May, 2016 | Journey

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Monthly Archives: May 2016

5 Tips for New Grads in the Changing Workforce

By Job Journey on Friday, May 13, 2016

The transition from college to the workplace brings many changes, but is also full of opportunity. With the five different generations in today’s workforce, it’s important to find your place in the workforce and establish yourself as a professional who can make a positive impression.

Whether you’ve landed your first job, or are on the hunt, here are five tips to help you find success in today’s ever-changing workforce.

1. Connect with other generations.
When you enter the workforce, you could encounter up to five different generations, each with their own view of the workplace. While you likely have your own, strong vision of how work should be done, it’s advantageous for you to learn from those you’re around. One good way to do this is through mentorship. Connect with a seasoned professional within your company and commit to meeting regularly.

2. Work on soft skills.
While experience and technical skills take time to develop, soft skills can be established immediately. Work on being a team player, listening, leadership, and other skills that can’t be gained from completing a college course or certification program.

3. Position yourself for future leadership.
As older generations retire, it’s important to position yourself to step into leadership roles that may open in their absence. Because of the skills gap, many employers will soon find themselves looking to younger generations to step up and take on more responsibility. So, early on in your career, start thinking of how you can prepare yourself for such roles. Take time to study your company’s current leadership, learn a new skill, find a mentor, or volunteer to help with projects. You can also take a look at the results from a recent Movin’ On Up poll to see how others are preparing for future leadership roles.

4. You control your career.
It’s important to realize that the future is in your hands. While you may end up at a company that is great about promoting employees’ professional growth, you must remember that at the end of the day, they have a business to run. Identify the strengths you bring to the table, capitalize on those, and do your best to make yourself invaluable to the company.

5. Be patient and flexible.
Keep in mind you are part of a generation accustomed to having information at your fingertips. The fast pace of technology can make it hard to wait, but know that as businesses strive to stay ahead of the changing technology, things won’t always move as quickly as you’d prefer. So, be patient and be flexible. Realize that things will get done, but maybe not as quickly as you’d think. Part of that is generational, while another part is simply how businesses sometimes work.

Have other tips you’d like to suggest for new graduates? Let us know in the comment section below!

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

Reader Surveys

The Results Are In: How Would You Describe Your Ideal Workplace?

By Job Journey on Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Finding the right company culture to align with your personality can be a big part of your engagement and success. With the many workplace types and countless personalities of job seekers, we wanted to know what Movin’ On Up readers look for in an ideal workplace.

The Results
According to our poll, the ideal workplace for most respondents is one that implements a casual dress code (18%), is relaxed (15%), and is on the smaller side (15%) in terms of company size. Additionally, approximately 13% of voters prefer a quiet workplace, while another 12% would prefer a remote office.

Companies that are fast-paced, large in size, or require a professional dress code were among the less desirable workplace attributes at 9%, 8%, and 6% respectively. The fewest Movin’ On Up readers selected “loud” as the word to describe their ideal workplace, garnering only 2% of votes.
Readers were also able to select the “other” option and provide their own responses. Of the 3% who selected that option, responses included:

Mid-size company
Flexible work schedule/control own hours
“Employee-first” culture
Caring
Routine
Friendly atmosphere

What else do you look for in an ideal workplace? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

Millennial Monday

Millennial Monday: The Interview Process

By Job Journey on Monday, May 9, 2016

Express 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 how this generation approaches the interview process.

Interview Dress Code
When it comes to the attire you should wear for an interview, the majority of Millennials agree that “business professional” is the most appropriate. In fact, the general consensus among all generations is that this attire is the best choice for interviews. Sixty-eight percent of Millennials and 65% of Non-Millennials selected this answer, followed by 29% of Millennials and 35% of Non-Millennials who selected “business casual.”

Interestingly, the majority (55%) of Millennials reported they would wear business professional attire to an interview even if they found out the company has a business casual dress code.

Interviewer Profile
The survey results suggest that Millennials don’t have a preference when it comes to whether their interviewer is male or female. Fifty-six percent of Millennials reported no preference, along with 71% of Non-Millennials.

When it comes to the age of their interviewer, Millennials reported that they would prefer to be interviewed by someone older than they are. Sixty percent chose “older,” 6% selected “younger,” and 34% reported “no preference.”

Interview Preparation Interviews can be stressful, and Millennials aren’t immune to the anxiety that often comes with landing an interview. When asked about the hardest part of preparing for an interview process, answers included:

Research
Confidence
Nerves
Preparing for questions

When preparing for an interview, there are several steps to make sure you put your best foot forward. According to the survey results, Millennials already practice many of those steps. When asked how they prepare for interviews, answers included:

Research the company
Print resume
Get a good night’s sleep
Look at the job description
Select an outfit
Practice answering possible questions

What to Bring
According to the survey, Millennials believe the number one thing to bring to an interview is your resume (98%), followed by business cards (66%), cover letter (64%), and brief case (21%). While 18% of Millennials think a cell phone is okay to bring to an interview, none of Non-Millennials surveyed selected this option.

Difficult Interview Questions
Interview questions can often be difficult to answer. When asked to select the hardest interview question, Millennials chose:

What are your strengths and weaknesses? – 47%
Describe a difficult challenge you’ve faced and how you overcame it – 30%
Where do you see yourself in five years? – 16%

Interview Follow-Up
Following up after an interview is vital in order to stand out from the competition. When asked whether or not they are comfortable following up with a potential employer after an interview, 73% of Millennials said they are comfortable. And, 73% of Millennials reported sending thank you notes after an interview.

What do you think is the most difficult part of preparing for an interview? What tips do you have? 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? Click the links below to check out previous topics in our series.

