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In September of this year Ron Adler of Laurdan Associates, Inc. in Maryland conducted an informal survey among members of the Potomac Employment Roundtable, members of the Maryland State Society for Human Resource Management Leadership Team and a number of senior human resource professionals in Maryland.

Survey participants were asked a single question: “For entry level positions, what attributes (e.g. attendance, appearance, willingness to learn) do you value most?

Although the survey was not conducted scientifically, the answers have face validity and provide a good guide for you and your fellow recent graduates. Of the top 8 responses, the first two (below) were clearly the most often listed.

“What Do Employers Want?"

1. ATTENDANCE (BEING ON TIME AND READY TO WORK).

   One respondent wrote, “ . . . we value attendance most, with a willingness to pitch in a close second. . . . those two items seem to be inherent to the person and (are) indicative of an overall work ethic. Attendance doesn’t . . . mean strict punctuality, but an awareness of the importance of accountability and being ‘on duty’ when they are here.”

Another wrote, “My first boss told me, ‘Early in on-time, on-time is late, and late is unacceptable.’”

2. WILLINGNESS AND EAGERNESS TO LEARN.

As one respondent wrote, “ . . . if they come in with that attitude (willingness to learn), all the other attributes like punctuality and dress will fall in place.”

3. APPEARANCE.

“First impression,” one wrote, “is everything.” Another summed up their top three responses as “show up, dress appropriately, fit in.”

4. POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD WORK AND COWORKERS.

“Ability to get along with others and work as a team,” wrote one respondent. “Works well with others,” wrote another. “Showing respect for self, fellow employees, the job and the company,” wrote a third.

5. ENTHUSIASM FOR THE JOB.

“. . . demonstrated interest in the job – show you have read something about the organization or tried their products,” wrote one. Another wrote, “ . . . ability to communicate enthusiasm for something in their life: sports, community, arts, family, that indicates they understand what commitment means.”

6. GOOD LISTENING SKILLS.

As one wrote, “ . . . patient when getting information / instructions, (they) ask questions.”

7. ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE (PROPER SPEECH).

“Be prepared for the ‘standard’ questions,” wrote one, “What are your strengths? What is one thing you can improve? Where do you want to see yourself in 5 years?” Another wrote, “Proper grammar . . . I don’t mean using ‘may’ instead of ‘can’ but knowing enough not to use street talk in the work place.”

8. STRONG WORK ETHIC (TRIES HARD).

“ . . . positive and energetic approach to work,” wrote one respondent. “Initiative and willingness to follow-through with commitments,” wrote another. “Striving to do the job right the first time,” wrote a third.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your job search.