America Employed

News Release

Media Contact:
Sherry Kast – (405) 717-5966

America Employed Home
News Release Archives
@ExpressPros
#AmericaEmployed
ExpressPros.com/AmericaEmployed

   

Prove You're Dependable and You'll Get Hired

Express Survey Reveals Most Important "Soft Skills" For Job Applicants

Dependability, Communication, and Commitment Top the List

__________________________________

OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 24, 2014 - Express Employment Professionals, the nation's largest franchised staffing firm, today released survey findings that reveal the most important soft skills for job applicants.

The top five soft skills for applicants are:

  1. Dependability
  2. Communication (verbal)
  3. Commitment
  4. Motivation
  5. Initiative

The findings come from the 2014 edition of the Express "America Employed" survey of 115 Express franchises across the nation. This is the second year Express has released findings from its “America Employed” survey. Respondents were asked to name the "top five most important soft skills an applicant should have." Full results for both 2014 and 2013 are below.

"It's easy to think that all that matters in a job interview is what’s on your resume, but the truth is employers are equally, if not, more concerned with who you are, as a worker and as a fellow employee. Those are your soft skills," said Bob Funk, CEO of Express, and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

"So not only is it important to be dependable, committed, and motivated, it’s essential that you show would-be employers that you have those qualities. While you can always be trained to learn new hard skills, soft skills are much more reflective of your personality and nature."

What are the five most important soft skills an applicant should have?

 

2014

2013

Dependability

60%

65%

Communication (verbal)

44%

41%

Commitment

44%

34%

Motivation

44%

47%

Initiative

36%

39%

Teamwork

32%

33%

Problem solving

28%

27%

Enthusiasm

23%

32%

Listening

19%

18%

Professionalism

19%

18%

Flexibility/Adaptability

18%

27%

Customer service

17%

18%

Interpersonal abilities

17%

15%

Personal values

14%

8%

Time management

11%

11%

Dedication

11%

11%

Loyalty

10%

6%

Confidence

9%

9%

Decision making

8%

10%

Communication (written)

5%

7%

Creativity

2%

2%

Leadership/Management

1%

2%

Multicultural sensitivity/Awareness

1%

0%

***

If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Sherry Kast at (405) 717-5966.

 

About Robert A. Funk
Robert A. “Bob” Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has 700 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than five million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.

About Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated more than $2.5 billion in temporary sales and employed nearly 400,000 people in 2013, and ranks as the largest franchised staffing company and second largest privately held staffing company in the United States. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually.