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How To Love Your Job, Even On Mondays

By Job Journey on Wednesday, February 4, 2015

During the month of February, there is a lot of talk about love. But anyone who’s been in a relationship for a long period of time can tell you that there is a point where love becomes a choice. When the butterflies and honeymoon phases fade away, that’s where the work begins. And loving your job is no different.

The idea of someone loving their job can seem like a far-fetched dream. But the good news is that it just requires a person to keep working at it. “You don’t have to quit,” encourages a Fast Company article. “It is possible to rekindle that old spark.” Here are three helpful tips to keep your love for your job alive, even on Mondays.

Make a List
Every job has positive aspects to it, even if they don’t immediately come to mind. Take a few minutes and list out the good things about your job. Do you have fun co-workers, bring home a paycheck, have health insurance, or enjoy your projects? If the answer is yes, write it down. What about a flexible schedule, holidays off, travel opportunities, or an up-to-date computer? Those are all positives too.

Once you have some items on your list, post it where you can easily see it. You can always add more to it whenever you discover another aspect of your job you love. Then, when you’re having a tough start to the week or just struggling with liking your job, you can read through the list and give your attitude a boost.

Discover What You Can Change
As a Forbes article about loving your job pointed out, “boredom is often at the root of unhappiness at work.” It’s up to you to discover what areas you’re dissatisfied or bored with, and then map out a way to make some changes. “Challenge yourself to look for one area that would give you more joy at work and then make it happen.” It could be as simple as rearranging, decluttering, and decorating your desk space. Or perhaps it might be training yourself to do one of your tasks more effectively. Another aspect of this is seeking out new responsibilities. Forbes recommends that you “keep your ear to the ground to get the scoop on positions opening up or emerging projects — even if they’re short-term. Then throw your name into the hat.”

Remember Your End Goal
In the day-to-day distractions, it’s easy to forget your bigger purpose. But think back to when you first took this job. Most likely you were excited, and that’s probably because the job was a step toward a goal. Whatever that goal was – money to buy a house, getting your foot in the door at a great company, learning more about an industry that interests you – try and remember it. You’re at your job for a reason, and while this particular stretch of your journey may not be your favorite, take joy in the fact that you’re at least working toward your goal.

No one wants to be in a job they hate. After all, if you’re going to spend the majority of your waking hours at work, life will be much more enjoyable if you love your job. And that’s not an unrealistic dream. “Loving work is not as much a pipe dream as winning the lottery – it’s something far easier to achieve,” the Inc. article explains. “Loving your job is a skill and a practice,” so all you have to do is work at it.

What tips do you have for enjoying your job? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

Workplace Relationships

Be a Mentor at Any Age

By Job Journey on Friday, January 16, 2015

Did you ever have a teacher or a friend who – no matter what happened – believed in you and wanted you to succeed?

Did that person give you advice, encouragement, and guidance? Did you look up to that person and become better thanks to the attention they gave you?

If so, you are probably one of many people who had a mentor!

Mentors are invaluable, and many people have had one at some time in their life. The best part is that you’re never too young to be a mentor. High school students, middle-school students, college-aged youth, and young professionals can be a mentor to someone else.

What is a Mentor?
A mentor is usually someone older than the person being mentored, who takes a personal interest in the success and well-being of another. They not only share knowledge, skills, and experience, but also discuss new ideas and help the mentee work out solutions on their own and with guidance.

A mentor challenges, protects, offers support, shows patience, and is enthusiastic about helping their mentee grow and be successful.

While those qualities may seem a bit overwhelming, it’s important to know that anybody can be a mentor, no matter what the age. Even students still in high school can start mentoring by reaching out to someone younger. The mentor should ask questions about what is important to the mentee, and above all, should be a cheerleader for that person by boosting their confidence and leading them to success.

