Express Employment Professionals

Home/ Express Employment Professionals

Tag Archives: Express Employment Professionals

Facebook and the Job Search

By leidson on Monday, November 18, 2013

A recent CareerBuilder study shows three out of five companies use social media to screen potential candidates during the hiring process. Of those companies, 43 percent said they have found information that factored into their decision not to hire a candidate. This information shows just how important your social media profile is in the job searching process. From the moment you start looking for a job and throughout your career, your social media profiles can be important in finding and keeping a job.

Secure Your Facebook

With 1.2 billion active monthly Facebook users who can easily use the new Graph Search tool to see every picture you’ve posted or learn about you, it’s smart to make sure that what you post is seen only by who you want to see it, not by the world. If you click the privacy button in the top right corner of your Facebook home page you can customize your security and privacy settings, which lets you share your life and all your information with friends and everyone else, or keep it all private.

Clean Up Your Facebook

View the updates you’ve recently shared and remove anything that could be controversial or questionable if viewed by a potential future employer. If you have inappropriate content, remove it, because it can affect whether or not you’re considered for a job.

Keep it Professional

Maybe this whole concept of using Facebook and social media in the job search is foreign to you, or maybe you’ve been using social media for a while for personal use, staying in touch with friends, or to further your career. For whatever reason, it is in your best interest to keep your social media sites as professional as possible, because you never know when an interested employer could be researching you.

Has Facebook helped you land a job, or has it hurt your job search or worse, got you fired? Share with us in the comments section below.

At Work Uncategorized

What to Do When You Don’t Like Your Boss

By leidson on Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Today is Boss’ day, and employees everywhere are finding little ways to show their boss how much they appreciate their guidance and leadership.

How it All Started

According to Wikipedia, Boss’ day was started by an employee named Patricia Haroski who happened to work for her father in Deerfield, Illinois. On his birthday, Oct. 16, she wanted to celebrate her dad/boss and let him know how much she appreciated him so in 1958, she registered “National Boss’s Day” with the U.S.Chamber of Commerce and four years later it became an official holiday that is recognized on Oct. 16 every year in the U.S. and Canada.
Patricia’s effort surely made her dad proud, but for some of us Boss’ day can feel a lot like the workplace version of Valentine’s Day. It’s great if you have a manager you love but what do you do if you don’t even like your boss?

Not a Fan of Your Boss? You’re Not Alone

Some of you are thinking “I really don’t like my boss and don’t exactly want to celebrate this day.” You’re not the only one that doesn’t feel like your boss deserves a national holiday dedicated to them. The 2013 State of the American Workplace report from Gallup showed that 70% of survey respondents either hated their jobs or were completely disengaged citing awful bosses as one of their biggest complaints.

The key to getting through Boss’ day or any other workday with a manager you don’t really like is to focus on the positives. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, so look for the strengths in your boss and let them know what you do appreciate about them. You never know, it could actually help change some things around the office. And if you can’t find any, use this opportunity as a chance to learn what not to do in your own career.

If you don’t like your boss, look at today as a chance to build a better relationship. Make an effort to really understand what makes your supervisor or manager tick. What could you be doing differently to help? Today is the day to start. That’s really the best gift you can give today.

The Job Search Uncategorized Work/Life Balance

The Cost of a College Education

By leidson on Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Gust Post: Marcela De Vivo

It seems like no matter how good the job market is, it’s still nearly impossible to sail through the interview process and land the job of your dreams. Between never knowing what employers really want, and making yourself memorable among all the competition, getting a job can be brutal. But what might be even more difficult is actually earning a degree that will help you get noticed. A college degree is quickly becoming a necessity in the job world, but when college is so expensive, what should you do?

Unfortunately, far too many students borrow money, and suddenly, they are so deep in loan debt, they can’t even see past their next paycheck. Studies have shown that 37 million people in America carry debt that they accumulated in college, due to the amount of loans they took out. Without being educated on a better financial plan to pay for college, students get stuck with debt they have no way of paying back. So, before you jump into the world of loans, educate yourself on the cost of a college education. It’s always better to be informed.

New Job Tips The Job Search Uncategorized

Is It Time for a New Job?

By leidson on Monday, September 23, 2013

Earlier this year, Inc. Magazine reported that 86% of employees plan to search for a new job in 2013. Maybe you’re in that 86% majority. Or maybe you’re in the 14% who aren’t actively seeking other employment but wondering if you should be. Either way, before you commit your time and energy to a new job hunt, you need to know if it’s the right time for a change.

Any time you change employers, there are a lot of factors involved. Changing jobs means you’re entering into a brand new environment with new people, new expectations, rules, responsibilities, and a new culture. You’ll want to make sure you’re leaving your current job for the right reasons.

You’re Ready for Career Growth
When it comes to your career, you should be in the driver’s seat, so it’s important to know when you’re on the right path and when you’ve taken a detour. If your desire is to move up into a management position and you feel you’re ready to go to the next level, try having a conversation with your current manager or boss and let them know your goals. Remember, communication is key. Before leaving any company it’s important to understand your options. If you are unhappy and stressed out all the time maybe some things need to change. Don’t mistake being stressed out for being burned out. Here are a few scenarios to help you determine the difference. If you find there is no room for growth, it may be time to find something new. As you’re looking, just remember to continue to find ways to grow your knowledge and skills no matter where you are. The same goes for when you want new responsibilities, to move into another area of work, or receive a fair compensation increase. Always be sure you’ve communicated with your employer about your desire, and not just assumed something’s not possible.

