Movin' On Up

4 Job Interview Musts

Job seekers worry so much about preparing for the big things before a job interview – the résumé, the research, the qualifications – that they forget about the basics. Simple job interview etiquette can be the factor that makes or breaks an interview.

So, here are a few “small” things that you need to remember before heading into an interview.

Don’t chew gum. Chewing gum is definitely a no go. The interviewer can’t concentrate on what you’re saying if you’re smacking your gum obnoxiously.

Do dress appropriately. Wearing clothes that are too tight or too baggy will distract you and the interviewer during the interview. Make sure you wear something that is comfortable, yet professional. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to dress up than to dress down.

Don’t forget your manners. “Please” and “thank you” are not a thing of the past. When going on an interview, remember to be courteous to everyone in the building. You could have a great interview, but if your manners are lacking to even one individual, you could lose your chances at landing the job. You never know who can influence your desired boss’s decision.

Do be professional. Whether you have a loud voice or tend to go into a shell when you’re nervous, make sure to adapt your mannerisms to the personality style of the person you’re interviewing with. You don’t want to go to extremes, so don’t overpower or close off during an interview.

The next time you go on a job interview, don’t assume you have all your bases covered. Remember that sometimes the little things make all the difference

How Do You Get to Work?

The way people get to work and back home every day varies and depends on location, the distance to work, and the availability of public transportation. So, we want to know how you get to work every day. Vote in our poll and then leave us your feedback in the comments section below to let us know what your preferred method of transportation is and if you get to use it.

poll by twiigs.com

3 Reasons Not to Waste Your Time Applying for Just Any Job

When employers are looking to fill a position, they want to hire a person who shows talent, enthusiasm, and dedication. If you can’t convey any of that in your résumé or during your interview, you’re not likely to get the job. Here are three reasons not to waste your time or the employer’s by applying for a job you don’t truly want.

You won’t give your all. When you’re unsure of whether you want a specific job or if you’re just interested in the position for its income, you probably won’t put forth the effort it takes to land a job. Decide whether or not you want the job first. Then, only apply for those you want to invest time into seeking out. It’s OK if you decide you don’t want a job after you’ve interviewed, but realize that your time is one of your most valuable resources in your job search, and wisely invest in it accordingly.

Employers will notice. When you’re apathetic toward a job opportunity, your lack of interest is noticeable to employers during your interview, and employers don’t want to hire lackluster candidates – even those who are fully qualified. If you act like you’re wasting your time in an interview, the employer may assume you’d be no different on the job.

You’ll miss the right opportunity. If you spend your time applying for jobs you don’t really want, you won’t be able to give the proper time and attention to the job opportunities that really interest you, and the perfect job just might slip through your grasp. Focus on getting the job you really want, and employers will take notice of your talent and determination.

If you’re unmoved by a job opportunity, you’re unlikely to land a job offer. Even if you do, chances are, you won’t be any more excited once you begin the position. So, do yourself and potential employer a favor by carefully selecting which jobs you want to apply for and you’ll be better equipped to land a job you truly love.

Weathering the Winter Blues

As the daylight grows shorter with the arrival of winter, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects many people around the world. And, depending how far you live from the equator can determine the degree of symptoms you can develop. Symptoms of SAD include sleep problems, overeating, depression, lethargy, and social awkwardness which all stem from the lack of bright light in the winter months.

Even if you don’t experience all of these symptoms, chances are, this time of year has you feeling a little less motivated to run errands, engage in extra-curricular activities, or even go to work. With the cold winter months approaching and the memories of long summer days fading, people have to fight a little bit harder to combat the winter blues.

To help you get through the winter months, try these tips below.

Exercise. Even if it’s only a few days a week, get out there and be active for at least 30 minutes. Exercising boosts energy levels and releases endorphins that make you happy. So, join a gym, stretch at your desk, or jog in place in front of the television to help fight the cold weather blues.

Eat Healthy. It’s important to be conscious about your eating habits all year round, but during the winter months, eating healthy can drastically improve your mental health. Try increasing your fresh fruit and vegetable intake as well as taking vitamins. Cut down on coffee and soda pops, and drink more water to flush out toxins.

