| 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 recent 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 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 Percent
- Somewhat important — 39 percent
- Somewhat unimportant — 5 Percent
- Very unimportant — 3 Percent
- Don't know — 1 Percent
"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 longrange 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. | 