Document Type
Honors Project
First Advisor
Dr. James Eaton
Second Advisor
Dr. Daniel Spitzer, Jr.
Degree Award Date
Spring 2000
Keywords
Employer Perceptions, Attributes for Candidates, Entry-Level Management, banking, retail, manufacturing
Disciplines
Business | Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Abstract
The objective for this project is to determine the characteristics that employers desire most in entry-level management candidates. The industries that were studied included banking, retail, and hard goods manufacturing. A preliminary survey was conducted with three companies from each industry to determine what attributes the employers considered to be important. This step was taken to ensure that the attributes held in high regards by employers were not excluded.
The final list of attributes included the ability to multitask, composure, involvement in extra curricular activities, goal orientation, grade point average, interpersonal skills, job experience, major field of study, oral and written communication skills, motivation, and relevant coursework. Telephone surveys were conducted with thirty companies within each industry. The personnel department in each company was asked to rate the attributes on a scale of one to four, with (1) being not important, (2) somewhat important, (3) very important, and (4) crucial. Following the surveys, the results were compared within each industry. After the level of importance for each attribute was determined within each industry, comparisons were made between and across industries. The purpose of this study is to provide insight to undergraduates planning to pursue a career in management.
Recommended Citation
Gutshall,, Laura; Layman, Ashley; and Secrist, Ashleigh, "Employer Perceptions of the Relative Importance of Attributes for Candidates in Entry-Level Management for Three Distinct Industries" (2000). Honors Projects. 466.
https://digitalcommons.bridgewater.edu/honors_projects/466