Northeast Tampa Express Job Seekers Blog

For many companies, the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to hiring — or worse, employees had to be let go. In fact, an April study by Pew Research Center found that 28% of the 4,917 U.S. adults surveyed said they or someone in their household was let go as a direct result of the pandemic. […]

How we work and look for jobs has changed due to increased connectivity from the Internet. The worldwide lockdowns because of the Covid-19 pandemic have only sped things up and the dynamics of looking for a job have changed for good. One’s online profile has never been more relevant. If you are looking for a […]

COVID-19 has created an extremely unique job market where remote recruiting and hiring has become the new normal. There are definite advantages of hiring through video recruiting, but since it’s new to many job seekers, you may feel you’ll struggle to shine in this digitized recruiting process. Here are the steps you can take to […]

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 […]

The Great Resignation drove millions of workers to leave their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic but now, some workers are returning to the companies they left garnering the nickname “boomerang employees.” Employees returning to the jobs they quit or were let go from isn’t a new concept, but the trend is gaining traction. If you want to return to your old workplace, here are a few things to consider before accepting a boomerang offer. Determine Why You Left—You may have quit your job for various reasons, such as a better opportunity for advancement, uncertainty during the pandemic or caring for a loved one. Working for your old company again wouldn’t be bad if you departed positively and avoided burning any bridges. Consider your reason for leaving and whether it is sufficient to warrant a return. Also, if you make it to the interview stage, be prepared to have an answer for the hiring manager or recruiter about why you left and what has changed. Do Your Research—Do some research now that you’ve …

There are plenty of job openings right now, but companies are having a difficult time hiring. There’s no doubt we’re in a job seekers market, but could there be roadblocks standing in the way of their next job opportunity? We want to know, what are some of the biggest barriers job seekers are facing today? Let us know by voting in our poll! View Survey

If your job allows you to work remotely, you may see more of your furry, feathery, or scaley friends during the day. So, how do you cope when your coworker is now your pet? Working remotely with your pets requires a lot of patience, but it could also help you achieve the right work-life balance. Here are some tips for juggling work and pets. Create a Work Routine Around Your Pet If your pet is used to you being away for most of the day, it will take some time for them to adjust to your new work schedule. Some new training will probably need to be enforced. If you want your pet to sit quietly while you work, reward their good behavior by giving them an occasional treat or toy. Create a routine for you and your pet to step away from work. Spend some quality time with your pet by having intentional playtime or get some exercise by going for a walk or to the neighborhood dog park. …

Music is considered a universal language and serves as the soundtrack to many of our lives. A good tune could also help you stay on top of your game at work. Here are some career lessons you can learn from various music genres. We’ve also compiled a list of songs to add to your work playlist. Bring Hip-hop Energy to Your Team Fans of this music genre enjoy upbeat tunes, collaborative freestyles from their favorite artists, and informative and energetic lyrics. Using hip-hop energy to motivate your team during meetings and group projects can be very effective. It’s not always possible to get everyone excited about a work project, but it’s worth trying to instill good vibes with your teammates. As you reach each project milestone, celebrate your victories. You could even perform a hip-hop freestyle with motivating lyrics to encourage everyone to finish the project with solid execution. Job Journey’s Hip-Hop Song Pick: All I Do Is Win – DJ Khaled Rock and Roll Through Job Changes Fans of …

You only have one opportunity to make a first impression. A recruiter or hiring manager’s first perception of you may be based solely on what they see in your LinkedIn profile photo. Your professional image is important, even online. According to LinkedIn, simply having a picture makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed by others. We want to help you shine on LinkedIn. Here are five tips to being an all-star professional with the right LinkedIn profile picture. Don’t Sabotage Your Profile with Selfies – Don’t send the wrong message by using a selfie as your LinkedIn profile photo. If you can’t get a professional headshot, ask a friend or co-worker to take a picture of you using a phone. Make sure you have professional work attire on that day. Keep selfies on Facebook and Instagram but use discretion. Recruiters and hiring managers will often view those profiles too. Meet LinkedIn’s Image Size Criteria – LinkedIn occasionally changes the layout of the platform, and you’ll want to …

