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Most Important Skill to Employers is Communication

ningcontent Avatarningcontent
January 28, 2011


Thumbnail image for marilyn-mackes.jpgEmployers look for their job candidates to exhibit strong communication skills. Employers taking part in the Job Outlook 2010 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) ranked communication skills at the top of the skills they seek in potential employees:

  1. Communication Skills
  2. Analytical Skills
  3. Teamwork Skills
  4. Technical Skills
  5. Strong Work Ethic

“These are the skills that employers believe are important to on-the-job success,” says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director. But employers have a fairly extensive roster of skills, qualities, and attributes they consider when making hiring decisions, says Mackes, and evidence that the candidate can perform the job is key.
“Many employers use GPA to gauge ability, and look at work experience for evidence that the candidate can do the job. For a new college graduate, that’s typically gained through an internship,” she says. Consequently, good communication skills or a strong work ethic are not likely to make up for a poor GPA or lack of experience with many employers.
Given equally qualified candidates, however, prized “soft skills” can tip the scales toward one candidate over the other. “Not surprisingly, our research shows that employers are looking for well-rounded candidates,” says Mackes. “In a tight job market, the candidate who can offer that bit more has the advantage.”

Originally posted by Steven Rothberg

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