What Employers are Looking for in Candidates

What makes a perfect candidate? What kind of traits are employers are looking for? Whether you are interviewing for a new job, or want to gain more recognition in your current role, here are a few skills employers look for in a candidate.

Five Traits Employers are Seeking in Candidates:
 

1. You are RELIABLE: Being reliable is a great trait to have, whether as an employee or outside of the workplace. Every manager wants workers they can trust to get the job done. Employees who prove to be reliable and valuable are also better positioned to receive raises or other extra benefits.
2. You are a HARD WORKER: These workers strive to be the best and never stop educating themselves and looking for ways to show their different skills and accept new challenges. Candidates should also make a point to tell the interviewer that they are eager to learn new things and work for a company that offers growth opportunities.
3. You are a PROBLEM SOLVER: No supervisor wants their employees constantly coming to them with problems. When addressing problems with your point of contact at work, contribute your own knowledge to help solve the issue. Employers look for candidates who can bring value to their teams as problem solvers.
4. You have INITIATIVE: The ability to take initiative is an essential quality managers look for in employees. A proactive employee is more likely to take responsibility for their actions and demonstrate leadership traits. Ways to encourage initiative in the workplace include celebrating small victories, encouraging a fun attitude or showing random acts of kindness.
5. You are FLEXIBLE: Working with any company, it is important to understand that change is inevitable. Change can be scary, stressful, hard or exciting, but being flexible will help with acceptance. Having confidence in your abilities will also help overcome any obstacles you may face.

It’s never too late to develop new skills or change your coworker’s and/or manager’s perceptions of you. Take stock of the traits you have and those you wish to work on. Life is a learning game with ups and downs, and you should never give up working on your strongest and most marketable skills.

While every job demands a different set of skills, there are certain qualities that are essential to demonstrate you are the right candidate.