AN employment survey has shown employers are willing to choose attitude over experience and skills.
The Employment Market Monitor, released by recruitment agency Cpl, highlighted that where there is a shortage of skills, particularly in the tech sector, employers believe that staff with a great attitude can be taught the skills they need.
The survey also showed that 50% of employers are now banning social media in the workplace with previous Cpl Employment Market Monitors showing employers estimating productivity lost to social media at approximately 10 hours per week per employee.
A further 60% of employers admitting to throwing curveballs in interviews — asking impossible questions to assess the candidate’s reaction to the challenge while nearly all employers (95%) need students with practical experience during their education.
Commenting on the figures Chief Executive, Cpl Northern Ireland, Áine Brolly said: “This Quarter’s Employment Market Monitor shows that with continued jobs growth in the FDI sectors, companies are finding it more challenging to locate all the skill sets they would like in candidates. As a result they’re opting for will over skill.”
Of the 500 employers asked for the third quarter report the statistics were as follows:
∫ 96% of employers believe attitude trumps skills in candidate hunt.
∫ 60% of employers said they wouldn’t dismiss someone for CV lies as long as they were good at their job.
∫ 60% of interviewers admitted they liked to throw curve balls.
∫ 50% companies are now banning social media in the workplace.
∫ 95% of employees need students to have practical work experience.