What skills do employers seek?
The skills an employer will seek from candidates will differ somewhat based upon its industry and organizational needs. However, there are certain fundamental skills that ALL employers are looking for, regardless of industry. In fact, according to current research sited by NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) in the Job Outlook 2005, the top 10 skills employers are looking for include: 1) Communication Skills, 2) Honesty/Integrity, 3) Interpersonal skills, 4) Motivation, 5) Strong Work Ethic, 6) Team work skills, 7) Computer skills, 8) Analytical Skills, 9) Flexibility, 10) Detail-oriented.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) solicits feedback from employers each year about the skills that they seek in new hires. According the NACE’s 2006 Job Outlook survey, the Top 10 qualities/skills employers seek are: Communication skills (verbal and written) Honesty/integrity Teamwork skills (works well with others) Strong work ethic Analytical skills Flexibility/adaptability Interpersonal skills (relates well to others) Motivation/Initiative Computer skills Detail-oriented The majority these are skills developed here at Puget Sound both within and outside of the classroom. Writing skills are highly sought by employers across all fields. What Can I do with an English Major? An article in the Seattle Post Intelligencer discussed a recently published book entitled I’m an English Major — Now What? (available for check out from the CES Career Resource Library) and works to dispel three myths about English degrees. The article quotes a human resources manager, “if y
