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Resolve to Land a Job This Year

By Job Journey on Monday, January 16, 2017

Resolutions can be great for personal and professional growth, but only if they are commitments that you truly want to see accomplished. You’ve probably heard the statistics, but it’s worth repeating: according to the University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology, just 8% of people achieve their resolutions and less than half make it past the first six months of the year.

Of all the New Year’s resolutions you can make this year, landing a new job could be at the top of your list. With the economy recovering and employers becoming more and more optimistic about their prospects for the future, 2017 has the potential to be the year for job seekers.

But which resolutions can you make to help you get a new job this year?

1. Grow Your Network

Whether you are currently working and looking for a new opportunity, just getting out school and looking for your first full-time job, or have been on the job hunt for a while, you have access to a bigger network than you may realize.

If you sat down and wrote out a list of all the people you know—friends, family, former and current co-workers, teachers—you might be surprised at the number of connections you have. The key to networking though, is not to stop with the people you already know; it’s working with those people to grow your network and be introduced to more and more people.

Those connections will either lead to your next job or connect you to the person who can help you land your next job. Resolve to spend more time in 2017 growing your network of connections so you find yourself closing out the year celebrating the great job you’ve earned.

2. Expand Your Skills

If you haven’t noticed, the workforce has changed. More and more jobs that didn’t before, now require technical skills or education, which means it’s important that you make 2017 the year you learn at least one new skill.

If you have an interest in technology, why not check out the many free online resources that provide training on everything from building your own app, to learning how to code and build websites? Having this type of knowledge is a great way to set yourself apart from other job candidates while showing your commitment to ongoing learning.

Maybe you prefer working with your hands. Taking the time to research the various classes offered through the career techs in your area could lead to an exciting career in industries like welding, dentistry, nursing, cosmetology, or culinary arts.

3. Clean Up Your Social Footprint

Do you remember what you said to your friend last Thursday? What about the conversation with your brother last month, what did you say to him?

If you’re having trouble remembering what you said in those conversations, try remembering what you posted on Facebook five years ago, or on Twitter two years ago.

In 2017, more and more employers are doing an online search of your name to see what they find, and if you haven’t taken the time to clean up your social footprint, you may not like what the search results turn up.

4. Make Your Resume Stand Out

If your biggest resolution of 2017 is to land a job, you’ll be disappointed if you don’t take the appropriate steps to make sure your resume stands out from the crowded inboxes of hiring managers.

Set time aside to focus solely on the effectiveness of each section of your resume. Go through it while thinking like someone who’s making the decision to hire, and then ask for someone you trust to do the same thing and give you honest feedback.

Also, consider the way you deliver your resume to a potential employer. Is there a creative way to make sure your resume gets in front of the person making the decision on new hires and piques their interest in you?

In a survey of businesses conducted by Express, respondents gave several interesting ways candidates delivered their resume, including a YouTube video, folded into a paper airplane, and even a gift package containing the resume.

Based on the early indications, 2017 is shaping up to be a great year for the job market, and starting a new career can be accomplished as long as you’re willing to set some resolutions and commit to seeing them through.

What other resolutions would you recommend for someone looking for a job in 2017? Let us know in the comments section belo

Events

The Haunting of a Bad Career Decision

By Job Journey on Monday, October 31, 2016

You’ve been seeking employment for a while and you’ve become desperate enough to accept the first opportunity that comes along. Now that you have accepted the position, it has proven to be undesirable and doesn’t match your skills. You may be miserable and feel as though you are in a career rut, but don’t let this mistake steer you from your ultimate goal. Instead, build upon the opportunity and look at the failure as a catapult to move forward into the career or a new position with your current employer. This could end up being the break you’ve been waiting for.

So, take a step back and look at your options; you may consider staying and making it work for you. Create a plan with a timeline to help keep you focused on your next steps, whether your decision is to stay or seek employment elsewhere. Having a strategy in place will help shift your mindset away from panicky thinking and give you a clearer vision as to whether the job is doable or not.

Here are some questions you may want to ponder:

How long will you try for?
Are you sure you can change the situation for the better?
What has to be in place for you to stay and feel satisfied?

However, anxious you may be to escape your current job, keep in mind what makes you the professional you are. A single choice doesn’t have to define your entire career. Even if your successes don’t occur in your current position, don’t negate earlier achievements just because they are from previous years—use them to draw upon. Sell your expertise. Experience goes a long way.

We’ve complied four Movin’ On Up articles that you may find helpful while overcoming a bad career decision:

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

The Job Search

Q & A with Dr. Shaquille O’Neal

By Job Journey on Friday, August 26, 2016

Earlier in the year, Movin’ On Up caught up with television sports analyst and 15-time NBA All-Star Dr. Shaquille O’Neal to ask his advice on job searching, overcoming failure, and achieving goals. We hope you enjoy this Q & A with Shaq.

