CareerXroads' 6th Annual Sources of Hire study reveals that almost 34 percent of all open positions were filled in 2006 by internal transfers
and promotions. Other findings:
- Referrals (25.6 percent) are arguably the No. 1 external source. Employee referrals make up 95 percent of all the hires attributed
to this category.
- The impact of the Internet is so pervasive that it is reasonable to imagine that every source of hire has an Internet component.
It may be the research done to find candidates or the impetus that motivated the candidate to apply. The Internet is also the means
to apply and communicate no matter the original source that triggered the applicant's interest.
- Hires attributed to specific job boards (such as Monster.com, CareerBuilder and HotJobs) and all other "niche" boards represent
12.3% of external hires (8.1% of all positions filled).
- The largest trends in 2006 included the growth of re-hires as a Source of Hire and the emergence
of search-engine advertising as a measurable Source of Hire.
The message here is that networking is exceedingly important given that more than a quarter of external hires come from referrals.
Internal employees find out about the candidates they refer when those candidates network with organizational insiders.
In addition, while the Internet is a crucial TOOL in the job search, the study's low figures for job boards as a Source of Hire indicate
that searching for jobs on the Internet should be only one part of the mix.
Gathering with the gang after work can be fun -- and a new survey by Accountemps (a specialized staffing service for temporary accounting,
finance and bookkeeping professionals) suggests it may also benefit on-the-job performance. Fifty-seven percent of executives polled said
that office productivity improves when coworkers are friends outside of the office. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of employees surveyed
agreed. But managers and employees aren't as aligned when it comes to just how beneficial it is to have buddies on the job: Twenty-two
percent of employees said befriending coworkers has a "very positive" impact on productivity while only 2 percent of managers felt as strongly.
"Colleagues who are friends are more likely to support one another when presented with challenges or new responsibilities, enhancing workflow
and team spirit," said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Motivating Employees For Dummies. "Supervisors can increase
camaraderie by sponsoring team-building events and giving staff members the opportunity to get to know each other outside of an office setting."
Messmer added, "It's especially important for new employees to have the opportunity to build rapport with staff members. Those who are able
to form friendships early on the job are likely to acclimate quickly and stay on board for the long term."
College students, are you doing an internship this summer? If not, you may want to plan to obtain one at your earliest
opportunity.
A study by Accountemps reveals that 50 percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) polled recently said, aside from
functional knowledge, internships influence their hiring decision most when evaluating entry-level accounting and finance candidates.
This response was cited more frequently than referrals (24 percent), college alma mater (8 percent) or grade point average (5 percent).
"Students who complete one or more internships appeal to prospective employers because they often require less training and can begin
contributing immediately in their roles," said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Human Resources
Kit For Dummies.
Messmer noted, "In addition to the experience and knowledge gained by exposure to real-world business scenarios, internships
showcase a student's level of initiative and engagement in his or her chosen career."
Review all our Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips.
