results | Journey

A Review of Your 2016 Job Market Predictions

By Job Journey on Friday, December 9, 2016

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:”

2014: 35%
2015: 34%

“Things are going to get worse before they get better.”

2014: 27%
2015: 25%

“I’m definitely getting a job offer or promotion this year.”

2014: 17%
2015: 18%

“I’m staying where I am. I don’t expect things to get better.”

2014: 11%
2015: 11%

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.

Reader Surveys

The Results Are In: How Do You Wish Your Company Showed Appreciation?

By Job Journey on Friday, December 2, 2016

For many, the holiday season means receiving gifts at work. From cash to time off, there are multitudes of ways companies decide to show appreciation to employees. In a recent poll, we asked Movin’ On Up readers how they wish their employers, or future employers, showed appreciation this time of year, and the results are in!

Cash Still Tops the List
According to our poll, the majority of readers (27%) would most appreciate a cash bonus, followed by 16% who would appreciate a day off from work. An additional 15% reported a desire for “employee training and advancement opportunities.”

Tickets to movies or other entertainment events received 13% of the vote, followed by “a flexible parental leave plan or work from home day” with 9%. Additionally, 6% of respondents would most appreciate a massage, and 2% would welcome a rotating trophy of appreciation.

Thankfulness Matters
Again this year, the poll results indicate that employees would greatly appreciate a simple thank-you from the boss. Five percent of readers selected “an employee-wide email noting appreciation for specific employees,” and 3% selected “recognition through social media.” Participants also selected “Other” and responded with their own thoughts, including:

“A personal, genuine ‘thank you’ from my boss and his boss”
“Acknowledgement of effort”
“Direct compliments”
“Just a simple card of thanks from a supervisor”

Poll Results: What Job Search Obstacles Have You Overcome?

By Job Journey on Monday, November 7, 2016

Everyone’s career path is different and often filled with unexpected twists and turns. Whether it’s a lay off or voluntary career change, it’s important to evaluate the situation and come up with a game plan for your job search.

In October, we asked our Movin’ On Up readers what job search obstacles they have overcome, and what we found was telling. Not having a network and concern about age took the top spots in our poll at 14% each. A total of 11% of respondents said they have fear/anxiety in a job search, while 10% have faced an outdated resume.

Other results include:

Lack of experience – 8%
Economy – 7%
Stereotyping – 7%
Outdated or lack of skills – 5%

In addition, 5% of readers selected “other” and cited the following reasons:

Low pay, no benefits
No college degree
Over qualified
Relocation
Job hopping resume
Lack of transportation

Make an Action Plan
After you have identified an obstacle or two that is keeping you from getting that next job, make an action plan with realistic and achievable goals. If you struggle with an outdated resume, sit down and work on one section at a time. If you don’t have a reliable form of transportation to get to job interviews, research local organizations to see if any offer assistance to job seekers.

What are some other ways that you can overcome obstacles in your job search? Let us know in the comments below!

Reader Surveys

The Results Are In: How Do You Beat the Career Competition?

By Job Journey on Friday, September 2, 2016

When it comes to finding work, you’re most likely not the only one trying to land the job you have your eyes on. In fact, the career competition can be pretty tough. Since there are many ways you can set yourself apart from other job seekers, we recently asked what steps you take to beat the competition.

The Results
The overwhelming majority of respondents (35%) selected the option “research the company,” followed by 17% who chose “follow-up after interview.” Another 15% of readers “keep an updated resume,” 14% “possess a strong set of references,” and 14% “rehearse interview scenarios.”

An additional 8% of respondents selected the “Other” option and provided the following answers:

Eye contact during the interview
Project a sense of teamwork
Maintain active communication
Target the cover letter
Build comradery and show interest
Talk about how you will add to their return on investment

Adjust Your Game Plan
If you’re one of the 35% of job seekers who research the company before an interview, that’s great. But, what about that other 14% who rehearse interview scenarios? They may be one step ahead of you, and it could cost you the job. Consider taking additional steps, like sending a thank-you note or updating your resume, to ensure you’re doing all you can to stay ahead of the career competition.

What other ways do you beat the competition? Share your tips in the comments section below!

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

Reader Surveys

The Results Are In: What Does Your Dream Job Look Like?

By Job Journey on Monday, August 8, 2016

At some point in your life, you’ve likely been asked the question, “What is your dream job?” In fact, sometimes recruiters will even ask candidates about it in an interview. Because everyone is likely to have a different answer, we wanted to know what Movin’ On Up readers would say their dream job looks like.

The Results
According to our poll, “challenging or meaningful work” was the number one characteristic of respondents’ dream jobs garnering 29% of the votes. “Working from home” (22%) was the second most popular option, followed by “growth opportunities within the organization” (17%) and “friendly workplace” (16%).

Fewer respondents selected “frequent travel” (5%) and “no travel” (1%) as dream job descriptors, while 6% of respondents said they are still figuring out what their dream job looks like.

Readers were also able to select the “other” option and provide their own responses. Of the 4% who selected that option, responses included:

Work-life balance
Living wage
A combination of the provided choices
Flexibility
Good benefits
$12/hour
Own business

How often have you been asked about your dream job in an interview? Let us know in the comments section below.

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

The Job Search

The Results Are In: How Have You Prepared for a Changing Workforce?

By Job Journey on Monday, June 6, 2016

As Baby Boomers retire, Millennials move into key roles, and technology advances, learning how to navigate a changing workforce can be tricky, but only if you don’t plan for it. Because there are many ways you can navigate this changing workforce, we wanted to know what Movin’ On Up readers are doing to prepare.

The Results
According to our poll, most respondents (29%) said they’ve prepared for a changing workforce by improving their technological skills via online classes, books, etc. Another 21% selected “updated my social media account(s) to reflect my professional brand” as their preparation method.

The other answer choices received the following percentage of votes:

Connected with a mentor from an older generation – 13%
I haven’t done anything to prepare for a changing workforce – 12%
Joined an employee development program – 11%
Connected with a professional from a younger generation – 11%

Additionally, readers were able to select the “other” option and provide their own responses. Of the 3% who selected that option, responses included:

Attended classes and earned a certification in my new career field
Networking and improving communication and public speaking skills

Are there other ways you’re preparing for a changing workforce? Let us know in the comments section below.

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

The Job Search

Who’s Hiring?

By Job Journey on Wednesday, May 18, 2016

A recent survey of 390 former and current clients of Express Employment Professionals provides a glance into which sectors and departments anticipate hiring (and which don’t) in the second quarter of 2016.

According to respondents, the top three sectors expecting the most hiring are:

Industrial – 46%
Administrative – 13 %
Engineering – 10%

When asked which departments expect to do the most hiring, respondents answered:

Production – 36%
Sales – 30%
Logistics – 9%

It was also revealed that accounting, human resources, legal, and risk departments have no plans to hire in the second quarter. Furthermore, respondents reported accounting as the only department in which there were plans to eliminate positions.

As you go about your job search, keep these numbers in mind. Industrial jobs or those focused on production or sales may prove more fruitful for job seekers in the next few months.

Were you surprised by these results? Do you focus your job search based on sector or department? Let us know in the comments section below.

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

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