Recent changes in the labour market and higher education sector have placed graduates' employability on the agenda of researchers, policymakers and employers in both advanced and developing economies. Yet, the question of whether higher education equips graduate students with the employability skills employers require remains under-studied…

This paper presents the results of a study that sought to identify what companies mean by the word "leadership" when used a job descriptions for entry-level, full-time engineering positions. Seven years of job posting data was analyzed to first understand the frequency and use of the word "leadership" in job descriptions. Using…

Responses from 150 public accountants and 108 management accountants identified communication skills needed in accounting. Top writing skills areas included working papers, memoranda, business letters, instructions and procedures, and systems documentation. (SK)

Nonpublic (n=820) and public (n=200) accountants rated 112 knowledge and skill areas required of entry workers. Some differences in the importance of these requirements for nonpublic and public accountants have implications for accounting curriculum design. (SK)

A questionnaire to which 339 of 1,000 executives responded yielded ratings of interrelationships among personnel, areas of knowledge and skills, and principal organizational activities within the information industry. Results identified how personnel managers perceive specific areas of skills and knowledge for entry level positions in the…

Survey responses from 174 health care employers identified their expectations of entry-level associate degree nursing graduates. Verbal/written communication, accountability, flexibility, and open mindedness ranked highest. Fiscal management competence ranked lowest. (SK)

Presents a longitudinal study to identify trends in entry-level technology, interpersonal, and basic communication competencies and skills using entry-level classified newspaper advertisements from 10 standard United States metropolitan statistical areas. Finds that the overall trend for technology remains strong. (SC)

With competition for managerial jobs increasing, new college graduates entering the white-collar work force will need to be very visible, have many professional contacts, be well-trained and self-reliant, show fiscal prudence in their personal lives, take risks, and develop transferable skills for a fluid, uncertain workplace environment. (MSE)

Findings of an exploratory qualitative study of personality characteristics observed to exist among a sample of new "advertising creatives" are presented in this paper. Subjects, 13 copywriters and art directors participating in a training program at an advertising agency with global billings of $4 billion, were interviewed in depth…

Responding employers from two business samples (286 of 2,700 and 67 of 400) perceived a lack of desired competencies in entry workers. High school graduates rated no higher than 3.07 and college graduates 3.89 on a 7-point scale. Social competencies (sociability, responsibility, self-management, integrity, self-esteem) were thought in need of most…

The purpose of this study is to determine responsibilities expected of newly-hired academic reference librarians and background experiences they are expected to possess. The content analysis of 3 months' worth of reference librarian job listings from three 1990 issues of "College & Research Library News" led to a profile of…

A survey of 167 nurses (41 percent response) and 53 nurse executives (32 percent) classified proficiency levels expected of beginning nurses. Comparison with six associate degree programs found gaps between techniques being taught the on-the-job expectations for nurses in a technologically advanced health care system. (SK)

A study of possible disparity in attitudes and expectations between nursing educators and nurse administrators found little difference between the educational and professional groups but a significant difference between their expectations of entry level baccalaureate nurses and the nurses' performance. (Author/MSE)

This paper explores the impact of emerging information technology on employment opportunities for non-college-educated and minority individuals during 1986-99, examining whether shifts in employment toward information technology related to upward shifts in skills that led to reduced entry-level and total employment opportunities for…

A study surveyed creative directors of top United States advertising agencies to provide an idea of the expectations and hiring practices for both copywriters and art directors in creative departments of those agencies. Results revealed that two-thirds hire creative personnel "right out of school," but that little if any formal recruiting is…