Inside Express | Journey

‘Tis the Season for Seasonal Jobs

By tiffany monhollon on Tuesday, October 30, 2007

It’s the time of year when companies everywhere are hiring workers to ramp up for the holiday season. In fact, retailers say they plan to add up to 600,000 workers in November and December this year.

But, did you know that retail stores aren’t the only places to add temporary workers to their staff as the year ends? There’s an increased demand for products in retail stores. More people are shopping online than the rest of the year. People tend to travel and eat out more than normal.

That’s why customer service, shipping, clerical, hospitality, manufacturing and e-commerce are just some areas that are looking for good employees to help them get through the crunch of the holidays. So, with that in mind, now’s a great time to look for a job.

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Reader Surveys The Daily Grind

How Do You Celebrate Halloween At Work?

By tiffany monhollon on Friday, October 26, 2007

The stores are full of candy and costumes, and youngsters and adults across the country are gearing up for a sugar-fest of great proportions.

Many workplaces even allow, encourage or require workers to dress up for the day. But, every company and worker has their own way of celebrating October 31.

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Benefits Reader Surveys The Job Search

What Do You Want When it Comes to Benefits?

By tiffany monhollon on Friday, September 28, 2007

When it comes to job satisfaction, benefits ranked second to compensation among employees recently polled by the Society for Human Resource Management. But, the meaning of “benefits” is broad, and what employers mean when they say “competitive benefits package” in a job listing isn’t universal.

Typically, a good benefits package will offer some type of health care program, along with a certain amount of paid leave. But beyond that, offerings vary widely. And these days, there are a lot of options employers can consider when creating a benefits package. Since benefits offerings cost a company money, most organizations simply can’t offer everything. But many are starting to think outside the box when it comes to creating a benefits package that will attract top talent.

So, imagine you are sitting in on a benefits meeting with your HR department or company owner. It’s your chance to chime in and offer your opinion on a new program, or to save one you already use and love. If you could talk to the decision-maker at your company, how would you answer the question below?

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Career Options Reader Surveys The Job Search

What Makes a Job Great?

By summer on Friday, August 31, 2007

Everyone is motivated by different things. That’s why the perfect job for your best friend or next door neighbor might not be the right job for you.

Have you ever sat down and really evaluated what makes you happiest (or unhappiest) at work? Many people just assume money is the only factor to consider when taking a new job, but in fact, good compensation alone will rarely make people love their jobs.

In order to find a job that’s a perfect fit for your strengths, personality and values, you must first know what you’re looking for. Take a moment to think about what would really provide you the most satisfaction at work.

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Express in the News Inside Express

Find Jobs With Express Employment Professionals

By Job Journey on Monday, August 27, 2007

With Express, you choose how and when you want to work. Are you looking for a full-time administrative position? Do you need a flexible schedule? Or are you looking for a career in the accounting/financial arena? You can find what you’re looking for at Express.

You can apply in person or by phone with Express Employment Professionals. To find the office closest to you, click here.

Or to register online, click here.

Career Advancement Reader Surveys The Daily Grind Workplace Relationships

Working in the Great Communication Gap

By tiffany monhollon on Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Do you ever feel like you and your boss never exactly see eye to eye? Do you sometimes wish you knew the whole picture so you could understand why you’ve been tasked a certain assignment? Have you ever been blindsided by change that impacted your job or work environment?

If so, you know how frustrating it is to work in an environment where communication is dysfunctional. In the work world, one of the biggest complaints of both workers and managers is bad communication. And, your relationship with your boss is the one that will probably impact your overall job satisfaction, as well as your career the most. That’s why it’s vital to proactively communicate with your boss. In the book How to Be the Employee Your Company Can’t Live Without, author Glenn Shepard phrases it this way: “Answer the questions your boss didn’t ask.”

This can mean volunteering for tasks before you’re asked, asking for help when you need it or telling your boss you are interested in career advancement opportunities. For more on this, check out our podcasts on the book. You can see how taking the initiative to communicate with your boss really can boost your career.

However, the best communication is a two way street. With that in mind, if you could tell your boss one thing they could do that would make your job easier, what would it be? Vote in our poll below.

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Career Advancement Reader Surveys Work/Life Balance

How I Spent My Summer Vacation (Hours)

By Job Journey on Tuesday, July 3, 2007

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There’s a lot of discussion right now about work/life balance. Especially during the summer, when family vacations and relaxing getaways are most popular, the issue becomes particularly hot. People want to spend time relaxing, getting away from the grind, but that isn’t always possible.

Small business owners and entrepreneurs often find work and life colliding during vacation time. Steven Fisher at Startup Spark recently wrote a post about how its critical for entrepreneurs to find time to really get away from the pressures of work. We’ve also written about work/life balance for small business owners and tips for how to take a vacation.

But taking work with them on vacation isn’t just an issue for business owners. Eager workers often find themselves logging in to their e-mail or working on projects from home or the beach. Many others are putting time into their own projects and working on vacation.

Ryan Healy’s post “When working on vacation isn’t work” on Brazen Careerist shares his views as a twentysomething on work, personal time and vacation. He says that for him, he “works” on his own ideas while on vacation because its something he enjoys doing and wants to pursue in his personal time.

Do you feel it’s possible to truly unplug from work and enjoy your time off? Do you think how someone spends their vacation time depends more on their personality, line of work, generation or employer?

Even though you may not take vacation time on the Fourth of July since it’s a national holiday, what will you be doing with your time?