7 Things Companies Look for in Potential Employees

While technical skills can help to shortlist your name as a candidate, possessing certain soft skills can help you secure the job. There are specific qualities that employers look for in prospective employees.

By having such soft skills, employers can assess how you will fit in with the company culture. This can also determine whether employers can rely on you to follow the company’s regulations and share the same vision.

Since hiring experts and business leaders prioritize these skills more than ever today, it’s important for you to know what these key characteristics in work are that you should be equipped with. Let’s break them down one by one.

All candidates should have the similar technical skills required by the companies. However, possessing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities allows you to stand out among them. If you possess this quality, it indicates that you can work in a tough environment and are able to drive effective solutions on a day-to-day basis.

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze problems without allowing personal bias, often situated at the peak between profit or loss. As you are able to solve problems independently, it means less time that your manager needs to get involved. Consequently, you'll be able to gain more trust from the employer.

Whatever role you’re applying for, possessing strong communication skills is a must. The quality of communication allows you to give people a better understanding of your perspective. Employers look for candidates who can convey ideas clearly, listen actively, and collaborate with teams effectively.

It’s important to showcase this quality from the beginning of your application. Whether written or verbal, make sure to compile what you want to communicate in a clear and concise manner. Pay attention to your command over the language, the way you present arguments, and how you write your emails to employers.

Once you become a part of the company, you will be representing its reputation. That’s why employers look for employees with the qualities of good attitude and integrity.

Employers seek individuals who demonstrate honesty, reliability, and ethical behavior. Candidates who exhibit a strong work ethic and maintain a positive demeanor can inspire trust and build strong relationships within the organization.

Some employers check for these qualities through various methods, such as interviews, behavioral assessments, or specifically arranged integrity tests. We may not always know which companies prioritize these qualities the most. Therefore, it’s better to always cultivate healthy behavior, commit to what you say, and be respectful to others.

Being adaptable is crucial, especially in today’s ever-changing work environment. In the workplace, you may be put into difficult positions where you need to adapt to new ideologies, technologies, or collaborations.

Employers seek candidates who can quickly adjust to new situations, embrace change, and thrive in diverse settings. Your willingness to change as required shows how you can handle different situations effectively.

You may highlight this quality by mentioning the different roles you’ve experienced in your previous company. Alternatively, you can tailor your answer according to the context and requirements when you’re tested with a case study in the interview.

Companies value employees who have a growth mindset and a continuous desire to learn and develop. According to a Harris Poll survey, the willingness to learn is one of the most sought-after soft skills for 81% of employers.

The idea that technical skills can be taught on the job makes soft skills outweighed. This shift in perspective in the industry is caused by the shortages of qualified workers that continue to be a problem for employers. Therefore, employees with a growth mindset and willingness to learn are seen as good long-term investments for employers since they will continue to adapt to emerging changes.

To demonstrate this quality, you can share concrete examples of how you gained new knowledge and how it benefited your previous company. Alternatively, you can also speak about your previous volunteer experience and highlight your ability to adapt and take on new tasks quickly.

Effective time management is essential for productivity and success in the workplace. Good time management allows you to meet daily deadlines and increase the productivity of the company, making you an asset.

Employers look for candidates who can prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and efficiently utilize their time. Within the working world, completing work before the deadline can build credibility, as you’re seen as a trusted professional.

Employers appreciate candidates who take initiative, as it indicates the qualities of employees who want to keep growing. According to The Harris Poll 2021, 72% of 505 Canadian hiring decision-makers consider potential employees who are equipped with the initiative quality.

Employees who show initiative are self-starters, take ownership of their responsibilities, and actively seek opportunities to contribute beyond their assigned duties. Employers value employees who are proactive in their work, as it reflects an interest in work and a positive approach to reaching company goals.

Most of the time, talking about your personality traits in a professional context can be confusing. Many of us are reluctant to step forward since we’re afraid to promote claptrap. Well, to make it relevant to the professional context, remember to always include concrete experiences.

The best way to discuss your personality traits is by connecting them to experiences you gained from previous companies. It would be even better if you manage to include the results or benefits that the company obtained from you in a measurable manner.

But one thing to keep in mind is to only mention traits as needed. Carefully choose the best frame for employers to see you. This can only be done when you’ve conducted good research about the companies and the values they seek from their employees.

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