Job Seekers Have Just 385 Seconds to Make a First Impression

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London, 13 June 2014, Job seekers have on average just six minutes and 25 seconds during the first meeting to impress potential employers, according to a new study from Monster.co.uk.

New research from Monster.co.uk reveals employment decisions are made in just over six minutes with tattoos, handshakes and time-keeping important factors in making a first impression.

The research highlights how quickly first impressions are formed and reveals that those early thoughts often make or break a candidate’s chance of getting the job. In fact, employers rank first impressions as the second most important factor (24 per cent) when considering a hire, following only behind work experience (36 per cent) but before a candidate’s education (12 per cent).

Physical appearance does matter when it comes to first impressions and recruitment. Seventy per cent of employers say the way a person applies their makeup impacts on a first impression and more than two thirds (71 per cent) of employers say tattoos would put them off hiring a candidate. Job seekers should also dress to impress as 62 per cent say a candidate’s dress sense impacts their employability.

Corinne Sweet, organisational behaviour psychologist, explains: “We make instant assumptions about people and can judge harshly or form fantasies, based on external factors including: style, tattoos, skin colour and their accent. These impressions can be right or wrong, but candidates should know employers are forming an opinion from the very first contact. Plus, employers should understand that employees are forming their impressions too.
“We should not underestimate how important first impressions are. Of course first impressions need to be backed up by performance, but getting your foot in the door and succeeding during the interview (or even just getting one) is the main challenge these days.”

The research also reveals that most job seekers (70 per cent) are just as likely to be swayed by first impressions when it comes to deciding whether or not to take a job. Some of the most common factors in making a good impression on a candidate include an interviewer’s handshake (60 per cent), dress sense (50 per cent), punctuality (51 per cent), quality of small talk (58 per cent) and make up application (59 per cent).

Punctuality is clearly an issue on both sides of the interviewing table. A candidate’s time keeping is the number one factor influencing an employer’s first impression (96 per cent) followed closely by the amount of prep a candidate has done (93 per cent), their ability to hold eye contact (82 per cent) and their personal appearance (73 per cent).

Andrew Sumner, Managing Director of Monster.co.uk in the UK and Ireland, explains: “In an incredibly competitive job market, this demonstrates how important getting the basics right are at an interview. The guidance from the research for job seekers could be summed up by the three Ps – be Prompt, Prepared and well Presented.”
“It also highlights that candidates are sensitive to first impressions too. Those involved in the recruitment process have to be just as attentive and engaged as they expect their employees to be, otherwise they risk missing out on the best talent.”

Highlight research findings

Interviewers

Top things which make or break an interviewer’s first impression:
• A candidate’s timekeeping (96 per cent managers agree this is influential)
• Level of a candidates interview preparation (93 per cent agree)
• Ability to hold eye contact (82 per cent agree)
• Personal appearance (73 per cent agree)
• Quality of banter or small talk (60 per cent agree)
• Strength of handshake (55 per cent agree)

The five most important factors interviewers consider when making a hire are:

• Work experience (36 per cent)
• First impression of the candidate (24 per cent)
• Education (12 per cent)
• Professional qualifications (10 per cent)
• References (9 per cent)

Other factors that influenced interviewers are:
• 71 per cent of employers said a visible tattoo would put them off
• 6 per cent definitely wouldn’t hire someone with a tattoo, and 25 per cent would think twice, even with a strong candidate
• 77 per cent say a visible piercing would put them off
• 8 per cent definitely wouldn’t hire someone with a piercing and 41 per cent would think twice, even if they were a strong candidate
• 62 per cent admit a candidate’s dress sense affects their decision
• 70 per cent of employers said that the way someone applies their make up could impact a first impression

The survey asked employers to give examples of the behaviour that created bad first impressions. The top five worst examples are:
• Limp handshake
• Knowing nothing about the role or the company
• Turning up late
• Smelling badly – either because of body odour or of smoke
• Being high or drunk

Applicants

The factors that influence an applicant’s first impressions are:
• 35 per cent would turn down a job if they didn’t like the reception area
• 42 per cent would be more likely to take a job if they liked the manner of the office receptionist
• 44 per cent admit they’d probably turn down a job if they didn’t like the room they were interviewed in
• 50 per cent would be swayed by the interviewer’s dress sense
• 51 per cent would turn down a job if they were kept waiting too long in reception
• 58 per cent said banter or small talk is important
• 59 per cent of job applicants said the way an interviewer wore make up could negatively affect their impression of a potential employer
• 60 per cent would be swayed by the interviewer’s handshake

