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What employers look for, and how they rate new grads

Employers worldwide seek communication and teamwork more than any other human skill, and US employers rate new college grads less well on communication, professionalism and critical thinking than on teamwork.

Three panels. Human skills employers seek most (ManpowerGroup 2026, global; AI skills rank above these): communication, collaboration and teamwork 39%; professionalism and work ethic 36%; adaptability and willingness to learn 34%. How US employers rate new college grads, among the skills they call most important (NACE Job Outlook 2026 Spring Update, 185 employers): rated well, teamwork; rated less well, communication, professionalism and critical thinking. Mentoring at work (Deloitte 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, global): 50% of Gen Z want their managers to teach and mentor them; 36% say that happens.
Sources
From the articleWhat Employers Look For in New Hires, and How They Rate New GradsRecent employer and young-worker surveys on communication, professionalism and other durable skills, and why practice should start before college.