Tag Archives: poll results

Poll Results: The Most Popular Part-Time Jobs

Which job should you choose?

Fulltime work isn’t for everyone. Some workers are at a point in their lives where they want to spend more time with their families and less time at the office. Others need to be able to balance taking care of children or sick relatives with earning a paycheck.

For those looking for something different than the traditional 8-to-5, part-time work can be a great option.

Last month we conducted a poll asking voters what type of part-time work they would consider.

The Results

Professional/office position came in first with over 27% of the votes, followed by data entry with 21%, and customer service/call center in third with 17% of the votes.

Other results included:

  • Food service: 8.5%
  • Warehousing/assembly line: 7.4%
  • Retail industry: 6%
  • Other: 3.5%
    • Choices included house cleaning, working from home, and quality engineer
  • Taxi/ridesharing driver: 1%
  • I will not consider part-time work: 1%

What does this mean?

For much of our audience, part-time work is a great choice for later in life. Industrial positions are harder to do, so desk jobs become attractive. Taking a few hours to work behind a cubicle or in a call center is worth it to be able to spend time with your family.

Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Express Employment Professionals is a leading staffing provider in the U.S and Canada with over 800 locations. If you have any questions about part-time work in your area or job search in general, feel free to contact your local Express office or fill out our online contact form.

Are you a part-timer? What kind of work do you do? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

Poll Results: What Benefits Do Employees Crave?

Last month we asked readers what benefits, not including health, they valued most from employers.

The Results

Having a flexible work schedule led the pack with 17.57% of the vote, while generous/unlimited vacation time and opportunities to work from home/remotely followed in second and third, with 12.83% and 11.85%, respectively. The rest of the results were as follows:

  • Access to Training/Certification Classes:10.18%
  • Casual Dress Code:9.76%
  • Profit Sharing/Stock Options:8.23%
  • College Tuition Reimbursement:6.56%
  • Opportunities to Travel:5.02%
  • Company Gym/Membership Discount at Local Gym:4.74%
  • Other:3.07%
  • Cafeteria Programs:2.79%
  • Community Service/Volunteer Opportunities:2.79%
  • Professional Organization Memberships:2.51%
  • Child Care:2.09%

Employees may love their jobs and what they do, but they aren’t just workers. Each one has family and obligations outside of work. Having the ability to attend to those responsibilities is incredibly helpful, and employees appreciate employers that provide that flexibility.

Poll Results: Achieving Your Career Dreams in 2018

Last month we conducted a Movin’ On Up poll asking readers which part of their career they plan to focus on this year. Check out the results below!

Getting Hired

Just over 18% of respondents indicated they want to get hired in 2018. How do you get the job? Hard work and dedication.

If you are not currently employed, the job search should become your new full-time job. First, create a career development plan to organize your thoughts about the job search and where you want your career to go. Next, update your resume. Then, contact anyone in your network who might be able to help. Attend professional groups in your area that are related to your industry.

Once you prepare all your tools and leverage your network, start the job search. Remember, you are one of many applicants. Your goal is to stand out above the rest. When you have interviews, ask pertinent questions to show interest. Do your research and know who the company is and what they stand for. Find out how you fit into the company culture. After the interview, write a handwritten thank you note. Not everyone does, and it makes you stand out.

Getting a Raise

Coming in second place with 17% of the vote was aiming to get a raise.

The hardest part of getting a raise you feel you deserve is figuring out when and how to ask for one. To eliminate the ‘when’ part of that equation, think about a raise the second you walk in the door. Set goals and track your progress toward those goals. Have metrics handy. Once you’ve met your major goals (and made sure the company isn’t floundering and the economy isn’t spiraling), ask. Odds are, given your incredible work history, your boss expects you to pop the question anyway.

And as for the how? Be confident. Know what you want, and have a presentation planned that shows why you deserve it. Be kind and smile, but also get your point across. Bring visual aids that prove your success.

