Skills came out on top, with nearly a third (30%) of respondents choosing this as the most important component of a CV. More than a quarter (26%) believe that work experience should be ranked highest. Sixteen per cent of managers said the personal statement was the most important aspect of a candidate’s CV.
The report, which investigated what employers are looking for in ‘superstar employees’, also found that the most highly valued trait is efficiency, with 21% of managers ranking this the highest. The least popular trait was resilience, chosen by only one in 20 (5%) managers.
REC director of policy and professional services Tom Hadley said that the survey highlights the pressure employers face when trying to source the right skills. “Our data is showing shortages across the economy, from professional service jobs like sales and marketing, to public sector roles in education and healthcare,” he said.
“The survey also fits with the ongoing feedback from our Good Recruitment Campaign – particularly the fact that employers are looking beyond qualifications and are more interested in specific skills and personal attributes. The challenge for businesses is how to identify these traits during the recruitment process, which is why we need to encourage dialogue within the business community around hiring practices.
“The priority here is to raise awareness among future generations of jobseekers; for example, by having more businesses engaging in careers events so that young people have the chance to hear directly from employers.”
