BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT TRENDS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
November 2003

ZIP CODE:
1. What are the job titles of your entry-level office employees?
a. Office Assistant
b. Receptionist
c. General Office
d. Administrative Assistant/Specialist
e. Legal Secretary
f. Medical Secretary
g. Customer Service Associate
h. Virtual Assistant
i. Other
2. How many entry-level employees in the above categories will you hire in the next 6-12 months?
1-10____
11-30 31-50 50+
Are you currently experiencing a hiring freeze? Yes No Don't know
3. What skills are needed for these entry-level positions?
Keyboarding speeds 30 wpm  40 wpm 50+ wpm
    Do you test? Yes No Don't know
Data entry Yes No Don't know
    Do you test? Yes No Don't know
Telephone skills Yes No Don't know
Document production Yes No Don't know
    Do you test? Yes No Don't know
Word processing skills Yes No Don't know
    Do you test? Yes No Don't know
Desktop publishing skills Yes No Don't know
    Do you test? Yes No Don't know
Machine transcription Yes No Don't know
    Do you test? Yes No Don't know
Filing: alphabetic numeric subject geographic electronic Yes No Don't know
Web page design and usage Yes No Don't know
Report writing Yes No Don't know
Other skills, please list in order of importance:
__
4. In addition to basic software knowledge and “soft skills” (i.e., flexibility, positive attitude, being a team player, etc.) what other desired traits do you look for in an entry-level employee?
a.
b.
c.
5. What pre-employment screenings do you administer?
Reference Checks
Drug testing
Fingerprinting
DMV Check
6. Do employees have the opportunity to attend college classes during their workday? Yes No Don't know
7. Do you offer tuition reimbursement for business courses? Yes No Yes No Don't know
8. Please check the software applications and/or equipment and list the versions used in your organization.
Software  
MS® Word Yes No Don't know
WordPerfect Yes No Don't know
MS® Excel Yes No Don't know
MS® PowerPoint Yes No Don't know
MS® Access Yes No Don't know
QuickBooks Yes No Don't know
MS® Outlook Yes No Don't know
MS® Front Page Yes No Don't know
MS® Publisher Yes No Don't know
MS® Project Yes No Don't know
Speech/Voice Recognition Yes No Don't know
E-mail Yes No Don't know
Internet Yes No Don't know
Blackberry Yes No Don't know
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA Yes No Don't know
Tablet PC Yes No Don't know
Pocket PC Yes No Don't know
Digital Dictation Systems Yes No Don't know
Other
__
9. What industry-specific software packages does your company use?
__
10. Do current industry certifications play a role in hiring decisions? Yes No Don't know
If yes, do you forego testing? Yes No Don't know
11. Which of the following certifications do you acknowledge?
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOUS or MOS)
CPS (Certified Professional Secretary)
CAP (Certified Administrative Professional)
IAVOA (International Association of Virtual Office Assistants)
CSR (Certified Shorthand Reporter)
ALS (Accredited Legal Secretary)
CMT (Certified Medical Transcriptionist)
12. Do community college certificates and degrees play a role in hiring decisions? Yes No Don't know
13. Since workplace needs and trends are dynamic, would you be willing to serve as an advisor to your local community college? Yes No Don't know
14. What do you see as workplace trends within the next five years?
a.
b.
c.
d.
15.If you are willing to participant on an advisory committee please provide the information below.
Your name:
Title:
Company name:
Address:
Email address: