Research shows gap between how job seekers view their own employability and what employers value

Research shows there is a gap between how job seekers view their own employability skills and what employers value. According to a new survey from Bryant & Stratton College Online and Wakefield Research,80 percent of 18-34 year olds feel they are job ready and possess all the skills, experience, and education needed to advance in their desired career path or obtain their next job. Comparatively, data released by global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company found almost 40 percent of employers attribute the main reason for job openings to lack of skills among entry-level applicants. The research indicates that college students and young employees have inflated assumptions about their own career readiness in today’s job market. To help connect individuals looking for a job understand what employers want, Bryant & Stratton College Online today announced a free career information webinar titled “Job Ready or Not?” as part of its ongoing Employability Series. The event will be streamed live online on July 19 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT.

Other results from the Bryant & Stratton College Online survey show how far out of step young job seekers are from employers. For example, only 16 percent of 18-34 year olds believe improving their soft skills will have the greatest impact on their career advancement. However, a survey conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities found 93 percent of employers said soft skills such as critical thinking, communicating clearly and complex problem solving are weighed more heavily in the hiring process than an individual’s undergraduate major. The contrasting data underlines a key oversight for job seekers.

“This event is an opportunity for anyone in the midst of a job search – students, new graduates or people looking for a career change – to hear directly from employers about what factors they consider before hiring,” said Scott Traylor, Associate Campus Director for Online Education at Bryant & Stratton College. “Being employable today is all about knowing how to communicate to employers that you have IQ as well as EQ. Our experts will share useful anecdotes, practical tips and new ideas so attendees will have the best information to make themselves stand out in a crowded marketplace.” 

The “Job Ready or Not?” event will feature a panel of hiring and human resources experts from CareerBuilder, Enterprise, Humana, Marriott Hotels and Microsoft. In addition to giving attendees a look into the mind of an employer, the speakers will also offer resume help, practical tips for interview preparation, ideas for using social media in the job search and advice on how to communicate important soft skills during the hiring process. The event will be live streamed for free on July 19 from the Bryant & Stratton College campus in Buffalo, New York between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Those interested in joining online can register at http://online.bryantstratton.edu/employability-summit. A recorded version of the event will be available for download afterward.

“Job seekers need to start marketing themselves based on the skills, competencies and traits employers need and value most,” said Beth Tarquino, Chief Academic Officer at Bryant & Stratton College. “Too often the background experience and soft-skills attributes needed to successfully look for a job are underestimated, especially by college students and new graduates. Searching for a job can become a fulltime job, but putting in the extra work to understand hiring trends and needs of employers is worth it.”

For more information about the “Job Ready or Not?” event and what employers are looking for in job candidates, watch this video.

This event is part of the Bryant & Stratton College Employability Series, a program dedicated to helping students become career-ready upon graduation. By focusing on the development of employability skills, the College purposefully helps students develop technical, industry-specific knowledge as well as soft skills. To learn more about Bryant & Stratton College, its online degree programs and the Employability Series, go to http://online.bryantstratton.edu. Bryant & Stratton College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.