Movin' On Up

What's Most Important to You in a Career?

Personal incomes were up 0.2% in July, according to the U.S. Commerce Department, which could in part stem from businesses reinstating salary increases and other benefits that were cut or frozen in 2009. As the economy improves and businesses look for more ways to increase employee engagement and retain their key workforce, we want to know what you value most in your job.

poll by twiigs.com

Looking for New Job Opportunities? Advice to Improve Your Results

How are you looking for new job opportunities? Are you waiting for them to just appear or are you actively seeking them out? Searching for a career is a full-time job in itself, and it’s important to exhaust all your avenues for finding employment. To help you be more proactive with your efforts, here are some tips to improve your job search efforts today.

Attend networking events. If you know what industry you want to work in, try to get plugged into professional meetings in that field. This will give you an opportunity to network with others who work in that field and make valuable connections. Introduce yourself to them and don’t be afraid to tell them what your goals are. When you attend these meetings, always have your résumé and business cards on hand with you and pass them out. You want people to leave that meeting with a good impression of you.

Talk to people. You never know if somebody knows somebody who is looking for a new employee. Make it a point to get out there and just meet new people. When you’re at your local coffee shop, strike up a conversation with those around you. Ask others what they do for a living, and then tell them about yourself and what you want to do in life. Also, keep your friends and family updated about what’s going on with you. It never hurts to share your story with others.

Volunteer for organizations. Seek out volunteer opportunities that would provide you with experience related to what you want in a job. If you like marketing, volunteer to do some writing for a non-profit organization. If you want to do construction, contact Habitat for Humanity to see if they have any projects for you. These are great ways to build your skill set and be able to measure the impact of your results.

Get online. Check out company websites and others like Indeed.com to search for job openings. Submit your résumés online, along with a copy of your cover letter. Be sure your contact information is included. Apply for all the job openings you qualify for. The more you apply, the more your chances go up of hearing from an employer about a possible interview.

Also, set up social media networking accounts such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, if you don’t already have one. This is another great way to make connections with others. You can include information on these profiles about your skills, experiences, and what type of jobs you’re looking for. Again, you never know who could see your online profile and want to meet you.

Instead of waiting for opportunity to knock on the door, it’s important for you to take some initiative and push that door open just a bit and introduce yourself to new possibilities. If you keep approaching the job hunt the same way you always have, you will get the same results. Try these tips to help find the job you want.

New Job on the Horizon? 4 Ways to Make an Easy Transition.

The global economy is improving, according to the chairman and chief executive of Monster Worldwide Inc. in a recent article on The Wall Street Journal. And that means the job market is on the rise. Job postings across every industry, from professional to occupational sectors, are increasing on the popular job search engine website, giving experts hope that the economy is beginning to stabilize, allowing job seekers to breathe a sigh of relief.

As the job market loosens and employers start to hire again, job seekers and those looking to change professions may find themselves in a transition – moving back into a full-time career or starting a new one. This can be overwhelming, exciting, nerve racking, and stressful. If you’re about to embark on a new journey on your career path, make your transition easier with these four tips.

Know your industry. Whether you’re jumping back into the job market after some time off or just changing careers, make sure you’re up to speed on the desired industry you want to work in. Research the latest trends by attending workshops, conferences, or education seminars that are geared for the career you’re searching for. This will help you be prepared when opportunity comes knocking.

Identify your transferable skills. Once you’re updated with the latest industry trends, identify the transferable skills you need to be successful in that line of work. All transferable skills fit into five broad skill categories: leadership and management, professionalism, communication, research and planning, and relational. To help you organize and clarify your skills, check out Secrets of the Job Search: Identify Your Transferable Skills.

Update your résumé. Now that you have researched your industry and identified your transferable skills, it’s time to update your résumé to reflect the career you want. Create a standout résumé that showcases you and your skills, helping you transition from one type of job to another.  

Network. Your next step is to attend every possible networking event. You can even join organizations that don’t directly align with your industry, just as long as you get out there and meet people. Focus on building strong relationships with your contacts. Use networking opportunities to your advantage.

No matter if you’re changing jobs, just starting out, or starting over in the workforce, the time has come to prepare for the job search again. And, using these four tips will help you transition from one to another. So, stop dragging your feet. Get out there and start searching for your next adventure.

Does Online or In-Person Networking Work Best? The Surprising Results of Poll

With so much focus on social networking and the job search, we wanted to know in our latest poll what you think works best – in person or online networking.

The results of the poll – posted and shared online – may be surprising.

A total of 477 readers responded to the poll, which asked “Which is most effective?”

A huge majority thought in-person networking works best.

