Employer Satisfaction with Job Skills of Business College Graduates and Its Impact on Hiring Behavior

This study analyzed which job-applicant skills employers perceive to be important when hiring, as well as how effective business schools are perceived to be in preparing students with these skills. A research instrument was developed to measure employers' satisfaction with 4 areas: specific skills, core skills, personal characteristics, and communication skills. The results indicate that employers want the same basic “core skills,” irrespective of their size and type of business, and that satisfaction with these core skills is the most important determinant of their inclination to hire. Recommendations for improving the effectiveness of business programs are included in the report.