Monthly Archives: January 2016

These Surprising Skills May Land You a Job This Year

skills_to_get_hired_webAt this point in your career or job search, you’ve probably heard a lot about skills. There are hard skills, like typing and reading, and soft skills, like etiquette and time management. You know that you should seek ways to sharpen your leadership abilities and brush up on your communication talents. But, today’s business world is constantly changing, which means the skills employers seek are, too. In fact, there are a few surprising skills you may not even know you need to improve your chances of landing a job this year.

According to FastCompany, there are eight career skills that will not only help you secure interviews, but also seal the deal with a potential employer. Among those skills are some familiar qualities, like strong communication skills and the desire to learn. Employers are always looking for people who know how to communicate effectively, no matter their role in the company, and you should never turn down the opportunity to learn a new skill, equipment, or ability.

There are other skills FastCompany mentioned, however, that are not so common. Let’s take a look at the abilities you may not know you need.

Knowledge of Other Cultures
According to Paula Caligiuri, professor of international business and strategy at Northeastern University, leaders rank working with people from different cultures as their weakest skill. This weakness could be because they lack the opportunity to work with other cultures, or because they aren’t aware of its importance. Paula says that when you study and interact with other cultures, you learn tolerance, perspective, and humility. These are all traits that employers like to see, so take some time to learn about other cultures and sharpen your knowledge of how business works in countries other than your own.

A Global Mind-Set
Did you know that the fastest-growing economies are in Asia and South America? Businesses today benefit from knowing how prosperous countries are doing business, growing, and succeeding. If you know how to market, sell, and communicate to those countries, you automatically make yourself an ideal candidate for employers who need those skills on their team.

Effective Conflict Resolution
Conflict exists in virtually every workplace. But, how you deal with that conflict says a lot about you. Companies want to find employees who work well with others and know how to effectively resolve conflict. Take some time to learn skills that help you address issues as they arise and sort through conflict, like communication skills and anger management. Many employers will rule out a candidate if they don’t know how to resolve conflict, so make sure you aren’t one of them.

An Understanding of Analytics
According to Merriam Webster, the study of analytics is “a careful study of something to learn about its parts, what they do, and how they are related to each other.” It’s also classified as “an explanation of the nature and meaning of something.” In your career field, analytics may mean the study of how many visitors the company website attracts, how many customers are buying products, or which days of the week are better for your business. Whatever it may be, understanding how to read and decipher such information is essential to successfully stand out from the job search competition. Be sure to brush up on your ability to research and sort data, and include examples of how you’ve used analytics on your resume.

What other skills do you think are important for landing a job this year? Share with us in the comments section below.

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

Poll: What Is the Key Factor That Contributes to Your Job Satisfaction?

Job Seeking and Career Advice PollThe beginning of a new year is a great time to renew your focus on important goals, whether they are personal or professional. From losing weight to saving money, many people will create resolutions and develop plans to stick with them this year. Now that 2016 has begun, your job search efforts may be a renewed priority and you may find yourself applying to more jobs and landing more interviews.

If you plan to focus on your job search this year, it’s important to recognize and understand the factors that contribute to your job satisfaction so you know the job you’re trying to get is the right one for you. We want to know what those key factors are in your life.

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

Have Fun At Work With These Ideas

fun_at_work_day_webWe’ve all heard the saying, “If you love what you do, you won’t work a day in your life!” In fact, research shows that happy employees have a real and positive impact on revenues and customer satisfaction. A study by Glassdoor Research found that employees who genuinely like coming to work every day may have a positive impact on a company’s stock performance.

But what goes into loving your job? Is it the work environment, the pay, the people, or the work itself? In the U.S., Jan. 29 is National Have Fun at Work Day, and this celebration might be just what you need to find enjoyment from your job.

To help you make the best of this holiday, we’ve gathered a few ideas for celebrating National Have Fun at Work Day.

Make It Personal
Fill a box with little gifts of praise or recognition and give an item from the box to a colleague who deserves praise. You can give sunglasses to the co-worker who had a bright idea, a Slinky to someone who is always flexible with work, or a rubber ball to someone who bounced back from a particular challenge. Creativity is the key!

