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New College Grads With Communication, Interpersonal, Teamwork Skills Have the Edge Say Employers National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) BETHLEHEM, PA-The "ideal" job candidate knows how to communicate, interact, and work with others effec tively, according to employers responding to Job Outlook 2001, an annual survey con ducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Employers rated the impor tance of personal qualities and characteristics in new hires. Communication skills— both written and verbal topped the list; honesty/integrity, teamwork skills, interpersonal skills, and motivation/initiative rounded out the top five. (See Figure i.) Employers also said that many candidates fail to use the job interview to showcase their communication and interpersonal skills. "A lot of employers tell us that students don’t prepare themselves adequately for the interview and therefore don’t take advantage of the oppor tunity to show that they have those important skills," said Marilyn Mackes, NACE execu tive director." By researching the organiza tion and its opportunities, the candidate is better able to conduct an intelligent discus sion and ask relevant ques tions—and therefore comes across as a more effective communicator." The Job Outlook survey is an annual forecast of the hir ing intentions of employers as they relate to new college graduates. Each year, the National Association of Colleges and Employers surveys its employer members about hir ing plans and other employ ment-related issues. For Job Outlook 2001, NACE surveyed 1,756 of its employer mem bers; 482, or 27 percent, responded. Since-1956, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has been the leading source of informa tion about the employment of college graduates. NACE maintains a virtual pressroom for the media at http://www.naceweb.org/pres s/. DOES A CAREER IN i-iti FINANCE HAVE TO BEGIN AT GROUND ZERO? Start ahead. Set the pace. Lead change. Join Wachovia. APPLY ONLINE AT WACHOVIA.COM/COLLEGE Thank you. Perhaps too many banks don’t take the time to stop and simply tell customers how much they appreciate their business. Well, we’re not falling into that trap. Because you see, we know one thing beyond a shadow of doubt: Without your business, we wouldn’t be here. Thank you for trusting us with your hard-earned money. It’s a responsibility we’ll never take for granted. CAROLINA FIRST We take banking personally. www.carolinafirst.com Member FDIC fif Equal Flousing Lender 4