The benefits to look for in this new remote world of work

 

AS WORK ENVIRONMENTS CHANGE, YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON YOUR BENEFITS AND PERKS.

The company you work for can make a big impact in helping you and your coworkers feel confident in navigating a crisis (say, a pandemic). From traditional benefits to office perks and company culture, things will continue to look different as more than 20% of the working population does so from home.

As work environments change, think about what you need with a new perspective.

When it comes to classic benefits, compare or consider:

• Health care and related support. Make sure any healthcare plans offered align with your typical and ongoing needs but ask your potential employer if the company has made changes since to these policies in response to the pandemic. Are they now covering more of the premium than before, has mental health support been added or are there other new benefits to help employees take care of themselves and stay healthy?
• Paid time off, parental leave and flexibility in hours. If you’re working where you’re living, you still need time off to decompress and recharge. How does this company expect you to be “on” during your work hours? Is there flexibility to pick up kids from daycare or run an errand during the day when stores are less crowded?
• Hazard pay and safety measures. Maybe you’re not fully work-from-home, and you have to travel onsite to support clients, receive inventory or any other duty that requires an in-person appearance. Related: transportation accounts. Pre-pandemic, a company might have covered your parking garage fees or allowed you to contribute to a commuter account before taxes. Ask if hazard pay and/or transportation perks are available and the safety measures the company is taking to protect employees right now.

Now, the perks of a job. Office dwellers could usually depend on a selection of “extras” that improved cubicle culture, from snacks to happy hours or activities. When considering a remote position, there are two important questions to ask yourself or the hiring manager:

Was the process easy? Job hunting won’t ever be as easy as essentially signing-up for a gig, but companies, especially now, should be making an effort to have a streamlined and seamless hiring process start-to-finish. This shows this employer wants applicants to feel part of the team from the beginning, as well as demonstrating this team cares about your experience.

How does the company try to replicate or replace in-person interaction? From Zoom hangouts and companywide meetings and events, to recognition on internal platforms, check if your potential future employer is investing in its culture. Connection to your coworkers is important for productivity and team success.

How does the company make sure you feel part of the team? Family, pets and roommates are now common guests in meetings, as are grocery deliveries and loungewear. How often these work from home quirks appear can say a lot about your potential employer. Maybe childcare is a benefit you’d like, or, maybe the company proactively communicates that it’s no problem for kids to be part of your daily professional life. Inclusivity is important, and that comes from both benefits and culture.

How a focus on skills can expand your career

INSIGHT INTO WHY DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING ARE CRUCIAL FOR SUCCESS.

In an effort to share the stories of the CareerBuilder employees who are hard at work #BuildingForYou, we continue our employee feature series, from celebrating individuality and lending personal experience to their insight on industry trends and everything in between.  

Anna Pena joined the CareerBuilder team a little more than two years ago and has since grown with the company and improved her skills while advancing products. Through her work as the Senior Release Manager for our global Product Teams, Anna touches every part of product development and has learned much along the way. Read on to learn about her favorite project at CareerBuilder and how her dad inspired her career choices. 

How have you grown professionally during your time at CareerBuilder? 

I have had fantastic opportunities to expand my skill set at CareerBuilder, starting with certifications in the scaled agile framework and release training engineering. I can reinforce and apply the learnings from the certifications directly into day-to-day work. The certifications and experience gained at CareerBuilder allowed me to move from focusing solely on release readiness activities to facilitating Research &Development/IT planning.

What do you enjoy most about working at CareerBuilder? 

The best part about working at CareerBuilder is hands down the people. CareerBuilder is stacked with dedicated, smart people who are self-motivated to get the work done. There have been countless times when team members step up to help hit a deadline and still manage to have fun doing it.  

What is your favorite project that you have worked on during your time at CareerBuilder?

Facilitating and participating in the CareerBuilder beta program has, by far, been my favorite project. Being part of a process where we engage our internal experts in test driving new features and products before release has been rewarding. CareerBuilder is full of very passionate and knowledgeable employees who know the industry and our client needs exceptionally well, so getting their feedback before launch has been very beneficial.

What is the best career advice you’ve ever received? 

Get out of your comfort zone! Becoming an expert in something is great, but you cannot stop learning and challenging yourself. The majority of the time, taking on something new (even if it is hard at first) is where you grow, so don’t be afraid to raise your hand for a unique opportunity. 

What was your first job, and what were your biggest takeaways from the experience? 

I had a paper route delivery with my sister when I was 12. I learned very early on what it means to commit to a job; if you commit to something, you need to follow through with it even when it is raining outside and you have papers to deliver! 

What inspired you to choose your current career path? 

Seeing my dad work his way up to managing a major manufacturing facility was an inspiration to get into some facet of the business world. He made it look easy when it wasn’t, and I got to see firsthand how a good leader can set up teams for success. Watching his career progress showed us where hard work and a career you're passionate about can lead.

