Do You Wonder What Employers Are Looking For in Job Candidates?

If you're motivated and able to communicate and work well with others, be sure to mention that in job interviews. Employers rate communication, motivation and teamwork as the top three qualities they look for in a jobseeker. Compiled from recent employer surveys, here are the requirements on everyone's list: Critical Thinking Skills Know how to Learn Reason /analytical skills Think Creatively Make Decisions Solve Problems Organizational skills

Basic Skills Reading Writing Arithmetic Mathematics Speaking Listening Computer skills Know how to Allocate Time Money Materials Space Staff

Interpersonal Skills Work on Teams Sense of humor Teach Others Serve Customers Leadership skills Negotiate Top 4 criteria influencing hiring decisions by hr executives: Interview well Relevant experience Good references Add diversity to the workplace

Personal Qualities Individual Responsibility Creative Confident Self-Management Sociability Integrity/Honesty Relates well to others Strong work ethic Flexible, adaptable

Chart adapted from Evergreen Valley College: www.evc.edu/transfer/lookfor.htm and University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering Student services "What Are Employers Looking for?" posted May 6, 2003 studentservices.engr.wisc.edu Human Resources top criteria found in: Ronald Fink's July 1, 2003 article on www.CFO.com, "What Employers are Looking For."

How about Education Requirements? Here are the top degrees currently in demand by employers:

Bachelor's Degree:
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Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Accounting Business Administration/Management Economics/Finance Computer Science Information Sciences and Systems Marketing/Marketing Management Computer Engineering Chemical Engineering Master's Degree:

y y y y y

Master's in Business Administration Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Accounting Computer Engineering

Employers want graduates with associate degrees too:

Almost one-third of employers reported that they planned to hire associate degree graduates in 2005-06. Associate degrees in demand fall primarily into three categories: business degrees, technology-related degrees, and engineering-related degrees.* Who is hiring two-year grads? The government and nonprofit sector reported 40% of employers planned to hire associate degree grads in 2005-6. Service sector employers are next, 30% planned to hire two-year graduates. Who are these employers? They are primarily insurance, engineering/surveying, and hospitality industry employers.

What do employers want?

Leaving university with a good degree is a pre-requisite in the graduate employment market, but this alone is not enough to secure your first graduate job. How does an employer choose the right person from hundreds of applicants all with the same class of degree? The skills you develop whilst at school/college and university and the experiences you gain will all help to give you the edge over the next candidate. This means it is essential not just to bury your head in a book all the time while you are at university, but to continue with your interests and work experience, which help to enrich your life and your CV. So what do employers want?

Analysis of years of national employer surveys suggests the desired skills for graduates fall into four broad areas. Table 1 lists some of these skills, along with examples of how you can develop them. Take a look at the examples given and take time to review your own skills. You may already have started this process if you have a Record of Achievement/Progress File. Many university courses may require certain skills, especially vocational ones like medicine or law. Look carefully at prospectuses and entry profiles on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website to find out what they are looking for. Table 1. Skills that employers want and how they can be developed. Employers' Examples of how the skills can be developed Type of skill requirements - Buzz through interests, work experience and words education Self-reliance skills Self-awareness purposeful, focused, self-belief, realistic Proactivity resourceful, drive, selfreliant Willingness to learn inquisitive, motivated, enthusiastic Self-promotion positive, persistent, ambitious Networking - initiator, relationship-builder, resourceful Planning action decision-maker, planner, able to prioritise People skills Team working supportive, organised, co-ordinator, deliverer Interpersonal skills listener, adviser, cooperative, assertive Oral communication communicator, presenter, influencer Leadership - motivator, energetic, visionary Working in a shop/supermarket/restaurant; fundraising for charity; voluntary work; member of orchestra; play sport for team; guide/scout leader; air training corps. Duke of Edinburgh Award; Young Enterprise Award; music band (play regularly at local venues); participate in competitive sport; public speaking/debating society; amateur dramatics.

Customer orientation friendly, caring, diplomatic Foreign language specific language skills General employment skills Problem-solving Young Enterprise Award; project work through practical, logical, results studies; Mensa membership; book club; member of orientated local club/society; music grades. Flexibility - versatile, willing, multi-skilled Business acumen entrepreneurial, competitive, risk taker IT/computer literacy office skills, keyboard skills, software packages Numeracy - accurate, quick-thinker, methodical Commitment dedicated, trustworthy, conscientious Specialist skills Specific occupational skills - specialist relevant knowledge, eg languages, IT European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL); language skills; web design skills; writing for school/college newspaper; first aid at work qualification; NVQ qualification.

