How to get ahead at work - it's not what you think Students need to learn what job skills are really the most needed, writes Zoe Mak

SCMP Young-Post 27-4-2010

A survey has found a huge gap between what students think they need to get a job and what employers actually want.

According to the survey conducted by City University last month, employers look for soft skills like language, communication and interpersonal skills when they hire new graduates, whereas students think employers want hard knowledge like general working ability to get a job.

Researchers interviewed 1,340 human-resource-department and -related personnel from different corporations and 820 current Form Six and Seven students from March 8 to April 8.

Results show that the top-three things employers look for from new graduates are: language and communication skills; creativity and analytical skills; presentation skills.

But the three things students think are most important for a job are general work ability, language skills and interpersonal skills.

More than 30 per cent of employers are not happy with newly employed graduates because they lack discipline, and more than 20 per cent say the new graduates do not have a high enough EQ (emotional quotient). They also lack problem-solving skills. Some 90 per cent of corporations said they wanted graduates to have good interpersonal skills, high EQ, discipline and ambition.

More than 80 per cent of students do not see a need to improve their employability. As many as 90 per cent were not clear on what employability was. Employability refers to the ability to get a job and keep it.

Some students are also uncertain of their career path. More than 60 per cent worry about or feel lost over their career and future.

The university's department of marketing is now launching the Big 6 Employability training programme. It gives students the chance to get practical experience, such as doing local, mainland or overseas internships, attending forums, and having dinner with successful leaders.

Students will also get to join study tours and exchange programmes. Outstanding students will win awards and scholarships. There are also special courses to improve language skills. Students will be encouraged through peer-assisted learning and participate in community services to improve their GPA. What students think they need: 89.85% working ability, 79.70% language skills and 71.78% interpersonal skills

Source: Wisenews DOCUMENT ID: 201004275316514

Questions:
1. Which qualities do you think are the most lacking for university graduates nowadays?
2. Could you think of any ways for university students to know about the demand in the labour market?