AFSNews Careers Column June 1994

Careers

What do employers look for in job candidates? A survey conducted by the College Placement Council last summer reveals that aside from expertise in one's field of study, the skills most valued by employers are oral communication and interpersonal relations. Next on the list is teamwork, followed by analytical skills, flexibility, and written communication and leadership skills.

Our own research at Ball State University supports the survey's findings. Employers tell us that they want employees who can communicate well orally and in writing and who have good listening skills. They want people who work well in teams to solve problems and who can see more than one side of an issue. And they want people who can conduct research; analyze and synthesize the information they gather; present it clearly and concisely, tailored for the appropriate audience; offer supporting arguments; and draw conclusions based on their data.

Could these employers have come any closer to listing the skills needed to become a folklorist? Our work in the field requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills. If we fail to listen carefully to our informants, we can't conduct field work. We often work with colleagues in the field and on other projects. We have to be flexible to adjust to the many kinds of environments in which we may find ourselves. And we summarize our research by analyzing the information we collect and presenting it to our colleagues at meetings or writing it for publication.

When you are being interviewed for a job, be prepared to describe how you have used each of these skills (as well as other skills you should stress for the position). Think of several examples for each skill. Ask yourself the standard journalist's questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how? Who was involved? What was the situation? What had to be accomplished? When did it happen? Where? Why had this situation arisen? How did I resolve the matter? What did I do? What results did I achieve?

The underlying question (or overriding concern) of all employers in conducting job interviews is, Why should I hire you? What do you have to offer my organization that makes you a better choice than all other candidates? To make yourself stand out, you need to present clear, vivid examples of how you have used your skills. To employers, past performance is a predictor of future performance.

If you have suggestions for future columns, please contact me at Career Services, Lucina Hall, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306 (tel: 765/285-2430; fax: 765/285- 3757; e-mail: 00JPGOODWIN@BSUVC.BSU.EDU).

Joseph P. Goodwin Ball State University