Monthly Archives: May 2016

Happy Memorial Day

In the United States, Memorial Day is Monday, May 30. Established after the Civil War by Union veterans, the first Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day) was celebrated in 1868. In 1971, the day became an official U.S. holiday and is now celebrated annually on the last Monday in May.

On this day of remembrance, Express Employment Professionals reminds everyone to take time to honor our fallen soldiers and loved ones. We wish you a happy Memorial Day!

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Poll: How Do You Give Back?

MOV_POLL-ICONIf you lead a busy life with a packed schedule and never-ending to-do lists, finding time to volunteer may be the last thing on your mind. Yet, the benefits of volunteering are numerous! While the biggest value of giving back is the impact on your community, it can also aid in your job search. When you volunteer, you gain new skills to add to your resume, find networking opportunities, and become a more attractive candidate to employers.

Because there are multiple ways to give back in the community, we want to know what you’re doing to make an impact and be involved.

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

Websites to Enhance Your Job Search

Websites_WebIn today’s ever-changing workplace, it seems like new websites pop up every day designed to help you find that perfect job.

These websites range from typical job board listings to organizational, time management tools. Even better, you don’t have to be tech savvy to use these websites as each are designed to be user-friendly.

We’ve listed five of the best websites that can help you find opportunities, track tasks, manage time, and help set goals.

1. Re.vu – This website allows you to create a visual resume, a radical new way to present your skills. Visual resumes are a new trend that use pictures and images to enhance a traditional resume. Re.vu also has an interface that allows you to use your LinkedIn profile to generate personal infographics.

Be aware, however, that some companies may not accept visual resumes. This is best for smaller companies that use an applicant tracking system.

2. Plaxo – Need a way to keep track of all the contacts you meet at networking and job fair events? Plaxo is an easy way to combine all your contacts into a single, online address book that’s secure, organized, and available on whatever device you use. In addition, the website sends automatic updates from your contacts who are Plaxo members and removes duplicate information on contacts.

3. Rescue Time – It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily tasks and digital life when you are job seeking. From sending emails to updating profiles to visiting job boards, it’s easy to lose track of time without having anything to show for it. This website has features that identify inefficient behaviors, lets you create goals like spending less than an hour a day on social media to help you become more focused, and alarms to tell you when your allotted time on a task is up.
Detailed reports show which websites you spend the most time on, how productive you were, and whether you achieved your goal. It’s a detailed analysis that will help you manage your time better.

4. CareerJet  – This job-consolidator website claims to scan more than 58,000 job websites daily, and is available in more than 50 countries and 20 languages. It also saves you the trouble of muddling through hundreds of job sites by aggregating the information. Furthermore, it’s broken down into easy job categories ranging from public sector to engineering to tourism, travel, and hospitality.

Careerjet uses smart agents that scan the web and identify job listings from small recruitment agency websites which may only display a few jobs, to larger job boards that feature thousands of jobs.

5. LifeTick – A web-based, goal-setting software that helps you set, track, and reach your goals in life, LifeTick asks users to begin by listing their core values and what is important to them in their life and career. Then, the software uses technology to help you stay on track, offers an online journal, tracks any areas to help develop successful habits, and charts your progress so you can see your achievements.

Constructing your own career growth plan as a job seeker is an important step, and we hope these websites help you create that plan. Do you have favorite websites that help you with time management, goal setting, or job hunting? Share your picks in the comments section below.

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

Millennial Monday: Social Values

Millennial Monday LogoExpress Employment Professionals recently teamed up with the School of Media and Strategic Communications at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater, OK, to conduct research about Millennials and their attitudes toward the American Dream. Also known as “Gen Y,” Millennials were born between 1979 and 1995 and make up 30% of the population. As they enter the workforce and establish career paths, it’s important to understand the motives and desires behind this robust generation. To help you get to know “Gen Y,” Movin’ On Up is bringing you an eight-week series titled “Millennial Monday.”

In the last installment of “Millennial Monday,” Express and OSU students surveyed Millennials, the majority of whom are working full or part time, to examine this generation’s attitudes on social values and whether those values have any influence on purchasing habits and career decisions.

A Social Generation
When asked how much time they spend on social media accounts, the majority of Millennials (44%) reported spending 3—5 hours on social media every day. Additionally, 42% spend less than two hours on social media accounts daily, followed by 12% who spend 6—9 hours daily and 2% who spend 10 or more hours daily.

