Employers' view on studies abroad - Svenskt Näringsliv

Results 16
Figure 11 – How important do you consider the following skills when recruiting?
(share who answered “important”/”very important” – companies)
Intercultural competence
Language skills – English
Language skills – Other languages
71 -%
52% 50 -%
25%
79%
31%
84+%
70+%
41+%
55%
78%
32%
5-9 employees 10 -49 employees 50+ employees Total average
Companies with 50 or more employees differ significantly from the average values for every skill
connected to internationalization. Most notable is “intercultural competence”, which 55 % of
companies state is of some or much importance when recruiting. Among companies with 50 or
more employees this rate is even higher, 70 %. No classification according to size has been made
among authorities, but the general result is worth noting – on every question authorities rank these
skills higher than both small and large companies.
4.3 The future
Companies and authorities were also asked to “predict” the future, regarding which skills they
thought would be most important in 10-15 years. Here also there is a discrepancy between companies
and authorities.
Figure 12 – Are there any personal skills in employees that will become increasingly important in the coming
10-15 years? If so, which? (companies)
Communicative skills
Ability to handle customers
Social skills
Momentum[/endurance]
Problem solving capacity
Language skills – English
Responsibility
Initiative skill
Creativity
Stress handling capacity
Flexibility
Intercultural competence
Ambition
Language skills – other languages
Leadership skills
Analytical skills
Tolerance
Knowledge of relevant subject
Self-confidence
38%
37%
37%
34%
33%
31%
30%
29%
29%
27%
24%
22%
21%
20%
51%
51%
48%
46%
56%
0% 20% 40% 60%
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