"What Employers Want From Their MBAs" or "What is expected of MBA students after graduation?"

From the link: http://poetsandquants.com/2011/05/11/in-search-of-the-mba-superman-or-wonder-woman/

A new study of employer expectations released yesterday (May 10) by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) - report is based on the opinions of 1,509 corporate recruiters who hire MBAs at 905 companies in 51 countries - survey respondent was asked to check off the five most desired traits or skills he or she wants to see in an MBA. The top five traits employers are seeking in 2011 MBA hires are initiative, professionalism, motivation, integrity, and the ability to deal effectively with pressure and unexpected obstacles.

The top five skills and abilities?

• Communication skills,
• Strategic skills,
• Proven ability to perform,
• Core business knowledge, and
• Ability to manage change.
• + 3 to 4 years (minimum) work experience

What do students want?

“It’s always been that students wanted challenging and interesting work. Today, grads want room for growth. They want advancement opportunities. They want that proving ground or test turf for their business knowledge. For the first time ever, that is above challenging work.”

What do the Employers want?
Three-quarters of them - seek in their new MBA hires, the following:

• Initiative (77%)
• Professionalism (77%)
• Motivation (76%)
• Integrity (76%)
• Ability to deal effectively with pressure (75%), and
• Achievement goal orientation (74%)

Desired Traits Employers Seek in New 2011 MBA Hires

Desired Trait in 2011 MBA HIres	Percentage
Initiative	77%
Professionalism	77%
Motivation	76%
Integrity	76%
Ability to deal effectively with pressure/obstacles	75%
Achievement/goal orientation	74%
Innovation/creativity	68%
Adaptability	68%
Collaboration	65%
Efficiency	49%
Listening ability	48%
Discipline	45%
Persuasiveness	39%
Cross-cultural sensitivity	39%
Diplomacy/tact	33%
Capacity and willingness to follow a leader	30%
Empathy	25%
Delegation skills	21%

Source: GMAC 2011 Corporate Recruiters Report

Separately, GMAC researchers asked the recruiters what specific skills, abilities and knowledge they most sought in MBAs. Employers said they are seeking:

• Strong strategic skills
• Core business knowledge
• Ability to manage change
• Decision-making process, and
• Technical or Quantitative skills.

Please read the FULL article from the link at the top.