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In Job Searching, Attitude Trumps Education

New Study Reveals the Qualities Employers Look For in Candidates

Attitude and Integrity Are Still Most Important in Hiring

OKLAHOMA CITY, July 23, 2014 — Today Express Employment Professionals, the nation’s largest franchised staffing firm, released findings that reveal which traits are most important when hiring a candidate for a job.

The findings come from the 2014 edition of the “America Employed” survey of 115 Express franchises across the nation. Respondents were asked to rate various traits on a scale of one to five based on how important they are when evaluating applicants. This is the second year Express has released findings from its “America Employed” survey.

“Attitude” topped the list with an average rating of 4.53, followed closely by “work ethic/integrity.” “Education” received the lowest average rating at 2.67. Full results for both 2013 and 2014 are below.

“I’m not surprised that integrity and attitude continue to top the list,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express Employment Professionals and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. “Even the best education is no substitute for a good attitude. Of course, education is important, but while employers can teach their employees new skills, it’s much more difficult to teach things like integrity, work ethic or attitude.

“Job seekers should keep that in mind. You’re much more than your resume. Employers don’t just want someone who has the skills and knowledge to succeed. They are also looking for people they can work with on a daily basis and trust to represent their companies well.”

Please rate the following traits in order of importance when hiring a candidate, with one being least important and five being most important.
  2014 2013
Attitude 4.53 4.50
Work ethic/Integrity 4.52 4.52
Credible work history 4.07 4.20
Culture fit 4.02 4.03
Specific skills 3.85 4.02
Job experience 3.73 3.86
References 3.45 3.67
Education 2.67 2.79

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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.