For several years, we discussed what companies want and need. Our mantra has been that companies care less about where you went to school or your education. Businesses simply want people who can help their organization grow. Thomas L. Friedman of The New York Times validated this concept in his opinion piece.

Businesses

Businesses want skills that many team members do not possess. Sometimes a company will provide the necessary training. At other times, businesses expect that employees just have these skills. What are these skills? These competencies are not college or university taught. Agility and the ability to innovate is what add value to a company. This value add cannot be static. As needs and opportunities change, so must how team members respond. These skills can include Social Media marketing, Salesforce.com and other Cloud Computing technologies.

Job Seekers 

Colleges and universities are not preparing graduates to meet the needs of corporate America. Degrees are no longer enough. It matters less whether you attended Harvard or a less prestigious school. Companies want to know if you can add value. With requirements and technology constantly changing, candidates need to adapt to remain relevant.

Sending 100’s of resumes is like spam. Employers need to hear you over the noise.

Even learning Excel, Salesforce.com, or other Cloud services is still not enough. By now you must be angry, confused, frustrated or all. However, the answer is simple. Learn more than the technology.  Think how you can apply these concepts to improving business in terms of sales, costs, efficiency, customer acquisition, loyalty and growth. Now, you can describe to companies how you add value. This matters because you are focusing on deliverables to your employer.

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