Dealing with the death of a loved one is never easy and having to manage your grief and your job at the same time can be challenging. It’s perfectly normal to not be mentally present at work after taking a couple of days off to grieve. Here are some suggestions to help you cope with the loss of a loved one when you return to work: Don’t assume that everyone is aware of your grief You most likely informed your supervisor and human resources of your loved one’s death, but your team may be unaware of the personal matter. Communicate with your co-workers about your loss and grief if you feel comfortable doing so. Perhaps some of your co-workers are aware of your loss and wish to express their sympathies. Forgive your co-workers in advance for how they try to offer you support that you may not want during this difficult time. Set boundaries with your co-workers so they know what is acceptable or unacceptable to ask you during your …

Both businesses and consumers have been impacted by inflation. As gas prices hit record highs this summer, many people are feeling the pinch at the pump. In June, we asked how you’re dealing with increased gas prices and how they affect your work commute. Here’s what you had to say: The Results Nearly 40% of those polled said they are absorbing the increased gas costs, while 35% have had to cut costs in other areas. Five percent say there hasn’t been a significant change in their commute with the higher costs. Working remotely, carpooling with co-workers, and changing jobs for a shorter commute are some of the other solutions people have chosen to deal with the high gas prices. What Does it Mean? It should come as no surprise that in a tight job seeker’s market, many workers have adjusted to deal with ongoing inflation issues. While some workers simply adjusted to the increase, others changed how they work because of rising gas prices. Have the increased gas prices affected …

With remote work available for many employees, this flexible option may add a new dynamic to your relationship with your significant other. Whether you’ve been working remotely since the COVID-19 pandemic began or have just recently been offered the option, we want to help you successfully navigate your relationship and reduce stress while working from home with your partner. Communicate Now More than Ever Because you’ll be spending more time together due to your work-from-home arrangement, now is a perfect moment to put the “communication is key” advice into practice. Here are some ways you and your spouse or partner can communicate effectively about work: Talk with your spouse or partner about your most productive times of the day, such as phone and virtual meetings and times when you’ll need to be hyper-focused on work with few interruptions. Communicate your job schedule. You can go old school and post your calendar on the fridge or use platforms like Google Calendar to build a shared calendar. Set aside time to check …

If you’re looking for a job, you may find yourself juggling recruiter calls, emails, and even social media messages. You want to know where you stand in the recruiting process, but have you ever wished it would move faster? Text recruiting could be the solution. Recruiters can meet talent where they are – on their phones – by texting them. According to a 2022 job seeker survey, candidates want a faster and more direct approach to finding and accepting a job. The survey revealed that 42% of workers had received a text message from a recruiter requesting a job interview. Of those, 56% preferred this process to scheduling interviews via email or phone. Here are some advantages and best practices for using text recruiting: For Recruiters: The pre-screening process can be streamlined by texting candidates to verify their skills, experience, and cultural fit. Setting up automated texts can help with frequently asked questions from candidates. Recruiters can save time by scheduling interviews through text. Candidates can confirm or cancel interviews …

Do you have a passion for helping people find hope and be able to provide for their families? As an Employment Specialist with Express Employment Professionals, you can do just that. If you’re looking for a company culture that fits your passion to help people, then Express may be the right company for you. The Employment Specialist is a critical player in an Express office with the primary emphasis on finding people jobs with great local employers. Employment Specialists specialize in building and maintaining relationships with job seekers as they work to place them in jobs on a daily basis in the areas of Office Services, Light Industrial, Skilled Trades, and Professional. Required Education: Employment Specialists may be required to have a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, psychology, or a similar field. You can also be more marketable to employers by becoming certified through programs like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). Pay: Pay varies depending on multiple factors (e.g. experience, geographic …