Monthly Archives: November 2014

Poll: What Are Your Job Market Predictions for 2015?

MOV_POLL-ICONWith 2014 coming to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year and look forward to a new one too. Last December, we asked Movin’ On Up readers what they predict the job market to look like in 2014, and 36% said they expected things to get worse, followed by 23% who felt the market was stable enough to try for a new job. Readers who were confident they’d get a job offer in 2014 made up 19% of respondents, while 13% planned to stay where they were in their career paths.

This year, as we look toward 2015, we want to know if your expectations have changed. Do you think the job market will grow, remain the same, or plummet? Do you feel the same way as our readers did last year, or did your year affect your outlook on 2015? Let us know by voting in our poll!

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

Give Thanks: The Importance of Following Up

thank_you_note_webThe big job interview you’ve been stressing over and preparing for is done, and now you can breathe a sigh of relief. However, if you think your part in the interview process is done and you’re just waiting to hear back, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to shine.

As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s important to think about how you can show gratitude in all areas of your life. For example, giving thanks after an interview could be the deciding factor in a job offer. According to some studies, only 10% of job candidates follow up after a job interview with a thank-you letter. Don’t assume the interviewer knows you are thankful – take the time to actually express your gratitude. If you’re among that 10%, you have the perfect opportunity to stand out.

So, how do you handle this important post-interview correspondence? Give thanks by using these six tips below.

1. Follow up quickly.

As soon as your job interview is over, send a follow-up email or letter to the company. Following up is a critical step in showing your continued interest, but don’t pester the recruiter. A carefully written thank-you note or email will help keep your name at the top of recruiters’ lists.

2. Make the message personal.

Don’t send a standard thank-you template to every person who interviews you. Find the significant points you discussed in the interview and mention the little details you learned about the company and the interviewer. This shows that you not only paid attention during the job interview, but remembered what the company thinks is important.

3. Always say thank you.

The first line of your message should always start with sincere gratitude for the time and interest of the interviewer. After that, be specific about how your experience and skills can benefit the company. Add any other skills that you didn’t get a chance to talk about during the interview, and end the message with another heartfelt thanks.

4. Fit into the culture.

When crafting your message, consider the company culture. If the company is more traditional, craft your thank-you letter in a more formal manner with a hand-written thank-you note or business letter. In some instances, an email may be more appropriate.

5. Proofread and proofread again.

Before you send your thank-you note, proofread it. Then proofread it again. Have a friend or family member proofread it after that. A well-written thank you falls flat if your note is full of errors or if you spelled the interviewer’s name wrong. Be conscientious when crafting your thank-you letter.

6. Follow up, but don’t pester.

Once you’ve sent your first thank-you message, allow for a week to pass before contacting the company again. During your interview, you may also ask for a general time frame as to when to expect an answer. If you didn’t get the job, request feedback on how to improve your interview skills, and follow up any feedback with another thank-you message.

You can’t go wrong by expressing thanks. Whether you aced the interview or bombed it, you at least had the chance to show off your potential. Interviews are stressful for both the job seeker and the employer, but a well-crafted and sincere thank-you note can ease the agony of waiting to hear back.

What tips do you have when following up after a job interview? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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

State of the Job Seeker Today

state_of_job_seeker_today_webUnless you earned a degree in economics, the news reports on how the job market is shaping up can be confusing and frustrating. But if you’re on the hunt for a job, it’s important to understand the current issues surrounding unemployment, hiring, and pay. Here’s a little help looking at the big picture and what it means to you.

Unemployment Situation
According to a recent article in Forbes magazine that took an in-depth look into the unemployment numbers from last month, there has been some slight improvement.  The “official October jobless rate fell to 5.8%,” and even the so-called “real unemployment rate,” which includes part-time workers who want to be full-time and people who are too discouraged to look, “fell sharply in October to 11.5% from 11.8% in September.”

Both of those rates are better than this time last year, which is a good sign for job seekers. However, Forbes also reports that almost 4 million non-retired Americans have given up on finding a job and nearly a third of job seekers who have been looking for jobs over the previous month are going on at least six months of joblessness.

Hiring Outlook
“Employers added an estimated 214,000 jobs in October,” according to the same Forbes article. New jobs are always a good sign for job seekers. CareerBuilder’s Fourth Quarter Forecast echoes more good news, as it shows that more than 25% of employers want to hire permanent, full-time workers before the end of the year. And, 43% of retailers and 26% of employers overall plan to hire seasonal staff, which means now is the time to land a seasonal job so you can finish out the year employed. That is especially true considering this other piece of good news from CareerBuilder – almost 50% of companies who hire seasonal workers want to eventually transition some of their seasonal workers into more permanent roles after the holidays.

