like Movin’ On Up, CareerBuilder, and Forbes have shared information and tips with job seekers on how a seasonal, temporary job can lead to full time employment. Now, businesses are openly acknowledging the importance these jobs can have on future hiring decisions.

In their announcement Tuesday, UPS shared that “seasonal jobs have long served as an entry point for permanent employment.” Last year when Amazon announced they planned to hire 70,000 workers for the holidays, they also stated that thousands of those workers were expected to go on to become regular staffers. In fact, a 2013 CareerBuilder study found that nearly half of all U.S. employers surveyed said they planned to transition some of their seasonal workers to full-time permanent staff, up 10% from the previous year. 

Seize Every Opportunity
A seasonal job really can lead to permanent employment, but even if it doesn’t, it’s still an opportunity filled with endless possibilities. It can be an opportunity to grow and learn, a chance to add to your resume, a way to earn a paycheck or a little extra money during one of the most financially stressful times of the year. Maybe it’s an opportunity that will lead to a life-long friendship or maybe it helps you decide what you want to do with your life. For comedian David Sedaris, his two-time stint as a Christmas elf may not have been glamorous or even a fun experience, but the stories he walked away with helped launch his career as a humorist and best-selling author.

Embrace the opportunities that come your way today; you never know what they will bring you, or where they could take you.

Have you worked in a seasonal job that led to something bigger? Share your story with us in the comment section below!

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

This Week is National Staffing Employee Week

NSEW_graphicNational Staffing Employee Week is Sept. 15-21 and we want to show our appreciation for the 3 million men and women who make up the temporary and contract workforce in the United States every week, and especially the more than 400,000 people who work for Express every year.

You might think that only a small percentage of U.S. workers are temporary or contract workers. But, that’s not the case. In fact, according to the American Staffing Association (ASA), 11 million workers are hired by U.S. staffing firms during the course of a year.

The Benefits of Being a Temporary Worker
Being employed by a staffing company can provide flexibility that otherwise might not be available in an average full- or part-time position. In a recent study by ASA, it was reported that 90% of staffing employees said temporary or contract work made them more employable. And, according to the study, having a flexible work schedule is one of the primary reasons people use a temporary staffing firm. With this flexibility comes an alleviation of stress and an increase in career satisfaction that may not be possible in a traditional job. Even better news – while working a temporary job, Express employees average 37 hours a week, and 75% of Express employees go on to full-time jobs.

So, whether you’re employed by a staffing firm or considering pursuing a new career path, use this week to take pride in the integral part you play in not only furthering your career, but also building a stronger economy. Express Employment Professionals salutes your hard work and dedication.

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