Cowlitz County Express Job Seekers Blog

“In these unprecedented times…” Odds are you’ve opened countless emails that started out that way, sent from companies as varied as the bakery down the street, your preferred shampoo manufacturer, or an online retailer you bought a single shirt from at some point in 2002. It can start to get old after reading it for the eighty-ninth time, but it’s accurate. Times are tough. This is especially true for your job search. It’s easy to lose hope when it seems like nobody is hiring. If you’re looking for guidance in your job search and a bit of light in the darkness, check out the upcoming live video chats on LinkedIn with Express Employment Professionals hiring experts in June and July. Upcoming dates and topics include: June 4 at 1 p.m. CDT on LinkedIn – Get Ahead: Job Search Tips for Recent College Grads Despite the current economic climate, now is still the time for recent college graduates to plan for their future career. This live video chat will be hosted …

Get cast in the job of a lifetime Every year, actors flock to Los Angeles to pursue their dreams. They want to star in hit TV shows and blockbuster films, or at least book enough work to handle basic life expenses. Only a small percentage will accomplish that—those who work hard, have a plan, and stick it out. Others may get burnt out and give up. Sound like your job search? Competitive jobs go to those who work the hardest and have the best connections. Here are a few ways to master your job search and get cast in the job you’ve always wanted. Leverage Your Network Actors can’t get very far without connections. They aren’t going to book many gigs right after moving to LA, and most agents aren’t going to consider representing them if they don’t have any work. They need to make a name for themselves by connecting to other actors, casting directors, and directors. When you’re competing for a great job, connections help. A recommendation from …

We’re excited to announce  a brand-new episode of the Express Employment Professionals’ On the Job Podcast! Season 4, Episode 3: A Labor of Love Teachers and school administrators have been navigating the new normal and attempting to continue doing what they’ve always done: enrich the knowledge and lives of students everywhere. In this episode, elementary school teacher Gail Campopiano shares the ways in which her approach to her role has changed, and the deeper connections that make teaching such a rewarding, if at times difficult, profession. Don’t miss an episode! This podcast series shares inspiring stories about the pursuit of work. Jobs give us a connection to our community and the ability to provide for ourselves and our families. Your work may be your passion, or it could just be the way you make ends meet. On The Job dives into the multiple employment milestones of life. Download the On the Job podcast on iTunes or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. And, be sure to check back next week for the …

Get ahead in your job search with a few helpful tips. Many job seekers grow frustrated with their job search after completing countless applications online and never hearing back. However, the problem often isn’t the online job search itself, but the way in which job seekers are conducting their search. In their 2019 Job Seeker Nation Survey, Jobvite found that most applicants apply for jobs through an employer career site or an online job board. However, what led them to those websites? Thirty-five percent found job postings on social media, 37% learned about their jobs from professional networks, and 50% heard about jobs from friends. The key is to network first and then apply. Job seekers need to maximize their online job search by following a few key steps. Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly Most companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to help sort through resumes. An ATS, as explained by Jobscan, is a “a type of software used by companies to assist with human resources, recruiting and hiring processes.” …

Being professional from home. With social distancing measures in place, more companies are choosing to conduct online video interviews. These interviews allow an employer to meet you face-to-face so they can learn about you as a person and potential employee, even if you’re not in the same room. Although video interviews are similar to in-person interviews, they differ in a few key aspects. Here’s how to make a great first impression. 1. Prepare Yourself Preparation is vital to success in any interview. You need to gather as much information as you can about the job you’re applying for and the company you’re interviewing with. That way you can show you really are interested in the job when you ask all the right questions. The more you know, the more direct your answers will be. You also need to prepare your space before the interview starts. Run the meeting software on your own or with a friend and test your camera and microphone. Make sure your internet connection is stable, and …

We’re excited to announce  a brand-new episode of the Express Employment Professionals’ On the Job Podcast! Season 4, Episode 2: Dr. Julie Gurner How can you do your job better, advance in your career, and unlock your potential? Listen along as Dr. Julie Gurner, Executive Performance Coach, shares how to identify and understand behaviors that allow people to level up in their careers and everyday lives. Don’t miss an episode! This podcast series shares inspiring stories about the pursuit of work. Jobs give us a connection to our community and the ability to provide for ourselves and our families. Your work may be your passion, or it could just be the way you make ends meet. On The Job dives into the multiple employment milestones of life. Download the On the Job podcast on iTunes or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. And, be sure to check back next week for the next episode!  

Too many or just enough to get the job done? Every day, in offices and workspaces across the globe, and now remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, companies are having meetings. Some of these meetings are necessary and productive, while others are not. But are we having too many meetings? Hopefully not, since according to the State of Meetings Report put out by Doodle, poorly organized meetings can cost businesses as much as $399 billion in a given year. We asked you how many meetings you attend per week, and whether you believe the majority of those meetings could have been accomplished by email. Thirty-six percent of you have one to three meetings a week, while 28% attend between four and six meetings weekly. Thirteen percent don’t have any meetings, while 12% attend more than 10 meetings. As for whether the majority of those meetings could have been accomplished by email, results were almost evenly split. 52% said yes, while 48% said no. So, it does seem like companies might have a …

Why you should sign up to prepare for getting back to work. Due to COVID-19, many workers are currently unemployed. According to Forbes, due to the $600 weekly federal unemployment payment added on top of local state benefits, some workers are taking in more money through unemployment benefits than they made when they were working. Understandably, that makes job searching a secondary concern. You’re dealing with the stress of the pandemic while you’re stuck at home. When you add the job search on top of that, it can be stressful. Luckily, signing up with a staffing company like Express Employment Professionals is easy. Plus, it will put you in a great place when you’re ready to get back to work. Here are a few reasons to apply. They know when companies are hiring. No matter where you watch your shows, every commercial is going to tell you how we’re in “uncertain times.” It’s hard to know when it’s safe to go out or when companies are going to start hiring. …

We’re excited to announce the season four launch of Express Employment Professionals’ On the Job Podcast with a brand-new episode! Season 4, Episode 1: The Cartographer Meet Tom Harrison, a former park ranger turned cartographer, as he patiently navigates the world around him and turns his adventures into high-quality maps. Learn more about Tom Harrison and his maps at TomHarrisonMaps.com Don’t miss an episode! This podcast series shares inspiring stories about the pursuit of work. Jobs give us a connection to our community and the ability to provide for ourselves and our families. Your work may be your passion, or it could just be the way you make ends meet. On The Job dives into the multiple employment milestones of life. Download the On the Job podcast on iTunes or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. And, be sure to check back next week for the next episode!

Mother knows best Whether it’s swooping in to brush a child’s stray hair out of place, reminding the kids to shut the refrigerator door, or dispensing some of her legendary advice, mom helps to keep the world keep turning. That’s why we just celebrated Mother’s Day, after all. But what would mom say about your approach to the job search if she were an expert recruiter? Here are some of our favorite Mom-isms, as applied to finding a job. Clean your room If you want to impress recruiters, your resume should be squeaky clean. If you have out-of-date positions lying around, like entry-level jobs that have little to do with your career, file those away in favor of more relevant and recent job experience. Play nice and make friends Networking is one of the most important parts of the job search. There could be a job opening perfect for you that you’ll never hear about because you don’t know the right people. Joining a few networking or professional groups can …