Executive Survey Finds Writing Talent in Short Supply

Posted on September 22, 1997

According to a nationwide survey of executives, solid writing skills are not easy to find in job candidates. Thirty percent of respondents said leadership and management skills are the most difficult to find in job candidates today. Writing talent is also in short supply, according to 29 percent of executives polled.

The survey was developed by OfficeTeam, a staffing service specializing in highly skilled temporary office and administrative professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from 150 executives with the nation's 1,000 largest companies.

Executives were asked: "Other than job-related skills, which one of the following skills is hardest to find in job candidates?" Their responses:


	Leadership and management skills	30%
	Writing skills	29%
	Problem-solving skills	14%
	Interpersonal skills	11%
	Organizational skills	7%
	Oral communications skills	5%
	Other	1%
	Don't know/no answer	3%
		100%

"Professionals who communicate persuasively through memoranda, e-mail and other nonverbal channels can be instrumental in advancing their company's business objectives," said Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam.

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