Employers are still asking for workers with strong soft skills, despite increasing technological advancements that allow many jobs to instead be automated.
Strong “uniquely human” skills, as some call them, are some of the most important when it comes to what employers seek in job applicants–but they’re having trouble finding applicants with these skills, according to a new survey from Cengage.
The survey of more than 650 employers and more than 1,500 current and former college students reveals soft skills are most in demand by employers (by at least 65 percent), while quantitative skills and computer and technical skills were less so (47 percent and 50 percent, respectively).
The top skills today’s employers are looking for in candidates include:
• Listening skills (74 percent)
• Attention to detail and attentiveness (70 percent)
• Effective communication (69 percent)
• Critical thinking (67 percent)
• Interpersonal skills (65 percent)
• Active learning/learning new skills (65 percent)
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