What Do Employers Want From Students?
Many parents aren’t sure what their students need to accomplish in college, in order to land a great job. Obviously, without that knowledge, students will be at a great disadvantage. How can you expect your children to graduate from college with a great job at a respected employer, when they don’t know what the best employers want and expect?
So, let’s get it all out in the open. What is it that impresses employers?
Academic Success
There is nothing new here. The best employers usually have academic performance requirements. That may involve the overall CUM and GPA in the student’s major. Only the students who either meet or exceed those requirements will be considered for employment. Therefore, interested students must find out what their target employers require and then make certain that they meet or exceed those requirements.
Success In Their Field Of Interest
Academic success in the student’s field of interest or major is always critical. Additionally, the best employers prefer students who also have some work experience in that field (co-op, work/study, part-time or summer). In that way, employers can verify both academic and employment performance. The best candidates find a way to distinguish themselves. When students are unremarkable in their own field of interest, the best employers will generally move on to the next candidate.
Communication Skills
Poor communication skills pose a gigantic problem for many of today’s students, because they never learned the basics in the early grades. Students who can read, write, speak, present, negotiate, persuade, question, spell, punctuate, use proper grammar and also utilize an adult vocabulary will be assets to any organization. Only those candidates with highly developed communication skills will have any chance of being considered for employment with the best employers.
Leadership Skills
Good leaders are worth their weight in gold. If your college student can demonstrate his/her ability to lead and inspire others to achieve significant results, he/she has a critical business skill, a skill that is always in high demand. High quality employers only look for candidates who have the potential for future advancement. They won’t invest in someone whose career will plateau eighteen months up the road. That’s why candidates with proven leadership skills will have the advantage.
Problem-Solving Skills