Skills top list for potential managers

A recent survey by RHI Management Resources indicates that the ability to work with others is the top item on the list of "must haves" for management-position candidates. According to an RHI Interna-tional news release, 26 percent of chief financial officers surveyed said interpersonal skills are the most important consideration when hiring senior-level employees.

"While strong interpersonal skills are essential at all levels, they're particularly critical for managers, whose primary job responsibilities include hiring, supervising, mentoring and retaining employees," said Paul McDonald, executive director of RHI Management Resources. "Companies are looking for persuasive communicators who can lead and motivate others."

Other factors chosen in the survey were:

Industry experience 21 percent

Proven accomplishments 19 percent

Years of experience 15 percent

Technical knowledge 12 percent

Other/don't know 7 percent

RHI Management Resources is a division of Robert Half International Inc. The survey was completed with responses from 1,400 chief financial officers from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with more than 20 employees.