EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVES ON ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS: AN INTER-INDUSTRY ANALYSIS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

English, as a global lingua franca, serves as a gateway to career advancement in today’s interconnected world. Proficiency in English is particularly crucial for new graduates aiming to succeed in their careers, as it remains the official language and primary mode of communication in professional settings within Pakistan’s competitive job market. Aligning educational outcomes with industry requirements necessitates a clear understanding of recruiters’ expectations. This study aims to investigate recruiters’ preferences for specific English language skills in the hiring process.

Employing a quantitative repeated-measures design, data were collected from 19 companies in Karachi using a convenient sampling method. Hiring professionals from diverse sectors—including Information Technology, Manufacturing, Education, and Healthcare—participated in the study. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 21, and a paired-sample t-test was applied to compare speaking and writing skills. Results showed a mean difference of 3.7894 (SD = 2.25) and a t-value of 7.340 (df = 18), indicating that recruiters highly value overall English proficiency. Factors such as pronunciation, general confidence, and enunciation significantly influence hiring decisions. The analysis further revealed that speaking skills are prioritized over writing skills in recruitment decisions.