The best career advice: just go for it

 

HOW ONE CAREERBUILDER TEAM MEMBER TOOK INSPIRATION FROM PEERS AND LEADERS TO SHAPE HER PATH.

In an effort to share the stories of the CareerBuilder employees who are hard at work #BuildingForYou, we continue our employee feature series, from celebrating individuality and lending personal experience to their insight on industry trends and everything in between.

Since joining the team in 2019, Emma has been an invaluable asset to the CareerBuilder marketing team. From establishing lead generation processes to navigating our B2B pandemic response, she has led many team members through every challenge along the way. Continue reading to learn more about Emma's work at CareerBuilder - and what she learned from working behind a deli counter.

How have you grown professionally during your time at CareerBuilder?

When I joined CareerBuilder, I helped build up the demand generation marketing team from ground zero. Contributing to this new function allowed me to work with multiple teams across the organization and taught me how a business operates, while providing me with the necessary vantage point to aid in breaking down silos.
While I started at CareerBuilder as an individual contributor, I now manage a team of five direct reports and oversee our e-commerce channel. While I can attribute a lot of that to my hard work and dedication, I wouldn’t have been able to get to this place without the support and mentorship of the leaders I’ve worked with along the way.

What do you enjoy most about working at CareerBuilder?

What I enjoy most about working at CareerBuilder is being part of a group of strong, powerful and uplifting women. I’ve learned so much from my direct and indirect leaders about business, professionalism, and being a great leader. Even better, they’ve taken the time to nurture my potential and maintain patience while I learn my way around new responsibilities.

What is your favorite project that you have worked on during your time at CareerBuilder?

One of the most challenging, yet rewarding, moments in my career occurred in the first few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world went into shut-down, CareerBuilder had a huge mountain to climb to get past the increasing unemployment rate and jobs decrease. The way the entire business came together in support of our response to the pandemic was inspiring and a huge testament to what people can do when they come together.

It was not only an honor to contribute to CareerBuilder’s response but a fantastic learning experience for myself. During this time, my business acumen, presentation skills, and leadership skills improved ten-fold.

What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Be vocal about what you want and prove it. While this wasn’t necessarily direct advice from one person, it is something that I have learned through my career from my own experiences, as well as from my peers. It’s easy to get overlooked for opportunities when you’re not vocal about wanting them. It’s also not enough to say you want it; you also prove that you can do it because, after all, “actions speak louder than words.”

What was your first job, and what were your biggest takeaways from the experience?

My first job was behind the deli counter of a Mariano’s. While working there, I learned a lot about my work ethic and uncovered my passion for driving efficiencies through process improvements. I specifically recall a time when I typed a two-page letter to my manager, kindly suggesting improvements to the night- and morning-shift responsibilities that would allow us to save time and money.

Who inspires you and why?

I’ve always been inspired by people who choose to have a positive spirit despite the hardships in their lives. It’s a testament to being grateful for the small things that life gives us, which is something to always strive to achieve.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

There’s this eco-park in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico called Xcaret; it is where I go to in my mind when people say, “go to your happy place.” Experiencing a trip around the park’s lazy river is literally like heaven as it weaves in and out of caves, forest, and large “cenotes” or sinkholes. I’ve been thinking about this place a lot during the pandemic.

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Jobs available this week as food and retail stores increase hiring

EVERY WEEK, CAREERBUILDER SHARES REAL-TIME HIRING DATA TO PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO THE CURRENT EMPLOYMENT LANDSCAPE.

CareerBuilder job insights

Find a job near you and in companies and industries that are hiring right now.

The coronavirus pandemic is far from over, including its impact on employment. Keep up to date with who’s hiring each week, and make sure your resume is uploaded to the CareerBuilder job board to get in front of thousands of employers.

Companies hiring now

These 10 companies are hiring for more than 92,000 jobs. They include:

1. Jobs at Amazon
2. Jobs at Dollar Tree
3. Jobs at C.R. England
4. Jobs at Pizza Hut

Top job openings

These roles continue to grow, week after week. Build a resume in minutes and use the CareerBuilder salary tool to check out what these positions pay.

1. Truck driver jobs
2. Registered nurse jobs
3. Retail sales jobs
4. Retail supervisor jobs
5. Software developer jobs
6. Customer service rep jobs
7. Stock clerk jobs
8. Food service supervisor jobs

Industries that are hiring

The top 10 industries that are hiring right now include:

1. Administrative jobs
   • Virtual assistants and in-office administrative assistants keep things running. Every industry needs administrative assistants.
   • If you're interesting in flexing a wide set of skills, consider working as an administrative assistant - an excellent choice for generalists.
2. Waste management jobs
3. Retail industry jobs
   • Interested in working retail? Learn more about the career of a retail sales manager.
   • 8 tips for the perfect retail resume.
4. Healthcare industry jobs
   • What do travel nurses do? The top 6 required skills for travel nurses.
   • 6 reasons to become a physician assistant, a top in-demand job
5. Transportation industry jobs
   • Thinking about a truck driving career? 8 facts about the truck driver way of life.
   • Job growth in transportation is expected to outpace the national average, post-pandemic. 10 of the fastest growing transportation jobs.
6. Warehouse jobs
7. Manufacturing jobs
8. Food service industry jobs
9. Finance industry jobs
10. Insurance jobs

Companies hiring this week

CareerBuilder job insights

Find a job near you and in companies and industries that are hiring right now.

