63 Percent Of Americans Think The President Impacts Job Creation; Only 45 Percent Feel The U.S. Is Investing In Job-Generating Technologies

LOS ANGELES, July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With a tepid 84,000 jobs created last month, a recent Korn/Ferry (NYSE: KFY) poll of U.S. workers with incomes of $50,000+ revealed that 63 percent believe an American president has a big impact on job creation.  Yet, just 45 percent of respondents think the U.S. has invested in technologies that create jobs.  Compared to a president creating jobs on his own, fewer Americans (55 percent) think the President, Congress and Fed can work together to create jobs.

Sixty-four percent of respondents think that government spending is a good way to stimulate jobs.  Results also revealed that respondents think the top industries to stimulate jobs are 1) sustainable energy solutions (28 percent), 2) Information technology (23 percent), and 3) Infrastructure for the country (22 percent).

In addition, more than 70 percent of American workers do not think U.S. CEOs are working hard or are motivated to create U.S.-based jobs.  In addition, workers are split on whether CEOs would invest tax savings into hiring. 

According to Gary Burnison, CEO of Korn/Ferry International, "This report reveals that U.S. workers believe that the government has the power to stimulate jobs.  The fact that respondents feel the president alone can create more jobs than the combination of the Congress, Fed and president may be a reflection of the current discord in Washington."

"While respondents do not think that CEOs are necessarily incentivized and motivated to hire Americans, in reality we know that a CEO must first meet the demands of shareholders and view the globe as their hiring marketplace.  Today's CEOs are borderless.  First and foremost, they are focused on P&L performance and identifying talent that will drive growth, regardless of regions or lines on the map."

Burnison added that the current capital market uncertainty in Europe slows hiring in the U.S. and around the globe in general.  "Companies forecast demand for goods and services.  Obviously with the highest unemployment ever in Europe, it reduces consumer demand.  Lower demand makes CEOs less willing to invest in hiring as they are uncertain of a payback."

Detailed results are as follows:

Government:

Do you think the President of the United States has a big impact on job creation? [This question is referring to anyone in the office, not any particular person.]

Yes                                          63%

No                                           37%

Do you think the President, Congress and the Federal Reserve Bank can implement policies that control the U.S. economy?

Yes                                          55%

No                                           45%

Do you think that the U.S. has invested in technologies that create jobs?                   

No:                                          55%

Yes:                                        45%

Do you think government spending on infrastructure projects is a good way for the government to positively impact or grow jobs?

Yes                                          64%

No                                           36%

Which of these technologies is the one best capital investment for U.S. job creation?                                  

Sustainable energy solutions                     28%

Information technology                              23%

Infrastructure for the country                      22%
(roads, the utility GRID system)                                                                                           

New inventions/manufactured products       13%

Manufacturing methods                             12%

CEOs:

Do you think CEOs of U.S.-based multinational companies are working hard to hire American workers?

Yes                                          29%

No                                           71%

Do you think CEOs of U.S.-based companies that are global are motivated to hire Americans?                             

Yes                                          27%

No                                           73%

The Korn/Ferry survey was polled by Survey Sampling International, the world's leading provider of sampling, data collection and data analytic solutions for survey research, collected data.

About Korn/Ferry International
Korn/Ferry International is a premier global provider of talent management solutions, with a presence throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  The firm delivers services and solutions that help clients cultivate greatness through the attraction, engagement, development and retention of their talent. Visit www.kornferry.com for more information on Korn/Ferry International, and www.kornferryinstitute.com for thought leadership, intellectual property, and research.

SOURCE Korn/Ferry