Job applicants are ‘lacking soft skills’, say employers

As young people across the UK await their exam results and prepare to enter the world of work, new research has suggested that soft skills and personality are top attributes that business leaders look for when hiring.

The research found that bosses need to see that a candidate has good soft skills, like communicating, time management and leadership skills, and a personality that they want working for their company.

More than half of bosses surveyed look for volunteering experience as evidence of these skills and 98% say a business can get great results from employees who have volunteered.

The research, by British Gas, also found that nine in ten employers say candidates should focus on soft skills just as much as their grades and previous experience. More than eight in ten business leaders in Manchester say their company should invest more in offering volunteering opportunities to employees, as they believe it would have a positive impact on the company.

Pippa Morgan, head of education and skills at the CBI, said: “The value that individuals with well-honed soft skills bring to a business is indisputable. As this research and our own indicates: business leaders are very clear about wanting to hire people with the right behaviours and attitude.

Employers also said that they will scour the internet to get clues on a candidate’s social skills, with 23% saying that they look at a candidate’s social media profile to figure out what type of person they are and how they interact with others before meeting them and even before considering offering them an interview.

Claire Miles, managing director for customer operations at British Gas commented: “Whilst good exam results can boost opportunities for young people, our survey highlights that employers are also looking for evidence of soft skills and personality before making a final decision on who to hire.

“Most young people think that employers only care about their academic achievements – but that’s not the case. There’s a real opportunity for young people to boost their chances of employment through volunteering, which is a great indicator of soft skills. “

 

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