TORONTO, March 12, 2015
/CNW/ -- What does it take to be a CEO? Aside from experience,
drive and leadership skills, some believe it's about looking and
acting the part as well. But what does that mean? A new survey from
CareerBuilder.ca takes a closer look at what it means to occupy the
corner office, revealing the personal preferences and practices
shared by CEOs and other senior leaders. The study included more
than 400 hiring managers in senior leadership positions, including
CEO, CFO, COO and Senior VP.
Dressing the Part
Fewer than 1 in 10 executives (8 per cent) consider a business
suit their typical office attire. Most executives (69 per cent)
outfit themselves in business casual clothing, while 18 per cent
regularly wear jeans or shorts to work.
Black is the clothing color of choice for 43 per cent of
employers, making it the most popular choice for this group. Navy
blue is the second most popular color worn by leadership (27 per
cent), followed by grey (11 per cent) and brown (6 per cent).
When it comes to parting their hair, nearly one third of
executives (32 per cent) favor the right side, versus 22 per cent
who prefer the left side and 20 per cent who part it down the
middle. Eighteen per cent don't part their hair at all, while 7 per
cent sport a shaved or bald head.
Getting to Work
Don't expect to see these executives pulling up to the office in
chauffeured limousines. Most (83 per cent) company executives take
themselves to work in an automobile. Mid-sized sedans are the most
popular vehicle of choice (32 per cent), followed by SUVs (18 per
cent). Minivans and luxury sedans tie for third place (7 per cent),
followed by sports cars (3 per cent).
Nearly 1 in 5 (17 per cent) prefer environmentally friendly ways
to get around, with 7 per cent taking public transportation, 4 per
cent driving hybrids, 5 per cent walking, and 1 per cent riding
their bikes.
Dining Out
When it comes to their drink of choice at company happy hours,
beer is the most popular drink choice (33 per cent), followed
closely by wine (32 per cent). The third most popular drink?
Nothing at all, as 31 per cent of leaders abstain from alcoholic
beverages. Sixteen per cent go for mixed drinks, 11 per cent order
cocktails and 5 per cent order shots.
The majority of senior leadership (64 per cent) bring their
lunch from home, while the rest opt for eating at a restaurant (13
per cent) or going to a fast food spot (8 per cent). Nearly 1 in 10
(8 per cent) say they don't eat lunch on a typical day.
Right Vs. Left
Right-handers outnumber left-handers by nearly 7 to 1 (86 per
cent versus 11 per cent). Meanwhile, 3 per cent of leaders claim to
be ambidextrous.
A Typical Work Week
When asked how many hours they work in a typical week, one
fourth of senior leaders (24 per cent) say they work less than 40
hours per week. A little more than half (56 per cent) say they work
40 to 49 hours a week, and 19 per cent work 50 hours or more.
Despite a packed schedule, the majority of leaders (73 per cent)
are able to squeeze in at least one work out a week, while 27 per
cent "rarely" or "never" work out.
Will Acting the Part of Executive Help Your Career?
They say "fake it 'till you make it," but can "faking" the role
of CEO eventually help you get there? "Your success is ultimately
dependent on how hard you work, but the way you dress and conduct
yourself shows others how serious you are about your job and desire
to move forward," says Mark Bania,
managing director of CareerBuilder Canada. Bania offers the
following lifestyle tips for those who hope to get ahead.
- Follow the leader…Take a cue from your CEO and other
senior leaders when it comes to not just dressing the part, but
conducting yourself like a leader as well.
- Dress for success. Dressing like your leaders would
doesn't mean sacrificing who you are as an individual. Try to add
your own personal flair to a black suit, for example, helps you
achieve a look that is both professional and indicative of your
unique sense of style.
- Be the brand. CEOs and senior executives are always
representing the company – even when they're not at work. As an
employee of the company, you are, too, so remember that the next
time you are out with friends or posting on social media.
- Go after it. Rather than wait around and hope for a
promotion, be proactive and volunteer to take on more
responsibility and larger projects in order to prove your
leadership potential.
About CareerBuilder.ca
CareerBuilder.ca is a leading job site in Canada. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:
GCI), the Tribune Company, The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI),
CareerBuilder.ca powers the career centers for more than 250
Canadian partners that reach national, local, industry and niche
audiences. Job seekers visit CareerBuilder.ca every month to search
for opportunities by industry, location, company and job type, sign
up for automatic e-mail job alerts, and get advice on job hunting
and career management. For more information about CareerBuilder.ca
products and services, visit http://www.careerbuilder.ca.
Media Contact
Mary Lorenz
+1 773-527-3613
mary.lorenz@careerbuilder.com
http://www.twitter.com/CB_Canada_PR
SOURCE CareerBuilder.ca