A survey by Express Employment Professionals found that dependability is the top soft skill absolutely essential or very important in job applicants for 90% of hiring managers, followed by communications skills, 89%, and willingness to learn, 88%.

Other important skills highlighted by the survey include problem-solving, adaptability, critical thinking and initiative.

“Skills training and continuing education are incredibly important, but it’s hard to say it’s the responsibility of an employer to provide such opportunities,” said Beth Cary, an Express franchise owner in Virginia. “While many large organizations already provide this for their employees, it could be a hefty burden for small- to midsize businesses that do not have the resources to provide it.”

Cary noted propriety training programs or uniform offerings from third parties would, however, allow for consistency of knowledge for every employee.

“Everyone would be given the same information and operate from the same playbook,” Cary said. “Despite the cost, a pitfall of not providing on-the-job training would be a workforce that is operating based on each individual’s frame of reference, rather than by corporate standards.”

Additionally, more than seven in 10 feel fitting with the company culture, creativity and/or leadership skills are also of high importance to them.

The report noted reskilling current employees has been enticing US hiring decision-makers since 2021, with nearly 77% preferring to train their employees for new roles before venturing outside the organization for employees.

The desire to retrain current employees for new roles versus recruiting outside the company can be more efficient and prudent in the tight labor market because employers generally know the strengths of opportunities of their staff, said Nancy Reed, an Express franchise owner in Texas.

“Training your current workforce on the soft skills gap will make them more loyal and create a better team and work environment. You know the gaps in your current workforce and bringing in new employees may result in new gaps and new challenges that will affect your ability to grow and profitability,” Reed said.

“Employees should take pride in their work and the soft skills expected of them create a more collaborative work environment for all and can translate into other areas of life,” Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller said. “No matter the company structure, dependability, communications skills, and willingness to learn are timeless attributes.”

The survey includes responses from 1,003 US hiring decision-makers and took place between May 3 and May 23.