work experience

3 Ways Staffing Companies Elevate Your Job Search

By Job Journey on Monday, September 8, 2014

The American Staffing Association (ASA) recently unveiled the results of the 2014 ASA Staffing Employee Survey, which surveyed current and former temporary and contract employees. The results are a clear indicator that temporary staffing is a valuable stepping stone to help get the career you want.

In fact, the survey revealed that 99% of temporary and contract employees who want permanent jobs achieve their goal. Nearly all respondents indicated that finding permanent work was important to them, and 49% said that finding a permanent job was their number one reason for working in the staffing industry. So, what’s so great about working for a staffing company like Express Employment Professionals? When survey respondents gave their primary reason for using a staffing company, it came down to the following three motives.

1. You may get a permanent job.
Many people associate staffing companies with temporary or contract positions because employees typically start an assignment on a temporary basis to ensure they’re a good fit for the job. But, that doesn’t mean the job will always be temporary. If the company likes your work, you may be offered a permanent position with them. Temporary work also gives you the opportunity to test out a company and see if you fit well with the job and culture before becoming tied to it. And at staffing companies like Express, some job assignments even allow you to start a permanent position with a company right away.

Not all temporary work is part time, either. The ASA survey also found that temporary and contract employees are almost as likely to work full time as all others in the labor force. And, of staffing employees who land permanent jobs, 94% of them work full time.

2. You gain work experience.
According to the ASA survey, 90% of staffing employees say that temporary or contract work makes them more employable. When you take a temporary assignment through a staffing company, you receive on-the-job training you may not be able to find elsewhere. If you’re looking to advance your career, taking on a temporary job can help you learn new skills and add valuable experience to your resume. The more experience you add, the more you may impress potential employers. And, when you’re employed through a staffing company, you have the opportunity to try out many different kinds of jobs. You can work in a variety of industries and on numerous projects, giving you a unique opportunity to experience many different career paths.

3. You learn new skills.
To learn a new skill, you have to dive in and give it a try. Working with a staffing company allows you to do just that. Staffing companies have countless opportunities in a number of fields, and taking a job through a company like Express gives you the chance to learn new skills in industries you might not have previously considered. If you’re currently unemployed, working in a temporary position allows you to build and strengthen your resume while looking for something more long term. Learning new skills also helps you add powerful words to your resume that appeal to hiring managers. Words like results, administered, analyzed, researched, coached, scheduled, assembled, inspected, and maintained are all eye-catchers for interviewers, and can find a place on your resume when you learn new skills on a temporary assignment.

And, here’s some more good news! According to the survey, staffing companies are great places to work. In fact, nine out of 10 temporary and contract workers reported satisfaction with their staffing companies.

“The results of the landmark 2014 ASA Staffing Employee Survey verify that temporary and contract work is an effective bridge to permanent employment,” said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. According to Wahlquist, companies like Express “are proud to make a real difference in the lives of so many individuals.”

Did you start in a temporary position before landing a permanent one? Tell us your story in the comments section below.

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

Three Stories to Share During Your Next Interview

By Miranda Wilson on Thursday, February 17, 2011

It’s safe to say that interviews can be stressful. In an attempt to make a great first impression, you spend time preparing your résumé, picking out your interview outfit, and practicing answers for potential questions you might be asked by a hiring manager. As you prepare, don’t forget to think about some positive work-related experiences you can share with your interviewer.

It’s important not to let your nerves get the best of you. When the spotlight’s on you, use your 15-minutes of fame to tell the hiring manager why you’re the best choice. Take the initiative to tell them about you. Here are three areas about relevant work experience you can share in a few minutes to help you get closer to landing the job.

1. I function well on a team.
Employers want to know you can function well as a part of their team. Describe a time in a previous job where you worked on a team to successfully complete a project. Be sure to share your role and how you contributed to the process. Each individual on a team has different skills and abilities they bring to a group, so it’s a good idea to highlight how you helped achieve the final product.

2. In my previous job, I saved my company time or money.
Talking about how you impacted a company’s bottom line helps show you are not only innovative, but also a great investment. You think outside the box rather than just do what’s always been done. Anytime you can show an employer you can help them cut costs or save time – valuable resources in today’s workforce – it’s a great way to earn extra points in an interview.

