U.S. employers want skills over grades in new hires

PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES — A recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), an American nonprofit professional association, found that most U.S. employers are not focused on grades when hiring recent college graduates. 

Instead, 88.7% of the 255 surveyed employers said they look for evidence of problem-solving skills and 78.9% seek candidates with strong teamwork abilities.

Additional desired attributes include:

– a strong work ethic

– written and verbal communication skills 

– analytical capabilities

– adaptability

– technical skills

The survey also found that internship experience is the top factor when deciding between two equally qualified candidates. However, only 38.3% of employers reported using grade point average (GPA) to screen applicants, a significant drop from 73.3% in 2019.

“College students graduating into today’s job market need to develop competencies that will help them in the workplace through the various experiences they have inside and outside of the classroom,” said Shawn VanDerziel, president and CEO of NACE.

Previously, an Intelligent.com survey revealed that approximately 45% of U.S. employers plan to eliminate bachelor’s degree requirements for certain positions in 2024.

Experts also said that skills-based hiring may replace traditional resumes to expand talent pools amid tight labor markets.