The job market changed across the country in 2020, with many job seekers having to change their approach to the hunt.
We wanted to know how difficult our readers expected finding a job to be in 2021, so we conducted a poll to find out. (more…)
The holiday gift-buying rush is upon us, and with it comes a perfect opportunity to find a seasonal job to bring in a little extra money.
Consumers spent more than $626.1 billion dollars during the winter holidays in 2015-2016, according to the National Retail Foundation, continuing an upward trend since 2008. In 2014, employers hired more than 700,000 employees to help offset the holiday rush, creating an almost 6% increase in employment during that time.
So what’s the best way to go about searching for a seasonal job? Follow the four tips below to get a jump start on your competition.
Look in the Right Places
Large retailers, such as Walmart and Target, offer the best opportunities for seasonal workers because of the variety of products they offer. But don’t neglect other niches outside of retail. Shipping companies also experience a large increase in volume during the holidays, allowing for several contract positions.
Beat the Competition
Start pounding the pavement now to look for that seasonal job. Companies are already planning for holiday hiring, and it pays to get on their radar early. You might also consider using a staffing company, such as Express Employment Professionals, as they often work with client companies that hire extra holiday help.
Be Prepared
When shopping around for jobs, be prepared to interview or fill out an application on the spot. Bring a pen, copies of your resume, proof of citizenship, and contact information for your professional references. Don’t forget to block off plenty of time to talk with a supervisor if you get the chance.
Be Flexible
Seasonal workers must be flexible to accommodate for extended store hours, and you don’t want to knock yourself out of the game by demanding a specific schedule.
Do you plan to look for seasonal work this holiday season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Summer is just around the corner, and it’s a great time to start searching for a job to fill your time off. Since summer jobs are important to build your resume and help you network, finding the right fit is essential. To get started on your job search, check out these four jobs that are popular during the summer months!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
More than six years after the Great Recession, there are many people still struggling to find work and provide for their family. Last month’s U.S. jobs report shows that 2.8 million people have been unemployed for more than six months.
Maybe you’re a part of the group that has struggled to find work for a long time, or perhaps you’ve been on the job search for less time, but haven’t had any leads or positive news on the prospects of work. This is undoubtedly a tough time, but it’s important to remember a few things during your difficult job search.
1. This won’t last forever.
It may seem like you’ll never find work and that there is little reason for hope. Don’t fall into that trap! One of the worst things that can happen to your job search is thinking negatively or being surrounded by people who are discouraging.
Take proactive steps to eliminate any talk or thoughts in your life that aren’t positive and always looking to the future. Remember that every no is getting you closer to a yes. With every application, networking connection made, and interview, you have something to learn and a way to improve.
2. Your identity isn’t found in a job.
This is a hard lesson to learn, but too often we let our jobs become how we identify our value or self-worth. Unfortunately, if you place your value in something that you can lose – like a job, a car, or a home – you’ll experience a very tough identity crisis when any of those are taken out of your life without your say.
The famous phrase, “Work to live, don’t live to work,” couldn’t be more true. When you find that next job, remember that this job, just like the last one, is not the determination of your value as a person. Friends and family, your community, or faith, are what provide value in your life.
So while you may not be working right now, when you do get that next job, work hard and learn as much as you can about the job and company. But don’t make the mistake of tying your identity to the work you do for 40 hours out of the 168 you have each week.
3. Don’t try to do this alone.
Think about the last job you had. Did you know someone who worked at the company? Maybe you had a friend who reviewed your resume before you submitted it to check for typos. Or, did you meet someone who knew about the job while you were at your friend’s birthday party?
If any of those are similar to your last experience while looking for work, why do you think it will be any different now? Finding a job is a full-time job itself, and very few people work by themselves. Let your already established network of friends and family help you connect with your next job opportunity. And if you haven’t worked with one already, reach out to a staffing company and let them use their network of business connections to help you find work.
4. A part-time or temporary job could be your entry into a full-time career.
Don’t be so quick to put down the idea of working a temporary job. Often, small businesses hire people on a temporary basis to see if they will be a good fit for the team before adding them on permanently.
The next time you see a listing for a part-time job in a field you are interested in, strongly consider applying and being ready to show you’re dependable and excited to learn new skills.
How do you remain positive during a tough job search? Share your tips in the comment section below.
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
Finding a job and scouring the job boards can often be a time-consuming, frustrating, and confusing ordeal. With hundreds of job boards online and even more want ads in the newspapers, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. Where do you even start? How do you know where to look? How do you avoid scam sites or “pay” sites?
