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Tips for Making a Career Path

By Job Journey on Monday, June 22, 2015

The Job Genius program from Express Employment Professionals is an educational video series that offers insights on the job market and how to get a job. The video series includes information on everything from writing your resume to finding job opportunities, interviewing, and more.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, someone who has been out of the workforce for a while, or are just looking to change your career, knowing the path you’d like to travel can make a world of difference. As you advance in your career, it’s important to know what you want out of employment. Do you want to move into a leadership role? Or, do you want to find work that allows you more time at home? After you answer questions like these, take a look at your career objectives, knowledge, education, and resources. Then, start making goals that will help you make a plan for your career.

To begin establishing your career path, check out the Job Genius video below for more information on evaluating your skills, furthering your education, and more.

To check out other videos in this educational series, visit ExpressPros.com/JobGenius.

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

Reader Surveys

The Results Are In: How Soon After Graduation Did You Get a Job?

By Job Journey on Monday, May 11, 2015

Education and experience are hot topics when it comes to your chances of finding a job. Since professional opinions are mixed on whether or not your education plays a primary role in your search for employment, we asked Movin’ On Up readers how soon after graduation they secured a job.

What the Survey Revealed
With 167 votes, the survey revealed that 27% of readers were hired immediately, or even had a job lined up before graduation. The rest of the respondents who found work after graduation reported their time table as follows:

Less than three months – 15%
Three to six months – 10%
Six months to a year – 11%
More than a year – 14%

While the largest majority of readers found a job immediately after or before graduation, those who found work a few months after graduation were mixed in their responses. According to the results of the survey, it could take anywhere from one month to one year to secure a job after earning your degree.

Additionally, 16%, the second largest group of respondents to our poll, reported that they are still looking for a job after graduation.

Respondents could also select the “Other” option and provide their own responses to the poll. Of the 7% who selected “Other,” responses included:

I got hired before finishing my degree
I went to USMC Boot Camp the next day
Three years
Seven years
10 years
15 years and still looking
I found work, but not in my field

Keep Focusing On Your Goals
The results of the poll are a mixture of graduates who found work right away and those who are still looking after several years. While it’s easy to feel discouraged by long job searches, it’s important not to give up. Recent surveys from universities and other institutions suggest that hiring is on the rise for recent graduates, and there are ways you can help yourself stand out from the competition.

If you got a job after graduation, what tips do you have for other recent graduates? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

The Job Search

The Power of Investing: Tips for Living a Peak Performer’s Life

By Job Journey on Monday, April 13, 2015

There is more to investments than just money. When it comes to your career, you can invest in your job search, your education, and your experience. And according to former professional basketball player and motivational speaker Walter Bond, solid investors understand that they have to be patient with their investments. Reaching your goals takes time and commitment, so do your homework and consider your options before you invest. Walter also advises not to invest all you have into one option. Finding a job takes effort and time, so make sure you’re investing your hard work into more than one opportunity. How much you put into your job search and career goals impacts how much you’ll take away in the end.

“There are two kinds of people we need to consider – there are producers and there are consumers. Producers are the people we call ‘haves.’ Consumers are the people we call ‘have-nots.’ So, ask yourself the question, ‘What group do I want to be in?’”

As part of his year-long series of motivational messages, Walter Bond discusses the importance of patience, solid investments, perseverance, and more. Check out the full message below.

How has the power of investing affected your career and job search? 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

Vision Takes Courage: Tips for Living a Peak Performer’s Life

By Job Journey on Monday, November 10, 2014

Do you have a vision or dream you want to turn into reality? Is your goal of landing a great job something you need to see happen, and quickly? For job seekers, having a strong vision for their careers can sometimes be hindered by life’s roadblocks, from too much competition to a lack of available jobs.

According to former professional basketball player and motivational speaker Walter Bond, your goals don’t have to define where you are in your life. Even if your vision isn’t playing out exactly like you planned, don’t give up. “I want you to understand something very important, before you begin to pursue a new level of success, before you begin to pursue with vigor the next level of your life, your family, your company, your business,” Walter says, “I want you to celebrate where you are right now.”

As part of his year-long series of motivational messages, Walter Bond discusses the importance of courage, a fearless attitude, and perseverance when you’re trying to reach your goals. Check out Walter’s full message on vision and courage below.

Do you sometimes find yourself afraid to follow through with your vision? How do you overcome this hesitancy? Let us know in the comments section below!

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

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

Career Advancement

Mid-Year Check-Up: Prep for Your Annual Review Now

By Job Journey on Monday, July 21, 2014

Most companies have annual reviews with employees to help track progress and evaluate their performance. But, it can feel overwhelming to look back and remember all your accomplishments and struggles. After all, a lot can happen in 12 months. Right now, mid-way through the year, is the perfect time to do a little prep work for your future annual review.

Read Previous Reviews
The first place to start is with your previous review. Scanning any notes you took or documents your supervisor provided at your last annual review will help you recall specific goals or expectations that you set for the year. It may also help to review several of your past reviews so you have a good picture of your long-term growth.

Start Your List
Compile a complete list of your recent accomplishments and completed projects. Include information to help measure the success of your work. Also, jot down any accolades or training you’ve received so far. All of this will help you and your supervisor have an accurate picture of your performance this year.

