CULTURE CLASH: Survey Shows Adjusting to New Work Environment Greatest Challenge When Starting Job

MENLO PARK, Calif., April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent graduates embarking on their careers may find there are some things college didn't prepare them for, a new survey suggests. About four in 10 (42 percent) advertising and marketing executives polled by The Creative Group said acclimating to a firm's corporate culture poses the greatest challenge for professionals starting a new job in the creative field. Learning new business protocols ranked second, with 30 percent of the response.

The national survey was developed by The Creative Group, a specialized staffing service providing marketing, advertising, creative and web professionals on a project basis, and conducted by an independent research firm. It is based on 250 interviews -- 125 with advertising executives randomly selected from the nation's 2,000 largest advertising agencies and 125 with senior marketing executives randomly selected from the nation's 2,000 largest companies.

Advertising and marketing executives were asked, "In your opinion, which of the following is the greatest challenge when a person is starting a new staff-level marketing/advertising job?" Their responses:

     Acclimating to the corporate culture......................42%
     Learning new business protocols...........................30%
     Adapting to a new manager's style.........................11%
     Gaining acceptance among current employees ................9%
     Other/don't know ..........................................8%
                                                              ----
                                                              100%

"It can be challenging for job seekers to assess a firm's culture and how well it aligns with their values and priorities," said Megan Slabinski, executive director of The Creative Group. "While good pay and benefits are attractive, nothing trumps a genuine sense of belonging."

Slabinski noted that even those who are a good fit for a particular work environment may find it difficult to adapt to a new company's culture. "Some distinctions are subtle, so professionals must be observant," she said. "New employees should pay careful attention to things such as how and when people communicate, and try to emulate the predominant style."

The Creative Group offered the following tips for adjusting to a new corporate culture:

    -- Follow the leader. Get to know your manager's communication
       preferences: Is e-mail or in-person communication preferred? Also, how
       much detail does your supervisor expect when it comes to your
       activities and projects?
    -- Learn your meeting manners. Be alert to the unwritten rules of group
       gatherings: Is it the general practice to speak your mind, or wait
       until opinions or feedback are requested?
    -- Tune in to the work ethic. Organizations define hard work differently.
       For some, it could mean instant messaging around the clock, while for
       others it entails giving your all during set hours.
    -- Identify the decision-makers. Get a sense of the chain of command and
       how much autonomy workers have.

"New employees should resist the urge to rock the boat right away," Slabinski said. "The first priority is to earn people's trust. Once that's been established, colleagues will be more open to suggestions."

The Creative Group has offices in major markets across the United States and in Canada, and offers online job search services at http://www.creativegroup.com.