Modern business requires strong communication skills, say recruiters

In response to a survey, corporate recruiters say that they value communications skills ahead of teamwork, technical knowledge, and leadership in their assessment of MBA graduates for mid-level jobs. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) survey found that recruiters rated communication skills above managerial abilities by a 2-to-1 margin. Other research has found similar results: a York University survey of 845 executives identified leadership and communication as the 2 most important management competencies. This focus on communication skills is the result of changes in the business environment. A more diverse workforce requires clear, accurate language; moreover, leaders at various levels must be able to effectively share information with their peers across the organization. Recruiters also say that students who impress on paper often lack the interpersonal communication skills they need to succeed in business, leaving business schools to develop innovative ways to include communications as part of their curriculum. Globe and Mail