According to the survey, Millennials live up to the stereotype of spending more time on social media than older generations. Compared to the 42% of Millennials who report spending less than two hours a day on social media accounts, 64% of Non-Millennials selected this option. Only 30% of Non-Millennials spend 3—5 hours a day on social media accounts, compared to 44% of Millennials.

The Relevance of Social Movements
While social media use has grown, so have social movements that involve these platforms. Millennials were asked which social movements they are familiar with, and the results include:

  • Ice Bucket Challenge – 95%
  • Starbucks Cup Controversy – 80%
  • Black Lives Matter – 79%
  • Yes All Women – 34%
  • It Gets Better – 22%

Social Values and Important Decisions
Social media movements aren’t the only cultural trend catching the attention of Millennials. When it comes to social values, they want their voices to be heard. Survey respondents ranked social values in order of importance, and the results are as follows:

  • Religious freedom
  • Equal pay
  • Gun control
  • Police brutality
  • Environmental issues

Because social values are relevant to Millennials, it’s no surprise that issues they deem important may impact their purchasing and career path decisions. On a scale of one to five, where five is highly likely, Millennials ranked the following scenarios:

  • “How likely are you to let relevant social issues affect your purchasing decisions?” – 2.83
  • “How likely are you to publicly express your views on a controversial social issue?” – 3.52
  • “How likely are you to let a company’s record or position on relevant social issues affect your desire to work for that company?” – 3.22

Community Impact
According to the survey, Millennials believe they have the ability to change their community, country, and even world in their lifetimes. When it comes to community impact, Millennials feel strongest about their potential to affect change. In fact, only about 5% of respondents believe they don’t have the ability to positively change their communities, compared to nearly 30% who believe they don’t have the ability to change the world. Forty percent of respondents believe they can strongly affect their local community, while 15% believe they can strongly affect the world.

Do your social values impact your purchasing decisions? Do they impact your job search? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Thank you for reading our Millennial Monday series on Movin’ On Up. We hope you gained valuable insight into this important generation.

Miss a week of our Millennial Monday series? Click the links below to check out previous topics in our series.

 

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

Important Lessons From the Armed Forces

US military soldiersThroughout the history of our country, the Armed Forces have led, fought for, and protected the American way of life and our freedom.

In the military, officers are taught to lead and inspire the men and women who serve, oftentimes in high-stress and even higher-stakes situations.

Those who serve often undergo rigorous physical and mental training. They apply their training in situations where sharp attention, bravery, skill, and teamwork are vital to victory and survival. That training can also transfer to business when they return home.

Memorial Day, held on May 30 this year, honors the deceased veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Armed Forces. As the holiday approaches, lessons from our military can be applied to the changing workforce and to those seeking new careers.

Marines
According to the United States Marines, everyone has the ability and the authority to make important decisions in the midst of chaos. If no specific orders are given, they operate under a philosophy called “Commander’s Intent.”

Basically, if a Marine who is not the leader finds himself in a situation where an immediate decision is needed, he has the authority to make a decision that best supports what he believes is his commander’s desired result.

To put it simply, every Marine is trained to act instinctively and effectively in every situation.

For job seekers or employees, this decisive mindset can be used in business situations that require fast thought, intelligent decision-making, and knowledge of the end result. If every employee at a company is aware of the end goal, they can make instant decisions to bring about that goal.

The key, however, is leadership. Leaders must not only tell every person what that end goal is, but also provide team members with training to reach that goal. Then, they must have faith in their employees to make the right decisions.

Army
From the first moment a soldier joins the Army, he or she learns what the words loyalty, duty, respect, selflessness, service, honor, integrity, and personal courage mean.
Soldiers learn these Seven Core Army Values in detail during Basic Combat Training, and those values become a part of everything they do, on or off the job.

The U.S. Army is a complex machine of missions and responsibilities. One task builds into another, and by fulfilling each responsibility with integrity, success is earned.

Whether you are a soldier, a job-seeker or an employee, duty means more than carrying out your assigned tasks. It means being part of a team and resisting the temptation to take shortcuts that could undermine the final product

Navy
Throughout its history, the Navy has successfully met challenges, thanks to the core values of honor, courage, and commitment.

In the Navy, honor means conducting oneself in the highest ethical manner in all relationships. The Navy requires sailors to be honest and truthful in all dealings both in and outside the Navy.

That quality can also benefit you during your job search or at work. For instance, encouraging new ideas and being willing to make honest recommendations—whether they are popular or not—will earn a reputation of honor.

Even an entry-level employee can become a leader by committing to an uncompromising code of integrity and by taking responsibility for their actions and words.

