Want a Job? Integrity Matters Most

For Third Year, Study Reveals Traits Employers Look For

Education Ranks Last

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 2, 2015 - Express Employment Professionals today released new survey results revealing which traits are most important when considering a job candidate.

The findings come from a survey of 134 Express franchisees across the nation. Respondents were asked to rate various traits on a scale of one to five based on how important they are when evaluating applicants. This is the third year Express has released findings from its "America Employed" survey on this topic.

This year, "work ethic/integrity" topped the list with an average rating of 4.5, followed closely by attitude, which topped the list in 2014, with a rating of 4.47. Once again, education received the lowest rating, this time with an average of 2.44.

"Every year now, integrity and attitude have been the two clear winners in this survey," said Bob Funk, CEO of Express, and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. "While so many traits are important, integrity and attitude just aren't things you can acquire with on-the-job training or the right certification. Not only can they make or break a job applicant, they can fundamentally alter the work environment. 

"As you can tell from the results, this perception is fairly consistent from year to year. As the workplace evolves, the demand for certain skills may change, but employers will never stop looking for employees with high integrity and a good attitude."

The survey of 134 Express Employment Professionals franchisees was conducted in July 2015. Earlier surveys were conducted in 2014 and 2013.

Express Employment Professionals explores the state of employment - and unemployment - in the United States today through a series of reports and surveys called America Employed. Each edition of America Employed focuses on a different aspect of who gets hired in America and why.

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If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Sherry Kast at (405) 717-5966.

About Robert A. Funk

Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than five million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.

About Express Employment Professionals

Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $2.85 billion in sales and employed more than 456,000 people in 2014. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually.