Career Options

The First Job: Do Recent Graduates Stay or Go?

By Job Journey on Monday, February 15, 2016

A recent survey from Express Employment Professionals revealed that more than two-thirds of recent college graduates stay in their first career jobs for one year or less.

The Results Are In
Of those who gradated within the last 18 months, 58% said they stayed in their first job for “seven months to a year.” The full results include:

Less than three months – 3%
Three to six months – 10%
Seven months to one year – 58%
More than one year – 29%

According to Bob Funk, the CEO of Express, “Younger workers would be advised to stay in their first job longer in order to gain experience. In addition, employers are looking for loyal people. If a business owner or manager spends months training a person, it’s only right for that employee to put their new skills to work for that organization.”

Longevity in the Workplace
These results suggest that longevity isn’t as important to recent graduates as networking, gaining experience, or enhancing their skills. If you want to stand out from the job search competition, consider learning more about the importance of longevity and avoiding gaps in your resume.

How long did you stay in your first job after graduation? Or, how long do you plan to stay in your first job? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

Career Options

What’s the Difference Between an Apprenticeship and Internship?

By Job Journey on Friday, January 22, 2016

If 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.

Career Options

Why Do People Reject Job Offers?

By Job Journey on Monday, December 21, 2015

If you’ve been in a job search for a long time, it may seem incomprehensible that someone could reject a job offer. After perfecting your resume, crafting a cover letter, gathering your references, applying, preparing for an interview, interviewing, following up, and waiting to hear from your interviewer, it seems like a job offer would be a fantastic reward, right? Not always.

In fact, Express Employment Professionals recently released a new survey that reveals why applicants turn down job offers and why workers leave the jobs they have.

Respondents were asked, “What hurdles stop you from staying on a job?,” and the top answer was pay with 61% of votes. Also selected were schedule (42%), hours (41%), and advancement/opportunity (28%). Take a look at the graphic below for the full poll results.

Would any of these factors stop you from taking a job? Have you turned down an offer due to one of these, or other, reasons? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

Career Options

Who Is Hiring Non-College Grads?

By Job Journey on Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Are you thinking about getting a higher education? Or, are you considering skipping college and heading straight for the workforce? Before you make this important decision, check out the results of a recent survey from Express Employment Professionals. The survey revealed the hottest fields that are hiring the most non-college grads, and the top 10 are:

Industrial
Office services
Sales/marketing
Home help
Health care
Engineering/manufacturing/technical
Technical
Informational technology
Accounting financial
Licensed medical

According to Express CEO Bob Funk, “Today’s conventional wisdom suggests that the path to a rewarding career must run through a four-year university. In reality, we’re finding out that many sectors are hiring non-college grads.”

Do you work in any of these fields? Share your job journey with us in the comments section below!

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

Career Options

The Benefits of Being a Staffing Employee

By Job Journey on Friday, October 2, 2015

us_staffingweek_2015_benefits_of_temporary_work_web National Employee Staffing Week in the United States, and it’s a great time to look at the impact temporary and contract employees have on the industry.

According to the American Staffing Association (ASA), more than three million temporary and contract employees work for America’s staffing companies every week. Throughout the course of a year, that number is more than 14 million.

Of those employees, 76% work full time and nine out of 10 staffing employees believe that staffing work makes them more employable.

Potential for Permanent Placement
One of the major benefits of working with a staffing company is the potential of finding a permanent job. While a lot of job assignments may start out as temporary or part-time work, they can lead to a full-time, permanent job.

In fact, the ASA reports that 49% of staffing employees believe temporary work is a way to land a permanent job. Furthermore, one-third of workers were offered a permanent job by a client where they worked on an assignment.

Temporary Work Is Flexible
In addition to the possibility of finding permanent employment, working through a staffing firm has many benefits, including flexibility and the opportunity to expand your skills and experience.

According to the ASA: “While permanent employment is a top priority for most staffing employees, about one in five cite scheduling flexibility as a key reason for choosing temporary and contact work.”

Many Occupations Available
Staffing companies often represent many different business types, so there’s opportunity for you to try out a new career or gain valuable skills in a booming industry. The ASA reports that staffing employees work in virtually all sectors, including:

Industrial – 37%
Office (Clerical and Administrative) – 28%
Professional/Managerial – 13%
Engineering, Information Technology, and Scientific – 13%
Health Care – 9%

As we celebrate National Staffing Employee Week, we want to know what you enjoy about working in the temporary and contract staffing industry. Share with us in the comment section below!