Pay Rate
Across the board, it looks like the average pay rate is going to remain about the same, which means you’re not likely going to see a pay raise or a pay cut anytime soon. CareerBuilder found that, in regard to seasonal workers, 27% of employers will pay more than last year, while 13% will pay less. This mimics what Forbes has to say about October’s average earnings. There was a miniscule increase of 0.1% in average pay from September to October, with only a 2% increase over the entire year. So, as the worker, it’s up to you to decide if you want to see the glass as half empty or half full.

Overall, the numbers and reports seem to paint a decent picture for people on the job hunt. Companies are hiring, and, while you might not land the full-time position you were hoping for just yet, the holiday season has provided plenty of opportunities to boost your resume and add more money to your bank account. And that’s always a good thing.

What’s your job hunt experience been like lately? Do you think it’s getting easier or more difficult to find a job? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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

Tips for Staying Safe This Holiday Season

retail_safety_webDuring the holiday season, many retailers will see a sharp increase in staff, stock, and customers. And while the spike in store traffic is great for job seekers and business alike, it also means an increase in hazards and risks on the job.

To help keep yourself, your co-workers, and the customers safe during busy holiday shopping days, check out these tips!

Know the risks.
Some of the risks associated with the holiday shopping season are ones that exist in the workplace every day, regardless of the time of year. Such risks include ergonomic issues that lead to numbness and pain, like carpel tunnel syndrome or muscle and joint problems. During the holiday season, workers may experience an increased need to reach high places and work at a more frantic pace, increasing the risk of injuries.

Establish safety guidelines.
Your employers should have safety procedures in place to help protect you and other workers from injury. It’s your job to follow those procedures. Retail employers need to be sure the workplace is properly staffed, properly organized, and that employees are not so rushed to complete tasks that they overlook basic safety procedures. All employees should report any unsafe or hazardous conditions to their supervisors so they can respond to reports quickly and safely.

Protect yourself.
To protect yourself on the job, make sure you use proper lifting techniques, avoid twisting and reaching overhead as much as you can, and communicate any difficulties you experience to your supervisor.

Watch out for the customers.
A safety concern that is easily overlooked is the increased hazards to the public while shopping in the aisles of retail stores. Stocking activity can be much higher during hours customers are present, and many employees will be performing stocking tasks in close proximity to customers. Due to the high business volume of the season, customers are often exposed to more equipment and stock on the sales floor and activity above their heads and feet. To deal with this additional liability, employers can move merchandise and equipment through stores using an additional employee to direct traffic on the aisles, stock heavier items on lower shelves, and ensure everyone is trained and aware of the special hazards associated with customer interaction.

Understand the regulations.
Crowd safety has become an important topic during peak holiday hours like Black Friday. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a website dedicated to helping retail employees manage crowds on special shopping days. They encourage employers and their employees to plan, communicate, and have an emergency response procedure in place. Check out OSHA’s website for more information.

As with other days of the year, it’s very important to maintain safe working conditions during the busy season. Making sure you’re following proper procedures can ensure that you go home healthy and happy to enjoy the holidays with friends and family.

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

Are Benefits Keeping Workers Unemployed?

unemployment_benefits_webAmerica’s unemployment rate has been too high for too long, even as the economy continues to recover. A new white paper from Express Employment Professionals explores the connection between benefit programs and their impact on employment.

“Getting people back to work should be our number one goal in America,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express. “When there are concerns about whether our social programs are keeping people from working, then we have to ask some serious questions.”

Moral Hazard Trap
According to the Social Security Administration, in less than a decade, disability claims have risen by 44 percent for people formerly in the workplace. The top 10 states with the largest percentage increases between 2000 and 2012 were Texas, Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Nevada, Washington, Alabama, and Wisconsin.

The white paper, “A Safety Net or Trap,” showed that those who did find work while receiving welfare, unemployment, and government assistance rarely found pay that was more what they were receiving for not working.

While the benefits are necessary to help those who are out of work, if the job a person can find pays the same or only slightly more than the benefits they receive—or if they don’t like the work available to them—they could choose to stay unemployed.

Why work when you can receive the same amount for not working?

Solutions That Work
At Express, we don’t believe this is fair. People shouldn’t be faced with such impossible choices.

“Express believes it should be a national priority to eliminate barriers that come between people and the jobs they want or need,” Funk said. “So it’s time to ensure our government benefit programs do what they should do: help people so they can get back to work.”

To read the entire white paper, visit ExpressPros.com.

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

De-Stress Before Your Job Interview

de-stress_before_interview_webJob interviews can be a little nerve racking. Will the interviewer like me? What if I say something that sounds stupid? What if I don’t know how to answer a question?

