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.