Job candidates who think hiring managers are the only people they need to
impress during a job interview may be in for a surprise. A new survey
reveals that 91 percent of executives consider their assistant's opinion an
important factor in the employee selection process, up from 60 percent five
years ago.
The survey was developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service
specializing in highly skilled temporary office and administrative
professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes
responses from 150 executives with the nation's 1,000 largest companies.
Executives were asked, "How important is your assistant's opinion about the
job candidates you interview for positions at all levels?" Their responses:
- Very important- 52% in 1999 versus 11% in 1994
- Somewhat important - 39% in 1999 versus 49% in 1994
- Somewhat unimportant - 5% in 1999 versus 29% in 1994
- Very unimportant - 3% in 1999 versus 11% in 1994
- Don't Know - 1% in 1999 versus 0% in 1994
"Today's executives seek greater input from their assistants in a number of
key operational areas, especially hiring," said Diane Domeyer, executive
director of OfficeTeam. "Assistants are familiar with day-to-day activities
as well as long-range initiatives and, as a result, are able to provide
informed opinions on a job candidate's potential fit with the company."
Domeyer added, "Because assistants often meet an interview candidate before
the executive, they are able to capture a valuable first impression of that
individual. An applicant who appears friendly and professional to a hiring
manager may exhibit markedly different behavior toward support staff." That,
according to Domeyer, may speak volumes about the job seeker's true
character.
OfficeTeam has over 200 locations worldwide and offers online job search services.
