Finance, tech and healthcare sectors most confident about business school graduates

A survey by GMAC in collaboration with MBA Career Services and Employer Alliance (MBA CSEA), EFMD, and HIGHERED revealed that

finance/accounting, technology, and healthcare sectors were highly confident of business school graduates. Sixty-five per cent of the about 1202 employers spoken to across 45 countries, admitted that business school graduates have what it takes to achieve success in their organisations. About 21 per cent of the respondents of this Empolyability and Business School Graduates survey strongly agreed on this.

The survey covered Global 100 and 500 companies, startups, as well as organisations with less than 100 members in the workforce.

It was found that organisations in the Asia Pacific attach more importance to data analysis and interpretation skills than their European and American counterparts.

American organisations tend to hold graduates’ ability to work in teams and manage the self more important than European and Asia Pacific organisations. European companies look at growth potential first and at prior direct experience last.

Thirty-seven per cent of the respondents covered in the survey give maximum importance to the level of cultural fit while hiring a candidate. On the other hand, 31 per cent of the employers said they hire on the basis of the candidate’s fit with the job opening. Of the Fortune Global 100 employers covered, 39 per cent strongly agree to the fact that graduates are well equipped to succeed as compared to 18 per cent of the for-profit, private companies.

The survey also revealed that startups give more importance to various soft skills, such as coachability and reflection, managing the self, and listening. Companies in the Fortune Global 100 and 500, on the other hand, give more importance to various hard skills, such as data analysis and interpretation.

While hiring, smaller organisations focus more on whether the candidates fit with the job opening and possess direct experience. On the other hand, larger organisations focus more on the cultural fit of the candidate and growth potential.