Job Seekers Prefer Green Workplace
KANSAS CITY (kansascityfrontpage.com), April 22, 2008 - Beyond.com, Inc., the world's largest network of specialty career communities, recently polled business professionals throughout its network of more than 15,000 sites to gauge how important it is for professionals to find an environmentally-friendly workplace for their next job.
More than 5,500 Beyond.com Network visitors responded to the recent poll question:
"How important is finding an environmentally-aware workplace for your next job?"
* 16% - required for my next job
* 19% - a deciding factor between two similar jobs
* 44% - nice to have, but not a real deciding factor
21% - not something I am actively looking for
The results of Beyond.com's poll indicate having an environmentally-friendly workplace is becoming more than just a trend. Companies that make the decision to invest time, money and resources to "go green" are not only helping the earth, but are also attracting a number of potential employees who consider a green workplace a requirement or deciding factor for their next job.
With so many companies jumping on the bandwagon to go green, sites such as Carbonrally.com can provide a convenient way to kick start a corporate or personal program.
"It is clear that the environment and overall quality of life is becoming a top priority for many people and companies, so it's no surprise the trend to go green is starting to affect career choices for many job seekers," says Rich Milgram, CEO of Beyond.com, Inc. "More and more companies are creating green programs and advertising their initiatives on their corporate websites and in job descriptions to attract these eco-friendly candidates to their company."
"The office is an ideal place to team-up and make a larger contribution to green issues," says Jason Karas, Founder of Carbonrally.com. "Currently, there are 40 corporate teams competing in Carbonrally, which are making a significant impact on the environment. The key is finding a few dedicated leaders that can pull people together and focus on creating powerful initiatives."
Below are some helpful tips on how businesses can create an environmentally-friendly workplace and motivate employees to participate in company-sponsored "green" initiatives:
- Get Employees Excited - Create an internal "green team" to help develop and promote environmentally-friendly initiatives throughout the company.
- Promote Recycling - Place recycle bins in high-traffic areas, such as copy or lunch rooms, to promote recycling of paper, plastics, bottles and cans.
- Save Energy - Optimize energy settings on all company computers, and encourage employees to turn off their computers and office lights when they leave work.
- Encourage Carpooling - Encourage employees to take alternative methods of transportation (public transportation, bike riding) or organize an internal carpool. Employers can also invest in technology that enables their employees to telecommute.
- Track and Promote Company Progress - Track new initiatives and join an association or online community that generates new ideas and provides ways to measure green efforts. Promote your eco-friendly initiatives on your website, in collateral and when posting your next job.
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Manpower's Annual 10 Hardest Jobs To Fill Survey
KANSAS CITY (PRNewswire), April 22, 2008 - Engineers, machinists and skilled trade workers are among the nation's most challenging positions to fill, according to survey findings released by Manpower Inc.
"From our research it is clear that across the country employers are experiencing a mismatch between the talent their businesses need and the skills and abilities potential employees possess," said Jonas Prising, President of Manpower North America.
The 10 Hardest Jobs to Fill, as reported by U.S. employers for 2008, are:
1. Engineers
2. Machinists/Machine Operators (10)
3. Skilled Trades
4. Technicians (4)
5. Sales Representatives (1)
6. Accounting & Finance Staff (8)
7. Mechanics (3)
8. Laborers (9)
9. IT Staff
10. Production Operators
For the third consecutive year, sales representatives, technicians, accountants/finance staff and machinists remain on the Hardest to Fill list, confirming that job seekers with specific skill sets are still in demand. Second on the list in 2006, engineers found themselves in the number one position this year, after dropping off completely in 2007. Employers are also finding it difficult to fill openings for skilled trades people, IT staff and production operators, all new to the 2008 list.
To succeed in the contemporary world of work, employers must not only encourage current employees to re-skill and up-skill to ensure they meet workload demands, but also refine their recruitment and retention strategies for a new generation of workers.
"While job categories have shifted on the list, it is clear all companies must have a plan for transitioning from baby boomers to younger generations," said Melanie Holmes, Vice President, World of Work Solutions for Manpower North America. "It is essential for companies to find a balance where they are attracting and retaining aging workers while still developing innovative recruiting programs targeting young professionals, especially those interested in technical and trade careers."
Current trends in hiring also point toward employers focusing on more than simply finding an individual who has the role-specific competencies required to fill the opening. "Companies want employees who have the soft skills, work ethic and culture traits that fit their company," Holmes said. "Hiring managers recognize the high cost of hiring the wrong individual for their organization so they are taking more time to find the right fit, even for these hard to fill positions."
The U.S. findings are part of a Manpower global study in which more than 42,500 employers across 32 countries and territories were surveyed in late January 2008. Skilled manual trades, sales representatives and technicians are the hardest jobs to fill this year. Manpower surveyed 2,000 U.S. employers in the third annual survey to determine which positions employers are having difficulty filling this year.
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