View Research by Author - Jennifer Dickemper Hicks

Citation URL: http://www.urban.org/JenniferDickemperHicks

A national telephone survey of 500 employers found that employers most frequently say they are looking for an entry-level worker who is reliable and has a positive attitude rather than a worker with specific skills. Among the findings in the brief is that many employers are willing to hire people leaving public assistance if they present an array of characteristics that companies value highly.

A national telephone survey of 500 employers found that employers most frequently say they are looking for an entry-level worker who is reliable and has a positive attitude rather than a worker with specific skills. Close to 70 percent of employers rate welfare recipients positively in terms of attitude and reliability indicating that the lack of experience and education of many welfare recipients may not be as big a barrier to entry-level work as previously thought.

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