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Fitting In and Standing Outin the Workplace
2
About the Survey
• Partnership between OfficeTeam, IAAP
and HR.com
• Human resources managers and administrative
professionals were surveyed
• Follow up to Office of the Future: 2020 study
3
What We’ll Cover
• How can you find or create your
ideal work environment?
• How can you set yourself apart from
other colleagues?
• How can you ask for and receive the training and
recognition you deserve?
4
The Value of the Right Work Environment
87% of administrative professionals said work
environment is a major consideration when evaluating
a new job opportunity
5
Fitting In
“In which type of environment are you most likely to succeed?”
1 2 3 4 5
Busy
Casual attire
Traditional environment
Small office
Startup office
Unpredictable
Collaborative
Constantly changing
Team-focused
Calm
Business attire
Nontraditional environment
Large office
Established office
Predictable
Autonomous
Structured
Hierarchical
2.1
3.5
2.4
2.8
3.9
3.5
2.6
3.0
3.7
Source: IAAP survey of more than 300 administrative professionalsMean response; five-point scale
6
The Value of the Right Work Environment
More than three-quarters of managers admitted that
their work environment isn’t suitable for everyone
7
Determining Your Ideal Work Environment
• How does your current or prospective work
environment align with your preferences?
– OfficeTeam Workplace Culture Calculator at
www.officeteam.com/CultureCalculator.
8
Determining Your Ideal Work Environment
• What are your Workplace Culture results?
• How does the manager describe the culture?
• Did you bond with potential coworkers?
• What does your network think?
• Can you envision working at the firm every day?
9
Your Role in Enhancing the Work Environment
• Adopt an upbeat attitude
• Be a good communicator
• Avoid office politics
• Question inconsistent policies
10
Getting Ahead
• Key factors:
– Strong soft skills, technical expertise
– Commitment to continuous learning
– Management’s awareness of your talents and
contributions
11
Technical vs. Soft Skills
Would an employer hire a candidate with good technical
skills whose soft skills were lacking?
12
Value of Soft Skills to Employers“I would hire a candidate with good technical skills whose soft skills were lacking.”
Source: HR.com survey of more than 400 HR managers
27%
46%
18%
8%
1%Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Undecided
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree
13
Soft Skills in Greatest Demand“When hiring for administrative positions, which of the following soft skills are in greatest demand by
your company?”
11%
17%
45%
48%
59%
60%
78%
81%
87%
Source: HR.com survey of more than 400 managers. Multiple responses were allowed.
Negotiation
Leadership
Analytical skills
Business writing
Tact/diplomacy
Problem solving
Teamwork/collaboration
Verbal communication
Organizational skills
14
Enhancing Your Soft Skills
• Seek constructive criticism
• Take action
• Seek opportunities for refinement
• Study role models
• Engage in active listening
– Ask questions
– Take notes
– Paraphrase
15
Showing Off Your Soft Skills
• Show empathy
• Go the extra mile
• Don’t prejudge
16
The Technical Skills in Greatest Demand“When hiring for administrative positions, which of the following technical or software skills are in greatest demand by your company?”
7%
8%
13%
13%
19%
23%
61%
66%
80%
84%
90%
Source: HR.com survey of more than 400 HR managers. Multiple responses were allowed.
Business intelligence software
HTML/web page editing
Customer relationship management software
Project management software
Desktop publishing/graphic design software
Accounting software
Database software
Presentation software
E-mail/calendar software
Spreadsheet software
Word processing software
17
Enhancing Your Technical Skills
88% of administrative professionals say they are
using skills today that they didn’t need just three
years ago
18
The Value of Training
• Your skills stay current
• You demonstrate commitment to your career
• You enhance your marketability
• You increase your job satisfaction
19
Training Roadblocks
“I have all the training I need for my current position.”
15%
33%
12%
32%
8%
Source: IAAP survey of more than 300 administrative professionals
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Undecided
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
20
Training Roadblocks
Only 59% of managers say their firms budget for
training for administrative staff
21
Making a Case for Training
• Keep it relevant
• Point out clear benefits
• Know the options
– Seminars/classes
– Online
– In-house
• See a need, fill it
22
Increasing Your Visibility
• Build name recognition
• Be a problem-solver
• Speak up
• Go beyond the job description
• Document your work effectively
• Take and give credit appropriately
• Become an expert
• Get involved outside of work
officeteam.com
Fitting In and Standing Outin the Workplace
© 2007 OfficeTeam. An Equal Opportunity Employer.