Lead the Fun Parade
Be the champion of creating an enjoyable workplace by suggesting silly games on breaks or during lunch. Host raffles for small prizes like calendars or pens, put up scenery posters in windows, or bring breakfast for the team. When you take the initiative to make the workplace fun, people will likely follow.

Make Work a Game
Challenge yourself and co-workers to fun workplace games. For instance, set a timer and have a competition to see who can get the most done by the time the bell goes off. Or, challenge a co-worker to a competition to see who can make the most sales calls in a morning. Making the work you do more exciting can help you love what you do and be productive at the same time.

Trivia Challenge
Gather some interesting trivia facts about each of your co-workers and create a puzzle that matches the trivia fact to the correct employee. Those with the most correct answers earn prizes. This is a great way to get employees to know each other and spark important teambuilding.

Make Training Fun
If your co-workers are about to undergo training, make it a party. Create teams to promote light competition, have a prize for those with correct answers, and give out gifts for positive participation. Adding an exciting element to trainings and meetings can liven up the atmosphere and keep everyone engaged.

Welcome the New Employee
When you hire a new employee, arrange a scavenger hunt for them to meet co-workers, learn facts about them, gather office supplies, and learn their way around the office. At the end of the hunt, lead them to the common area or a local restaurant where their new teammates are waiting.

Fun and Food
Arrange a potluck in which employees bring a dish from their childhood or hometown. Use food to start a conversation about history or culture, and have employees share a favorite recipe and create a company cookbook.

These are just a few ideas to celebrate National Have Fun at Work Day. Has your company ever celebrated this holiday? Share with us in the comments section below!

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

What’s the Difference Between an Apprenticeship and Internship?

apprenticeship_vs_internship_webIf you want to gain work experience while you’re still in school or right after graduation, you’ve probably looked into an internship or apprenticeship.

Both internships and apprenticeships can offer entry-level experience in your field of choice, but they operate in different ways. If you’re looking for one of these opportunities, you may be wondering what the difference is between an internship and an apprenticeship.

In short, internships allow you to learn in a work environment without pay or with minimal pay in order to gain experience. An apprenticeship is formal employment that trains you on a specific skill set while on the job.

So, how do you know which one is right for you? Take a look at each option in greater detail below.

Internships
Internships are usually a type of temporary work that last from a few weeks to several months. Internships are available in both public and private companies and nonprofits. Most people who choose to take an internship are seeking experience in a particular role or industry.

This type of employment is great for people who want to see a specific career in action before committing to it and those who want to gain experience that can benefit their future career. At its heart, an internship is an educational tool, not a training program.

Apprenticeships
What sets apprenticeships apart from internships is that an apprenticeship is an actual training program inside of a job. Apprenticeships usually employ people and teach them a specific set of skills needed in a particular career field.

Often, you will sign a contract with an employer to learn these skills, which can be a mix of formal experience, on-the-job training, and classroom work. You’ll also work toward requirements or a certification program, and if you pass, you then have the skills and formal qualifications to work a specific job.

These types of programs are common for careers like electricians, manufacturing, construction, and more.

Another difference between apprenticeships and internships are the salaries. Many internships are unpaid, while apprenticeships usually pay a salary. For an apprenticeship, the pay generally increases as you move through the training.

Choosing Your Career Path
Ultimately, choosing between an apprenticeship or an internship depends on the career path you want to pursue and what you are trying to gain.

If you want to stay in a specific industry and you are confident with your career path, an apprenticeship may be your best bet. However, if you are looking to boost your resume and experience or are trying out different positions, internships may offer what you need most.

Have you had an internship or apprenticeship? Did it work well for you? Share your experiences with us in the comments section below!

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

It’s Time to Thank Your Mentor

thank_mentor_webIn America, Thank Your Mentor Day is Thursday, Jan. 21, and is an initiative of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. To celebrate this day, many people will reach out to their mentors and thank them for the encouragement, guidance, and wisdom they’ve given. It’s a day for mentees to recognize and give thanks for the positive impact their mentors have left on their lives.

