“A degree is no longer a meal ticket to your future, but merely a license to hunt”
Linsey Perry, Railtrack
More and more companies have internship programs for students and have started to become open to the idea of hiring grads for entry-level job openings.
The expectations are pretty clear for both sides. Employers want student employees who are self-motivated, have ideas, take initiative and deliver more than is promised or expected. On the other hand, students want to work for a company that has a good culture and offers great opportunities to learn. They also want to develop their skills and have different benefits like flexible work hours or medical insurance.
How important are the “soft skills”?
All the hard and fast technical knowledge that students learn in classes are only part of what is necessary to land and maintain a dream job. Regardless of the field, most business leaders are becoming more and more interested in the “soft skills” that each student brings.
According to 77% of employers, “soft skills” or “non-technical skills” are just as important as technical skills.
Employers want people with high emotional intelligence
Companies are looking for the “best of both worlds” in their new hires. The most important soft skills that a student can bring to a company are the following:
- Communication – is the key to any human interaction and is highly important in all companies.
- Motivation – if you are a motivated person no task will remain unfinished.
- Initiative – to find new ways to improve your skills and help the organization.
- Teamwork – because you don’t work alone! Teamwork is an essential part in every job.
- Creativity – is one of the most important skills that any employee can bring. Think in a new and interesting way to solve problems, create improvements in the company or come up with new methods to resolve old issues.
- Commitment – to your job and company is another important soft skill that any employer will want to find in each employee.
- Time Management – you need to prioritize your tasks in order to balance and master your workload.
Developing and demonstrating technical and soft skills is important for the future career of any student.
Before you go to an interview make sure that you understand what a future employer expects from you.