TOP 10 SKILLS EMPLOYERS

2014

Based on the NACE Job Outlook 2014 Survey

ARE LOOKING FOR

10. Ability to Influence Others

Influence is defined as the ability to be a compelling force on the actions of others. Managers and employees alike use influence in leading teams, presenting a project idea or selling a product to a potential customer.

9. Report Writing

An employee’s ability to create and edit well-structured, concise, and unambiguous reports is absolutely essential in data tracking, analysis, and presentation. Report Examples: • Sales Reports • Budget Allocations • General Ledger Entries • Business Planning • Marketing Reports

8. Computer Software Proficiency

Computers are an integral part of most employee’s day-to-day work. It is a vital skill to know how to use a wide range of programs and when to use each one. Employees with specialized software knowledge can often command higher compensation owing to their ability to maintain critical systems and produce valuable information from large amounts of data.

7. Job–Specific Knowledge

Employees that have prior experience in a particular position require less training (which reduces costs for the employer) and are often able to contribute new skills from a prior position. For college students, employers like to see a job candidate with part-time, or internship experience in a field related to the job posting.

6. Analytical Ability

Quantitative analytical ability has become a crucial skill in the age of big data. Employees with strong analytical abilities are able to: 1. Identify business questions, 2. identify the data needed to

answer those questions 3. Extract and summarize, manipulate, and present data

in such a way that allows business decisions to be made

5. Data Collection & Processing

Knowing where to collect data, how to collect data, and how to process data. Producing meaningful business intelligence using reliable data sources allows management to make important business decisions.

4. Verbal Communication

Effective verbal communication allows employees to contribute actionable ideas, new projects, and personal opinions. Effective Verbal Communication includes: • Appropriate language • Clear & audible voice • Courteous tone • Active listening • Asking questions or rephrasing

3. Organizational Skills

The ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work allows employees to complete work with improved quality and speed, leaving more time to take on more work or tackle personal projects that benefit the company.

2. Problem Solving & Decision Making

In a business environment problems appear sporadically, and unpredictably. Companies need employees who can quickly respond to problems, by devising solutions and deciding the best course of action to take.

1. Teamwork

Employees who have the ability to work in teams: • Work Efficiently by distributing

workload and taking advantage of each member’s strengths

• Improve Organizational Cohesion by building strong relations with and between co-workers

• Learn More – Working effectively in teams gives employees access to the knowledge and skills of more experienced co-workers or co-workers in entirely different fields