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New survey shows Brits are more likely to consider their current employment as a stop gap rather than part of a career

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London, 22 January 2014 – A new survey reveals that nearly half (46 percent) of Britons think of their current employment as a stop gap, whilst only two out of five (43 percent) say their current employment is part of a wider career. The research, which was carried out by Monster.co.uk and GfK, an independent international market research company, asked more than 8,000 workers including over 1,000 in the United Kingdom: “Do you view the work you do to be a career or just a job?”

Britain’s younger generations are the most likely to be career-minded, with 46 percent of those aged 18-35 stating they consider their employment as part of a career path rather than just being a job for the time being. The likelihood of having work which is seen as part of a career fell steadily with age, with 40 percent of those aged 50-64 and just 37 percent of those aged over-65 saying they had a career.

The research shows that income also affects how likely Brits are to consider their work part of a career. While more than three in five (61 percent) of the UKs’ top earners consider their employment a career rather than a job, this number slides to 49 percent of medium earners and just 30 percent of those on low incomes.

“The UK workforce is split in terms of those who consider their current employment as part of a longer-term career,” commented Andy Sumner, Managing Director, Monster UK & Ireland. “Of course, some people take jobs that fall outside of their desired career out of necessity – as there just wasn’t the right opportunity at the right time. But these workers should never give up on their dreams – and as it’s a new year, there’s no better time to make a change. People have other passions outside of work, and a job is just a means to an end – however, as we have long working lives ahead of us, everyone deserves to find a job they find rewarding and enjoyable.”

Who has the most career-minded workforce?

When looking at the international results, the study reveals how seven countries rank in terms of the number of workers who say they consider their work part of a career. The results show that French and Canadian workers are the most likely to say they have a ‘career’ rather than ‘just a job’, with UK workers coming exactly mid-way in the rankings. Germans came out as the least likely to see their current employment as a career.

“It is interesting that France and Canada top the rankings in terms of people seeing themselves as working within a career, when both also score highly on work-life balance: people in both countries work fewer hours than the average worker in an OECD-member country, according to the organisation’s Better Life Index,” comments Sumner. “Also, Germans are known for their hard-working attitude, but the results of the research show that seeing your employment as falling within a career is much less likely in Germany. Evidently each country has its own cultural norms, but regardless of how you view your work, no one should settle for a role that they don’t enjoy.”

– ENDS –

Survey Data

Countries ranked in terms of number of workers who say they consider their work part of a career:

1. France (70 percent)
2. Canada (69 percent)
3. US (57 percent)
4. UK (43 percent)
5. India (43 percent)
6. Netherlands (38 percent)
7. Germany (25 percent)

About the Survey

Surveying over 8,000 people in Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, UK and US, this survey was conducted using GfK’s GLOBOBUS, a monthly global omnibus study.

In the UK, the data was collected using Computer Assisted Personal interviews to maximise participation and representativeness of respondents, including younger and older adults. The total UK sample size is 1,144.

About Monster UK

Monster.co.uk is the UK arm of Monster, the worldwide leader in successfully connecting people to job opportunities.

From the web, to mobile, to social, Monster helps companies find people with customised solutions using the world’s most advanced technology to match the right person to the right job. With a local presence in more than 40 countries, Monster connects employers with quality job seekers at all levels, provides personalised career advice to consumers globally and delivers highly targeted audiences to advertisers.

To learn more about Monster UK, visit http://hiring.monster.co.uk or http://monster.co.uk.

You can also keep up to date with its news via the Monster UK Facebook channel https://www.facebook.com/monster.co.uk or by following @Monster_UK on Twitter https://twitter.com/Monster_UK.

About GfK

GfK is one of the world’s largest research companies, with more than 13,000 experts working to discover new insights into the way people live, think and shop, in over 100 markets, every day. GfK is constantly innovating and using the latest technologies and the smartest methodologies to give its clients the clearest understanding of the most important people in the world: their customers. In 2012, GfK’s sales amounted to €1.51 billion. To find out more, visit http://www.gfk.com.

GfK Public Affairs & Corporate Communications is a division of GfK. The group specialises in customised public affairs and public opinion polling, media and corporate communications research, and corporate reputation measurement in the US and globally. In addition to delivering a broad range of customised research studies.

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A simple thank you will do

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London, 17 January 2014 – As the 20th January – the most depressing day of the year – draws in, Monster.co.uk releases new research revealing that sometimes it’s the simple things that can make us happy. Just a simple ‘thank you’ goes a long way, according to a third of respondents (35%) who say someone showing gratitude makes their working day that little bit better.

The results reveal that bosses in particular can have a big impact on the happiness of their workforce by introducing just a few simple measures to their managerial style. A quarter of respondents (26%) say that recognition for hard work from their boss would make their day better, whilst seven per cent say their boss saying ‘good morning’ is simply enough to brighten up their day. Though for some people it seems it’s not the things your boss says to you, but the example they set that matters. Nine per cent said that seeing their boss working as hard as they are is enough to make them feel a little happier.

It is no secret that working hours are getting longer and longer, and some of us spend more time tied to our desk than away from it. However the importance of a healthy work life balance was not lost in the results, as a fifth (21%) said that leaving work on time would improve their mood, whilst 13 per cent said just taking a lunch break is enough to make them happier.

Andrew Sumner, Managing Director at Monster.co.uk comments: “These findings suggest that the little things go a long way when it comes to being happy at work. With many people working long hours and juggling heavy workloads with stressful environments, it is good to see that something as simple as a thank you can make a difference. It can sometimes be hard to think about those around us when we’re wrapped up in our day to day routines, but as the results show, it doesn’t take much to lift someone’s mood and put a smile on their face.

We all have bad days at work and I am sure we can all recall when we may have needed cheering up by a colleague from time to time. However, if you’re having more bad days than good, then it might be time to start thinking about moving on to find something better for yourself.”

Figure One. Top ten things that help make the day a little better

What little things help to make your working day better?

1. People saying thank you – 35%
2. A pat on the back from your boss/client to acknowledge your hard work – 26%
3. Sunshine on route to work – 22%
4. Leaving work on time – 21%
5. Having a non-work related chat with a colleague – 14%
6. Actually being able to take a lunch break – 13%
7. A clean work station – 10%
8. A stranger says good morning on your route to work – 10%
9. When you see your boss working as hard as you – 9%
9. A colleague makes you a cup of tea or coffee – 9%
9. A funny email from a colleague – 9%
9. A colleague brings in cakes or sweets to share – 9%
10. Receiving a smile from a colleague you fancy – 8%

To help lighten the mood on Monday, Monster has planned a range of mood-lifting activities, including some perks to its followers, which will be happening on its @Monster_UK Twitter page. Twitters users across the Twittersphere will also be able to share what makes them tick on Blue Monday, or share what brightens their otherwise dim day with the hashtag #blueMonday.

 

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Almost a quarter of workers feeling increased pressure at work

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6^th March 2014 – Nearly one quarter (24 per cent) of British workers are feeling increased pressure at work, according to new research from StepStone and totaljobs.com.

The research also found that British employees are more affected by stress than their European counterparts. Out of the eight countries surveyed, including France, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland, UK respondents were the most likely to say they suffered from workplace stress.

Only 13 per cent of British employees said they don’t suffer from any stress and deal with their workload well, compared to the European average of 42 per cent.

According to new data by the Office of National Statistics, absence related to stress, depression and anxiety accounted for 15.2 million lost days of employment last year, up from 11.8 million in 2010.

Commenting on the findings, John Salt, website director at totaljobs.com says:

Companies need to pay more attention to the hidden danger of stress, which is becoming a big issue in the workplace. It’s vital that employers ensure staff are able to handle their workload within normal working hours, leaving enough time during the week to switch off, recharge and relax.”

At the other end of the spectrum, the Dutch and the French are the most relaxed. Sixty four per cent of employees in these countries are not at all stressed at work, and feel perfectly able to handle their workload.

Salt continues: Taking care of stress in the workplace is a win-win for employees and employers alike. Jobseekers should consider the atmosphere, culture and company HR policies when looking for employment.

Employers who make the effort to tackle stress at work will have happier, more productive workers, reducing the costs associated with this issue and, at the same time, improve employee loyalty and retention.