What Does a Mentor Do?
Some examples of what a mentor does include:

Provides the same type of help that you do in everyday life. If you naturally “help others,” you can use those same practices in a mentorship role.
Provides information and advice based on your own ideas, successes, and experience.
Encourages others to take positive risks and have a positive and healthy outlook.
Offers honest and constructive feedback.
Helps with planning or thinking through a problem or challenge.
Listens to the concerns, points of view, and dreams of the mentee.
Shares different views and ways of thinking.
Introduces that person to others who can help and advocate on their behalf.

Why Be a Mentor?
Being a mentor doesn’t just help the mentee. It is also a chance to look at yourself more closely and explore your own opportunities.

You have the chance to become more successful and confident as you instill those qualities in another person. You’ll also become more open to reaching out to your own mentors who can help you succeed in school, college, or your career.

By mentoring, you improve your personal and professional responsibilities as you learn, grow and become more accountable to others. As you model the professional and personal values that others admire, you will teach them how to live up to those values.

In terms of leadership, you can’t go wrong with becoming a mentor. Talk to your school’s counselor or company’s HR department about how to become a mentor. It’s a move that can help you – and someone else – succeed!

Have you ever been a mentor? Did you have someone special who helped you? Share your stories in the comments section below.

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

Ask a Recruiter

“Ask a Recruiter” Advice Column Coming Soon

By Job Journey on Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Here on the Movin’ On Up blog, we strive to provide readers with useful, timely, and informative content that can help improve job searches, interviews, resumes, and more. While it’s our goal to help job seekers better prepare for their job search, we know that we can’t always answer all of your questions. That’s why we’re introducing our new column, “Ask a Recruiter.”

Like advice columns you may find in newspapers and magazines, “Ask a Recruiter” will feature questions asked by Movin’ On Up readers. Those questions will be answered by a panel of industry experts, from recruiters to staffing consultants, and posted right here on the blog.

The first “Ask a Recruiter” column will be featured soon, but first we need questions from you! Do you have any questions about the job search, hiring, or recruiting process? Is there something about resumes, interviews, or networking that confuses you? Now’s your chance to have your question answered by industry professionals who find, interview, and hire people every day.

Ask your question in the comments section below and check back soon to read what our experts have to say!

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

Career Advancement

8 Keys for Success in 2015: Tips for Living a Peak Performer’s Life

By Job Journey on Monday, January 12, 2015

Are you looking for success in 2015? What does success mean for you? Maybe it’s finding a new job, getting a promotion, or switching careers. Whatever your goal is this year, it’s important that you have the motivation and tools to achieve it. According to former professional basketball player and motivational speaker Walter Bond, there are eight keys to success that can help you be your best in 2015.

“What I want to do right now is be your friend and I want to give you some great information to make sure your new year is awesome,” Walter says. “I want you to take everything about your life to the next level.”

As part of his year-long series of motivational messages, Walter Bond discusses the importance of positive self-talk, prioritizing your goals, owning your mistakes, continuing to learn, and more. Check out the full message below.

Which of Walter’s eight keys to success resonates most for you? What are you doing to help you reach your goals this year? Let us know in the comments section below.

About Walter Bond
A former professional basketball player, Walter Bond’s NBA career included 153 games with the Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, and Detroit Pistons. Now, Walter takes what he learned from his life on the court and translates it into motivational and educational messages for thriving businesses and careers. With entertaining and dynamic messages, Walter has spoken to companies and associations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.

For more information about Walter Bond, visit WalterBond.com .

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

Career Advancement

5 Traits of a Great Mentor

By Job Journey on Wednesday, January 7, 2015

The concept of having a mentor to help you in your career and professional growth is nothing new. In fact, it’s common to hear of everyone from doctors and lawyers to teachers and entrepreneurs having a mentor. But, the mentorships of today may look different from what you anticipated or remembered.

A Huffington Post article defines mentoring as a “partnership where a ‘mentee’ is assigned to a more experienced ‘mentor’, who passes on valuable aspects of their own accumulated experience and wisdom for the benefit of the mentee’s personal and professional development.” However, as the same article explains, mentoring has evolved and often both individuals play the roles of mentor and mentee. For instance, now “mentors gain an understanding of the world view of another generation and equally, mentees can help senior colleagues to see new perspectives and shifts in societal behavior, for instance, the growing importance of social networks.”