Technical skills - eg journalism, engineering, accounting, sales The importance of work experience A recent report, 'Employer and University Engagement in the Use and Development of Graduate Level Skill', from the Department for Education and Skills, highlighted the fact that many employers preferred graduates from sandwich degrees, because they have gained practical experience and have a better idea about what the world of work has in store for them. A degrees not worth the paper its written on Research evidence in recent years shows that this is certainly not true. A study of graduates seven years after leaving university in 1995 (Seven Years On) concluded that the value of having a degree is still considerable despite the ever growing numbers entering higher education each year. A further report by the same authors, Class Of '99 also confirmed this.

According to the latter report, 71% of men and 70.4% of women were working in a job related to their long-term career plans just three and a half years after leaving university. More than half of all graduates said that the reason they took their current job was that It was exactly the type of work I wanted, and over 80% stated that they were satisfied with their career progress to date. In addition, over four in five graduates were in what could be termed graduate jobs. Many graduates also reported the advantages a degree brought to the workplace, in terms of writing, analysis, problem-solving and presentation skills, and these were skills most commonly felt to be used in graduate employment. It is important to note that there is not always a correlation between the level of graduate skills or qualifications required in a job and the salary. As 'The Class of 99' noted, some of the lowest-paid graduates were the most highly qualified, in areas such as academic research, librarianship and journalism. For some graduates, the attraction of a psychologically rewarding career is greater than a cash career. Widening participation in higher education and the labour market The widening participation agenda, which encourages people from different backgrounds to enter higher education, provides both challenges and opportunities. However, it remains to be seen how this agenda within higher education will translate into a more diverse and better representative labour market in years to come. The following examples highlight some of the issues. According to the report 'What happens Next? A Report on the Destinations of 2004 Graduates with Disabilities' from the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), although non-disabled and disabled graduates overall had parity in the type of industry sectors entered and in terms of the quality of graduate opportunities, graduates with disabilities were more likely to be unemployed or found in part-time or voluntary work. Similarly, a study of the destinations of graduates from ethnic minority backgrounds reported in the Winter 2005/06 issue of Graduate Market Trends (published by HECSU) found that initial labour market attainment amongst minority ethnic graduates overall was not as good as that for White graduates, although some specific minorities (eg Indian graduates) fared rather better than others. Another study, 'Why the Difference? A Closer Look at Higher Education Minority Ethnic Students and Graduates' from the Institute for Employment Studies, reported that Indian and Chinese students were more likely to enter higher education with higher qualifications, but did not appear to be doing as well as might be expected in employment outcomes. Minority ethnic graduates were also found to have less chance of getting through each of the stages in the graduate recruitment process of large organisations than White graduates. Although these findings do seem negative, employers and institutions are working hard to improve matters, and there is good reason to be confident that the labour market will evolve to be more equal. Other studies have also exposed difficulties faced by older graduates and graduates from lower social economic backgrounds on entering the labour market. The good news is that legislation outlawing age discrimination in employment and vocational training has begun to

take effect from 1 October 2006. Employers who do not seek or accept an age diverse workforce will, therefore, not only miss out on valuable talents, but are also liable to be prosecuted. The Graduate Market Trends article (Winter 2006/07), Age laws: what they mean for graduate recruitment, gives a useful summary on this topic. The university experience According to the 'Student Experience Report 2007' from UNITE, 94% of the over 1,600 students surveyed reported that going to university is a worthwhile investment and a natural progression from school. Looking beyond financial considerations, the process of obtaining a degree and taking part in the whole university experience is often life changing a time when knowledge, skills and personality are developed and values and networks are established. Obtaining a good degree along with some work experience will be of great benefit to your graduate job search, and probably financially lucrative too!
Most job-seekers wish they could unlock the secret formula to winning the hearts and minds of employers. What, they wonder, is that unique combination of skills and values that make employers salivate with excitement? Every employer is looking for a specific set of skills from job-seekers that match the skills necessary to perform a particular job. But beyond these job-specific technical skills, certain skills are nearly universally sought by employers. The good news is that most job-seekers possess these skills to some extent. The better news is that job-seekers with weaknesses in these areas can improve their skills through training, professional development, or obtaining coaching/mentoring from someone who understands these skills. The best news is that once you understand the skills and characteristics that most employer seek, you can tailor your job-search communication -- your resume, cover letter, and interview language -- to showcase how well your background aligns with common employer requirements. Numerous studies have identified these critical employability skills, sometimes referred to as "soft skills." We've distilled the skills from these many studies into this list of skills most frequently mentioned. We've also included sample verbiage describing each skill; job-seekers can adapt this verbiage to their own resumes, cover letters, and interview talking points. Skills Most Sought After by Employers So, what are these critical employability skills that employers demand of job-seekers? Communications Skills (listening, verbal, written). By far, the one skill mentioned most often by employers is the ability to listen, write, and speak effectively. Successful communication is critical in business. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Exceptional listener and communicator who effectively conveys information verbally and in writing.

