What Do Employers Look For?

What do employers look for?

Wakefield College has a wide range of higher education qualifications ranging from Foundation degrees to Higher National Diplomas, BA and BSc honours degrees and professional qualifications – all of which have been developed in partnership with employers and professional bodies to ensure they are current in terms of employment opportunities, and are related to real world employment requirements. We offer you the opportunity to prepare and plan for your future employment by ensuring that you have the necessary skills you need, along with practical experience through work placement and industry links, and excellent careers advice. We have many links with employers who recognise and respect our courses and the quality of our graduates.

Our graduates' success is evident right around the world from blue-chip businesses in Asia Pacific and the USA to specialist technical businesses right here in Wakefield. The common factor in all their success is high quality university level education at Wakefield College.

Working Towards Your Future

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI),and the National Union of Students have worked together on a publication to help students understand what employers are looking for in new recruits and provide practical tips to help students meet these requirements.

The guide, 'Working towards Your Future', explains how employability skills can be developed through university courses, but also by participation in clubs and societies, volunteering in the community and by gaining work experience.

Employability skills are vital to finding employment, 82 per cent of businesses said it is the single most important consideration when recruiting graduates, according to a CBI survey. However 70 per cent of employers said that university students need to do more to prepare themselves to be effective in the workplace.

The guide gives students key tips where to gain these skills, information on what help is available as well as how to present relevant skills to potential employers.

"Employability skills are the most important attributes that businesses look for in new recruits. Competition for jobs is intense and graduate unemployment remains high, so students need to proactively develop relevant employability skills. But at the same time all universities need to explain these skills better and make sure they embed them in teaching." Susan Anderson, CBI Director for Education & Skills

For more information see the NUS guide to better employability skills.

Boosting Employability and Skills

"In an increasingly competitive employment market, employers are looking beyond simple academic achievement when considering applicants for a job.

Many now expect to see evidence of other skills and achievements that boost someone's attractiveness as a potential employee.

Businesses want graduates who not only add value but who have the skills to help to transform their organisation in the face of continuous and rapid economic and technological change. All graduates - whatever their degree discipline - need to be equipped with employability skills.

Employability covers a broad range of non-academic or softer skills and abilities which are of value in the workplace. It includes the ability to work in a team; a willingness to demonstrate initiative and original thought; self-discipline in starting and completing tasks to deadline."

The CBI Website

The CBI report Future fit: preparing graduates for the world of work provides further examples of good practice in the development of employability skills by universities and employers.