No shame in admitting it, this feels like the worst time to be looking for a job. With many organizations pivoting to remote work, hiring may be put on the back burner. Besides that, with most offices being closed, you’re not about to show up to your interviewer’s house in a suit. Video Interviews to […]

Congratulations! You’ve been asked to complete a one-way video interview. This is a big step towards your next job. You’re used to the “normal” hiring process, with phone screens, in-person interviews, and the like. But, maybe this one-way video interview is a new thing entirely. Or maybe you have done a one-way video interview before, […]

Congratulations! You’ve been asked to join a live video interview. This is a big accomplishment, but it’s important to get it right. You’re used talking to a recruiter over the phone and then meeting for in-person interviews so this live video interview might be a new thing entirely. Or maybe you have done a live […]

When an organization reaches out to connect with you over the phone, you might find yourself replying “Yes” before you’ve even thought about it. Advancing to the next step in a company’s hiring process means some of your nervousness searching for a new position disappears.  If you aren’t expecting it, a video interview invitation instead […]

In the workplace, most people want to be productive. You want to be able to finish your work within the day so you don’t have to bring it home or finish the next day. However, there are a lot of factors that influence the level of productivity that people have in the workplace. Some of […]

There’s a lot to consider as you search for a job. While the first thing to look at should be the job description, it is also important to think about what type of working environment the company has. In your search for compensation, don’t forget to consider company culture. A company’s culture speaks to the […]

It’s kind of crazy how quickly your life shifts between graduation, and post-celebrations. You have tossed your cap, waved your farewells, and accepted all the wishes from professors you got on the good side of… But what comes next? The scary thing is almost 1 in 5 graduates do not go after the job they […]

As the world advances, positions, departments, even whole companies and industries are replaced with new, more technologically advanced businesses. Getting laid off is a natural consequence of progress; you’re not to blame. And you’re not alone, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 1.5 million people are laid off each year. Suddenly being without your main […]

Planning for a new job? Well, there’s a lot more you should think about then just getting a high salary. Salary is important but shouldn’t be the only deciding factor for you to accept a job offer. Your paycheck might cover your monthly bills but all the employee benefits, perks and other non-tangible things matter […]

If you are following this blog, you already know how to create a resume from scratch. But what if you already have a resume that doesn’t fit the new career path you want to pursue? Even though changing jobs is not an easy thing to do, you can handle it excellently. It is even possible […]

2020 has been full of unexpected and less-than-welcomed surprises, but there’s light on the horizon. Express Employment Professionals is connected to the local job markets within the communities we serve and wants to help you get your next job. Companies want to fill positions quickly, and that means it’s the perfect time to contact Express about your next job. Express is hosting National Interview Day on Aug. 6, 2020! Apply now or contact your local office to schedule a phone or video interview. Express can help you find the type of job that fits your needs and abilities, and you’ll never pay a fee. Applying online will speed up the interview process and allow us to schedule a time for your interview. Applicants are contacted for interviews based on when your application is received and the type of work you’re seeking. If you’re looking to step up your interview game, read our Answering the Interview Question eBook or check out our past articles: Ask a Recruiter Our “Ask a Recruiter” series features Express …

Over the past several months, people who never used video conferencing software before the COVID-19 pandemic have become believers in the potential the technology has for how they conduct business in today’s always connected world. Back in May, we wrote a blog focusing on what job seekers can do to stand out in a video interview. Here are a few more tips to consider you may not have thought about. Expect the Unexpected No technology is perfect and the potential for a breakdown is always there. Try to remain calm if the meeting program crashes. Your interviewer might ask to reschedule the interview or call you by phone. Be prepared for anything. Remove distractions Sure, distractions like email and texts apply just as much to video interviews as they do to in-person interviews, but when you’re not in the office, there’s likely a whole new set of distractions to contend with you may not think about until it happens. One of the biggest is technology issues. If you’re having to …

Although workplaces across the country are reopening, COVID-19 is still changing what the hiring process looks like. To cut down on face-to-face interactions, many companies have switched to video interviews. Once the interview is over, it’s a good idea to reach back out to your interviewer and thank them for their time with a personal note. However, COVID-19 has changed what following-up entails. Here are a few steps to follow. Thank the Interviewer for Their Time We usually suggest writing a handwritten thank you note as soon as you get home from your interview. However, with COVID-19 being a factor, some interviewers could be put off by traditional mail from someone they haven’t met. Instead, write a thank you email. Make it brief, but powerful. Include something specific you learned in your interview, like how much you love the company culture or what a typical day is like. You want to show that you’re not just interested in the job, but the company and its history as well. Get in …