Companies with available jobs

The top five include Crete Carrier, US Xpress, Marten Transport, Hunt Transportation and Drive LLC. Search by employer and industry at careerbuilder

Industries that are hiring

Transportation jobs and warehouse positions are still widely available as part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic, making sure shelves stay stocked and goods are delivered. Look for administrative and support roles, and healthcare, professional and technical services are all in high-demand.

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6 tips for landing a summer job

IF YOU WANT TO LAND A GOOD JOB, FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO MAKE THE RIGHT KIND OF IMPRESSION WITH EMPLOYERS.

If you’re in the market for a summer job, your prospects are looking hot. According to a new CareerBuilder survey, 41 percent of employers plan to hire seasonal workers for the summer. The vast majority (88 percent) expect to transition some summer hires into permanent roles, up from 79 percent last year.

Even better news? These summer jobs will pay well, too. The majority of employers hiring this summer (87 percent) plan to pay $10 or more per hour on average, 56 percent expect to pay $12 or more per hour and 25 percent plan to pay $15 or more per hour. Considering the federal minimum wage is $7.25, a majority of these jobs will pay well over minimum wage.

Who are companies looking to hire?According to the survey, employers are targeting both younger and more mature workers to fill their summertime roles. Nearly 3 in 4 (73 percent) say they plan to recruit college students, 39 percent say high school students and 26 percent say retirees. Two in five employers hiring for the summer are looking to hire veterans for their summer positions.

What positions are companies hiring for?When you think summer job, you probably think lifeguard, camp counselor or something related to the outdoors. Yet, many positions are available in (air-conditioned) stores or corporate settings. Areas where employers are hiring include customer service (25 percent), warehouse (25 percent), office support (25 percent) and retail (18 percent).

Advice for your seasonal job searchWhile summer workers may be in demand, you can’t just slack on your job search. If you want to land a good job – and potentially make it permanent – you’ll need to follow these tips to make the right kind of impression with employers.

1. Apply ASAP. Employers have already started recruiting for summer positions, so now is the time to submit your applications. While it’s important to customize your application materials as much as possible, tools such as CareerBuilder’s Quick Apply All let you apply to multiple similar positions simultaneously, saving you time and getting you closer to landing your summer job.

2. Take the opportunity seriously. While movies may depict summer jobs as a temporary gig where you can put in the minimum amount of effort, if you want to get your foot in the door at an organization, you need to take the job seriously. Treat it as you would any full-time role by thoroughly researching the position and company, preparing for interviews and following up to show your interest. And let the hiring manager know up front if you’d like a permanent role down the line – it will help you stand out as a candidate.

3. Be flexible. If you’re up for working any shift, you’ll up your chances of getting hired, and you’ll make your manager happy once you’re on the job. Also, be willing to take on responsibilities that may not have been in the original job description – by showing you’ll go above and beyond, you’ll prove you’re worth keeping around.

4. Dress appropriately. You may be tempted to wear more casual attire when interviewing for a summer job, but it’s important to dress for the role and the company, not for the season in which the job is offered. Check out this handy guide for what to wear to different types of job interviews.

5. Apply for the right reasons. When searching for summer jobs, don’t just apply for the ones with the best employee discounts. Seek out jobs that will be a stepping stone on your career path. Speaking of employee discounts – don’t ask about them during the interview; that’s a surefire way to leave a bad impression.

6. Show you’re excited. Sure, the summer gig may not be your dream job, but you should still act like it is during the interview and once you’re on the job. A little enthusiasm can go a long way especially when employers are assessing whether you can provide good service to internal or external customers.

Companies hiring this week

EVERY WEEK, CAREERBUILDER SHARES REAL-TIME HIRING DATA TO PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO THE CORONAVIRUS EMPLOYMENT LANDSCAPE.

CareerBuilder job insights

Find a job near you and in companies and industries that are hiring right now.

What companies are hiring now?

Thousands of jobs are available at CRST International, Pegasus Transportation, Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Home Instead, among others.

What jobs are available?

The top five in-demand positions include truck drivers, registered nurses, software developers, customer service reps and retail associates.

What industries are hiring?

There are thousands of open positions in a variety of support services industries, as well as transportation, warehousing, healthcare, social assistance, retail and manufacturing.