Demographics identify certain traits and characteristics of groups of people in a workplace, neighborhood, region or other location. Businesses use demographics for market research to decide on product and service offerings. They also use demographics for workforce analyses and location decisions based on the available pool of future employees. Examples of workplace demographics include age, ethnicity, gender, education level, years of service and family or marital status. Those in the job market can also take advantage of these workplace demographics when making employment decisions.
Age, Gender and Ethnicity
Just as businesses use demographics to identify their ideal customer, job-seekers can use demographics to identify an ideal employer. Many job-seekers want to know the average age of company employees, gender ratios and ethnic groups represented. If the average age indicates a large workforce population nearing retirement, this may mean a better job opportunity, as companies will be looking to fill employee voids for business stability. If you are looking for a diverse workplace, gender and ethnicity demographics can help you pinpoint potential employers who value diversity.
Education demographics not only identify employee education levels, but also the predominate level. This demographic information is an indicator of preferred job qualifications. For instance, if you have a have a bachelor’s degree and the majority of the workforce in the company holds a master’s degree or higher, employment or advancement opportunities may be limited. Companies also use education demographics to assess workforce skill needs so that targeted training programs can be planned and implemented. Job-seekers are attracted to companies that commit to training and developing their workforce.
Service, Seniority and Salary
Does the company you work for or want to work for have a relatively flat organizational chart? If so, this may make it harder to advance into higher positions with more pay. Managers’ length of service, seniority and salary demographics can give you an idea of upward mobility and income potential. For example, if you want an opportunity to move into management, these demographics uncover information about existing managers, including length of service, years as a manager and salary. This will let you know if a career in management is possible sooner rather than later.
Family and Marital Status
Perhaps working for a family-friendly company is your goal. Finding workplace demographics on employee family and marital status can help you decide if the company is a good fit for your desired lifestyle. For example, if a company that interests you has a majority of single or married employees without children, you will need to investigate further to get a sense of how you might fit in. There may be work expectations such as a lots of travel and 60-hour work weeks. This may not fit your idea of a family-friendly company.
Deb Dupree has been an active writer throughout her career in the corporate world and in public service since 1982. She has written numerous corporate and educational documents including project reports, procedures and employee training programs. She has a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Tennessee.