Analytical/Research Skills. Deals with your ability to assess a situation, seek multiple perspectives, gather more information if necessary, and identify key issues that need to be addressed. Sample bullet point describing this skill:

Highly analytical thinking with demonstrated talent for identifying, scrutinizing, improving, and streamlining complex work processes.

Computer/Technical Literacy. Almost all jobs now require some basic understanding of computer hardware and software, especially word processing, spreadsheets, and email. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Computer-literate performer with extensive software proficiency covering wide variety of applications.

Flexibility/Adaptability/Managing Multiple Priorities. Deals with your ability to manage multiple assignments and tasks, set priorities, and adapt to changing conditions and work assignments. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Flexible team player who thrives in environments requiring ability to effectively prioritize and juggle multiple concurrent projects.

Interpersonal Abilities. The ability to relate to your co-workers, inspire others to participate, and mitigate conflict with co-workers is essential given the amount of time spent at work each day. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Proven relationship-builder with unsurpassed interpersonal skills.

Leadership/Management Skills. While there is some debate about whether leadership is something people are born with, these skills deal with your ability to take charge and manage your co-workers. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Goal-driven leader who maintains a productive climate and confidently motivates, mobilizes, and coaches employees to meet high performance standards.

Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness. There is possibly no bigger issue in the workplace than diversity, and job-seekers must demonstrate a sensitivity and awareness to other people and cultures. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Personable professional whose strengths include cultural sensitivity and an ability to build rapport with a diverse workforce in multicultural settings.

Planning/Organizing. Deals with your ability to design, plan, organize, and implement projects and tasks within an allotted timeframe. Also involves goal-setting. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Results-driven achiever with exemplary planning and organizational skills, along with a high degree of detail orientation.

Problem-Solving/Reasoning/Creativity. Involves the ability to find solutions to problems using your creativity, reasoning, and past experiences along with the available information and resources. Sample bullet point describing this skill:

Innovative problem-solver who can generate workable solutions and resolve complaints.

Teamwork. Because so many jobs involve working in one or more work-groups, you must have the ability to work with others in a professional manner while attempting to achieve a common goal. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Resourceful team player who excels at building trusting relationships with customers and colleagues. Personal Values Employers Seek in Employees Of equal importance to skills are the values, personality traits, and personal characteristics that employers seek. Look for ways to weave examples of these characteristics into your resume, cover letters, and answers to interview questions. Here is our list of the 10 most important categories of values. Honesty/Integrity/Morality. Employers probably respect personal integrity more than any other value, especially in light of the many recent corporate scandals. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Seasoned professional whose honesty and integrity provide for effective leadership and optimal business relationships.

Adaptability/Flexibility. Deals with openness to new ideas and concepts, to working independently or as part of a team, and to carrying out multiple tasks or projects. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Highly adaptable, mobile, positive, resilient, patient risk-taker who is open to new ideas.

Dedication/Hard-Working/Work Ethic/Tenacity. Employers seek job-seekers who love what they do and will keep at it until they solve the problem and get the job done. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Productive worker with solid work ethic who exerts optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.

Dependability/Reliability/Responsibility. There's no question that all employers desire employees who will arrive to work every day -- on time -- and ready to work, and who will take responsibility for their actions. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Dependable, responsible contributor committed to excellence and success.

Loyalty. Employers want employees who will have a strong devotion to the company -- even at times when the company is not necessarily loyal to its employees. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Loyal and dedicated manager with an excellent work record.

Positive Attitude/Motivation/Energy/Passion. The job-seekers who get hired and the employees who get promoted are the ones with drive and passion -- and who demonstrate this enthusiasm through their words and actions. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Energetic performer consistently cited for unbridled passion for work, sunny disposition, and upbeat, positive attitude.

Professionalism. Deals with acting in a responsible and fair manner in all your personal and work activities, which is seen as a sign of maturity and self-confidence; avoid being petty. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Conscientious go-getter who is highly organized, dedicated, and committed to professionalism.

Self-Confidence. Look at it this way: if you don't believe in yourself, in your unique mix of skills, education, and abilities, why should a prospective employer? Be confident in yourself and what you can offer employers. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Confident, hard-working employee who is committed to achieving excellence.

Self-Motivated/Ability to Work With Little or No Supervision. While teamwork is always mentioned as an important skill, so is the ability to work independently, with minimal supervision. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Highly motivated self-starter who takes initiative with minimal supervision.

