There is a discord between what employers are looking for and what grads have on offer. In a Hay Group study of 450 business leaders and 450 recent graduates based in India, the US, and China, a massive 76% of business leaders reported that entry-level workers and recent grads are not ready for their jobs.
Having endured years of university studies, these graduates are intelligent, passionate, ambitious and know their way around technology. So why aren’t employers happy with their skills?
Turns out business leaders are looking for soft skills such as empathy, resilience, collaboration, self-discipline and clear communication.
Most graduates believe that soft skills get in the way of doing their jobs well and that their tech skills are more valuable than their soft skills. Leaders, on the other hand believe that soft skills help you advance faster, tech skills are a necessity but soft skills really make you shine and deliver a better commercial impact.
Solutions:
- Promote self-regulation; acceptance of uncertainty and change
- Teach time-management; introduce specific time management methods
- Create a mentor program; help graduates get a big picture perspective
Learn more in the infographic below by Daniel Goleman:
Featured image: Shutterstock
