What Employers Really Look For When Hiring A College Graduate In 2009

Even though we are in recession; the war for talent still exists. Now more than ever, employers are looking even more closely for people who can “contribute to the bottom line of the organization.” Very simply, employers are looking for candidates who have the right title and skills necessary to be successful in the position they are trying to fill. This may seem like an obvious statement; But many college graduates don’t take this basic message seriously. Completion of a degree does not guarantee a job. Employers want to know what you will do for them.

The 2008 survey by collegegrad.com indicated that 44% of responding employers ranked graduates as the top priority, interviewing skills second, an internship and graduate experience third, and 10% of respondents cited the university from which the student graduated. ranked fourth as a priority in their hiring consideration process. According to the 2009 job survey from the National Association of Universities and Business, the top 5 personal qualities / skills employers look for are: communication skills (verbal and written), a strong work ethic, teamwork skills (works well with others), initiative and analytical skills in that order.

The information above is helpful to consider when preparing to look for work; however, to compete most effectively, candidates need to know more and do more with information in order to differentiate themselves from others in today’s competitive job market. And … in addition to the above, there are other important considerations organizations look for when considering candidates for a position.

When you gain the obvious, important, and relevant skill set and the ability to interview and possibly the completion of a well-managed internship, the candidate’s “attitude” becomes one of the main factors in the hiring process. In fact, most good organization employers have adopted the mantra “recruitment attitude, skills training”. Over time, they have come to realize that smart people can learn new skills, but that people with a bad attitude often cannot change, nor does the organization want to invest time, money, and effort to change a person’s attitude. The message of a great attitude is not getting across strongly to many graduates. One of the main keys to employment is an excellent, genuine and positive attitude!

Second, your proven work ethic is critical to your prospective employer. What will you do in your new job that will meet the employer’s needs? What have you learned in college, internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or life experiences that will allow you to apply and take advantage of opportunities in your organization?

Most college graduates are “smart theories.” They know what the book says and have demonstrated their ability to pass the curriculum requirements, the big question that worries the employer is “can what you have learned be applied in the real world?” Can you write a report that clearly communicates and has impact? Can you communicate effectively within a team environment to help bring a project to a successful conclusion? Do you have a “get it done profitably” attitude? Being able to demonstrate how you will apply the theory you have learned in school to real workplace situations will give you an edge over the competition.

Third, can you demonstrate leadership skills in the workplace? Leadership shows the willingness to take an active interest in something or someone to the next level. As a college graduate, most of the time you are expected to quickly take on the responsibility of a leadership role in your career. This can be in the form of project management or a team leadership role. If you are a leader rather than a follower and can provide leadership examples, employers are more likely to hire you. Your leadership skills are also a good indication to the hiring organization that you are an entrepreneur and a person in charge.

The overriding message expressed by employers in all segments of for-profit and non-profit organizations is this … Employers are looking for people who can get the job done. Employers want people who have the academic, technical and interpersonal skills and competencies necessary for the position for which they are being considered. One last quality hiring employers like to see is the applicant’s knowledge of your organization. Research the company as deeply as possible to demonstrate your knowledge of how it works on your resume, cover letter, and interview. The scope of your “company knowledge” will allow you to ask clear and precise questions and demonstrate your sincere interest in your organization. If you are seriously interested in them, you may get the same back.