Attributes and qualifications that employers seek when hiring dietitians in business and industry

A study was conducted to assess the employment trends of dietitians in business and industry and to identify attributes and qualifications essential to succeed in this segment of the industry. Results of the delphi process were utilized in the design of a questionnaire which would identify attributes and qualifications essential for success. The questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 300 members of the Dietitians in Business and Industry Practice Group and 300 prospective and current employers of dietitians. Response rates of 45.7% (no. = 137) and 29.0% (no. = 87) were attained for the dietitians and employers, respectively. The majority of current employers (72%) and prospective employers (62%) and dietitians (73%) responded that the trend of hiring dietitians in business and industry was increasing. Both dietitians (53%) and employers (41%) reported that new positions were being created for dietitians in their organizations. Operational experience was more important for positions in sales, whereas clinical experience was more important for positions in manufacturing organizations. Employers ranked a master's degree in business administration (MBA) as the second most important qualification; dietitians rated the MBA as fifteenth in importance. Dietitians ranked registration status (RD) as, fourth in importance; however, employers rated registration status as least important of the qualifications. Both employers and dietitians ranked communication skills as essential to succeed in business and industry positions.