Top 10 Qualities Employers Seek
Communication skills
Strong work ethic
Teamwork skills (works well with others)
Initiative
Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
Problem-solving skills
Analytical skills
Flexiblity/adaptability
Computer skills
Technical skills * from the NACE survey
 

Tips on Researching Employers
Early in your career exploration, research employers to help narrow some of your choices. With several broad fields in mind, you can identify and explore specific careers and occupations. Later, in your job search, return to this resource to research specific organizations in preparation for interviews.

Prepare Three Things
Did someone hit the repeat button? Each year employers tell students to go to interviews armed with three things, and each year employers say students arrive at interviews having skipped at least one step—usually the first one. None of the following take a lot of time—and doing each can improve the outcome of your job search. Once again, here they are:

1. Research
Take 60 minutes, go online, and learn everything you can about any company you might want to work for. Your goal is to be able to articulate how you will be a good fit within the company. If you have trouble putting your research into words, ask a career services counselor for help. This is the easiest step of them all—and the most neglected!

2. Experience
An internship or co-op experience (or several of these positions) on your resume will tell an interested employer that you’ve tested your career up close and you’ve learned some of the basics of the workplace.

2. Experience continued...
Employers see internship programs as their organizations talent pools, according to a recent survey of employer benchmarks. When they have a job opportunity to offer, they look among participants in their intern program first. Almost a third of all new hires from the Class of 2007 came from an employer’s own internship program, employers said. Employers prize relevant work experience even if it’s with another organization. Employers responding to the survey that almost two-thirds of new hires have internship experience.

3. Have a little class
Just because you put together a rudimentary resume in “career class” in high school doesn’t mean you have the skill to crank out a resume now. Among the skills you need to learn in college (and can learn through short career center workshops and seminars) include:

1. how to write a cover letter that markets you to employers.
2. how to compose a well-written, error-free resume that articulates your skills and course work as a match for the company and position.
3. how to interview and explain the value you can bring to a potential employer.

Research, experience, and preparation: If you have these, you won’t need “good luck” to be successful in your job search.

Employers Rate the Importance of Experience

Relevant work experience .... 4.0
Internship experience ........ 3.9
Any work experience ......... 3.6
Co-op experience .......... 3.2

5-point scale:
5=Extremely important;
1=Not important