So if you’re on a quest to find the right mentor, you need to sit up and pay attention. This shake-up in the roles and expectations associated with mentoring affects what you should look for in a mentor. Not only do you need to consider if someone will be a good mentor in the traditional sense, you also need to contemplate if the person will be a good “student.” To help you sift through your options, here are five traits that set a great mentor apart.

Listener
A mentoring relationship is based on communication, and the most important aspect of communication is listening. You want a mentor who understands the difference between hearing and listening – someone who strives to understand what you’re trying to say. This is crucial when you’re trying to describe a situation in order to get their input, as well as when you’re trying to explain a new concept, such as social media.

Young At Heart
There are some people who have always been old at heart, while there are others who will always be young at heart. When you’re looking for a mentor, find someone who is the latter. Certainly, if you’re helping your mentor understand the differences in work culture or between the generations, it will make your job easier. But, it will also help mentors relate to you and give better advice if they remember what it was like to be young.

Courageous
It takes a courageous person to open up and be honest at the level required for a truly successful mentorship. But even beyond that, you need to find a mentor who has had some major career failures and yet still had the courage to keep trying. The more mistakes someone has bounced back from, the more experience they’ll have to share and the more helpful they’ll be as a mentor. Plus, this will be the kind of mentor who isn’t afraid to ask questions and learn new things from you.

Teachable
If you want to get the most out of a mentoring relationship – with both of you giving and taking – you want a mentor who is teachable. While a know-it-all advisor might be helpful for a while, you’ll soon get tired of the attitude and start wishing for someone more open minded. This is something you really want to pinpoint because it ultimately goes back to expectations. Does your mentor just want to give you advice and tell you what to do? Or does your mentor want a reciprocal relationship so he or she can learn new things from you too?

Curious
Inquisitive people are generally successful people, which is exactly what you want in a mentor. You need someone who is curious about your life and wants to know how to help. A naturally curious person will encourage your own curiosity and push you to never stop learning. That need-to-know drive will also ensure the mentorship is a two-way relationship, with your mentor learning from you as well.

Mentoring is no longer the one-way street it once was. An article from Forbes echoes the same sentiment and explains that, “Effective mentorship relationships enrich both people.” So make sure you keep that in mind as you seek out a mentor. A great mentor will also make a great mentee.

Do you have a trusted mentor you go to for advice? What do you find valuable about that relationship? Share with us in the comments section below!

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

Job Interviews

Three Sure Signs Your Interview Went Well

By Job Journey on Monday, July 14, 2014

The moment you walk out of a job interview, there’s usually only one thing on your mind: How did it go? Sometimes you may feel like you nailed it, other times you may feel like you crashed and burned, and other times you may not have a clue how it really went.

There is no exact science to determining what an interviewer thought of you and if you’ll be offered the job, but there are some indicators that signal you made the cut. Watch for three signs to decipher if the interview really did go well.

1. The interview lasts longer than expected.
Interviewing you is most likely not the only responsibility on the interviewer’s plate. In fact, it was probably added on top of a very long to-do list, so you should feel proud, and hopeful, if the hiring manager spends extra time with you. Taking the time to go beyond the superficial, checklist questions to ask more insightful follow-up questions means the potential employer is truly interested in what you have to offer. Carolina Ceniza-Levine, an author and career-coach, told CBS News that it’s also a good sign when interviewers “ask for their calls to be held or for a later appointment to be pushed back in order to focus solely on you.”

2. They schedule a second interview.
The same principle from the first sign applies to the second – time is valuable. As Justin Honaman, director at Coca-Cola Customer Business Solutions, told CareerBuilder, “The hiring manager does not want to waste any more time interviewing you if you are not a fit. (An) invitation to the next round is a win!” An employer isn’t going to waste anyone’s time by going through another interview for no reason. And, if they schedule your second interview before your first interview is even over, you know they’re interested and eager to learn more.