You’re Experiencing Toxic Relationships
The people you work with every day can make or break a job. No matter where you work, there may be conflict from time to time, so you shouldn’t decide to leave just because you don’t get along with someone. But, if the overall attitudes of your coworkers are negative, or you have a bad boss, it may be time to consider moving on. Relationships play a big role in how engaged, fulfilled, and happy you are in your workplace.

You Don’t Feel It’s a Good Culture Fit
How you mesh with your employer’s culture, including their values, work pace, and expectations, is another important factor in charting your career plan. If you’re finding yourself constantly at odds or frustrated with your company, ask yourself a question. Have you changed, has the employer changed, or has it always been this way? If something has changed recently, like a shift in what you value in an employer or a change in direction from corporate leadership, then you need to weigh the pros and cons of leaving. If nothing’s changed, and you came on board with the company knowing about your differences, then try thinking back and remembering why you took the job in the first place. This will help you make the best decision, whatever it may be.

Changing jobs can be exciting, rewarding, and a great step for your career, but breaking up with your employer isn’t something to be taken lightly. You should always check your motives. If you’re sure that you’re doing the right thing, go ahead. Just remember to not burn any bridges along the way because you never know where they can lead, stay classy.

How did you know it was time to change jobs? Share your story below.

Career Options The Job Search Uncategorized

Staffing Week – The Role of Staffing Companies and Employment

By leidson on Monday, September 16, 2013

Did you know 11.5 million temporary and contract employees are hired by U.S. staffing firms over the course of a year? Sept. 16-22 is National Staffing Employee Week and we think it’s a great time to look at the impact of this industry. Temporary and contract work can lead job seekers to the possibility of full time employment, because workers can try out a prospective employer and showcase their skills for a full time job. Many people choose temporary and contract work as an employment option. They can select their work schedules and choose among a variety of diverse and challenging assignments. The staffing industry also provides free training for millions of temporary and contract employees to help meet today’s demand for skilled workers. Express also celebrates this annual week by announcing our Employee of the Year recipients.

Staffing Statistics

In a year-over-year comparison of the payroll period Aug. 19–25, 2013, the American Staffing Association (ASA) reported that staffing employment is up 4.5%! Since the beginning of 2013, staffing employment has increased 11.7%. In 2012, staffing companies employed an average of 2.91 million temporary and contract workers per day, according to the ASA. Not only do staffing companies offer jobs in virtually all fields of work, from day labor to executive placements, staffing companies also provide scheduling and occupational flexibility, an opportunity for full time employment, choice of assignments, and training. For more information on the role of staffing companies and employment check this out.

Associates of the Month At Work Career Advancement Contests Leadership National Staffing Week

Congratulations Employee of the Year Winners!

By mrsmith on Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Every year, Express Employment Professionals searches North America for the best of the best associates. Across the U.S. and Canada, stories submitted by Express offices and their clients are judged and selected through three rounds of committees. Awarding Express associates at a state, regional, and national level, these employees exude many characteristics that earned them this prestigious award. This year, 43 winners were named and on Wednesday, Sept. 4, their stories will be shared with the world.

Our 2013 winners were judged on multiple factors, including skills development, reliability, honesty, and many more traits that define a “Character of Excellence.” Their stories are just a small insight into what it means to be an exemplary Express associate. Visit ExpressPros.com/EOY to read the bios of Express 2013 Employees of the Year.

Career Advancement Job Interviews Resumes and Cover Letters The Daily Grind The Job Search

What’s Missing From Your Résumé?

By Miranda Wilson on Monday, January 10, 2011

Do you ever wonder what goes through someone’s mind when they read your résumé? Are elements missing? Could your work history information be explained better? Employers are good at evaluating résumés because they’ve seen so many and have done it for a long time. To help you design a résumé that gets a second look, here are five standout tips.

1. Include a brief summary. Who are you and why should an employer be interested? Highlight your skills and abilities at the beginning of your résumé. The key is to tell the employer why the company should hire you – or what you can bring to the team. Share information like years of experience you have and highlight two or three of your skills. Be specific and keep your résumé summary to about two sentences. Use this as a quick way to grab an employer’s attention and encourage further reading.

2. Don’t be overly wordy. Using more words on your résumé will not necessarily make you look more impressive to a potential employer. They don’t have a lot of time to devote to reading a lengthy document – instead they’re scanning for what stands out. Since you won’t have a lot of time to impress them, be sure to catch their attention quickly. Be clear, concise, and get to the point.

3. Be honest. In other words, don’t say you have five years of experience in something if you don’t. It’s always in your best interest to be truthful because an employer will find out. Employers are being more and more cautious about hiring. They’re not only checking your references, but they’re also searching for information online. Make sure you’re honest and upfront.

4. Identify your results. Employers are more interested in your impact than your job duties, so include quantifiable information on your résumé to identify your accomplishments. Don’t just tell an employer what your responsibilities have been, but also identify how you’ve made a difference. For instance, if you’ve previously helped raise funds for something, tell how much money you received. If you created a system for streamlining your company’s printing process, tell how much time and money you saved the company. Also, if you’ve managed individuals, specify exactly how many.

5. Brag a little. If you’ve won an award or received a certificate for a job well done, make sure you share it on your résumé. Now is your chance to let others know why you’re amazing and the right person for the job. Create a short section at the end of your résumé and title it “Accomplishments.” Then, list out a few of your greatest achievements.

Creating a résumé isn’t a difficult process, but it does take a little strategizing and time. Block off some time on your calendar to focus on yours, and use these tips and others from our Résumé Boot Camp to ensure that yours isn’t missing something it needs.