Workers Without Skills

 

It turns out that college students are not learning the skills they need to get your projects to a successful completion.  Sure they may have the technical knowledge. They may know important facts associated with their job. But, according to new research compiled in a new book Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses, many students are graduating college without critical capabilities you need.  (If you're not going to run out and buy the book, find a summary and excerpt here.)

Check out this overview:  "Growing numbers of students are sent to college at increasingly higher costs, but for a large proportion of them the gains in critical thinking, complex reasoning, and written communication are either exceedingly small or empirically nonexistent."

Boom!

You must weed out candidates that lack these capabilities before they get into your project.

In your selection process, check for the ability to think critically and exhibit complex reasoning. Present candidates with difficult problems and have them resolve these problems. Not just technical problems but business problems. Have them discuss how to manage their affairs interacting with competing stakeholder groups. Make them respond to scenarios appropriate to their role in the organization. Realistic, challenging scenarios. Work with HR or recruiters to get this right. This educational problem has been going on for years, so don't assume any candidate is good at critical thinking or complex reasoning.

Next, obtain examples of written communications or have them write out examples of their analyses of situations that you give them. Have them summarize, promote, explain, motivate - whatever you need.

Weed out those who cannot perform!

If you want to succeed in today's difficult projects in tangled matrix organizations, make sure you onboard workers who are up for the task.