Designer: Brandon Powell | Writer: Shadi MirzaSources: Apollo Research Institute, Life in the 21st-Century Workforce: Phoenix, April 13, 2012

Apollo Research Institute is part of Apollo Group, the parent company of University of Phoenix.Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 201213 Edition, Registered Nurses, March 29, 2012

Communication skills (32%)

What’s the most important factor affecting promotions?

Employers

Employees

“ The gift of gab is the key to moving up in a company.”

The gift of gab is the key to moving up in a company. This seems like a no-brainer in sales, where profits are won and lost on words alone, but Wilen-Daugenti notes that, in any industry, it’s the people who are most able to communicate their ideas and career goals who end up being promoted.

Past work experience

(29%)

The lesson: When it comes to promotions, actions don’t speak louder than words.

Continuing educationIs workers’ continuing education important to employers?

Your skill set may help you get your dream job, but you need to stay current if you want to keep it. “Employers tell us repeatedly about the challenges of finding qualified workers to fill open jobs,” Wilen-Daugenti says. “As many as 3.7 million jobs are many as 3.7 million jobs are unfilled because not enough qualified workers stand ready to fill them.”

Address the desires of employers who want out-of-the-box thinking by peppering your resumé with concrete examples of your accomplishments. Wilen-Daugenti suggests statements like “launched a sales campaign that increased revenues by $20 million during difficult economic conditions.”

40%

Employers

40% say “very important”

33% say “very important”

33%

Employees

The lesson: If you want to keep working in any industry, you have to keep learning.

VS.

The lesson: Your skill set and how capable you are at acquiring new skills count more than your experience.

1Critical thinking and problem-solving skills (41%)

Ability and willingness to learn new skills (30%)2Teamwork skills (30%)3

Ability and willingness to learn new skills (37%)1Previous experience and results (30%)2Critical thinking and problem-solving skills (26%)3

The lesson: Employers are most concerned with dependability.

Meeting deadlines is a crucial skill. If you’ve developed a reputation for delivering the goods on a tight schedule, say so on your resumé or during the interview. Tracey Wilen-Daugenti, PhD, vice president and managing director of Apollo Research Institute, says that delivering assignments on time is especially important when working on team projects, which require everyone to be in sync.

77%What’s the most important skill to Phoenix employers?

Employers

EmployeesAbility to meet deadlines

Ability and willingness to learn new skills

What do employers really want?