Employers: What Do They Want?
In high school, we live in a sort of “delusionary” world where the “real world” doesn’t seem to matter just yet. Getting a job is a thing for the future – and, “not something I have to worry about just yet,” right? Unfortunately, this perspective can be a poor decision. Most employers certaintly want their employees to have a firm knowledge of the content of their position (ex. an accountant better know how to do math!), but it’s actually personality traits and communication skills that cause the most controversy at the office. Thus, employers tend to look for these qualities when interviewing and hiring prospective employees. Thankfully for you, you get a leg-up on the competition in this course 
.
For this activity, first find an article that describes what personality traits and/or communication skills employers want to see in their prospective employees. Integrate the link into your comment and let’s start a discussion about this!
You must make at least 1 original comment to this discussion with a link, and 2 other “reply” links to the discussion by 7:30am on Thursday, October 28, 2010. You will be graded according to the quality/credibility of the link you selected, as well the: content, written quality, and extension of the discussion. This in total is worth 20 points.
Ms. Kline
If you scroll down a little bit on this page you find that the two most important skills that are being searched for in the job industry, in our day and age, are communication skill, all types, and analytical or research skills. : http://www.quintcareers.com/job_skills_values.html
Just like the packet we recieved at the beginnning of the year, communication skills are number one. Do you agree? Or do you think there are different qualifications that come above the ability to communicate within a job? If so, what are they? If you do agree, why do you agree?
I’ve got to say, I agree with the fact that communication skills are important. I might not quite agree with the whole “Number One” thing as far as importance goes, but in our “fabulous” world of today, businesses and corporations have worldwide offices which work together and collaborate on a large scale. This does indeed make communcation vital to success of jobs and industries. However, I think that experience with the field in question would probably be my “Number One” thing to look for if I was hiring.
I agree completely that communication skills are the most important part of a job. With the exception of the job from The Shining, everyone needs to be able to convey what they want or need, and have the ability to understand what their employer wants or needs. As well, communication skills are crucial to certain jobs, such as doctors or secretaries. Failure to succeed in communication skills with those jobs could prove deadly to business, as it will drive away clients/customers.
I definitely think that communication is vital in order to succeed in any job. In order to be successful people must be able to speak with others and get their point across. I also think that it is important to have experience when applying for a job. I think this is pretty equal to communication on the scale of choosing who to hire, like Ethan mentioned. It is important to hire someone who has prior knowledge of how to complete tasks in order to improve the business.
Personally I believe that an employer is looking for someone who is confident, responsible and well spoken. I think that communication is the key to standing out in a crowd. The following link I have chosen to post contains a list of crucial qualities, the first being communication skills. These skills are the most important when trying to survive in the business world and have success. How do you think having excellent grades in college, but having a weak exposure to communication would effect you in getting a job? Do you think it would still be possible to be chosen for the position?
Here is the link describing the skills need to succeed: http://www.quintcareers.com/job_skills_values.html
I agree with Sarah because communication is the way ideas are shared, and if someone in the business world can’t share their ideas, the business can’t move forward. I don’t think the person would be considered for the job if they didn’t have enough exposure to communication.
I completely agree with Sarah. If employers are torn between a decision to hire someone who’s very smart but very shy or someone who is very polite, confident and well spoken, they will choose the latter option, because that person will be more likely to stand out in their minds. Therefore, the person with good communication skills will be better remembered by the employers.
I think you are right about how communication can be the gate of standing out in the crowd doing the job and that not being able to speak out in a way can be the complete downside of an oppertunity.
I agree completely with Sara. As I said in my post being able to be speak well and be easy to work with treasured very highly. I think if you had good grades but poor speaking skills your chances of being selected for a job would go down drastically.
I am in complete consensus with Sarah. Being smart and educated is crucial and what gives you the basis for a job, but how you sell yourself is the most important. I don’t see how a person would be able to put them self out to be criticized and compared to others if they aren’t confident. Honestly if it were between a smart shy person and a smart communication skilled person, the communication is what really helps that person be chosen.