Here’s how the results came back:

• 21.4 % selected “Networking online.”
• 78.6 % selected “Networking in person.”

But, as our readers shared, that’s not to say that networking online isn’t important. Their comments reinforced the value of balancing both in-person and online networking.

Networking Balance is Key

Reader Chuck Rice responded, “I don't know that you can do one or the other. Face to face will always continue to be important, however online networking is better for staying in touch and discussing a variety of topics to a larger audience. I've found that seeing a post or message from someone in the middle of my business day causes me to act immediately, as long as I've built some face to face relationship.”

Other commentators shared the value of networking online to expand your relationships beyond where time and travel costs allow with traditional networking.

When it comes to networking, it’s clear that balance is key. With all the focus and attention on social media and technology these days, don’t underestimate the value of meeting people face-to-face. Use both in-person and online networking tactics to get the best of both options. Putting all your eggs in one networking basket could limit your opportunities, so carefully plan time for each type of networking in your professional life.

What are your thoughts? Can you afford to rely on just one type of networking these days to build your personal brand, advance in your career, and find great opportunities?

My Entry-Level Life

Spring is in the air. It’s the time of year when college students begin anticipating summer vacation or start preparing for life after college. Maybe you or someone you know is looking for that first job or maybe hoping to land an internship or part-time job. Regardless of what you’re looking for, we’ve got some information you’re going to want to read.

Starting next Monday, March 29, and going through the beginning of August, we’re featuring a new blog series called My Entry-Level Life. As part of this series, each week we will post different topics about finding and transitioning into entry-level job positions.

Through this series, we’ll share tips on topics like hunting for an internship or first job, what to do the first day at work, work-life balance, phone etiquette, interacting with upper management, and much, much more. Whether you’re just starting out or starting over, this series will tell you what you need to know.

Next Monday, the focus will be on beginning the job hunt. We’ll discuss the benefits of getting a full-time job versus the benefits of an internship. How do you start looking for a job or internship? Tune in next Monday to find out!

Broke? Improve Your Skills on the Cheap.

If you’re looking for a job, the competition can be tough. So, getting ahead could mean strengthening your job skills, and maybe even adding some new ones. Taking courses at your local college or vocational center is a great way to improve your skills set and your career, but it’s not always feasible with busy schedules and tight finances. If you need to brush up on a particular subject or simply want to expand your horizon and improve your mind, check out your local library. Borrowing books is a cost-effective way to build your résumé (or your brain) without draining your time or your pocket book.

Your library is a great – and free – resource you can use to extend your knowledge. And, you can learn at your own pace and schedule. At the library, you’ll find books on subjects ranging from computer programs to leadership advice. So, if you’ve ever been interested in graphic design, pick up some books on Adobe Photoshop. If you want to start your own business, read up on becoming an entrepreneur. If you’ve entertained a far-away dream of becoming a chef, realize that your dream could become a reality if you work toward it. Start by borrowing cookbooks like Julia Childs’ Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

If you’re like some people,  apart from the odd research paper in high school, you haven’t stepped foot in a library since grade school. But, if you’re looking to enhance your job skills, want to accomplish a life long dream, or just need a new hobby, now’s a great time to head to your local library. From gardening, to mechanics, from film making to interior design, your library has books about it all, often including free internet access. So, while you’re there, you can search the web for information and jobs.

Can’t handle the quiet, studious atmosphere of a library? You can schedule books for pickup online at most metro libraries to make borrowing books hassle free. So, head to your local library or visit it online to discover the endless possibilities a book can offer you.

Before the Job Hop: First, Face Yourself (If You Dare)

Of late, the news is focused on low employee job satisfaction. The lagging economy and resulting layoffs have fueled that focus.

While job satisfaction appears to be at an all time low, the number is at a stand still. In 2008, best selling author Patrick Lencioni who wrote The Three Signs of a Miserable Job referenced a Gallup poll revealing that 75% of employees hated their jobs and 35% had checked out. Some of the most common reasons employees leave their jobs are:

• Personality conflicts with their supervisor/co-workers
• Salary and/or benefits package
• No advancement opportunities
• Lack of two-way communication between management and employees

Of course, due to pressures from the recession, many of these situations are likely to be more extreme than before. But, though 80% of people would consider job hopping, it’s highly unlikely that 80% of employees in the U.S. will actually change jobs this year.

So, if you’re feeling some dissatisfaction at work, it’s important to ask yourself what you’re going to do about it. Are you going to check out and stay on the clock, tanking your professionalism and reputation where you are? Are you going to look around for other opportunities (that may or may not be better than your current position)? Or, are you going to do something to create happiness in your current position?

