Candidate Selection

When reviewing the resumes of Class of 2026 candidates for entry-level positions, employers are seeking graduates who provide evidence of polished teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills, according to results of NACE’s Job Outlook 2026 Spring Update survey.

For many, joining the workforce can be an opaque process with little insight from employers, but by embracing more transparency, career centers and employers can work together to illuminate this journey.

Employers regard having an internship with their organization or within their industry to be the most influential factors when choosing between two otherwise equally qualified candidates.

College students from the Class of 2025 looking to enter the job market should highlight on their resumes the attributes and skills they developed in their classwork and through their various experiential assignments. But which attributes and skills are most important to employers?

When choosing between two otherwise equally qualified candidates, employers deem having internship experience—with the organization or within its industry—to be the most influential factors.