Updating My Resume

Coming in third with 16% of the vote, “Updating My Resume” was another top choice.

Everything starts with your resume. Do the words on the page paint an accurate picture of your experiences as they apply to the specific position and company you’re applying for? If not, it’s time to make some adjustments.

Focus on meaningful accomplishments rather than a list of what you did. How did you benefit the company? Did you increase ROI? Cause a surge in viewers? Free up time in your managers schedule so they could make their deadline? If you don’t have any relevant experience, share your accomplishments and how they apply to the position.

The Rest

“Getting a promotion” came in fourth with just under 14% of the vote, while “More interviews,” “Quitting my job,” and “Other” all tied for fifth with 9.5% of the vote. “Updating my cover letter” rounded out the group with just over 6% of the vote. “Other” included responses such as “Improving my results in total,” “Gracefully retiring,” and “Training.”

Anything else you plan to accomplish in 2018? How do you plan on doing it? Let us know in the comments section below!

Poll Results: What’s Keeping You from a Promotion?

Save Money at WorkLast month we conducted a Movin’ On Up poll asking readers why they think they haven’t received a promotion.

What Employees Say

Just under 28% said it was because of favoritism, while 12% said there just weren’t any positons to promote to.

“Other” took up 13% of the vote, with users submitting answers including “haven’t asked for one,” and “I’m a temporary employee.” Some cited “age discrimination” or “it’s a boy’s club” being the problem.

Twelve percent believed their boss was jealous of them, while 11% noted their companies can’t currently afford promotions. Eight percent blamed coworkers for sabotaging them, while 5% said they simply hadn’t been at the company very long. Four percent don’t think they are experienced enough for a promotion.

But what about the other side? What are managers thinking when they pass on promoting an employee? Is favoritism really that big of a factor?

What Employers Say

In a 2016 CareerBuilder Survey, employers were asked a series of questions regarding what makes an employee less likely to get a promotion.

Responses ranged from physical (44% were against provocative attire, while 43% couldn’t stand a shabby appearance), to behavioral (62% were against a negative or pessimistic attitude or regularly showing up to work late, while 49% took offense at regularly leaving work early or taking too many sick days). Thirty-nine percent didn’t like employees spending office time on personal social media accounts, while 27% were triggered by initiating non-work related conversations with coworkers.

In the end, there was a huge list of reasons why employers were unlikely to promote employees. And those are just the reasons that have nothing to do with performance.

What We Say

What does this mean for employees? You may not ever know why your employer isn’t promoting you. Maybe they really do favor others. Maybe it’s your goatee. It could even be something silly like the way you laugh. Or it could really be performance-related.

If you truly feel you’re ready for a promotion and your work ethic is outstanding, you only have one option—asking your manager for a promotion. If it doesn’t go through, ask why. And if you think their reasoning is flawed, or it isn’t something you can or are willing to change, be ready to move on.

How have you dealt with not receiving a promotion? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

81% of Businesses Expect Growth in 2018

Good news for job seekers! There’s reason to be optimistic about the economic outlook for the new year. In a recent poll conducted by RefreshLeadership.com, Express Employment Professionals’ blog for business leaders, most respondents said they predict growth in 2018.

Of those who participated in the poll, 23% say they will see “exponential” growth, 58% plan on “moderate” growth, and 16% said they would remain “steady, but unchanged.” Only 2% of businesses predict a decrease in business volume—a nearly 4% decrease over 2017’s predictions.

These results continue a positive trend that has been observed over the last three years of the annual poll.

“There’s a lot to be optimistic about in 2018,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express. “For the third year in a row, there is a drop in the number of people who expect business activity to decrease, and the number of companies that predict growth continues to increase. Although there are still challenges on the horizon, like the widening skills gap, overall indications point toward a strong year ahead.”

So, what are some trends to watch in 2018 that could have a major impact on the job search?

