Who is the 'Ideal' Job Candidate?
What does it take to be the "ideal" job candidate? Employers have a tall order, but communication skills are at the top of their list in what they look for in potential employees, according to a report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
| Skills | Rated |
|---|---|
| Communication skills (verbal and written) | 4.7 |
| Honesty/integrity | 4.7 |
| Interpersonal skills (relates well to others) | 4.5 |
| Motivation/initiative | 4.5 |
| Strong work ethic | 4.5 |
| Teamwork skills (works well with others) | 4.5 |
|
(5 point scale, where 1=Not important; 2=Not very important; 3=Somewhat important; 4=Very important; 5=Extremely important) |
|
Employers responding to NACE's Job Outlook 2007 survey named communication skills and honesty/integrity as a job seeker's most important skills and qualities. (See Figure 1.)
"Communication skills have topped the list for eight years, and honesty and integrity have tied for the top spot for the last three years," says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director.
But the ideal candidate needs to be more than an articulate straight arrow, according to the survey results. Employers also cited strong interpersonal skills, motivation and initiative, the ability to work well with others, and a strong work ethic as key attributes. (Each earned a rating of 4.5 or better on a 5-point scale, where 1 is not important and 5 is extremely important.)
"Certainly, having the requisite skill set to perform the duties of the job is critical, but much of what employers prize can't be taught in the classroom," says Mackes. "As a result, they look for evidence beyond grades that the candidate has these 'soft skills' and attributes. This is one reason why employers look for new college graduates who have gained some kind of relevant work experience, typically performed through an internship or cooperative education program."
In fact, nearly three-quarters of employers responding to the Job Outlook 2007 survey indicated they prefer to hire new college graduates who have gained relevant work experience.
So, is the candidate with killer "soft skills" and relevant work experience a shoo-in for the job? Not if the candidate's grades don't cut it.
Nearly two-thirds of responding employers said they screen new college graduate job candidates on their grade point average (GPA). The biggest group—58 percent—reported that they use a GPA of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) as their cutoff.
"Grades do count," says Mackes.
For more news from NACE, see our press releases. For more information on the 2006-07 Career Services Benchmark Survey, contact Camille Luckenbaugh, ext 111, or Mimi Collins, ext 119, at 800/544-5272 or 610/868-1421.