Air Force
No matter where you fit in the mission, every Air Force member receives “The Little Blue Book,” which acts as the guide for the United States Air Force core values: “Integrity first, Service before Self, and Excellence In All We Do.”

Excellence is a tall order, yet airmen constantly strive for improvement in self and service to help the Air Force achieve greater goals.

You too can strive for excellence by improving your skills in business. Find a mentor or volunteer to learn new tasks at your place of work. Constantly seek ways to improve your work. Take courses that will benefit your position. Be dedicated to always putting your best foot forward.

Excellence in all you do is a way to take pride in your job, and also ensures the respect of your leaders and co-workers.

Coast Guard
Honor, respect, and devotion to duty are the core values for the United States Coast Guard. In today’s changing workforce, more than ever, respect is vital.

Just as Guardsmen respect themselves and their shipmates, you too can treat co-workers, subordinates, or supervisors in the way you wish to be treated.

Respect does not mean you should allow anyone to take advantage of you, nor does it mean tolerating behavior that demeans or hurts others in your workplace.

Respect is a vital trait when working as a team. Let it guide you in treating workmates, customers, or the public  with fairness, dignity, and compassion. Guardsmen encourage individual opportunity and growth, and you too can encourage creativity through empowerment in your job as well.

Have you ever served in the U.S. Armed Forces? Share some of your most important lessons with us in the comments section below.

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

Who’s Hiring?

interview_showdown_webA recent survey of 390 former and current clients of Express Employment Professionals provides a glance into which sectors and departments anticipate hiring (and which don’t) in the second quarter of 2016.

According to respondents, the top three sectors expecting the most hiring are:

  • Industrial – 46%
  • Administrative – 13 %
  • Engineering – 10%

When asked which departments expect to do the most hiring, respondents answered:

  • Production – 36%
  • Sales – 30%
  • Logistics – 9%

It was also revealed that accounting, human resources, legal, and risk departments have no plans to hire in the second quarter. Furthermore, respondents reported accounting as the only department in which there were plans to eliminate positions.

As you go about your job search, keep these numbers in mind. Industrial jobs or those focused on production or sales may prove more fruitful for job seekers in the next few months.

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Were you surprised by these results? Do you focus your job search based on sector or department? Let us know in the comments section below.

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

Millennial Monday: Community Engagement

Millennial Monday LogoExpress Employment Professionals recently teamed up with the School of Media and Strategic Communications at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater, OK, to conduct research about Millennials and their attitudes toward the American Dream. Also known as “Gen Y,” Millennials were born between 1979 and 1995 and make up 30% of the population. As they enter the workforce and establish career paths, it’s important to understand the motives and desires behind this robust generation. To help you get to know “Gen Y,” Movin’ On Up is bringing you an eight-week series titled “Millennial Monday.”

In this week’s installment of “Millennial Monday,” Express and OSU students surveyed Millennials, the majority of whom are working full or part time, to examine this generation’s commitment to their communities.

Community Involvement
The importance of community involvement is evident across all generations. When asked if community involvement is important, 96% of Millennials responded that it is important and 97% of Non-Millennials agreed. While zero Non-Millennials answered “no” to whether or not community involvement is important, 2% of Millennials said it’s not.

Charitable Giving
According to the survey, 85% of Millennials are likely to donate to a charity or nonprofit in the next 12 months, and 85% believe their donations are helpful.
As technology has increased, the ways in which people can give to charitable organizations have also increased. When asked to rank in order of frequency the ways in which they give to charity or nonprofit organizations, Millennials responded:

  • In person
  • Online
  • Mail
  • Text
  • Email
  • Phone

Items Donated
According to the survey results, Millennials may be more willing to give their time rather than their money because time is something they have more of. In fact, one survey participant said, “You can gain and give a lot more when you actually put time into something. I don’t have a lot of money, but I have a lot of time.”

How You Can Give Back
On Saturday, June 11, Express Employment Professionals offices across North America will gather together for Brand It Blue Day. The event is a day of service aimed at helping in the fight against hunger, and you can be a part of it! Whether you’re a job seeker who just graduated or someone who has been out of the workforce for an extended period of time, volunteering adds valuable experience to your resume. Not only does volunteering help set you apart from the competition, it can also provide a sense of fulfillment as you give back to your community. Visit ExpressPros.com to learn more about this event and find out how you can participate.

How do you give back to your community? Do you think community involvement is important? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Keep checking Movin’ On Up every Monday for more insight on this important generation.

Miss a week of our Millennial Monday series? Click the links below to check out previous topics in our series.

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

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