While extreme life circumstances such as health issues or diagnoses of clinical depression affect happiness levels, your job situation may not be as extreme as it feels. If you’re unhappy in your job, perhaps a change in perspective could help change your outlook on your current job situation. 

Author and speaker John Maxwell suggests that job satisfaction is largely based on your ability to lead yourself. In his book The 360 Degree Leader he devotes nine chapters to Lead-Up Principles. Within these chapters, he helps the reader discover ways to gain the respect of their boss and peers. When you feel respected, your job satisfaction will increase. If you want to be respected and valued for your contribution, often that is gained through the actions you take to achieve that level of respect.

A few of Maxwell’s principles include:

• Be willing to do what others won’t.
• Be prepared every time you take your leader’s time.
• Know when to push and when to back off.
• Become a go-to player.
• Be better tomorrow than you were today.

Whatever you choose to do with your career in this recession, make sure you take time to consider the bigger picture first. And, if you do choose to leave, make sure you’re not just running away from something but you’re running towards a better opportunity.

by Jennifer Anderson, Guest Blogger
Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Express Employment Professionals

Will 2010 Be the Return of the Job Hop?

Throughout much of 2009, the career world was marked by unrelentingly high unemployment rates, continued layoffs, and negative job reports. Employees everywhere were focused on keeping the job they had – no matter how good or bad, and making the best of whatever situation they found themselves in. At the end of December 2008, job value was so high that 71% of nearly 1,500 readers said they’d take a paycut to save their job.

This year, as the economy shows continued signs of recovery and the job market begins to turn around, low employee engagement is more than just an anecdote to stir up the boardroom. It’s a reality that employers should already be taking into consideration, because it means that as soon as jobs start to open up, turnover costs may begin to soar. 

In fact, our latest monthly poll showed that people are already thinking about greener pastures. We asked our readers if they’d consider job hopping for the right opportunity in 2010. A total of 817 people responded, with an overwhelming 82% saying yes, they’d job hop this year.

It’s true that you don’t have to job hop to improve your career, especially in normal circumstances. And, some people felt they were now actually better off career-wise than they were before the recession.

But, it’s also apparent that employment uncertainty from the past year or two has created the perfect storm for job hopping when the job market opens back up. Employers will increase recruiting seasoned professionals to build back diminished workforce numbers and add expertise, and employed professionals may move from a passive job search into an aggressive pattern, seeking to increase salary, gain responsibility, or simply have a change of pace. And all of this will only work to increase the competition in an already competitive job market.

So, keep your eye out on this trend in 2010, and share your thoughts about job hopping, the 2010 job market, and employee engagement with us in the comments section.

Would You Job Hop in 2010?

While the economy begins to improve, the labor market is still lagging behind. But, experts say that next year, as business picks up, employers will begin searching for top talent to boost their staff. Many say the talent crunch could quickly increase demand for highly-skilled workers. So, does this mean that job hopping will rise next year?

We want to know what you think, whatever your current employment situation. If you already have a job, would you leave the one you have for a better opportunity or higher salary? Or, do you want to build experience and job security by remaining in a job long term? If you’re unemployed and find a position, would you leave it for a better one when the job market picks up?

poll by twiigs.com

Who’s Hiring, Who Isn’t, and How to Get the Job

While some industries continue to see sharp declines in job losses, other industries have remained strong during the recession, and some have even started to bounce back.

According to a recent report released by Beyond.com, Inc., a network of online communities for niche careers, healthcare and information technology are two industries that continue to add jobs at a steady pace. Their third quarter Career Trend Report for 2009 also indicated that sales, sales management, manufacturing, and production industries experienced slight increases in job gains in the third quarter of 2009, while professional services including accounting, finance, engineering, and architecture are experiencing declines in job loss.

For those looking for employment opportunities or looking to change careers, it’s important to market yourself, tailor your résumé to reflect the industry and the job you’re applying for, and research the company before the interview. There are several ways to make sure your résumé is top of mind when decision makers are sifting through piles of applicants.

1. Identify your transferable skills. It’s important that you look at your skills and evaluate how to translate them on your résumé to reflect the job you’re applying for.
2. Market your transferable skills in your job search. Once you have identified your transferable skills, tailor your résumé for each specific job.
3. Network in industry-specific arenas. A key element to finding a job is who you know. By integrating yourself with key players in the industry, you’ll increase your chances of landing an interview or even a job offer. 
4. Research a potential employer. You don’t want to miss out on the job because you didn’t know anything about the company. Research will also help you when you’re preparing a tailored résumé.

Knowing what industries are hiring is important when looking for a job or making a career change. Once you have an idea of what areas are expanding, tailoring your résumé and making the right decisions on how you prepare can influence the hiring manager’s decision on whether or not you get the job.