In class we discussed that oral communication is most important when applying for a job. How much does that really matter, though? Will a boss hire someone who can speak beautifully but is completely dull or acts like a ditz? I think it depends more on personality than on types of communication. First off, the boss will hire someone he will have to work with every day and that his other workers will have to work with. Doesn’t the boss want someone who will create a happy environment and make the workplace better? If someone has a good personality, it leads to better personality traits like responsibilty, resectfulness, dependability, and an all around positive attitude. These traits are desirable to bosses who want to create a healthy work environment. http://hubpages.com/hub/Top_5_Characteristics. True, oral communication is important, and I’m sure a boss wouldn’t hire someone completely incompetent, but when two people are considered for a job with the same resume, which one will get picked: the happy, upbeat applicant or the dull, just business applicant? I know if i were a boss, I would pick the upbeat applicant.
I might have to disagree with you there, Beth. Sure, in a perfect world, I’d pick the upbeat one too, but sometimes the dull, “man-of-business” applicant may be the person you are looking for. Granted, that person might not be easy to get along with, but if they were an intelligent, qualified dull person, I’d go for that person over a happy, upbeat person who is happy and upbeat because he is living proof that ignorance is bliss. Basically, for me it would be intelligence and ability over personality.
I understand what you’re saying, Ethan. I just thought of it from my standpoint if I were a boss. I would want to create a happy work environment. My point was mostly that personality can create a better work environment if the job calls for that.
I disagree with the point you have made here Ethan. Although you do want hat “man-of=busines” there is much more that must be considered. Although he may be able to get the job done,getting along with others in the workplace may be difficult. In order for any business to be successful it is crucial that all members work together. If there is conflict going on because the hired individual is dull and slightly rude, it will be difficult to complete tasks. It is much more rewarding to hire the person who is upbeat and has a positive application as long as they prove they can help the company.
I agree with both Ethan and Beth here, you should have both of these traits. Even though a person may be a genius at the topic, they should be enjoyable to talk to and interact with. If a person has just the brains over the “beauty” or the likeable personality that person could be a horrible group person to be with in an office situation. But, that person shouldn’t just hire someone based on appearance. It should also be about how they are able to apply theirselves to the work and brains part of the job.
Beth I agree with you. Most companies will only hire people who will add to work community. An example of this is one of my favorite game companies “Epic Game Studios”. The company does extensive interviews with your portfolio and your personality. If one person does not like your personality or portfolio you most likely will not be hired.
One of the most important traits that employers look for when interviewing potential workers is communication. They want you to be able to listen and communicate respectfully and effectively, as evident in the article at this link: http://www.quintcareers.com/job_skills_values.html. Employers don’t want someone unfriendly and uptight- they want someone who will work well with clients (whomever those clients may be) and they want potential workers to be flexible and well organized.
I think you are absolutely right Victoria, when it comes to a working environment, social and communication skills are crucial. Job offerers are going to go off their first impression and what they interpret from meeting you. The social skills you possess and show will be what makes or breaks the decision to hire a worker.
The first impression when it comes to business is the most important. The way you present yourself is what is going to determine what people think of you. Self-awareness, creativity, vision, leadership and confidence are among some of the most important. Awareness for being in a reality check, creativity to show uniqueness and individuality, vision for a fun imagination, leadership to establish power and ability to take charge, and confidence to assert yourself. In your opinion, what is the most important communication skill when it comes to the business world?
I agree on how the first impression to the business world is very important of presenting yourself and having the self determination. I would think that the most important communication skills are writing, speaking, and especially listening.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Business-Communication—5-Qualities-for-Developing-Leadership-Skills-No-Matter-Your-Position&id=4964874
An employer is looking for someone who is easy to talk and work with. Being “hard to work with” is something employers will try to avoid. I would suggest along with this website to become a team player. There is nothing wrong with helping people out. Often times this will help you be selected over other people because you are will to help others. Always remember during an interview, sometimes even before and after, you are always being evaluated. http://www.howtointerview.com/interviewadvice2.html
I agree with you here, Chad. This is similar to the debate above on Beth and Ethan’s views. Though you must have the qualifications to succeed with the job, you must be an enjoyable person to be with. A boss should look at the whole package, and not just the brains, or just the personality of the person.
This article I found really hits home with the necessary skills for employment in today’s world. It lists important skills, and I am certain that you will find it revelatory if you read it. Among them are communication skills, of course, and these make up, I believe, two of the six skills.
http://www.educationplanner.org/education_planner/preparing_article.asp?sponsor=2859&articleName=Employment_Skills
Employers are looking for multiple traits of personality and communication skills. They look for the personal traits of honesty, flexibilitym, and self-confidence. They also look for communication skills of writing, listening, and verbal for their future of the the job to be done.
http://www.quintcareers.com/job_skills_values.html