Kenexa Survey Asks "Are You in Your Dream Job?"
October 10 2011 - 2:00PM
Marketwired
As Kenexa World Conference -- the Conference of Grown-Up Dreams,
turning business dreams into reality -- opens today at Walt Disney
World Resort in Orlando, Fla., the company reflects on whether most
adults are in their dream jobs. In anticipation of the annual
conference, which brings together Kenexa's customers, employees,
partners, and analysts, a survey of 1,100 people was conducted by
its compensation business, Salary.com. While nearly 60 percent of
the respondents said they are passionate about their current
careers, the vast majority of those surveyed admitted that they
didn't end up following their dreams.
Kenexa Chief Marketing Officer, Tim Geisert, commented,
"Children are asked what they want to be when they grow up before
they even start school. Doctor, teacher, astronaut, and rock star:
each role seems attainable when you're 5, 10 or even 15. Our survey
uncovered that when it comes to turning these dreams into reality,
only 16 percent are living the dream. But even though childhood
dream jobs are often put on the back-burner, they never really fade
away. Sixty percent of respondents said they wish they could still
fulfill their dream."
Most employers know that passionate workers are happier,
productive, more engaged and less likely to look elsewhere for
employment opportunities. Eighty-seven percent of those surveyed
said it is either very important or somewhat important to work for
a company that helps them achieve hopes and dreams. In sharp
contrast, only 19 percent of the respondents gave their employers
high marks for doing a good job of fostering employees'
passions.
Twenty-two percent of those respondents age 18-25 said they are
working a dream job. That number drops to 14 percent for those ages
26-35 and drops even further -- to 12 percent -- for those ages
36-45. Also, when questioned about career passion, 71 percent of
younger workers said they are currently working a job that
genuinely excites them but for people between the ages of 46-55,
that number drops to 53 percent.
"I got married and had a family and had to put food on the
table," said a Human Resource specialist who originally dreamt of
being a doctor. "But now it's too late and too expensive to go back
to school."
One woman, who works as an interior designer, wanted to be an
actress. She said, "I was always a builder and inventor, and was
also dramatic and created stories. In a way, I am still living my
dream by creating."
When asked what companies can do to better promote hidden
passions, the most common answers were "communicate with employees"
and "provide paid time off to let people pursue their dreams."
Presenting at Kenexa World Conference are three keynote speakers
who have pursued their dreams: Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of
Google; former Navy Commander Mike Abrashoff; and Billy Beane, Vice
President and General Manager of the Oakland A's (now showcased in
the popular current movie "Moneyball" starring Brad Pitt).
Schmidt's presentation will be streamed live from Kenexa World
Conference on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 from 11:15 - 12:15 p.m. and
can be accessed on Google's YouTube channel.
Geisert commented, "What better place for dreams to come true
than Walt Disney World, where our guests can learn from these
renowned speakers how to create workplace environments that reward
dreams as well as performance."
More information about Kenexa World Conference can be accessed
at www.kenexaworldconference.com
About Kenexa
Kenexa (NASDAQ: KNXA) helps drive HR and business outcomes
through its unique combination of technology, content and services.
Enabling organizations to optimize their workforces since 1987,
Kenexa's integrated talent acquisition and talent management
solutions have touched the lives of more than 110 million
people.
Additional information about Kenexa and its global products and
services can be accessed at www.kenexa.com. Follow Kenexa on
Twitter: @kenexa.
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