Get Out. Not everyone may be able to, but if you can, take a vacation to a warm, sunny place. Just getting out of the winter places for a few days can give you just what you need to make it through the winter months. If you can’t travel to a warmer climate, spend more time outdoors to absorb the benefits of sunshine or read a book that takes place somewhere tropical.

The cold season can be hard to handle, especially if you’re a spring or summer person, but you can avoid SAD symptoms and create your own sunny outlook to last throughout the winter months.

Halloween at the Workplace

October 31 is just around the corner. Trick-or-Treaters will be filling the streets, and in some cases, the office hallways.

Each organization and company has its own unique way of celebrating Halloween. Allowing employees to bring their children in and have them trick-or-treat amongst the cubicles is one way many organizations participate. While some companies can’t be flexible in their dress code, others allow their workers to join in on the festivities, with some even participating in all out inter-department costume contests.

We’d like to hear what your company does to celebrate Halloween. Share your stories and some of your best “work appropriate” costume ideas in the past and what you plan to wear this year.

poll by twiigs.com

3 Tips for Interviewing While Still Employed

If you’re like many other workers, you’ve probably started looking for a new job opportunity while still employed, although it wasn’t something you announced to your co-workers or supervisor. It can be tricky trying to schedule interviews around your work schedule without sharing too much information or being disrespectful. Here are three ways to help you schedule job interviews while showing respect to your current employer.

1. Schedule on your own time. The most obvious way to plan an interview, yet not always the easiest, is to schedule it on your own time away from work. Explain to your potential employer that you’re still employed and would prefer an interview time before or after your work hours, or on your lunch break. They’ll understand that you’re being respectful toward your current employer, and will appreciate your courtesy.

2. Request time off. If the hiring employer has a set time for interviews and is unable to accommodate a special request, you might have to interview during work hours. In this case, request time off from your current employer ahead of time instead of calling in sick the day of. Use your paid time off or ask to make up your missed hours at another time, explaining that you have an important appointment to attend and tried to schedule it outside of work hours but was unable to. And, keep your co-workers in mind and avoid scheduling your interview during team meetings, near deadlines, or when your co-workers need you most.

3. Keep it to yourself. There’s no need to divulge this type of information to your supervisor or co-workers. If you tell your current employer that you’re headed to an interview, they can deny your request for time off or even ask you to clean out your desk. Simply share that you have an appointment to attend and leave it at that. Don’t elaborate or construct a lie. You can also ask your potential employer for confidentiality and to not contact your current employer.

Many others have successfully interviewed while still employed, and you can, too. Use these tips to plan your interviews accordingly and your interview just might turn into the job you’ve been waiting for. Good luck in your job search!

Relax and Enjoy the Show – Plus Enter for Your Chance to Win $250

It’s time for phase two of our video contest! We received over 100 videos – from those that made us laugh to those that made us cry. Now, you can watch our top 10 videos and experience the creativity and entertainment for yourself.

Plus, you get to vote on the winning video – and who will win the $1,000 grand prize.

But did you know that when you vote, you can enter a drawing for a chance to win $250 yourself? What are you waiting for? Watch the Express Associate Video Testimonials right now and vote for your favorite today.

Voting closes Dec. 5, so vote now and vote often!

For more information on entering the contest, and to view and vote on videos, go to www.expresspros.com/expressyourself. 

How to Call in Sick When You’re Truly Ill

Flu season in the U.S. usually begins in November and lasts through March, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite preventative efforts, you’re still vulnerable to illness. If you feel under the weather and determine you’re too sick to be productive at work, it’s time to call in sick. But, what is the proper way to call in sick without sounding like a knockoff Ferris Bueller looking to play hooky? Following these tips for proper call-in-sick etiquette will help you stay on your boss’s good side while recovering at home.

