If the staffing industry is any indication, things may be looking up for the economy. Nationally and locally, Express Employment Professionals has seen an increase in job openings despite the rising unemployment rate.

After a year of massive layoffs, longer hours, increased stress, and less pay, the number of employees who are actively engaged in their jobs declined by 9% in 2009. Additionally, employee engagement among top-performing workers fell by 23% over the same period, raising concerns for high employee turnover rates in 2010.

No one can deny that 2009 has been quite a year. However, we can’t let that affect our outlook for the future.  The New Year is upon us, bringing with it the opportunity to set goals for a fresh start.

It’s important to take a few minutes at the start of each day to focus and prepare yourself for what’s ahead.

“I refuse to participate in this recession” is a catchy statement but it’s also very difficult to do. For most businesses, “not participating” is not an option.  You can refuse to buy into the media’s hype of a doom and gloom economy. You can reject the idea that there is no new business to be had. But participate you must. And you can do that by taking action to impact the future of your business.

With the economy beginning to stabilize, many job seekers might expect to see more full-time employment opportunities.

 There are a few sporting events that bring everyone together in shared interest, regardless of whether or not you’re a regular fan. The Olympics and the Super Bowl both appeal to a wide variety of spectators from every walk of life. Some are hard-core sports fanatics. Others just watch for the commercials. But most everyone gets caught up in the contagious enthusiasm as, for a few minutes, everyday cares and concerns fade, and we’re caught up in the excitement of the moment.

5 Ways to Get Ahead of the Competition

Writing your résumé for the first time – or for the first time in a long time – can be a daunting task for anyone. How you write up your credentials can make or break your chance to get your foot in the door for an interview, so it’s important to have your résumé nearly perfect every time you apply for a job. Here are five big things to do every time you sit down to update your résumé.

You’ve heard the expression that laughter is good for the soul – but is it true? According to medical research, laughter not only makes you feel better by releasing endorphins, it also reduces stress and stimulates the brain and muscular system – making laughter good for the mind, body, and spirit.

Many companies are being forced to lay off large portions of their workforce in order to survive during this economic downturn.  The remaining employees are experiencing an increased workload as they pick up the slack.  Here are a few tips to increase personal work productivity and decrease related work stress.