The skills gap is widening
Across most industries, there are jobs to be found. However, candidates with the skills to fill in-demand positions are becoming fewer and far between. Attracting and retaining top performers continues to be one of the highest priorities for businesses as more than 42% say it is “somewhat” or “very” difficult to recruit for and fill positions, according to Express’ first quarter 2018 Job Insights Survey.

In fact, results of the survey indicated that the top three reasons business leaders say jobs are going unfilled are lack of applicants with experience, a shortage of applicants in general, and applicants not having the necessary hard skills. You can pull ahead of the competition by using online or community college classes to develop new skills.

Millennials are staking their claim to leadership roles
According to the Hartford Millennial Leadership Survey, 80% of millennials identify themselves as business leaders, and 69% aspire to be business leaders within the next five years. And there are many factors that point toward this generation being successful in their endeavors.

One of the key strengths millennials bring to leadership roles is their tech savvy and ability to integrate new technology into the way their companies operate. They are also one of the most diverse generations in the workplace and actively seek out purpose-driven initiatives or ways to support important social and charitable causes with the work they do. Regardless of whether you are a millennial or not, this heavy millennial presence will necessitate learning to work with others from different generations.

Baby Boomers are redefining retirement
Research from Bloomberg indicates that the boomer generation are increasingly opting to delay retirement. About one-third of workers say they expect to work past age 70. And statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics project that by 2024 “36% of 65- to 69-year-olds will be active participants in the labor market.

From trying out new jobs to exploring entrepreneurship to mentoring younger generations of workers, the path to retirement is becoming less traditional for baby boomers. Businesses that actively embrace and help facilitate the changing retirement needs of older generations stand to benefit from the knowledge and experience they bring to the workforce.

Only time will tell what 2018 has in store for businesses and the economy, but there are many signs that show cause for optimism. Early preparation and forward-thinking strategies are the key to putting your company on a strong foundation for the new year.

Poll Results: Are You Over or Underemployed?

Last month we conducted a Movin’ On Up poll asking whether readers believed they were over or underemployed. A resounding 85% said they are underemployed.

Only 9% said they were well-suited for their job, while 4% said they were over-employed.

It can be hard to keep going at a job where you’re underemployed. You aren’t given a chance to use your skills or show people what you can do. However, you should still try to do your job as best as possible, even in these circumstances.

Why? For one thing, it’s better than the alternative—being unemployed. It’s always harder to find a job when you don’t currently have one. Additionally, you never know what kinds of opportunities could arise when you really give it your all. You might get a promotion or take advantage of a chance to move to a different department.

In addition, you can build skills and network. As long as you find a way to keep learning, that’s experience you can use in your next job. Contacts you meet in this position (whether at your current company or with employees from other companies) could be valuable in your future job search.

At the end of the day, if a job makes you absolutely miserable, you need to move on. However, before you do, make sure that you learn everything you can from that job. Learn as much as possible, meet new faces, and pair all of that effort with a renewed focus on your job search.

How have you dealt with being underemployed? Let us know in the comments below!

Poll Results: Will You Retire?

A few months ago we held a Movin’ On Up poll asking whether or not retirement was in your future. Only about 23% of those polled said that they planned to retire.

Twenty-nine percent said they can’t afford to retire, while 15% think retirement would be boring. Just fewer than 9% don’t see a reason to retire since they can travel and do what they want while working. Seven percent have heavy debt they have to pay off before retirement even becomes a consideration. Six percent wanted to keep working because they love their jobs, while 3% need to support their children financially. Two percent have to support their parents financially.

Six percent chose the “Other” option, with responses ranging from needing to work part-time or being a workaholic to the desire to start a second career.

So what does all of that data mean? We’re living in a changing employment environment. For a variety of reasons, baby boomers are working longer. This is the new normal. But it can be nice to see that you aren’t alone.

Any other reasons you won’t be retiring any time soon? Let us know in the comments below!