Meet With Your Manager
If you don’t already meet regularly, explain to your supervisor that you’re doing a mid-year check-up and would like to meet with them within the next few weeks. During the meeting, ask for their feedback on your performance and accomplishments over the last six months. To avoid waiting until it’s too late, also ask if you need to change anything moving forward in the second half of the year to meet your annual goals.

Make a Plan
Once you have a good idea of what you’ve done and what you need to change, make a plan for the next six months. Write out any specific actions that you or your manager noted you need to take. If there are still training or performance goals that you haven’t met yet, outline how you’re going to accomplish them before your annual review.

Just because your employer doesn’t require or instigate a mid-year review doesn’t mean you should skip it. Spending a little time and effort this summer could make all the difference in how your review turns out at year’s-end. Plus, it can turn a dreaded experience into a positive one.

Does your employer conduct a mid-year review, or do you do one on your own? Have you found it to be helpful? Let us know what you think in the comments section.

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

At Work Career Advancement Career Options Job Interviews New Job Tips The Daily Grind The Job Search Work/Life Balance Workplace Relationships

Know When To Go – Job Change

By leidson on Friday, May 9, 2014

Everyone has moments when they wonder if it’s time to make a change and find a new job. But, if you find yourself constantly thinking of leaving your job and wishing you worked somewhere else, you probably need to do a little soul-searching. It may be time to try something new, or you may just have unrealistic expectations of your job.

Making a job change can be a great career move, but it’s not something you should take lightly. In order to know when to go, you need to take an honest look at your situation. Understanding your reasons for leaving will not only help you make a wise decision, but also ensure your future success wherever you work.

How’s Your Attitude?
There is no such thing as a stress-free job. Even the most passionate professionals can find themselves frustrated and stressed out. So don’t make a quick decision to change jobs when you’re emotional. Take the time to uncover if you are just stressed or have burned out. Also, see if making a conscious effort to have a positive attitude for a few weeks changes your perspective.

Are You Running Away From Someone?
Toxic coworkers or managers can ruin any job. However, there will always be difficult people in the workplace you don’t get along with. If you want to change jobs to get away from someone, consider if you’re dealing with a true toxic relationship or if it’s just a matter of personality difference. And, to be fair, you should also reflect on if you’ve played a part in creating the negative relationship and if there is a way you can turn things around.

Have You Maximized Your Current Job?
A lack of career development opportunities is a legitimate reason for leaving a job. However, it’s easy to mistakenly assume you’ve outgrown your current job and employer. Think through all your job responsibilities – have you mastered them all? If so, are there other skills you could learn in your department or in other departments? Sometimes lateral moves at your current workplace can offer the challenge and development you’re looking for, without the uncertainty and hassle associated with a new employer. This is also the time to decide if you want to be a job-hopper or a job-shopper.

Before you make the transition into job-hunting mode, take the time to consider why you want to change jobs. If you decide to leave, then you’ll already know some of the key things you’re looking for in a new job. And, if you decide to stay, you’ll know how to improve and be happy in your current job.

How do you know when to go? What do you look at when you’re considering changing jobs? Share your experiences with us in the comments section below.

At Work Career Advancement Career Options Job Interviews New Job Tips The Daily Grind The Job Search Work/Life Balance Workplace Relationships

How to Find Your Breakthrough

By leidson on Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Have you ever dreamed of having a great job, owning a company, or being a millionaire someday? Although we all want the best that life has to offer, our dreams won’t become a reality without hard work and unwavering determination, it doesn’t happen randomly or by accident. So, here are a few tips to help you along the way to your breakthrough.

We All Have to Start Somewhere

Steve Jobs is a perfect example of how hard work pays off, and his life story reminds us that we all have to start somewhere. After graduating high school, Jobs enrolled in college but dropped out right after his first semester. Throughout his life, Jobs struggled in school. But, he didn’t let that stop him from founding one of the world’s most innovative companies, Apple. Steve Jobs believed that every obstacle you encounter in life will prepare you for the future, and every aspect of the struggles we face will somehow help out down the road. His mindset was one of determination and grit. “Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards,” Jobs said. “So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

Know What You’re Good At

Before you get your foot in the door at a company and start trekking down your career path, you’ve got to know where you want to go and what you’re good at. So, how do you make your dreams of having a great job become reality? You’ve got to be intentional about your job choices. If you want to do website design, search for entry level jobs in an IT role. Whatever field you’re interested in, look for jobs where you can learn skills in that specific trade. Try to get the most out of each job by looking through a learning opportunity lens. Remember to know where you’re going and have an end goal in mind.

Don’t Give Up

At the end of the day most people are looking for that big break that will make them successful in their career, job search, and life, but most times it’s the first step that leads to the breakthrough. All you’ve got to do is work to reprogram your brain to become more positive, in order to gain a competitive edge at work and in the job search process. Don’t look at a job as a dead end, focus on what you can gain and experience to take away. Even negative or stressful situations can teach you. Take this lesson and apply it to any area of your life where you need a break-through or positive change. Don’t just wait for situations to change, begin today by taking empowered actions to bring the breakthrough you’ve needed.

Hard Work Pays Off

Zig Ziglar once said, “There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs.” This means we have to work to gain experience and the knowledge over the course of a career. And, even when you arrive at that dream job and achieve success, you have to continue to work hard. Honestly, big breaks don’t just happen; people make them happen through, hard work, determination, networking, courage, and passion.

How have you made changes and seen a breakthrough in your job search or at work? Let us know in the comments section below.

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