Movin’ On Up: What is your best advice for job seekers?

Shaq: Go for the gusto. Have drive and be innovative. Be willing to take on other opportunities. Not everyone in life has the dream job they want, but take a job and gain experience. The more experience you have, the more jobs you can get. Get another job and you will have two types of experience. Get another job and you will have three types of experience. The next time you see a job you want, you will have much more to put on your resume. Getting to that dream job is about gaining more experience.

Movin’ On Up: What advice would you say to young people starting out in their career who feel like they may have failed?

Shaq: You don’t get anywhere focusing on the problem. Focus on the solution. You have to memorize that solution and put it in the solution part of your brain, because you never want to make that mistake again. Abraham Lincoln lost eight times in his attempts for public office before he became President of the United States. In basketball, Jerry West, who retired from a career with the Los Angeles Lakers, went to the NBA finals nine times before winning an NBA championship. Use failure as motivation.

Movin’ On Up: What would you tell job seekers about achieving goals?

Shaq: Everything in my life I have pictured. I have started something in my life I call “dreams full of attraction,” similar to the law of attraction. My mother told me early in life to dream about what I want and go for it. There are two things in life that are going to happen: 1) it is going to happen or 2) it is not going to happen. If you quit and give up, the chances of your dream happening are slim. If you keep going, there is a 50-50 chance to achieve your dreams. In my case, it is an 80-20 chance because I have the mentality that I will never, ever be denied.

If you have advice you’d like to share about a successful job search, overcoming a failure, or how you achieve an important milestone in your career, please share it with us in the comments section below.

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

The Job Search

How to Beat the Interview Competition

By Job Journey on Monday, August 22, 2016

Landing an interview is a big step in your job search. With all the hard work you’ve put into looking for a job, it’s natural to feel anxious about an upcoming interview. One thing you shouldn’t worry about, however, is your competition. Not only is it distracting, it’s not beneficial. To beat the interview competition, the only thing you should concentrate on is doing your best and being as prepared as possible.

Dress the part
No matter the job, you want to do your best to look professional. Does that always mean a suit and tie? Some people would say yes, while others would say no. The key is to know the company and what they would expect. If you’re unsure, just call the recruiter ahead of the interview. They’ll be able to tell you what’s expected. For more tips on what to wear to an interview, check out this Movin’ On Up article.

Fit the job description
Several days before the interview, take time to thoroughly review the job description. Find key points that line up with your strengths and be sure to focus on them in the interview.

Practice, practice, practice
Grab a friend or family member, or even videotape yourself going over possible interview questions. This helps you work out the kinks in what you might say and gives you confidence to answer correctly. You don’t want to sound too rehearsed, but organizing your thoughts ahead of time is never a bad idea.

Prepare examples
Most interviewers will ask candidates behavioral questions like, “What would you do if…” and “Tell me about a time when…” By having examples ready for these kinds of questions, you show that you’ve put in work ahead of time and you’re less likely to draw a blank in the middle of the conversation. For more tips on how to prepare your responses to interview questions, check out these Movin’ On Up articles:

Don’t think about the competition
Remember, you have zero control over what the competition says or does in their interview. You can only control your own, and you don’t need the additional stress of worrying about how they’ll perform. Focus on being the best candidate you can be and what unique skill sets you bring to the table.

Send a thank you
Stand out from the competition by taking the time to write a thank you note after your interview. Not everyone will do this, and it’s a great way to demonstrate your desire to work for the company and your professionalism. If you need some guidance on writing one, follow this how-to article on Movin’ On Up.

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

Career Options The Job Search

Making a Career Out of Giving Back

By Job Journey on Wednesday, June 22, 2016

How great would it be to blend your work life with a purpose you’re passionate about? The good news is, you can when you make a career out of giving back by joining the nonprofit workforce. Still, it takes more than good intentions to make a career, so we’ve laid out a few tips to help you get started on your nonprofit career hunt.

Lay out your career roadmap
Start with causes you’re passionate about, and think specifically about how you could fit into a role in that world. Like any job, you still have to be qualified to perform the tasks at hand. So, be sure to do a self-assessment to better understand how your skills and qualifications line up with the job you’re seeking. Once you know the areas you need to improve in, start working on those through volunteer work, online training, etc.

Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer
The best way to get moving on a career path toward nonprofit work is to volunteer with a nonprofit in a field you’re passionate about. This is a great way to establish your presence, network, and get to know potential employers. It’s also a great way to build experience in the sector you’re interested in while getting to know the organization better.

The job hunt
As you prepare your resume for potential nonprofit employers, be sure to highlight the volunteer experience you have. Then, start your search! If you aren’t sure where to begin, try one (or all) of the job search sites below. All are free to use.

