ExpressPros.Blog is currently under maintenance. In the meantime, please enjoy our archive content here at Refresh Leadership and at Job Journey. The post ExpressPros.Blog Under Maintenance first appeared on Refresh Leadership ..read more

Refresh Leadership sat down with a seasoned professional recruiter who specializes in skilled trades from all industries. Melissa Speaker of Express Employment Professionals in Pensacola, FL, has been in the industry for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about this hot job market. We spoke with Melissa about industry insights and what it takes to be successful in her field. What is your secret to successfully recruiting skilled trades workers?   I started out with a focus on CDL drivers nearly 17 years ago, and through word of mouth, became known as the only local CDL rec ..read more

In North America, there are estimated to be more than 25,000 staffing and recruiting agencies, with nearly 50,000 offices in the U.S. alone. After the ups and downs the workforce experienced the past few years, businesses are looking for solutions for future growth, but with cost-cutting solutions. This is where staffing services excel. However, when working with temporary employment agencies, it can be hard to understand the cost-benefit. In fact, one of the biggest complaints about using a staffing agency is the cost associated with it. Recently the American Staffing Association (ASA) did a ..read more

Even those who haven’t graduated yet are in demand with 2 in 5 employers (38%) planning to hire college and university students this year, up from 36% last year and 33% in 2021.   In terms of the positions employers are looking to fill with recent graduates, the most common are entry-level (53%) and mid-level (47%) jobs, followed by individual contributors (28%) and senior-level jobs (20%). Key areas in which employers are hiring include customer service (26%), sales (21%), accounting/finance and IT/technology support (both at 13%) and business development and human resources (both at 11 ..read more

Known as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, Ernest Hemingway was one of the so-called “Lost Generation” of artists. After attending high school, Hemingway opted to forgo college and become a reporter for the Kansas City Star. His time as an ambulance driver in World War I created lasting effects on his world view, inspiring his novel A Farewell to Arms. As a Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize winning writer, Hemmingway knows the inner workings of the human condition and through his quotes gives helpful advice for new leaders and seasoned professionals alike. “When people tal ..read more

Over the past few years, the workforce has changed drastically. While some embraced remote work and flexible hours, others have considered other options to remain competitive during a tight labor market. Recently, we asked our readers if they would support a four-day workweek, and the results are eye-opening! With 86% of the votes, the top answer to the monthly poll was overwhelmingly “Yes,” while only 14% said they wouldn’t support a shortened workweek. Of those who responded to the poll, 65% answered the follow-up prompt, “Tell us why you believe a four-day workweek would or would not work ..read more

Do you consider yourself an influencer? Maybe you’ve read Dale Carnegie’s classic sales book How to Win Friends and Influence People, but do you fully understand what type of influence you actually have on others? A study found that individuals have about 1,500 interactions on a given day and are expected to have nearly 5,000 interactions per day by 2025. How we interact with others directly impacts our influence as leaders. Whether you realize it or not, you are practicing influence on others every day. According to MHS, a peer reviewed assessment organization, influence is divided into two ..read more

Many workplaces are rethinking their organizational structures to allow employees more flexibility to work from home. However, for many workers, that means optimizing their home offices for productivity. Check out this infographic from EzLivingInteriors.co.uk for some great tips. The post Infographic: Designing Your Home Office for Productivity first appeared on Refresh Leadership ..read more

March marks the start of spring. It’s also jam-packed with basketball thanks to the NCAA Men and Women’s Division-I Basketball Tournament featuring dozens of college basketball teams competing for top bragging rights. While it’s a fun time of year for sports fans, some businesses are concerned that employees will be distracted by their game brackets or streaming devices watching games rather than being productive during working hours. A WalletHub article claims businesses lose $13.8 billion annually due to distracted workers during the tournament. Here are some ideas for encouraging a work en ..read more

Every leader has specific traits and characteristics that help build a cohesive set of skills needed to successfully manage a team. And while no two leaders are alike, they do posses similar qualities that, when utilized effectively, help their employees flourish in their roles. From strong communication to empowering others to effective conflict management, each leader’s skillset can make the difference between a high performing, motivated team to a disgruntled, actively disengaged group of employees with one foot out the door. In this monthly series, we will examine 12 specific skills that ..read more