3. I am good at problem solving.
If you can recall a time where you implemented a resolution for an obstacle, briefly share about it. What was your strategy and the steps you took to solve the problem? This helps demonstrate your reasoning skills and follow through – traits which are reflective of your leadership abilities and drive to succeed.

Even though it’s an interview, you don’t have to depend on them to do all the talking. Take a few deep breaths to settle your nerves and get ready to talk about you. By sharing short stories of how you excelled in past work experiences, you can show potential employers your true value as an employee.

New Job Tips The Daily Grind The Job Search

3 Reasons Why You May Not Be Getting Hired

By Miranda Wilson on Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Recruiters and employers have seen their fair share of résumés in the last few years due to a highly competitive job market. So, do you feel like you’re working 8 to 5 trying to land an interview?

Employers are taking numerous factors into consideration when considering job applicants. Let’s take time to focus on three small ways you can improve your chances of getting a job.

Update your contact information. Do you have your most recent contact information listed on your résumé? Yes, it’s a small detail, but without the correct information, it can wreak havoc on your job search. It’s frustrating for a potential employer to try to reach you when the number you gave them doesn’t work. They won’t be able to contact you. So, be sure to include a working phone number on your résumé or job application because a call about a job offer is one that you definitely don’t want to miss.

Give an appropriate email address. You might not think that a potential employer will pass you over for a job because of your email address, but they might. A manager wants to know that you’re professional, and an e-mail address like partyharty@emailaddress.com may not present you in the best light. Ere on the side of caution and choose a safe email address that includes your name – for example, first name.last name@emailaddress.com.

Share your relevant skills. In order to decide if you would be a good fit for a job, a hiring manager needs to know about your work experience. What are your skills and areas of expertise? Employers don’t want to just receive an email from you with your name and a brief paragraph outlining how you’re interested in the job. They want to know what you can bring to their business, so be sure to include your skills that are relevant to the job opening.

It’s important to keep in mind that employers are looking through job applications with a fine tooth comb. Be sure that your information passes the test and gets you through the company’s doors and into the interview seat. Knowing that even the smallest of details are being considered will help you be better prepared with your career search.

At Work Cube Life My Entry-Level Life New Job Tips The Daily Grind

Making Your Résumé an Attention-Grabbing Piece of Work

By Miranda Wilson on Wednesday, August 25, 2010

As you continue to gain work experience, it’s important to keep your résumé updated to showcase all the valuable skills and abilities you have. The goal of your résumé is to grab the attention of a prospective employer, so you always want to make sure that it’s up-to-date, polished, and shows your strengths at all times. So, to help you do that, here are a few tips for you to keep in mind.

Make sure your résumé is professional. The more experience you gain, the more marketable you will become. And, your résumé needs to reflect that. Be aware of the little things that can make a big difference. If you’re submitting a hard copy of your résumé, make sure it is on high quality paper that you can find at your local office supply store. Also, include your name and contact information somewhere near the top so that you are easily identifiable. Make sure you know and utilize the basic building blocks of a successful, professional résumé.

Update your objective or summary. If you incorporate an objective or summary on your résumé, don’t list out what it is you want a company to provide for you. Instead, tell a prospective employer what you can bring to their business. In a few short sentences, list what skills you have that would be important to them and to the job they are hiring for. Find out how to create a top-notch summary.

Showcase your results. Once you have work experience, it’s important to outline the results of your work. Did you increase readership of a newsletter? Bring in more business? Save your company some money? Document these results. The more numbers you can show, the better your work history will look to a future employer. Sometimes you only have a matter of minutes to make a great first impression, so make sure your information grabs an employer’s attention quickly. To help you out, here are a few commonly used words that you’ll want to avoid.

Use action verbs. Action words like managed, designed, and created are words that will really make your résumé pop! Don’t just say that you completed daily office tasks. Be specific and results oriented to really ensure you stand out. break these activities down. For example, instead of saying you’re a team player, try this: “I collaborated with the marketing and human resources team to develop a new employee program.” Punch up your résumé with these power words that will help demonstrate your success.

If you just completed a summer internship, you’re working at your first job ever, or you’ve started a new career in a new industry, always make sure your résumé reflects your current skills, knowledge, and abilities. Keeping your résumé up-to-date and doing regular maintenance on it will help save you time in the long run when you do need it.

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