Survey Finds Difficulty in Locating ‘Best Fit’ Candidates

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job preparedness indicator Only 7 percent of hiring managers report that “nearly all” or “most” job seekers have the right combination of skills and traits to fill open positions, according to the fourth annual Job Preparedness Indicator study by The Career Advisory Board. The survey included interviews of 524 hiring managers who are responsible for screening post-college-level applicants and making hiring decisions.

Key findings from the 2014 Job Preparedness Indicator include:

Millennials must strengthen, showcase writing skills

  • Basic written communication ability is one of the most desirable skills for entry- and mid-level employees, but is one of the least common skill sets displayed by these job candidates.
  • Though digital communication is often informal, hiring managers look for proper grammar, spelling and clarity in applicants’ materials.

Employers need quick learners and problem solvers

  • Hiring managers want to hire employees who meet as many of their criteria as possible, but only 7 percent of hiring managers reported that “nearly all” or “most” job seekers have the right combination of skills and traits.
  • Problem-solving skills are a differentiator; job seekers who showcase how they’ll use their knowledge and experience to make an immediate contribution to the organization’s bottom line have an advantage.

Hiring managers value micro-credentials

  • One quarter of hiring managers are “very” or “extremely likely” to consider micro-credentials, specialized certificates awarded by reputable educational or business institutions, as proof of skill mastery.
  • Employers view a candidate’s ability to showcase results in a similar position as the most important factor in awarding a position. Similarly, certificates in niche job functions can demonstrate mastery of knowledge in the given field.

Hiring managers favor locals

  • 75 percent of hiring managers are not willing to relocate candidates from other geographies.
  • One quarter of hiring managers are even more likely to hire from within their organization than they were in 2014.

Attitude is most important to hiring managers interviewing recent college graduates

  • Integrity, a strong work ethic, accountability, self-motivation and strong basic interpersonal ability are the most critical attributes for entry-level candidates.
  • Hard skills in technology, decision-making, presentation and risk-taking are not as essential for an entry-level position.

By Joshua Bjerke