Job Seeking Skills

Skills Sought in Graduates

The recruitment processes, and selection criteria adopted by employers, are ways to achieve the underlying goal: to pick those graduates who have the characteristics employers are seeking.

The purpose of recruitment differs between organisations. Larger organisations are trying to find the business leaders of 10-15 years hence, whereas small companies are looking for graduates who can fit in and make a contribution straight away.

Most employers accept they will have to provide 'on-the-job' training for newly employed graduates.

Thus, they look for certain 'key skills' in potential employees. By focussing on those skills and identifying your own strengths, you can improve your prospects.

A recent article in Business Executive magazine (February 1998) gave an outline of the soft skills needed in the hard world of employment. While the article focused on the hospitality industry the core skills discussed frequently feature in job descriptions across a broad range of occupations.

Similarly, recent research undertaken for the Department of Employment, Training and Youth Affairs highlighted the key skills seen as significant by both small and large employers.