3. Your references get called.
Once you find out that a potential employer has contacted your references, you can pat yourself on the back for being at the top of their list. Hiring managers won’t make the effort or take the time to contact references unless they’ve narrowed down the field to a few candidates and are nearing a decision. “A firm will not spend the time to do background checks and talk with references if you are out of the candidate pool,” agrees Honaman. Often, doing those final checks is simply the last step for wrapping up loose ends prior to making a job offer.

So much energy goes into preparing for an interview, and then afterwards you’re left to wonder how it went and mull over what you wish you’d done differently. A word of warning, though – don’t spend too much time worrying about how it went. Instead, use that time wisely by making a list of things you did right and things you could do differently next time. Or, stop and go over the questions that may have stumped you. Now that you have time to think about them, prepare some answers for next time. And, don’t forget to send thank you notes to continue making a good impression.

Have you found these three signs to be true in your interviewing and job hunt experiences? What other signs have you discovered that are good indicators of how an interview went? Please share your experiences with us in the comments section below.

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

Job Interviews Resume Boot Camp Resumes and Cover Letters

The Resume Issue: Our Top Resume Advice

By Job Journey on Monday, June 30, 2014

Over the years on Movin’ On Up, we’ve offered a lot of advice to job seekers and those new to the career world. And oftentimes, we choose to write about resumes, because they’re a very important element in landing your next job. Your resume is usually the first impression and can make or break your chances at landing that dream job. So, we’ve compiled a list of our top resume-related articles to help you set yourself apart.

30 Power Words to Power Up Your Resume and Boost Your Job Search
When you’re looking for a job, it’s important to make sure your resume stands out among the sea of other applicants. One way to help you get noticed is by enhancing your resume with words that pack a punch. Using words that convey work ethic, positive attitude, and communication skills can help your resume stand out for the right reasons. Powering up the vocabulary in your resume may be just the thing your job search needs, so check out these 30 power words to boost your resume and job search.

3 Times When a Functional Resume is Your Best Bet
Sure, everyone would love to get their foot in the door of a company so they can personally introduce themselves. But in reality, it’s just not always possible. Instead, you have to find a way to get ahead of the competition without actually meeting a hiring manager. And, one of the best ways to do that is with your resume. With so many styles of resumes out there, it’s important to find the right one to complement your work history and skill sets. Sometimes, that right choice is a functional resume. Here are three times when a functional resume is your best bet.

Creating an Organic Resume
When you think of “organic,” you probably think of food. If something is labeled organic, it simply means there are no added ingredients, artificial chemicals, or hormones. And, just like organic food doesn’t have any additives, neither should your resume. It’s important to make sure your resume has exactly what the hiring manager wants to see, so cut the additives, highlight a few skills, and format your resume for a great presentation. By applying some simple organic concepts to your resume, you can help yourself stand out to hiring managers.

Lucky Words for Your Resume
A hiring manager will look over a resume for only six seconds on average. If they don’t see something that stands out, you may not end up landing an interview. Employers are not only looking for skills on your resume, but also for certifications, degrees, job titles, and company names. So, be sure to use keywords that highlight your experience, personality, and abilities. If you want a better chance at landing that next job interview, consider using some of these lucky words in your resume.

5 Resume Resolutions to Keep in 2014
It doesn’t have to be a new year to start making goals and sticking to them. If one of your goals is to get a new job, explore a new career path, or land a promotion, it’s important to focus on the smaller steps that will lead to your goal. Keeping your resume updated, making sure your references are accurate, and checking your resume and cover letter for grammar mistakes are a few of the ways you can help ensure your big picture goal stays on track. And, at the halfway point in the calendar year, there’s no better time to make your resolutions a reality. So, check out these 5 resume resolutions to keep in 2014.

Making sure you have an effective, clean, and practical resume can help you get noticed by hiring managers and recruiters who will decide whether or not you’ll get an interview. So, keep these tips in mind when you create your resume to increase your chances of landing that next big interview.

What tips do you have for creating a strong, effective resume? Share with us in the comments section below!

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