What are Graduate employers really looking for?

Yesterday I took part in an on line discussion as a panelist for Guardian Jobs. The subject was 'Graduate Sales'Loads of questions were raised so I thought might post some blogs on some of the issues raised from the forum.
For starters:

What are graduate employers looking for?

Think about what skills, ambitions and experience relate to what employers actually want:

IMPORTANT: List the skills, knowledge, ambition and experience which you demonstrate as many elements in the wanted list as possible (preferably from the nearer the top of the list). Have examples prepared which you can adapt for application forms or use during interviews for as many of the above headings as possible.

A common pitfall is to continue to think in terms of your application for UCAS points and degree level.

This is important but it's not enough to say "I have a 2:1 what can you do for me?"

You seriously need to think about what makes you different and what makes you stand out above those other applicants who no doubt also have a 2:1.

You will need to demonstrate this with evidence and explain how will it benefit an employer.

Willingness to learn
Commitment
Dependability
Self Motivation
Teamwork
Oral communication skills
Cooperation
Written communication skills
Drive/Energy
Self management
Desire to achieve / motivation
Problem solving
Analytical ability
Flexibility
Initiative
Can summarise key issues
Logical argument
Business awareness
Numeracy
Adaptability


Source: Harvey L. et al. (1997), Graduate Work, organisational change and students attributes, CRQ, University of Central England.


Click for free executive summary of the Buyers Views of salespeople research study


Gordon Donkin at the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) has sent me the following that might be of interest to the group

1. www.getin2marketing.com which has lots of info about marketing as a career.
2. CIM Publications “ Achieve More” and “Professional Marketing Standards”


Similarly you might like to visit the InstSMM site

The Institute of Sales & Marketing Management
Harrier Court
Lower Woodside
Bedfordshire
LU1 4DQ
Tel: 01582 840001 01582 840001 - Fax: 01582 849142
Click for Selling 2010 Article


The Chartered Institute of Marketing
Moor Hall
Cookham
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 9QH
UK
Telephone
+44 (0) 1628 427120 +44 (0) 1628 427120
Fax +44 (0) 1628 427499
http://www.cim.co.uk/about/cimservices.aspx

Also keep on your favourites Click for Guardian Jobs on line