What Employers Look for: Employer Expectations

If you are job hunting, understanding what employers look for can really help you succeed in landing the job of your dreams. Getting the right education is an important way to ensure that you are qualified for the position you want. Employers often favor candidates with higher levels of education and training, especially those who have earned degrees such as a(n):
  • Associate's
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Ph.Ds (Doctoral Degrees). 
Those who have gone through training programs and earned specialized certifications also have an edge over the competition, as these credentials demonstrate further mastery of a subject or field.
 
Keep in mind that although you have already completed the necessary levels of education, employers may still have their own training programs focusing specifically on the company's policies and procedures. Some businesses may even offer to subsidize further education for those who qualify.

Necessary Experience for Different Careers

While most employers prefer an associate's or bachelor's degree, some jobs require additional education, experience, training and certifications in order to be hired. The following is a list of the levels of education and necessary experience typically required for a few common career paths.

Accounting

Demand for accountants continues to increase, making this an excellent career choice. If you are interested in becoming an accountant or working in the accounting field, you need to earn either an Associate's of Arts or a Bachelor's of Art's in accounting. You can earn an accounting degree at almost any college campus or online.
 
An Associate's of Arts degree can be earned in about two years, while a bachelor's degree takes about four years to complete. Both designations help you gain entry into the accounting field; however, the bachelor's degree qualifies you for more advanced positions.

Actuarial Work

The actuarial field, an industry focused on risk management, is expected to be one of the fastest growing fields through 2014. Employers look for strong computer and math skills when hiring actuaries, and a bachelor's degree in finance or a related subject is expected. You can earn your degree on campus or online, and it should take about four years to complete if you study full-time.

Teaching

If you dream of becoming a teacher, you need to earn a degree in education. While a Bachelor's of Arts in Education is a minimal requirement for being a teacher, a master's degree can give you an edge in this competitive field. The greatest demand is for post-secondary level teachers in the areas of:
  • business
  • computer science
  • health.

Computer Careers

Demand for computer systems analysts will likely remain in high demand over the coming years. Employer expectations for job applicants include a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science, among other specialized experience or training.

Paralegal Careers

The paralegal field is growing quickly as employers look to keep down their operating costs. Because paralegals are now typically being trained to do many of the tasks once reserved for lawyers, many law firms are now searching for experienced paralegals. Employers look for either an associate's degree or specialized certificates when hiring paralegals.
 
An associate paralegal program takes about two years to complete, and specialized certification programs can be completed in under a year. Some specialized certification programs in paralegal studies include:
  • advanced civil litigation (nine month program)
  • business and real estate law specialist (three month program)
  • family law specialist (two month program)
  • immigration law specialist (two month program)
  • personal injury law specialist (three month program)
  • probate and elder law specialist (three month program).

General Employer Expectations

No matter what your career choice, some common things most employers look for in addition to an education include:
  • computer skills
  • enthusiasm
  • flexibility
  • involvement in community
  • knowledge beyond field of employment  
  • leadership experience
  • logic and reasoning skills
  • loyalty
  • maturity
  • multitasking ability
  • oral and written communication skills
  • people skills and a team attitude
  • problem solving skills
  • related work experience
  • reliability and responsibility.

Continuing Your Education at Work

Some employers feel so strongly about education that they are willing to pay for their employees' tuition. Tuition reimbursement programs are a wonderful way to advance your qualifications while still earning a salary. Employer-paid education is usually accomplished through part-time study after office hours and can either be on campus or online.
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