To help you gain your interview confidence, take a deep breath and follow these seven tips for conquering your fears and de-stress before your job interview.

1. Get your portfolio together.
Don’t scramble to put this together the night before. No one knows your work better than you, so be your biggest advocate on interview day and have a stellar portfolio. While getting your portfolio ready, showcase your best projects. And, be sure to include plenty of copies of your resume in case someone unexpected joins the interview. On your resume, make sure it’s easily laid out for readability, organized, shows your training/education background, and lists your job history. Also, include a list of references for extra bonus points.

2. Prepare for interview questions.
Expect to be asked questions like:

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why should I hire you?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • What can you bring to the team?
  • Do you have any questions about the job?

These are typical questions interviewers use to learn more about you. A few days before your interview, practice answering these questions and watch yourself in the mirror so you can see your facial expressions or ask a friend to listen and give you feedback.

3. Do your research on the company and the position.
Not only will you need to be prepared to answer questions about yourself, but you should also be able to speak about the company and the position you’re seeking. What do you know about them? What do they do? Find out when they were founded, how many locations they have (if more than one), and some interesting facts about the organization.

Also, be able to share about the skills you can bring to the job. What are some specific duties you’re interested in? How do your skills match the job? Also, come up with questions you have about the job. How do you see this position growing with this company? What skills does the perfect candidate have? Questions like these will show that you’re taking initiative in learning all you can about the position.

4. Drive by the interview location the day before.
A big stressor for interviewees is the location of the interview. If you can, do a test run the day before. Get a feel for the traffic and identify just how much time you need to get there. And remember, you will want to arrive at your interview at least 15 minutes early, so factor that into your drive time.

5. Plan your outfit.
What are you going to wear for your interview? The key is to always wear professional in attire on your interview day. Get your outfit prepared the evening before your interview and make sure it is clean and wrinkle-free. Also, include your accessories such as shoes, a tie, or jewelry. Having your clothes ready to go will save you time on the big day.

6. Get a good night’s rest.
Go to bed early the night before your interview. Allow yourself to get enough rest so you wake up feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to face the day. Don’t stay up late trying to prepare, and be sure to set your alarm!

7. Stay calm on interview day.
After you’ve checked in for your interview, use your last few minutes to take some deep breaths, remember what your goal is, and remind yourself that you can do this. Remember to think positive.

Do you have any additional tips for de-stressing before an interview? Share them here!

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

6 Ways to Supercharge Your Resume

supercharge_your_resume_webYour resume is a key tool when it comes to your job search. It forms a potential employer’s first impression about you, usually within the span of just a few seconds. So, what’s the best way to create a positive, lasting impression that will land you the job? Here are six ways to supercharge your resume!

1.  Include skills summary.
Employers see a ton of resumes, so do something to help yours stand out from the rest. Include a brief summary of your top skills. This is your introduction to a potential employer. It doesn’t need to be anything long, but three to four sentences would be a great way to help them identify that you have the skills they’re looking for right off the bat.

2. Keep it focused and relevant.
Your resume shouldn’t be more than two pages long. You want to give an interviewer enough information about your work background and skills to schedule a job interview with you, not force them to read a novel. List the top projects you’ve worked on, share any awards and training you’ve received, and always remember to focus on the results. Also, employers want to know how you’re going above and beyond by volunteering in the community, so be sure to include some examples.

3. Include key words from the job description.
In reviewing the job description, what specific skills do you have that match what the company wants? Include those skills on your resume. Use some of the key words in the job description. This will help the employer see at a glance how you fit their needs. It also shows that you took time to review their job and you know what’s expected of the position.

4. Include power words.
There are certain words you can use in your resume that will also attract more positive attention. Employers are looking for individuals who exemplify a strong work ethic, a great attitude, and excellent communication skills. Incorporate words like leadership, professional, experience, reliable, and motivated. See a complete list of power words that will get you noticed.

5. Keep it simple.
A resume should be simple and clean. Start with a font that is readable. You can also use bold words, shading, and bullets to draw attention to key areas of your resume, but do so in moderation. For example, you can bold your name, address, and contact information at the top of the page or bold different headline sections. Use bullets if you want to make some information more organized, such as your work experience section. These are small ways to update your resume and make it stand out, without being overwhelming. But, be cautious about using graphics and logos on a resume, especially if submitting online because some databases can’t process graphics and your information might not get accepted. It’s better to save those items for your portfolio.

6. Keep it updated.
Be sure to always keep your resume updated. Start with your most current experience and chronologically organize from there. Ensure all dates are accurate, proofread for any typos, and check to ensure all of your contact info is correct.

How do you help your resume stand out from the rest? Share your tips in the comments section below!

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