Career Options

Need a Job? Seasonal Work Is Here

By Job Journey on Monday, September 14, 2015

The holiday season may still seem far off, but now is the time to start looking for work if you plan to find a seasonal job this year. Every year, the holiday season helps put millions of people to work in jobs that may begin as temporary employment, but often turn into permanent employment.

There are many benefits to finding a seasonal job. In addition to the extra income around the holidays, seasonal jobs are also a great way to add experience to your resume and network with people who may be able to help your career in the future. Even though your job may start out as a temporary one, it could lead to permanent, full-time employment.

Take Your Job Seriously
According to Bob Funk, CEO of Express Employment Professionals, “Employers will look at their temporary employees this holiday season to see which ones merit a full-time, permanent position.”

If you want to better your odds of landing a permanent job after the holidays, remember to treat your seasonal job like an extended interview. Take advantage of the opportunity to show you’re hard-working, committed, and have a positive attitude. When you go above and beyond at your temporary job, you better your chances of being noticed by potential employers.

Don’t Limit Your Options
Holiday jobs may seem like they’re limited to Christmas or other winter holidays, but don’t forget about the entire holiday season. Halloween, for example, can be an avenue for temporary work because of large costume superstores that open for the season. Additionally, party stores may need extra help around New Year’s Eve.

Start Now
Stop by any department store and you’re likely to see holiday items already stocked on the shelves. If businesses are already thinking about the holidays, you should be too. Brainstorm places you would like to apply for seasonal work and get started on applications. Don’t wait until November or December, because most employers want their seasonal staff trained and working before the shopping rush begins.

Call a Staffing Agency
When companies want to hire multiple new employees for the holiday season, they often go to a staffing company for assistance. Since staffing providers are usually better equipped to find, screen, and hire large numbers of workers, they can be a great resource for you. Do your homework before you apply and make sure the staffing company is a reputable one, like Express Employment Professionals.

Make Sure You’re Prepared
In a recent poll on Movin’ On Up, we asked if our readers plan on looking for seasonal work this year. An astonishing 84% of responders said that they do plan to look for seasonal work. Since so many people want to find work this holiday season, you need to make sure you’re prepared to beat the competition. Clean up your resume, brush up on your interview skills, make a list of references, research the companies you want to work for, and know the skills that employers want to see. When you’re prepared for a job opportunity, you stand a better chance of landing the job.

Have you worked a seasonal job? Did your seasonal job turn into a permanent one? Share your tips with us in the comments section below!

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

Career Advancement Career Options My Entry-Level Life

What’s Best for Your Career Path: College or Vo-Tech?

By Job Journey on Friday, August 14, 2015

It’ 5FactsaboutStaffingComanpanies_July2013_web s time to break a taboo: college isn’t for everyone. For many, there’s a better—but much less advertised—option: Career Technical Education (CTE). Let’s be more specific. A four-year stay at a traditional university won’t be the best fit for everyone. College is right for many people—but certainly it’s not right for everyone.

In today’s economy, it may not be a good fit for those who want an affordable education. It may not be the best option for those who are ready to embark on a clear career path. And it’s not for those who want to enter the workforce sooner rather than later.

For those people, CTE could be the answer. Career Technical Education, previously known as vocational-technical education, provides the skills and training needed for many in-demand careers, including:

Mechanical Drafter
Welder
IT Technician
Physical Therapist Assistant
Biomedical Equipment Technician
Legal Secretary
Aircraft Mechanic
Real Estate Appraiser

And a Career Technical Education doesn’t require thousands of dollars in loans.

It’s almost instinctual to think of a four-year college as a natural step after high school. After all, so many of our nation’s leaders, along with private organizations, urge young people to go to college. Although conventional wisdom wrongly suggests that a four-year degree is always better, it may not always be the case.

According to the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), “Career and technical education (CTE) prepares both youth and adults for a wide range of careers and further educational opportunities.” Here’s what you need to know about Career Technical Education:

CTE-trained workers are in demand.
CTE leads to high-paying jobs.
CTE is affordable.
CTE keeps businesses competitive.

The research shows it. CTE offers industry-specific training in highly skilled trades and gives students the opportunity to earn a range of credentials:

Postsecondary certificates
Certifications
Licenses
Associate degrees

So the next time you’re thinking about going back to school, consider both college and career technical education. After all, CTE may be a better fit for you.

What about you? What led you to choose college or a career technical education? Do you have any tips for others making this decision? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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