Benefits February 23, 2012

Majority of Young Adults Do not Invest in Retirement Accounts

February 23, 2012 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Seventy-three percent of Americans ages 18-34 do not currently invest in retirement accounts such as a 401(k) or IRA. 
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According to a recent CouponCabin survey, nearly four-in-10 (39%) U.S. adults ages 18 and over report they don’t currently have any types of financial investments, like 401(k)s or IRA retirement accounts, mutual funds or stocks. In addition, 61% of U.S. adults said they have reservations about investing in the stock market. Their concerns include not having enough money to invest (32%), not trusting the stock market (26%), thinking it’s too complicated (17%) and being unsure of how to get started (11%). Those ages 18-34 were more likely to say they they don’t have any financial investments at all (55%).

Even though many U.S. adults report they don’t have financial investments, they are still keeping an eye on the market. Fifty-five percent of U.S. adults said they follow the stock market in some capacity, with one-quarter (25%) reporting they track its ups and downs at least once a week. When it comes to young adults, there was a significant difference between men and women. Fifty-nine percent of men ages 18-34 said they follow the stock market compared to 30% of women ages 18-34.

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While some Americans report they are intimidated by the complexity of the market, others said if the economy were more stable they would be more likely to invest. Thirty-nine percent said they were much or somewhat more likely to invest money in the market if the economy were more stable; 46% said they weren’t any more or less likely to invest if the economy were more stable; and 15% said they were much/somewhat less likely to invest.

Regardless of apprehensions in investing in the stock market, many U.S. adults said they would be open to learning more about the process. Forty-three percent would be at least somewhat likely to consider taking a course or class to learn more about the stock market and investments.

The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of CouponCabin from February 7-9, 2012, among 2,339 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. 

Benefits February 23, 2012

Hiring Managers Reveal Unusual Behaviors During Job Interview Process

February 23, 2012 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Hiring managers shared the biggest mistakes candidates make during the interview process. 
Reported by

According to the CareerBuilder survey, the following are mistakes most detrimental to the interview process:

•  Answering cell phone or texting—77%;

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•  Appearing disinterested—75%;

•  Dressing inappropriately—72%;

•  Appearing arrogant—72%;

•  Talking negatively about current or previous employers—67%; and

•  Chewing gum—63%.

 

Hiring managers also shared their most memorable or unusual interview experiences. Here are some of the highlights:

•  Candidate brought a “how to interview” book with him to the interview.

•  Candidate asked, “What company is this again?”

•  Candidate put the interviewer on hold during a phone interview. When she came back on the line, she told the interviewer that she had a date set up for Friday.

•  When a candidate interviewing for a security position wasn’t hired on the spot, he painted graffiti on the building.

•  Candidate wore a Boy Scout uniform and never told interviewers why.

•  Candidate was arrested by federal authorities during the interview when the background check revealed the person had an outstanding warrant.

•  Candidate talked about promptness as one of her strengths after showing up 10 minutes late.

•  On the way to the interview, the candidate passed, cut-off, and flipped his middle finger at the driver who happened to be the interviewer.

•  Candidate referred to himself in the third person.

•  Candidate took off his shoes during the interview.

•  Candidate asked for a sip of the interviewer’s coffee.

•  Candidate told the interviewer she wasn’t sure if the job offered was worth “starting the car for.”

 

The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder among 3,023 hiring managers and human resource professionals (employed full-time, not self-employed, non-government) between November 9 and December 5, 2011.

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