Numerous employer studies show that professional communication skills are highly sought after in the workplace. In fact, many recent studies rank communication as the No. 1 skill employers are looking for. Other communication-related skills are high on the lists.
Outcomes that employers say universities should stress
| Learning outcomes | % | |
| Communicate orally and in writing | 89 | |
| Critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills | 81 | |
| Ability to apply knowledge and skills to real-world settings | 79 | |
| Ability to analyze and solve complex problems | 75 | |
| Ability to connect choices and actions to ethical decisions | 75 | |
| Teamwork skills, ability to collaborate in diverse settings | 71 | |
| Ability to innovate and be creative | 70 | |
| Concepts and new developments in science and technology | 70 | |
| Ability to locate, organize and evaluate information | 68 | |
| Ability to understand the global context of situations | 67 | |
| Global issues and their implications for the future | 65 | |
| Ability to work with numbers and understand statistics | 63 |
For the full report, see aacu.org/leap/documents/2009_EmployerSurvey.pdf
Top skills/qualities employers seek in job candidates
|
Skills |
Rating | |
| Communication skills | 4.6 | |
| Teamwork skills | 4.5 | |
| Strong work ethic | 4.5 | |
| Initiative | 4.4 | |
| Interpersonal skills | 4.3 | |
| Analytical skills | 4.3 | |
| Computer skills | 4.3 | |
| Flexibility/adaptability | 4.3 | |
| Problem-solving skills | 4.3 |
For the latest survey, see naceweb.org/Press/Releases/Employers_Rank_Communication_Skills_First_Among_Job_Candidate_Skills_and_Qualities_(1-21-10).aspx