What is the most important skill for a new graduate?

According to the survey, 'Hou-Ren-Sou' (Reporting, Contacting, Consulting) and 'Basic Business Etiquette' ranked 1st and 2nd across all years, making them the absolute essential skills to acquire first.

What does 'Proactivity' mean to a 3rd-year professional?

It means the ability to think and act independently rather than waiting for instructions. As professionals gain experience, they realize the limits of just following orders and the importance of self-driven results.

What should companies keep in mind when training young talent?

Be aware that the priority of skills emphasized by mentors varies by their own career stage. 2nd-year mentors tend to focus on teamwork, while those in their 3rd year or beyond emphasize autonomy and clear communication.

GMO NIKKO Survey: Skill Ranking for New Graduates Based on 1,380 Gen Z Professionals

Published May 18, 2026 8:00 PM ・ Updated Jun 2, 2026 1:04 PM ・ 3 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

A survey conducted by 'Z Generation Trend Lab byGMO' targeting 1,380 Gen Z workers revealed that while 'Hou-Ren-Sou' and 'Etiquette' are universally valued, 2nd-year workers prioritize teamwork, whereas 3rd-year+ workers emphasize proactivity and communication skills.

GMO NIKKO Inc., a member of the GMO Internet Group, conducted a survey through its 'Z Generation Trend Lab byGMO' involving 1,380 Gen Z professionals with at least one year of experience. The goal was to visualize Z-generation values to aid corporate talent development.

### Key Survey Findings - **Universal 'Ironclad' Skills:** Across both groups (2nd year and 3rd year+), 'Hou-Ren-Sou' (Reporting, Contacting, Consulting) ranked 1st, and 'Basic Business Etiquette' ranked 2nd. These are widely recognized as the foundation of professional life. - **2nd-Year Professionals:** Ranked 'Working cooperatively with surroundings' 3rd and 'Improving based on feedback' 4th. These reflect the recent experience of navigating teamwork and receiving guidance. - **3rd-Year Professionals and Beyond:** Ranked 'Ability to think and act independently (Proactivity)' 3rd and 'Questioning skills' 7th. A notable addition is 'Ability to communicate clearly to others' at 5th place, which only appeared in this group's ranking.

### Insights from the Research Hiroyuki Kozu, Lead Researcher at the lab, noted: 'The most interesting point is how the content of advice for newcomers changes with just a few years of career difference. While 2nd-year employees focus on teamwork and feedback based on their fresh memories of being new, those with 3rd-year+ experience highlight proactivity and communication, likely having experienced the drawbacks of being passive and the difficulty of accurate reporting.'

Companies can use these insights to optimize onboarding and mentor systems by considering the seniority of the mentor when designing training programs.

FACT BOX

Source: PR TIMES
Category: Survey

GMO NIKKO Survey: Skill Ranking for New Graduates Based on 1,380 Gen Z Professionals

⚡ Key Points

FACT BOX

Editorial & Verification Standards

FAQ

Cite this article — HOW TO CITE

AI CRAWLER ACTIVITY