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has changed what seasonal hiring looks like this summer, there are still jobs available. Physical workspaces re-opening means more janitorial and temperature screener jobs, while companies still utilizing remote work need additional remote employees. Here are a few hot jobs this summer. Sales Although many people across the country are stuck at home, that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped buying things. Sales representatives present, promote, and sell products and services to existing and prospective clients. Customer Service/IT Support With COVID-19 keeping people from visiting the movie theatre or going out with friends, there’s been an uptick in at-home entertainment. But more people surfing the web, streaming video, and buying fun things to do at home has resulted in more customer service requests. Customer service representatives regularly interact with customers and clients, receive inbound and outbound calls, and sometimes work with custom company software, while those in IT Support provide assistance for technology related products and services. Delivery Driver Since it’s harder for individuals to visit restaurants in-person …

Since many areas are still experiencing spikes in COVID-19 cases, businesses are predicting lower than average hiring in the latter part of this year. However, they are still optimistic that hiring will continue. According to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll and commissioned by Express Employment Professionals, 35% of decision makers say their company will increase employees. A total of 42% of hiring decision-makers predict there will be no change in their business, while 16% anticipate a decrease in employee count. This is similar to the first half of 2020 when 31% of hiring decision-makers in the U.S. said their company planned to increase employees with 41% reporting no change and 26% decreasing staff. “I see an increase as long as the economy is allowed to reopen,” said Mike Brady, Express franchise owner in Jacksonville, Florida. “The increase will come mainly from the light industrial industry, as many office services and professional positions will be delayed even further with the work-from-home push.” Melody McPhee, Express franchise owner in the …

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact many parts of the country, which makes taking proper workplace wellness precautions incredibly important. If you’re returning to work soon and aren’t sure what you should be doing to stay safe, these tips will help you with safety: Clean Your Workstation Disinfect your workstation when you return and at the beginning of each day. You don’t know who might have accidentally coughed on it while you were away. If it is noticeably dirty, clean it with soap and water, and then disinfect it. Also try to stay away from using your co-workers’ workstations whenever possible. Stay Six Feet Away from Everyone One of the top things you can do to stay safe is practice social distancing. This protects yourself (so you don’t catch the virus from others in close proximity) and others (you could be sick without showing symptoms). Instead of meeting up with co-workers at their desk or in conference rooms, contact them via email, phone, or video conferencing software. Wear a Mask …

Tired of staring at screens during your meetings? You’re not alone. You finally log off your last Zoom meeting of the day and realize that you’re somehow more tired than when you had to commute to and from the workplace. What’s going on? If this sounds familiar, it might be due to something called “Zoom fatigue.” As noted by the Harvard Business Review, Google trends has shown Google searches for this phrase has been steadily increasing since early March. Zoom fatigue is pretty much what it sounds like—people feeling an increased sense of weariness because of all the video calls. The Harvard Business Review goes on to note a few reasons that make video calls so tiring. Here’s our take: Video Meetings Are Awkward In a normal meeting, you’re in a room with colleagues face-to-face. You can take notes, look out the window for a bit, and come back to your presenter. In a Zoom meeting, you’re staring at the camera when you present or staring at a coworker’s face …

Take a break and learn about a career as a press brake operator. Despite already having experience with several jobs, many working adults are unable to answer the age-old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Our monthly Job Spotlight blog series is designed to help answer that question. In this series, we review all the basics of specific jobs, from pay and duties, to why people do the jobs they do. Press Brake Operator In this month’s Job Spotlight, we’re learning about what it takes to be a press brake operator. A press brake is a machine pressing tool used to bend sheet and plate material. Key qualities to have include a record of safe work habits and attention to detail. Required Education: Typically, a high school diploma. Most are trained on the job, although some learn through training or apprenticeship programs, vocational schools, or community and technical colleges. Pay This varies depending on a variety of factors (e.g. experience, geographic area, industry, etc.), but …

The 4th of July is just around the corner, and that means fun fireworks, shiny sparklers, and great food. Although you might not be able to celebrate with large groups of friends and family this year due to COVID-19, why not use the spirit of the holiday to fuel a resume revamp? These days it takes a stellar resume to get an interview. You need to use powerful, specific keywords to highlight your experience. Here are a few of our favorite words to do just that.   You Created a Major Project If your idea became a major company initiative, that’s definitely worth highlighting on your resume. It shows that you had the creativity to think of amazing ideas your company valued, and the initiative to make them a reality. Words to use include: Designed Implemented Built Formulated Launched Configured   You Cut Company Costs Companies appreciate employees who can find ways to save money. Any process you’ve streamlined, or cost-cutting measure you’ve created is valuable to potential employers. Show …

We’re excited to announce  a brand-new episode of the Express Employment Professionals’ On the Job Podcast! Season 4, Episode 8: To Be Good At This Job, You Just Have To Be…Good For those of us fortunate enough to be able to work from home during the pandemic, our new normal finds us juggling the pressures of work, family and health in ways we hadn’t previously experienced. Imagine being responsible for 45 elderly folks spread across three bucolic residential homes during all of this? And not just accounting for them, but catering to their every need, honoring their extremely specific food requests, staging an elaborate Easter party and tending to their life and death medical needs in the face of an especially threatening virus. For Josh Winn, it’s not just a labor of love, it’s a compassionate calling.   Don’t miss an episode! The On the Job 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 …