What Employers Want and Expect From College Graduates & What Students Want

From Employers

Aaron BaskoAssistant Vice President for Enrollment and Career Services

What Employers Want in College Grads

From a “MoneyWatch” survey of 318 employers

At least 25 employees

Key Findings 93 percent of employers said that a

demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly and solve complex problems is more important than any other attributes the student can offer.

More Key Findings 95 percent of employers say they prioritize

hiring college graduates with skills that will help them contribute to innovation in the workplace.

Additional Findings 80 percent of

employers agree that regardless of their major, every college student should acquire broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences.

What Else Matters Most in College?

Strongly endorse such educational practices as collaborative problem-solving, internships, senior projects, and community engagement.

More than four in five employers say that in evaluating applicants they find it helpful if job candidates have a digital portfolio, along with the usual resume and college transcripts.

Two in three employers believe most college graduates have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in entry-level positions.

Survey Findings What this survey of employers and others

have suggested is that the major isn't nearly as important as what college students do in and out of the classroom.

Skills Employers Want

Is There Really a “Skills Gap” ?

Employers sometimes say they can’t find qualified candidates but:o 10% Of Candidates offered won’t accept the job at the

wage level offeredo 15% Cite lack of candidate knowledge, but only 21% of

employers said they provided employer-based training

Companies want “experienced candidates who can contribute immediately with no training or start-up time.”

Read more: http://business.time.com/2012/06/04/the-skills-gap-myth-why-companies-cant-find-good-people/#ixzz2hPs2Ac7q

What This Employer Panel Expects of SU Students - Enterprise Holdings

Terri Morris (SU Graduate)-Talent Acquisition Manager

1. They need to have realistic goals and expectations.

2. They need to be true team players and have a can-do positive attitude

3. Not be afraid of a four letter word - W.O.R.K.- hard work will get you rewarded and promoted! Seek internships if there are opportunities in their field.

4. They should seek Mentors and enjoy networking whenever possible.

5. Take on leadership opportunities whenever possible (i.e. clubs, sports, work, etc.)

Target: Christopher Fereday

Store Team Leader1. Be involved; don't fly under the radar thru college. Get involved in clubs, volunteer, join a fraternity, join student Government. It’s important to have these experiences to give yourself great stories during the interview process. For us it is about leadership. 2. They need to know what they truly want. Be confident about themselves and that this is the career they want. We won't bring someone on if we think they are not committed

3. With Target it is not important that they are perfect, what I mean is a lot of students view mistakes as taboo. It’s more important that they learn from their mistakes and can show us how they have grown as a leader. It has been a common miss that I have seen students in an interview give a more low scope answer because they don't want to talk about mistakes.

4. 100% of our job involves people whether our guests or Team members. We look for people who can relate well to others and engage and inspire them to be better. So they need to be engage with people. This sounds easier than it is. I suggest taking class on public speaking or something equivalent even if it is not part of degree. This is also where involvement with clubs and volunteering can help. The social interaction is very important. 5. Many students ask me about advancement opportunities which are great. We want our team to be ambitious but one of my old coaches used to say to me that if we focus solely on winning and not on the game its self then we might not win. The most successful Team members I have seen are the ones who focus on their own development anything we do in life is earned not given.

Trinity Logistics - Denise Crockett

Talent Acquisition Manager1. We look to ensure students are involved in organizations, sports, volunteering, part time jobs. Shows they can multi-task!

2. Personality – they need to bring it to the table. In our organization we only have a service to sell, so if they come to the interview lacking personality (ambition and drive to do the job) we will continue to look at the next candidate.

3. Showing up to the interview in appropriate attire. Having one or two outfits set aside just for the interview process.

4. Bringing reference letters from their professors is nice to see.

5. Knowing our company. Who we are and what we do. I see many students who do their homework and research our company, however for every one student that does this one student does not. When a student has not researched our company and can’t tell me what we do, I think of it as them just looking for a job and not a career. They didn’t take the time.

The Sherwin-Williams Company - Rachael Conn

Recruitment Specialist1. Be able to discuss your leadership, communication and other transferable skills. They can be more valuable than hiring based on major.

2. Have a realistic expectation of the types of jobs available for recent graduates.

3. PATIENCE. If advancement opportunities are available then you will get there! But take the time to develop the skills needed to prepare you for that next step.

4. Consider the long-term benefits within a company, like advancement opportunities and job security, rather than going for the "get-rich-quick" schemes.

5. Don't be afraid to brag! Be proud of your academic, leadership and work accomplishments and share them with employers.

McGladrey-Jen Poklemba - Senior Talent Acquisition

Specialist1. In addition to the skills previously mentioned, Good Communication Skills – not everything can be communicated via text message/email. Face to face conversations are the most valuable2. Don’t be entitled – Many firms offer a lot of perks/flexibility, but you have to earn it. Don’t be afraid to WORK

Top 10 Jobs Employers Can’t Fill

Sales representative Machine operator/assembler/production worker Nurse Truck driver Software developer Engineer Marketing professional Accountant Mechanic IT manager/network administrator

* Fox Business, July 2013

First Year on the Job-12 Steps to Success

I. Adopt the right attitudes-be positive-work is different than college-earn respect

II. Adjust your expectations-expect to be surprised

III. Master breaking-in skills-OK to be newIV. Manage the impressions you make-be

professional-first impressions are so importantV. Build effective relationships-find ways to “fit

in.” Don’t try to change the cultureVI. Become a good follower-learn the norms-

watch othersVII. Understand your organization’s culture-pay

attention to the way things are done-figure out what is expected of you

Other StepsVIII. Develop organizational

savvy-rites of passageIX. Understand your new-hire

role-don’t be frustratedX. Listen to your supervisor-

make her/him look good

XI. Master the tasks of your job-be a good listener

XII. Acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities you need-learn from others

What do Students Expect From Employers (NACE-2013)

More than two-thirds of students plan to enter the work force immediately upon graduation.

When choosing among potential employers, the most important factors students say they consider are the opportunity for personal growth, job security, and a good benefits package.

Students say they’d most like to work in:

Government

Human Services

Education

And when they consider a job, they look at:

Nature of the work

Compensation

Co-workers

When considering a job offer, new graduates look for:

Opportunity for personal growth

Job security

Friendly co-workers

When scoring one job offer against another, the benefits that matter most include:

Annual salary increases

401(k) company match

Tuition reimbursement

How Can You Help Them?

Encourage on-time graduation Get them on LinkedIn (But don’t create their

profile) Help them get to the Career Center early Get them to engage with their education and

think “value added” through Advanced Learning Experiences

Start them thinking about networking Use the Career Services Website Train analogy

Advanced Learning Experiences

Advanced Learning Experiences

o Researcho Internshipo Study Abroado Group Worko Clinical/Field Experienceo Volunteer Worko Club Leadershipo Language trainingo Honors

How Can We Help Them?

Assessments – earlier the better, online Holland Quiz and MyNext Move

Individual career counseling Resume critique Cover letter/graduate school essay review Mock interviews On-site employer interviews Job Fairs Job alerts Internship database

How Can We Help Them?

Mentor network Post resumes Library Career course Text message alerts Sample resume database by major Salary resources Grad school tips Mentor Advice

How Can We Partner? Join our mentor

network Help us engage with

employers Encourage your

student to come see us early

Visit our Top 10 Tips for Parents

http://www.salisbury.edu/careerservices/Parents/TopTenTips.html