Ability to Work in Team #1 Soft Skill Desired By Employers

What do employers look for in a resume? Beyond the candidate’s ability to meet standard criteria—the “right” major or work experience—employers are most likely to look for evidence that the candidate is able to work in a team, according to a new survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Nearly 80 percent of employers taking part in NACE’s Job Outlook 2012 survey said they search for evidence that the potential employee can work in a team, and more than three-quarters indicated they want the resume to show the candidate has leadership abilities and written communication skills. Evidence of problem-solving skills and a strong work ethic round out the top five “soft skills” employers seek on resumes.

In fact, says Edwin Koc, NACE director of research, “Overall, results show that the ability to work in a team is the number one soft skill employers seek in their new hires.”Consequently, job candidates need to showcase that ability in their interactions with employers, not just on the resume, but in the interview as well.

Figure 1: On a resume, employers look for evidence of…

1. Ability to work in a team
2. Leadership skills
3. Written communication skills
4. Problem-solving skills
5. Strong work ethic.

Source: Job Outlook 2012, National Association of Colleges and Employers