CEMS, along with its corporate partner, Universum, surveyed 445 undergraduate students and 80 HR managers worldwide. Fifty-three percent of the students said technical experience would help them most impress potential employers. But only 36% of HR managers noted this as a priority for what they want in job candidates.
More than one-third of students also said demonstrating skills beyond what an employer asks for in a job posting would help them advance their careers. Only 20% of HR managers saw this as important.
“Our research suggests that young people starting out in the workplace may not be focusing on the right things for career growth and that the skills they think will build successful careers do not always match the views of global employers,” said Roland Siegers, executive director of CEMS. “Although technical skills still have relevance, global recruiters we work with believe that it is most important for young professionals to develop a diverse skillset, gain broad experience, and develop resilience by working outside their comfort zone. Importantly, they also believe that international assignments are key in helping young people get ahead in the workplace.”