It’s not necessarily grades that employers look at when hiring new college grads, the National Association of Colleges and Employers reported. Instead, they are looking at attributes and skills students have developed in their classwork.

A majority of employers, 88.7%, indicated they seek evidence of a student’s ability to solve problems, and 78.9% seek candidates with strong teamwork skills.

In addition, at least two-thirds of employers report looking for a strong work ethic, written and verbal communication skills, analytical/quantitative skills, flexibility/adaptability and technical skills.

“College students graduating into today’s job market need to develop competencies that will help them in the workplace through the various experiences they have inside and outside of the classroom,” Shawn VanDerziel, president and CEO of NACE, said in a press statement.

“Furthermore, what can make them stand out from other candidates is the ability to connect the skills and qualities they developed to the position and articulate that connection to employers on their résumé and during interviews,” VanDerziel said.

The report also found that employers cite internship experience as the top factor when deciding between two equally qualified candidates.

But when it comes to GPA, only 38.3% of employers surveyed said they use it to screen candidates. That’s down from 73.3% in 2019.

“The shift away from GPA as a screening tool not only underscores the weight employers now place on candidates’ skills and competencies, but it is also a sign they understand that screening by GPA may weaken their efforts to build an inclusive workforce,” VanDerziel said.

The survey was conducted from Aug. 2, 2023, to Sept. 18, 2023, and drew 255 responses, of which 180 were NACE employer members.