Employer Perceptions Of Student Informational Interviewing Skills And Behaviors

Abstract

Employers continue to report that soft skills are critically important in obtaining employment and achieving long-term career success. Given the challenging job market for college graduates, business school faculty need to provide practical opportunities for students to develop their soft skills in professional settings. A longitudinal study was conducted at a Midwestern university’s AACSB accredited College of Business to determine the soft skills that employers believe students need to improve on to be successful. This paper shares 1) a management-oriented learning assignment that combines soft skill learning and application with professionals in work situations and 2) results of the professionals’ perceptions of the students’ soft skills. Results of this research will help faculty assess and improve their instructional methodology to better prepare students to meet employer expectations.