Graduate recruiters prize team working, good communication skills and the ability to appreciate other peoples’ perspectives above academic qualifications, according to a new study.

The study, from GRADdirect, part of multi-sector recruiter Reed Consulting, found that 62% thought that communication and the ability to work in teams are critical personal attributes, 42% felt that the ability to appreciate an alternative point of view was important, 68% prized the ability to grasp complex information.

Just over a quarter (27%) thought academic qualifications were important.

Nick Griffin, head of graduate services at GRADdirect, said: “The graduate recruitment process is a huge undertaking and investment for any organisation. With an estimated 185,000 people set to leave college and university this summer, recruiters are faced with the challenge to hire the best graduates who will also have the potential to be future business leaders.”

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