Plan Your Career by Julie Desmond

Julie Desmond is Talent Manager for Express Employment Professionals. Write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

(Plan Your Career) Motivate employees when money is tight

Thursday, 19 November 2009 15:52 Julie Desmond

One of my favorite recruiting projects was also the most challenging. I was responsible for providing over 100 accountants to an international firm during a time when, unlike now, no one was looking for work. When my team seemed close to giving up, I casually initiated the Where’s Waldo trophy. I took a Waldo figurine from my kid’s happy meal and put it on a file cabinet where it was easily seen by everyone on the team. Each time someone filled a position, they got to keep Waldo at their desk – until someone else filled a position. This was cheap, easy, fun competition and it was an absurdly effective motivator.

(Plan Your Career) It still makes me smile: Bring your personality to phone interviews

Friday, 13 November 2009 16:35 Julie Desmond

Rynn is about to graduate. She is excited about her future and passionate about life. She wears her heart right there on her sleeve, but is that the best place for a heart during an interview? Yes, definitely.

(Plan Your Career) Back-to-Work Strategy: Tips for stay-home spouses returning to work

Thursday, 05 November 2009 15:35 Julie Desmond

Did you see this change coming? Women are now the primary breadwinners in over 50% of American households. Unfortunately, that change has come about due to massive layoffs of higher-paid men. While no one wishes for their man to be unemployed, the fact is that women are returning to the workplace. For stay-home spouses, returning to work can be intimidating. Having a search strategy will help.

(Plan Your Career) Office Etiquette

Thursday, 29 October 2009 15:44 Julie Desmond

Contract employees who move frequently between companies tell me the rules are the same wherever you work. Know your Office Etiquette so you can get ahead on the job.

(Plan Your Career) Glasses or contacts? As interviewing revs up, candidate concerns get back to the basics

Friday, 23 October 2009 15:07 Julie Desmond

Wendy has an interview Thursday, and can’t stop obsessing over details. It was there on her resume, detail-oriented, but who knew how accurate that could be? As the economy brightens and companies gear up to hire, more candidates are finding themselves in a quandary about interviewing. It’s been so long, they say. And everything has changed since the last time I looked, they say. The most important factor in an interview is comfort level.

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