We’ve compiled a list of helpful sites we think are the best places for job seekers to use their time wisely. While every job seeker is different and has different needs and priorities, these tools are a great place to start if you’re looking for a job.
1. Job Boards
General job boards can be a great place to kick off your search. We’ve included such popular sites as Monster.com, and CareerBuilder because they allow you to search jobs quickly and easily.
There’s also more niche-oriented sites. For example, Idealist.org is a job board dedicated to non-profit jobs. USAJobs is a job board with a huge list of federal job openings. Both are quality tools to help you if you want a job with the government or in the nonprofit realm. Be sure to check and see if there’s a nice specific job board for your industry.
2. LinkedIn
If you are actively looking for a job, you should already be on LinkedIn.
Why? For one, it is the largest professional social networking site in the world, boasting more than 175 million members in more than 200 countries.
Every second, two new members sign up, and more and more hiring managers are looking at LinkedIn profiles for potential candidates. According to Forbes.com, recruiters use LinkedIn more than any other website to connect with job candidates.
Even better is that it is free to use and a great place to show off your work history and qualifications!
3. Facebook and Twitter
Another way to use social media to get your foot in the door is to follow, like, or start conversations online with the companies where you’d like to work for. Commenting or “retweeting” comments from a potential employer on Twitter shows engagement, as does leaving comments or “liking” a post on that company’s Facebook page.
Other social media sites, like Instagram or Pinterest, also allow you to start engagement and conversations with potential employers. Just be careful of what you post – what you say online could stay there forever.
4. Professional Organizations
It’s been said a professional organization exists for every field, and the benefits of joining such organizations are many. Participating in a professional organization allows job seekers to learn from the experience of others, but also allows for top-notch networking opportunities.
By joining a professional group, you have the chance to connect with decision-makers in your industry and hear about job leads. Many of these groups, like the Public Relations Society of America or the Society for Human Resource Management, have extensive job boards that are open to members.
An added benefit of joining these groups is the potential to expand upon skills necessary to your particular field.
5. Recruiters and Staffing Firms
Recruiters and staffing firms like Express Employment Professionals work to bring the right employee and the right employers together. Whether you’re looking for a temporary or a professional position, working with a staffing firm is an easy way to improve your job search.
Staffing companies help match thousands of job seekers to jobs every day. And, the assistance doesn’t stop there. These firms also provide tools like resume writing help, job seeking tips, and job search tools.
And, if you’re new to Movin’ On Up, the Express Employment Professionals job blog, take advantage of the numerous articles and topics designed to help you in your quest for a perfect fit. Articles range from Top Interview Traits Your Future Boss Wants to See to How to Say Yes to a Summer Wardrobe and all topics in between.
Do you have some favorite job search tools that you use? Share with us in the comments section below.
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
When you interview with a prospective employer, you’re taught to put your best foot forward and present your best side. But what about when you go to a staffing company for help finding a job? Are you supposed to treat it like a real interview?
Interviewing with a staffing company is just like interviewing with any other potential employer. You must be prepared, professional, and informative.
Be Prepared. Before you go to an interview at a staffing agency, make sure your résumé and references are in order. If you’re looking for a job in a particular industry, make sure your résumé reflects that. Also, confirm that your contact information for your references, including phone numbers, job titles, and companies, are correct so your interviewer can quickly check references with your previous employers. You will make it easier for the staffing consultant to find you a job if you’re prepared for the interview with up-to-date and accurate information.
Be Professional. Even though you aren’t interviewing to work at the staffing company, you still want to act and dress appropriately. Staffing consultants make their recommendations to hiring companies based on your résumé, demeanor, and experience. So, make sure to wear your best interview attire and act professional.
Be Informative. The one slight difference between interviewing with a staffing agency and interviewing with a potential employer is the kind of information you tell the interviewer. During an interview at a staffing agency, it is OK to talk about the kinds of jobs you are and are not interested in and what types of employers you might like to work for. You can speak a little more freely in a staffing interview, but remember, you still need to be professional. Too much information about your personal business, past employers, or mistakes in the past can be a bad thing and could even decrease your chances of finding a satisfying career.
Interviewing at a staffing company can be a great way to find a job, but you have to treat it like any other job opportunity. Being prepared, professional, and informative is essential in getting the most out of your staffing company interview experience.
Have a question? Share it in the comments section.