What are some nonprofit causes you’re interested in? Let us know in the comment section below!

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

The Job Search

Summer is Here – Do You Have a Job?

By Job Journey on Monday, June 20, 2016

Today is the first official day of summer in the United States, which for some, means an increase in both temperature and free time. Every summer, many students look for temporary work while they’re on break from school.

To help you make the most of your summer job, we’ve dug through the Movin’ On Up vault to bring you valuable tips and resources this season.

Know the benefits.
Summer jobs are very valuable, and not just because they generate some extra cash. They can also help benefit your future by leading to full-time work, adding experience and skills to your resume, shaping your career path, and introducing you to important network connections. This Movin’ On Up article breaks down the benefits even more, so check it out if you’re on the fence about finding summer work.

Discover the hot jobs.
Finding the right summer job is essential. To get started on your job search, check out this infographic that introduces four jobs that are popular during the summer months.

Ramp up your search.
If your summer job search has stalled, don’t give up. It’s important to treat your job search as if it is your full-time job by being diligent in hunting for work, sending in applications, enhancing your resume, and preparing for interviews. You never know where a seasonal or temporary job can lead, so always remember to put your best foot forward. To help you ramp up your search this summer, take a look at this article.

Make a good impression.
In order to help your summer job lead to bigger and better opportunities, you must show value to your boss and make a good impression in the workplace. Adjusting your routine, taking on additional projects, learning from your mistakes, networking, and paying attention to your work wardrobe are all ways you can make a positive, lasting impression on your supervisor. Check out more tips in this Movin’ On Up article.

Learn from Hollywood.
Summer brings big hits to the box office, and often, those movies feature valuable lessons job seekers and employees can take away. If you’re wondering how Hollywood stories can help you land a job, and keep it, take a look at last summer’s blockbusters and see for yourself.

Clean up your social media.
Many of us take advantage of social media and its ability to help us stay in touch with friends and family. But, have you ever wondered what your social media presence may be doing for your job prospects? Just as much as your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or other profile may be entertaining, it can also be harmful. To make sure your accounts aren’t hurting your chances of landing a job this summer, check out this Movin’ On Up article.

Are you working this summer? What tips do you have for finding a summer job? Share with us in the comments section below!

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

The Job Search

Websites to Enhance Your Job Search

By Job Journey on Wednesday, May 25, 2016

In today’s ever-changing workplace, it seems like new websites pop up every day designed to help you find that perfect job.

These websites range from typical job board listings to organizational, time management tools. Even better, you don’t have to be tech savvy to use these websites as each are designed to be user-friendly.

We’ve listed five of the best websites that can help you find opportunities, track tasks, manage time, and help set goals.

1. Re.vu – This website allows you to create a visual resume, a radical new way to present your skills. Visual resumes are a new trend that use pictures and images to enhance a traditional resume. Re.vu also has an interface that allows you to use your LinkedIn profile to generate personal infographics.

Be aware, however, that some companies may not accept visual resumes. This is best for smaller companies that use an applicant tracking system.

2. Plaxo – Need a way to keep track of all the contacts you meet at networking and job fair events? Plaxo is an easy way to combine all your contacts into a single, online address book that’s secure, organized, and available on whatever device you use. In addition, the website sends automatic updates from your contacts who are Plaxo members and removes duplicate information on contacts.

3. Rescue Time – It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily tasks and digital life when you are job seeking. From sending emails to updating profiles to visiting job boards, it’s easy to lose track of time without having anything to show for it. This website has features that identify inefficient behaviors, lets you create goals like spending less than an hour a day on social media to help you become more focused, and alarms to tell you when your allotted time on a task is up.
Detailed reports show which websites you spend the most time on, how productive you were, and whether you achieved your goal. It’s a detailed analysis that will help you manage your time better.

4. CareerJet – This job-consolidator website claims to scan more than 58,000 job websites daily, and is available in more than 50 countries and 20 languages. It also saves you the trouble of muddling through hundreds of job sites by aggregating the information. Furthermore, it’s broken down into easy job categories ranging from public sector to engineering to tourism, travel, and hospitality.

Careerjet uses smart agents that scan the web and identify job listings from small recruitment agency websites which may only display a few jobs, to larger job boards that feature thousands of jobs.

5. LifeTick – A web-based, goal-setting software that helps you set, track, and reach your goals in life, LifeTick asks users to begin by listing their core values and what is important to them in their life and career. Then, the software uses technology to help you stay on track, offers an online journal, tracks any areas to help develop successful habits, and charts your progress so you can see your achievements.

Constructing your own career growth plan as a job seeker is an important step, and we hope these websites help you create that plan. Do you have favorite websites that help you with time management, goal setting, or job hunting? Share your picks in the comments section below.

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