Do you have a mentor? Consider thanking them for all they’ve done to help you grow in your personal or professional career by:

  • Sending a thank-you note or email
  • Expressing your gratitude on social media
  • Sending your mentor flowers or other gifts
  • Taking your mentor to lunch

You can also write a tribute to your mentor on the Who Mentored You? Facebook page. If you write about your mentor, consider sending them a link so they can see the impact they’ve left on your life.

If you want to send a thank-you card, you can download one by clicking here.

And remember, passing on what your mentor has helped you learn may be one of the best ways to say thanks. You can reach out to a young person in your community and make a positive impact on their life just as your mentor has done for you.

How do you show thanks to your mentor? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

Job Search Advice From Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the greatest leaders in American history. In fact, the impact he had on the civil rights movement was so memorable that a federal holiday is dedicated in his honor. Celebrated on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day marks the birthday of the famous leader and honors his contributions to American society. He is the only non-president to have a national holiday dedicated to him.

As a powerful voice in the modern American Civil Rights Movement in the 50s and 60s, King stood for nonviolent resistance and inspired people across the world with his hard work and genuine spirit. Although he was assassinated in April of 1968, King’s influence has never died. In fact, job seekers of today can still take advice from this famous activist.

While we celebrate the life of this famous leader, take a few moments to learn from his career and his wisdom. Martin Luther King, Jr. made a difference and enacted positive change, and was able to accomplish his goals because he never gave up. Because of his determination, work ethic, and vision, King always kept his head up and kept fighting for his dream.

If you’ve hit a road block with your job search or career path, remember to keep trying. Pick yourself up and move forward. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a very powerful dream, and you can, too. You just have to keep moving.

As King said, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

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Mentoring in the Digital Age

digital_mentorship_webMany successful people can say they’ve met at least one person who has left a significant positive impact on their life or career. That person may be a teacher, coach, boss, co-worker, or other important relationship.

Today, an increasing number of professionals are seeking out mentors as a professional development tool, and through mentoring, many have seen improvements in productivity, leadership skills, and career advancement.

In this digital age, mentoring takes on a whole different look. No longer are we limited to coffee shop meetings or phone calls. With the advent of social media and email, mentoring now comes in easy, fast, and variable forms.

Though the way mentees communicate with mentors may have changed, one thing remains the same. If you want a mentor, you have to seek one out and be deliberate and proactive in that search.

And to help you make the most of your mentor relationship, we’ve gathered four useful tips.

  1. Respect your mentor’s time. Even with the ease of technology, digital mentors may not be able to reply to you or contact you immediately. It’s important to set expectations with your mentor and ask for their support before bombarding them with questions or tight deadlines.
  2. Don’t discriminate on age. Not all mentors have to be older than you. In today’s digital world, many people can learn from younger mentors who are tech-savvy. Mentorship is about having a trusted relationship, a desire to learn, and an open mind. Don’t discount potential digital mentors simply because of their age.
  3. Mentoring online requires trust. Any professional relationship needs to be confidential, so resist the urge to share what your mentor or your mentee tells you on social media or other digital platforms. A mentoring relationship is based on being honest about fears and failures, and if you share those fears publically without permission, you’re likely to lose the trust of your mentor or mentee.
  4. Don’t limit yourself. While reaching out online for a mentor is acceptable, it’s likely that you will want to meet your mentor in person at some point. Good mentoring relationships may begin digitally, but end with a real connection. Whether that connection is an actual meeting or a phone call, be prepared to move your mentoring relationship into the real world.

The internet and platforms like Periscope, Facebook, and instant messaging are creating opportunities for mentees to connect with mentors on a global scale. Furthermore, they offer a place to interact in real time with those mentors.

Remember, when done well, mentorship is a give-and-take relationship. Both parties, either in person or online, can enrich their knowledge and improve their careers.

Have you had a digital mentor? How did that relationship work for you? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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