Tag Archives: 2016

Top 10 Posts of 2016

12-18 Top PostsIt’s hard to believe the year is already ending! We’ve had a lot of fun providing you with job search and workplace tips. In fact, this year, we’ve posted 150 articles on Movin’ On Up!

To help celebrate the year, here’s a look at the top 10 posts of 2016:

  1. 3 Things That Could Hold Your Career Back
    At some point in time, you may feel stuck in your career or job search, and you’re not alone. While many experience this in their professional lives, knowing what’s holding your career back is key to helping you move forward on your desired career path.
  2. Quick Tips for Getting Through the First 90 Days at Work
    You rocked your interview and landed the job! Now what? The first 90 days of work are important for any new employee. It’s during this time that you shape important first impressions, build relationships, and establish a rhythm for your new role.
  3. 4 Degrees That Will Get You Noticed
    Forbes released a list of academic degrees that revealed which college majors will get you noticed by employers based on a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).We’ve taken the top four degrees from that list to help you understand what’s most sought after by employers.
  4. 30 Power Words to Power Up Your Resume and Boost Your Job Search
    Does your resume have the punch it needs to help you stand out? Is your cover letter well-written and convincing? Are you conveying professionalism in the e-mails you write to recruiters or hiring managers?
  5. Outperform With These 5 Resume Tips
    Everyone knows that your resume is an important part of landing an interview, and ultimately, a job. But, with so many qualified candidates going after the same jobs, how do you stand out? Take a look at these five resume tips to help you outperform the competition.
  6. Who Is Hiring Non-College Grads
    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.
  7. 5 Ways to Define Your Ideal Workplace
    Whether you’re just getting started in the professional world or looking for a career transition, it’s important to know what you want in a job and consider most important. A key piece of that is being able to define your ideal workplace.
  8. 5 Tips for Gold Medal Job Performance
    Athletes from around the world competed for a spot on the winners’ podium this year. While winning is quite the accomplishment in itself, we all know the true goal each athlete strives for is bringing home a gold medal. Similarly, as a job seeker or even as a new employee, you should strive for more in your professional life.
  9. Give Your Career a Makeover
    There may be times in your professional life that you become frustrated and feel like you aren’t quite getting where you’d like to be. If you ever reach that point, it may be time to give your career a makeover.
  10. Tips for Surviving Today’s Changing Workforce
    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.

What articles did you enjoy this year? Share your favorites in the comments section below!

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

A Review of Your 2016 Job Market Predictions

job_market_predictions_2015_webEach year, we ask Movin’ On Up readers to share their predictions for the job market in the coming year. With 2016 coming to a close, we want to review your answers and analyze this year’s economy.

Your Predictions
For 2016, the majority of readers (34%) answered that the market is “good enough to test the waters and see what else is out there.” The year before, readers felt the same way. In fact, take a look at just how similar the past couple of years have been:

“It’s good enough to test the waters:”

  • 2014: 35%
  • 2015: 34%

“Things are going to get worse before they get better.”

  • 2014: 27%
  • 2015: 25%

“I’m definitely getting a job offer or promotion this year.”

  • 2014: 17%
  • 2015: 18%

“I’m staying where I am. I don’t expect things to get better.”

  • 2014: 11%
  • 2015: 11%

Analyzing the Results
In November, the national unemployment rate in the U.S. was 4.6%, a decrease from 4.9% the month before. This time last year, the rate was 5%. A year before that, it was 5.8%, marking a clear trend toward lower unemployment rates. Additionally, Fung Global Retail and Technology predicted a retail sales increase of 3 to 4 % this holiday season, up from a 2.5% average over the past decade. Furthermore, the National Retail Federation expects retail sales at the end of the year to exceed $626 billion.

Given these predictions and trends, it seems as though readers’ belief may have been right that the 2016 economy would be strong enough to allow them to look for a new job.

Will next year’s results be similar? Vote in our poll and let us know how you think the 2017 job market will shape up.

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

Poll: What Are Your Job Market Predictions for 2017?

MOV_POLL-ICONThe year is almost over, which means it’s time to reflect on 2016 and look forward to a new year.

Last year, we asked Movin’ On Up readers what they predict the job market will look like in 2016, and 34% believed the market would be stable enough to try for a new job, followed by 25% who thought the market would get worse before it got better. Readers who were confident they’d get a job offer in 2016 made up 18% of respondents, and 11% planned to stay where they were in their career paths.

This year, we want to know if your expectations have changed. Do you think the job market will grow, remain the same, or plummet? Do you feel the same way as our readers did last year, or did your year affect your outlook on 2017? Let us know by voting in our poll!

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

4 Degrees That Will Get You Noticed

college_major_webAt the close of 2015, Forbes released a list of academic degrees that revealed which college majors will get you noticed by employers based on a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

We’ve taken the top four degrees from that list to help you understand what’s most sought after by employers. To view the full list and accompanying article, click here.

1. Accounting
If you enjoy business mathematics, focusing on the details, and analyzing and comparing data, an accounting degree may be right for you! According to WorldWideLearn.com, accounting degrees lead to some of the more low stress, high compensation jobs available today. It’s also among the top degrees for quick career placement after graduation.

2. Computer Science
A degree like this not only provides a variety of opportunities, it is becoming more in demand as companies try to keep up with emerging technology trends. Companies need employees with computer science knowledge to help them problem solve, analyze, and provide a broad understanding of technology.

3. Finance
A finance degree is very appealing  because most companies need people to crunch the numbers. No business can run without having its finances managed, so it’s easy to see why this kind of education will catch an employer’s eye. And, your opportunities within the finance realm are many. You can find a wide range of jobs from economics, personal finance, retirement advisory, and more.

4. Business Administration/Management
Employers are also likely to notice those candidates with a business administration degree. This field opens doors in a wide-range of capacities for a company, including general business operations, marketing, management, sales, and more.

Earning a degree is a commitment of both time and money, but it can prove invaluable in your job hunt.

Are you currently pursuing a degree, or want to get started? What path would you choose? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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