During CareersFest 2016 we ran a quiz to help keep young people engaged and to facilitate informative and inspiring conversation between students and employers. One question required students to discover the top skill employers look for when recruiting ...and the results are in!

Number 3 : Flexibility

It's not clear whether employers want new recruits to be flexible around their hours, their availability or a flexible acceptance of their alloted tasks but one thing came out clearly : employers like employees to have a flexible approach to their role and working style.

Number 2 : Enthusiasm

It doesn't have to involve bounding into work each morning with a fresh-faced love of life, but an eagerness to get stuck in and - preferably - an enthusiasm for the sector generally is very appreciated by local employers.

Number 1 : Strong communication skills!

Being able to communicate effectively was the top skill employers at CareersFest look for in new recruits. Since we use communication in all its forms at most times during our working days, this doesn't come as a huge surprise. But it does underline the need for young people of all disciplines and with all kinds of career aspirations to hone their verbal and written skills. You don't have to be a marketing mogul to need strong, effective communication skills!

The O2i Adviser network is working to strengthen these types of crucial employability skills amongst Oxfordshire's young people. Get involved!