Who Do Executives Turn To First For Job-Change Advice?
Survey Shows Spouse Remains Chief Career Advisor for Managers
MENLO PARK, Calif., June 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Who says people don't listen to their better half? According to a recent Accountemps survey, more than two in five (43 percent) executives said they turn first to a spouse or significant other for advice when evaluating an employment offer. Friends were the next most commonly tapped source of guidance (21 percent), and their influence seems to have grown: When a similar question was asked in 2007, they were cited by just 3 percent of managers. Mentors trailed closely behind, with 20 percent of the response in the latest survey. Coworkers and other family members were mentioned by just 9 percent and 7 percent of those polled, respectively.
The survey was developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals, and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from more than 300 senior executives in the United States at companies with 20 or more employees.
Executives were asked, "Which one of the following people would you most likely approach first for advice when evaluating a potential job change?" Their responses:
| 2015 |
2007 |
2002 |
|
| Spouse/significant other |
43% |
46% |
42% |
| Friend |
21% |
3% |
11% |
| Mentor |
20% |
41% |
28% |
| Coworker |
9% |
4% |
13% |
| Other family member |
7% |
4% |
5% |
| Someone else |
1% |
2% |
1% |
| 101%* |
100% |
100% |
|
| * Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding. |
|||
View an infographic of the full research findings.
"As the employment market improves, more professionals are considering changing jobs," said Bill Driscoll, a district president of Accountemps. "Although spouses and friends, who have a thorough understanding of your personal ambitions and professional goals, are well-suited to help you assess a career opportunity, don't overlook the valuable perspective that a mentor within your field can provide."
Driscoll also noted that savvy employers should think about the spouse or significant other when courting candidates. "Highlighting family-friendly perks such as flexible work schedules or spousal benefits tied to relocation can help when recruiting for hard-to-fill positions," he said.
Accountemps offers the following four tips when evaluating a job change:
- Size up the offer. Is the salary competitive? Does the corporate culture appeal to you? Do you like the daily job duties?
- Seek a track record of success. Look at the big picture. Does the company have a strong financial track record? What are the organization's plans for growth?
- Pursue an employee-friendly environment. In addition to compensation, evaluate perks and benefits such as flexible schedules, telecommuting options, recognition programs, and mentoring and training opportunities.
- Look for opportunities to grow. The best employers will provide room for professional challenge once you've proven yourself on the job. Can the hiring manager describe potential career paths within the organization and the support system available to help you achieve your goals?
About Accountemps
Accountemps, a Robert Half company, is the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. The staffing firm has more than 340 offices worldwide. More resources, including online job search services and the Accountemps blog, can be found at accountemps.com.
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SOURCE Accountemps
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