Listening Facts

07/25/2016 18:05

LISTENING AND BUSINESS 

Listening has been identified as one of the top skills employers seek in entry-level employees as well as those being promoted (AICPA, 2005; Goby & Lewis, 2000; Hynes, & Bhatia, 1996; James, 1992; Maes, Weldy, & Icenogle, 1997; Waner, 1995; Willmington, 1992; Winsor, Curtis, & Stephens, 1997).

 

Consider the following rankings of what’s important in the interview process. The following numbers represent how private industry ranked the importance of the item, with 1 being the most important.

 

Curtis, Winsor, & Stephens (1989)

Maes, Weldy, & Icenogle (1997)

Winsor, Curtis, & Stephens (1997)

Oral Communication

1

1

1

Listening

2

1

3

Problem Solving

 

2

 

Enthusiasm

3

 

4

Self-Motivation

 

3

 

Written Communication

4

 

2

Technical Competence

5

 

5

GPA/Academic Performance

11

13

16

 

As of the late 1990’s, 64% of organizations provided some sort of listening training for their employees because they find that employees’ listening skills are ineffective for today’s work environment (What Employers Teach, 1997).

 

 

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