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

Events

Celebrating Mothers in the Workplace

By Job Journey on Friday, May 6, 2016

Mother’s Day will be celebrated this Sunday, May 8. In light of the annual celebration, we’d like to take a moment to recognize the influence of mothers not only at home, but also in the workplace. We’ll take a look at the dual roles women play, recap results from a survey of working moms, and cover some basic statistics around this topic.

A Shift in the Workplace
Currently about 70% of women with children under the age of 18 participate in the workforce in the United States, according to the United States Department of Labor. Additionally, Ancestry.com suggests this is an enormous 800% increase since 1860, when only 7.5% of mothers were in the workforce. The shift in working mom numbers really started happening in the 1940s, and especially the 1960s with the women’s rights movement.

Working Moms Surveyed
Express Employment Professionals recently released a survey revealing the attitudes of working moms. When mothers were asked if they would work even if they didn’t have to, a resounding 62% said “yes.” For some, working isn’t a choice, but rather a necessity. And, as this survey found, this reality has prompted more businesses to offer benefits to working parents. For example, two-thirds of those surveyed said they permit working moms and dads to take advantage of flexible hours.

A Wearer of Many Hats
As the number of moms in the workforce continues to rise, working mothers balance work and family every single day, becoming masters of multitasking. Whether it’s running errands, attending meetings, or carting their kids to events all over town, working moms often go nonstop to take care of their families and succeed in their careers. Managing a hectic schedule and making the most of time at home, working moms are an inspiration and example of determination, ambition, and balance for many.

Here at Movin’ On Up, we salute our associates who are working mothers and wish all of them a happy Mother’s Day!

Are you a working mother? Do you have tips for other working moms? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

At Work

Tips for Surviving Today’s Changing Workforce

By Job Journey on Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Today’s workforce is in the middle of a transformation that is altering the way employees, new and old, work on a daily basis. With technological advances, a shift in the overall age and work style of employees, and more, it can be tough to discern how to effectively manage one’s career and be an effective employee. But, never fear! We’ve compiled some tips to help you navigate this unique time in your career and survive in today’s changing workforce.

Be flexible.
The workplace of today is not the same as it was in years past. You may end up at a company where shared workspaces and collaborative meetings are the norm, rather than individual cubicles or offices. Work schedules may also be different from what you’re used to or would expect. Instead of being frustrated or thrown off by the way companies are evolving, keep your stress levels in check to stay productive in this ever-changing environment.

Take advantage of training.
Whether it’s an internship or company-offered training, don’t shy away from opportunities to learn and add value to an organization. As baby boomers retire and younger generations fill those roles, employees and job seekers should bridge the skills gap by taking it upon themselves to be trained and ready to step into those shoes.

Keep a balanced life while working hard.
As younger generations move into roles, there is a stronger desire for improved work-life balance. Regardless of what your employer promotes, keep in mind that you will still have to put in the hours to work your way up the company ladder. The commitment to work hard isn’t a quality employers expect to see disappear. If your company does promote a strong work-life balance, be sure to utilize it without abusing it. Your life outside of work is full of people who are important to you, and finding a good balance will keep you happy in years to come, regardless of change.

Develop your skills.
Today’s changing workforce requires employees to be able to think critically across disciplines, while also being able to communicate effectively. As you adapt, it’s important to consider what skills you bring to the table. People skills are just as important as business and technical skills, and companies will want to know what value you can add to their business.

If you’re wondering where to get started, one option may be to engage a mentor or someone who can help develop those soft skills and give you guidance on achieving success. With the generational variety in the workplace now, it’s a great time to build relationships and learn from other age groups.

Get connected.
As social media continues to grow, it’s important to utilize these platforms to promote your professional brand and establish key career connections. While a traditional resume is still required for most job applications, a social profile promoting your skills and accomplishments can go a long way, as well. With the easy access, you can use social media to network, share your ideas and work examples, and demonstrate your personality to potential employers before they even meet you.

A word of caution: Be smart about what you’re posting on social media. For tips on how to clean up your social media accounts to garner positive attention, view this Movin’ On Up article from April.

Can you think of other ways to survive today’s changing workforce? Share with us in the comments section below!

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

Millennial Monday

Millennial Monday: Soft Skills and Generational Differences

By Job Journey on Monday, May 2, 2016

Express 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 currently 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 whether or not there is a soft skills gap between generations.

Generations in the Workforce
There’s no denying that the current workplace features multiple generations of employers and employees. As the Baby Boomer generation looks toward retirement, Generation Xers continue on their career paths, and Millennials enter the workforce, many different age groups are brought together. In fact, according to our survey, the majority of Millennials (57%) work with people outside of their age group.

Communication Among Generations
When asked how they best communicate with older generations, Millennials responded:

In person – 71%
By phone – 15%
Via email or computer chat – 13%

The Importance of Soft Skills
When it comes to the most important business etiquette and expectations in the workplace, Millennials and Non-Millennials tend to disagree. For Millennials, the top three skills are:

Respect of authority
Punctuality and timeliness
Handshake and eye contact

For Non-Millennials, however, the top three skills are:

Punctuality and timeliness
Handshake and eye contact
Mature vocabulary

While Millennials ranked “mature vocabulary” fifth out of six skills, Non-Millennials ranked it third. Likewise, “respect of authority” was number one for Millennials, but fifth for Non-Millennials.

More Workplace Skills
Other soft skills evaluated in the study include eye contact, professional attire, and the ability to seek out creative inspiration. Of the Millennial respondents, 93% feel comfortable with eye contact, and the majority (70%) would prefer to wear business casual attire in the workplace. The top five sources for Millennial’s creative inspiration are:

Art – 30%
Books – 23%
Nature – 12%
Spirituality – 12%
The internet – 11%

What skills do you think your generation has to offer the workforce? What skills do you think your generation lacks? 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? Click the links below to check out previous topics in our series.

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