Jobs Are Changing: Human Resource Managers Require Job Applicants to Have Soft Skills as Employable Assets

Abstract

Advancements in technology have significantly impacted the way businesses operate, which has revealed a growing gap in the soft skills gained by students in business schools and those required by the marketplace. It has become apparent that business school graduates require more than the content knowledge specific to their disciplines to be good candidates when screened by Human Resource (HR) managers. The goal of this paper was to gain insights into the level of broader-skill instructions included in a business program from the perspective of students. This study included the development and administration of a survey that reported on each student’s indirect assessment of being instructed on various job skills. The results suggested that, although major-specific skills were learned, business schools may not be giving enough attention to broader work skills, especially in the areas of emotional intelligence and multi-disciplinary backgrounds. Based on these results, recommendations and a proposed model for program improvements/considerations are presented that institutions can use to ensure graduates possess the work skills required by modern industry.