The nationwide Employability Skills Survey found work ethic was the most important attribute for employers when hiring students or graduates. Verbal communication skills ranked second, and energy and enthusiasm third.
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Commerce Professor Bob Buckle says the results suggest employers want graduates who can produce quality work from the start.
“Recruiters look for those discipline-specific or technical skills, but they also want graduates who have the ability to think critically and problem solve. Sound communication skills are also highly desirable so the new recruits can apply their technical skills effectively,” he says.
The Employability Skills Survey is the largest survey of its kind in Australasia, representing 346 organisations in the private, public and non-profit sectors.