We’re still in a job seekers’ market, which means that there are more job opportunities available than qualified applicants to fill them. This means that job seekers can afford to be a bit pickier when choosing the company they want to work for.
We want to know what is most attractive to you when looking for a new job opportunity. Is it competitive pay? Generous benefits? Or maybe something else? Let us know by voting in our poll! (more…)
A whopping 82% of companies expect to face hiring challenges over the next year, leaving plenty of opportunities for workers with the right skills.
The biggest issue finding those workers is increased competition in the job market, followed by the available talent pool not matching company’s needs, and trouble assessing candidates’ skills during the hiring process. This is according to a new poll from The Harris Poll which was commissioned by Express Employment Professionals. (more…)
A new year brings a lot of excitement with it—including setting New Year’s resolutions or goals to make the most of the year ahead.
In December, we asked our Movin’ On Up readers what they predict the job market will look like in 2017, and the responses were very encouraging! A total of 28% of respondents said the job market was looking up for the new year, and they are definitely getting a job offer or promotion this year. Twenty-five percent aren’t as enthusiastic about the job market, but feel that it’s good enough to test the waters and see what’s out there for them.
Other results include:
In addition, 14% of readers selected “other” and cited the following reasons:
Start Networking
For those who are ready to get a job offer or promotion in 2017, the first of the year is a great time to start networking with your end goal in mind. Since a lot of people are just returning from holiday vacation, take the time to pick up the phone or send a handwritten letter to your professional contacts and ask them to lunch. Then, you can catch up and let them know you are interested in making a career change in the near future.
Also, consider joining local professional organizations this year. This could be a great opportunity to expand your professional circle and make some new friends along the way.
What are your job market predictions in 2017? Let us know in the comments below!
Each 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:”
“Things are going to get worse before they get better.”
“I’m definitely getting a job offer or promotion this year.”
“I’m staying where I am. I don’t expect things to get better.”
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.
If you haven’t noticed, the job market is changing. From a renewed emphasis on high-skilled jobs, like machine operators and registered nurses, to the growing number of opportunities for freelance work, there’s no doubt that the traditional path to career success has transformed.
For many, the route to achieving their dreams will be through entrepreneurship. The question for anyone considering making the jump to being a business owner is simple: Do I have what it takes?
Knowledge
Starting a business from the ground up is difficult enough, but if you don’t have knowledge about the product, service, or industry that you are getting into, the odds are increasingly against you. One of the wisest investments to make during the initial stages of entrepreneurship is growing your knowledge of the venture you’re about to undertake.
Whether that is learning more about the process of starting a small business, including loans and any licenses needed, or discovering how franchising works, having a solid foundation of information is fundamental to your success.
Do you understand everything there is to know about the product you’d like to sell or the problem you’d like to solve? If not, it’s probably not the right time to invest the energy and money needed to become an entrepreneur.
Passion
No matter the business you want to begin, you’re going to need an almost reckless desire to make it happen. With purpose and a passion to succeed, you’ll be able to overcome the various obstacles and trials that will come your way. Without that desire, the road to entrepreneurial success will be a dead end and leave you with a bitter taste in your mouth and a sense of failure.
There may be people in your life, even close family and friends, who think you’re crazy for taking this leap into the unknown. But, if you begin the journey with an unrelenting desire to see your idea through to the end, there’s no one who can stop you from achieving your dream.
One surprising reason the most successful entrepreneurs have a genuine passion for what they do: failure.
No matter the industry or the time period, from Henry Ford to Colonel Sanders to Soichiro Honda to Richard Branson to Oprah Winfrey to Elon Musk, the passion-filled pursuit of success through the adversity of failure has led the world’s greatest entrepreneurs to their accomplishments.
Support
Finally, one of the most common denominators among entrepreneurs who have what it takes is a support system. This group of people and the organizations that surround you during the entrepreneurial process play a vital role in both your short and long-term success.
Whether it’s a spouse who puts their trust in you, a friend who invests money in your venture, or a mentor who has been through this already, each are an important member of your support team. Not only are they needed to help you get through the challenges of starting your own business, but the saying really is true, ”Victories taste much sweeter when they are experienced with others.”
Find out if you’re ready to become an entrepreneur and which path is right for you. Check out this quiz from the Express Franchising blog.
Have you ever considered starting your own business? Are you currently an entrepreneur? Let us know in the comments section below.
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
With 2015 coming to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year and look forward to a new one too. Last year, we asked Movin’ On Up readers what they predict the job market to look like in 2015, and 35% said they believed the market was stable enough to try for a new job, followed by 27% who reported the market was going to get worse before it got better. Readers who were confident they’d get a job offer in 2015 made up 17% of respondents, while 11% planned to stay where they were in their career paths.
This year, as we look toward 2016, 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 2016? Let us know by voting in our poll!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
With 2014 coming to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year and look forward to a new one too. Last December, we asked Movin’ On Up readers what they predict the job market to look like in 2014, and 36% said they expected things to get worse, followed by 23% who felt the market was stable enough to try for a new job. Readers who were confident they’d get a job offer in 2014 made up 19% of respondents, while 13% planned to stay where they were in their career paths.
This year, as we look toward 2015, 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 2015? Let us know by voting in our poll!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