Willingness to Learn. No matter what your age, no matter how much experience you have, you should always be willing to learn a new skill or technique. Jobs are constantly changing and evolving, and you must show an openness to grow and learn with that change. Sample bullet point describing this skill: y Enthusiastic, knowledge-hungry learner, eager to meet challenges and quickly assimilate new concepts. Final Thoughts Employability skills and personal values are the critical tools and traits you need to succeed in the workplace -- and they are all elements that you can learn, cultivate, develop, and maintain over your lifetime. Once you have identified the sought-after skills and values and assessed the degree to which you possess, them remember to document them and market them (in your resume, cover letter, and interview answers) for job-search success. See also our Transferable Job Skills for Job-Seekers. Sources of More Information about Employability Skills Some Major Employer Hiring Concerns, from IT Headhunter. Skills and Tasks for Jobs -- A SCANS report for America 2000, U.S. Department of Labor (excerpts).

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Skills and Tasks for Jobs -- A SCANS report for America 2000, U.S. Department of Labor (full report). Employers Describe Perfect Job Candidate, from National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). What Skills and Attributes Employers Seek When Hiring Students, from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Skills Employers Seek, from Loughborough University. Skills Employers Seek, from Psych Web.

Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search terms by going to our Job-Seeker's Glossary of JobHunting Terms. Katharine Hansen, Ph.D., creative director and associate publisher of Quintessential Careers, is an educator, author, and blogger who provides content for Quintessential Careers, edits QuintZine, an electronic newsletter for jobseekers, and blogs about storytelling in the job search at A Storied Career. Katharine, who earned her PhD in organizational behavior from Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, OH, is author of Dynamic Cover Letters for New Graduates and A Foot in the Door: Networking Your Way into the Hidden Job Market (both published by Ten Speed Press), as well as Top Notch Executive Resumes (Career Press); and with Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., Dynamic Cover Letters, Write Your Way to a Higher GPA (Ten Speed), and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Study Skills (Alpha). Visit her personal Website or reach her by e-mail at kathy(at)quintcareers.com.

Introduction
This report is the result of a survey undertaken in December of 2006 by Victoria Career Development and Employment. Our objective was to identify the ten (10) most requested skills and attributes which employers look for in new graduates. Employers were asked to rank in order of priority 24 skills/attributes which have been most commonly requested in previous years. The following is a summary of the results of this survey. The full report can be downloaded here (140KB PDF)

Top 10 Skills/Attributes Sought After in University Graduates

The following is a listing of the top 10 skills/attributes identified by employers in this survey. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Strong Interpersonal Skills Strong Verbal Communication Skills Strong Written Communication Skills Flexible and Adaptable "Can Do" Attitude Sound Academic Achievement Self-Motivated/Self-Starter Team Player

8. Energy and Enthusiasm 9. Problem Solving Skills 10. Analytical and Conceptual Skills Additional skills and attributes identified by employers included: 1. 2. 3. 4. Well-rounded individuals - a balance of study, work and other interests Social employees that get on well with others Organisational skills Learning agility

Multi-skilled graduates highly sought after This survey illustrates that it is the combination of certain skills and attributes which is the key to employability. Some employers vary the emphasis on different skills/attributes according to the position to be filled and not all recruiting staff within the same organisation would neccessarily agree upon the same ranking. Consequently, the best approach to the top 10 skills/attributes is to view them collectively rather than individually. The rankings in this report can only provide a general guideline for new graduates, although a very valuable one. There were no significant differences in the rankings received by the private sector versus those received by the public sector. However, academic strength and strong written communication skills continue to be more highly prized by government agencies than by the private sector, which placed more emphasis on energy and enthusiasm and commercial awareness/business acumen. Page top

International Comparison
Similar surveys have been carried out in Ireland and Australia. Caution should be taken when comparing the international surveys to the Victoria University Skills Survey as differences in the questions asked and the methodology employed will have had an effect on the results. The University of Dublin surveyed employers in 2003 to identify the transferable skills that employers most value in the workplace. Employers were asked to rank 23 transferable skills. The top ten skills identified by employers were:
y y y y y y y y y y

Oral communication Team work Customer service Time management Written communication Coping with multiple tasks Problem solving Managing one's own learning Planning Decision making

Graduate Careers Australia conducted a survey of employers in Australia and New Zealand during 2006. The top ten skills/attributes identified by employers were:
y y y y y y y y y y

Interpersonal and Communication Skills (written and oral) Academic Qualifications Work Experience Leadership Skills Passion/Knowledge of Industry/Drive Commitment/Attitude Teamwork Skills Critical Reasoning and Analytical Skills/Problem solving/Technical skills Emotional Intelligence Intra and Extra Curricula Activities Cultural Alignment/Value Skills