• Speak to your boss directly. To prevent red flags going up, don’t send an e-mail or text message, or leave a voicemail when calling in sick because it’s too informal. Also, unless you’re physically unable to talk on the phone, never have your spouse call in sick for you. This makes you look unprofessional. Plus, your boss might suspect you really aren’t under the weather if you don’t speak to them directly and may require a doctor’s note.
• Always be truthful. If you’re too sick to come in to work, just simply say so. There is no need to go into great detail about your symptoms unless asked. Doing so will make you sound like you planned it all out.
• Stop with the act. Unless you have an Academy Award in hand, don’t purposely add coughs and sneezes to try to convince your boss that you’re sicker than you are. You can’t be that good of an actor and your boss will only become more wary.
• Call before you’re scheduled. Try to inform your employer as early in the day as possible. They will appreciate that you gave them time to prepare for your absence. Even though they’ve lost you for the day, your boss might be able find someone to cover your shift with enough notice or cover your projects in the office.
• Contact your staffing agency. If you’re a temporary employee, you should follow the same tips and notify your staffing agency as well. If they can find a replacement for your shift that day, your employer won’t be short a worker and it will lessen your chances of repercussion.

When calling in sick, remember to be honest, talk to your employer directly, and give them proper notice. Showing that you respect the company will help build your value to the employer. Good employees are hard to find, and your employer will remember that, even when you’re sick.

Should You Talk Politics at Work?

With all the talk about the upcoming election – not to mention the candidates, the economy, and the new bailout bill that just passed, politics is a hot topic of conversation – just about as hot as whether or not we should be talking about it at work. In the past, politics has been a major faux paus of controversial topics, along with sex, money, and religion – not just at work, but in general. But, as our culture has changed, people are more and more vocal about their opinions in a variety of places, from blogs to conversation with friends.

When you spend so much time at work chatting it up with your fellow co-workers about all other types of issues, it’s hard not to bring up your thoughts and opinions about this hot topic – one of the most historic elections in our lifetime.

poll by twiigs.com

Don’t Job Hunt at Work and Other Tips

My friend was telling me how she has a job but is looking for a new one. Now, she is escalating her job search, much like many other U.S. workers. According to a survey by Salary.com, 57% of workers are intensifying their job hunt within the next three months despite fears of recession.

Inadequate compensation, lack of career advancement and professional development, insufficient recognition, and boredom were the top five reasons for leaving a job.

But, she set off warning bells in my head when she told me that she was surfing the internet for job opportunities while at work. Searching for other employment opportunities on the job can lead to being reprimanded or worse, termination. To avoid ending up jobless and without any job leads, conduct your job hunt discretely while employed. Follow these job search dos and don’ts:

• Don’t advertise your job search around the office. How do you expect others to keep your job hunt a secret when you can’t keep from opening your mouth?
• Do ask for confidentiality. When needing discretion, simply ask prospective employers for the respect of confidentiality and to not contact your current boss. It won’t hurt your chances of getting a job offer. Use former employers as references if needed.
• Don’t use work telephones and e-mails for contact information. Since work phones and e-mails can be monitored and are considered company property, use personal phones and home e-mail addresses on résumés or employment forms. Also, make sure to use cell phones while away from your desk, out of earshot from others. Make sure to use your own time on breaks and at lunch, and not on company time.
• Do schedule an interview before work, during lunch, or after work. Not interviewing during work hours shows respect toward your current employer, and good recruiters are usually prepared to accommodate. If you must schedule an interview during business hours, use PTO time.
• Don’t wear interview clothes to work if you normally dress casually. Dressing out of the ordinary will draw attention to yourself. If you have an interview before, during or after work, find time to change in between.
• Do your job search on your own time. Never browse for job opportunities while your boss is paying you to work. Save the search for break time, lunch hours, or after-hours, but don’t use the company’s internet.
• Don’t job search with company money. Using the company paper and printer to print out résumés is a major no-no. Mail them out with your own postage. Your current employer is not financing your job hunt. Make sure you do all of this at home.

Following proper job hunting etiquette while still employed will show your potential employer that you are respectful toward employers, and will keep you from being terminated before you’re ready to make a move.