It can be difficult to find great employees who display all the attributes you want in the ideal worker. Few candidates are perfect, but watch for the following traits to find qualified prospective employees.
1. A Positive Attitude
A positive attitude can go a long way, no matter what position you're hiring for, and the opposite outlook is a sign that you should avoid a candidate. If the prospective employee exhibits a negative attitude, there is very little chance that this will lead to a fruitful and reliable working relationship. After all, if a negative attitude is on display during an interview, when the candidate should be doing their best to appear positive and upbeat, it’s likely that their everyday attitude will be even worse. This can lead to much bigger problems down the road if they are hired. A positive attitude, however, shows that a potential hire will likely be willing and eager to do whatever job is asked of them to the best of their ability.
2. Ambition
Like a positive attitude, ambition is a major sign that a candidate is going to do their best to perform well.
"Ambition is a key trait that employers look for because of what it communicates about the worker," says Jennifer Herrity at Indeed.* "It means that they have something they’re working toward and are on a path of betterment for themselves and their circumstances."
3. Loyalty
You want an employee who is going to be loyal to your business rather than leave for a different company as soon as they get an offer. You certainly don't want them looking for another job while they're supposed to be giving you their all. You can get a sense of loyalties by looking at how long they've held previous positions and asking them about the circumstances that led to them leaving. Keep in mind, they may have had good reasons for doing so.
4. Social Skills
Social skills suggest that a person can work well with other team members and that they will be able to handle customers or clients.
"Being intently responsive shows respect and courtesy toward the hiring managers; a candidate who thoughtfully responds when being addressed, politely greets others and says, 'thank you' and 'you’re welcome' will set the applicant apart from others who lack proper social interaction skills," according to The University of Scranton.** "It is also a key indicator of how they will interact with peers and customers once in the position. Treating people respectfully will yield better business results in every aspect of a company, especially when dealing directly with clients."
5. Self-Reliance
A worker who is self-reliant is one who will be able to get things done without having to constantly wait for instruction or help. While it is good if they have questions that will help them do the work as well as possible, a worker who can move ahead without a lot of supervision is an asset.
6. Team Player
At the same time, it's also important that a worker be a team player. This doesn't need to be at odds with ambition and self-reliance. They can be interested in furthering their own career and doing well on their own while also prioritizing what's best for the whole company and working well with other team members.
7. Flexibility
Flexibility is an invaluable trait because it means that a worker will be willing to shift to different roles as needed and work varying schedules if it is in the best interest of the business. If this is important to you as the employer, make sure this is known during the interview process. Not everyone is willing to work different hours or move to different departments, so if they know this is a possibility from the beginning, it can prevent problems later on.
A candidate who displays self-reliance, ambition, and a positive attitude, who is also loyal, flexible, and can work well with a team and with clients is a great candidate. If you are able to find a hire with these traits, you will most likely have a great employee.
* https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/qualities-employers-want
** https://elearning.scranton.edu/resources/article/qualities-to-look-for-in-new-hires/
