What Employers Look for in People They Hire
A Guide to Great Resumes and Memorable Interviews
Jul 3, 2009
During the hiring process, human resource professionals experience first-hand the way candidates come across in interviews, how they represent themselves on paper and the manner in which they follow up. There are certain patterns that, over time, became a litmus test for who gets hired and why. Following is an “inside scoop” on the qualities most employers look for:
A Reliable Track Record and Future Potential
Employers want to see that candidates have a history of being valuable contributors. When reviewing résumés, hiring professionals ask: “What has this candidate done so far in college and in his career? What are his true achievements? What was most meaningful to him? Why? What stands out as unique or extraordinary in what he has experienced to date?
Employers also aim to hire candidates who demonstrate clear achievement potential. Even if a candidate is not perfect for the position at hand on paper, he or she can still have a great shot at the job by showing coachability, drive and a strong desire to contribute in the interview. As the candidate goes through the process, the employer wonders, “What is her potential to grow, to learn, to assert herself and make significant contributions? How much can she contribute to the company beyond the position for which she is being considered? How is this known?"
Personal Characteristics That Get Candidates Hired
Foremost on the list of “must-haves” for employers is integrity. If a candidate shows trustworthiness, follow-through and moral consistency, potential employers are much more likely to develop the admiration and trust necessary to consider offering a job. This is where the selection of references is especially important. What do references say about a candidate’s moral standards, personality and character?
Mental ability is another crucial decision factor for employers. During the résumé review and interview process, many employers ask: how bright is this career seeker? Does he demonstrate analytical, creative, and practical intelligence? Hiring manager Robert Picha of Motorola in Arlington Heights, Illinois oversees 200 engineering employees. “When we interview candidates, one of the things we do is present them with a problem, either invented or one from real life-life experience in the lab,” explains Picha. “We’re not necessarily looking for the right answer, but we are looking for how they approach the problem. We try to determine how good of a problem-solver they are before making a [hiring] decision," he said in a January 2003 interview.
The Soft Skills That Get Candidates Hired: Passion, Vision and People Smarts
One of the first questions employers often ask in an interview is why a candidate is interested in the specific position. If a candidate illustrates clearly why she feels personally connected to the company and to the specific position, the employer will have a much easier time envisioning her as an employee. But candidates shouldn’t just stop at the bare essentials: they must demonstrate what specifically gives them the inner drive and determination to face the difficult challenges that the position can present.
These days, employers are not simply looking for high-quality “worker bees”. Successful employees also have a clear vision for the future, both for themselves and for the company as a whole. By clearly articulating a personal vision, a candidate can show how he would make a substantial difference in the company.
Finally, the importance of “emotional intelligence” cannot be stressed enough. In the workplace, the ability to get results is inextricably linked to the ability to access other people. If a candidate demonstrates patience, tolerance and coaching skills, employers will assume that she is able to get along with all kinds of people. When asked about specific achievements in their previous job, emotionally intelligent candidates don’t just pile the credit on themselves – they acknowledge how their colleagues, managers and supervisors helped make the achievement possible. That way, the employer can see that they are able to bring out the best in others without letting their ego get in the way.
The Final Straw: Follow Up Skills
Countless jobseekers fail to recognize the importance of timely and appropriate follow-up. By taking the time to sent a hand-written thank you letter, candidates can demonstrate good networking abilities and basic social skills. Additionally, by being courteous and polite in subsequent emails and/or phone calls, candidates can leave the employer with a positive impression, whether or not they ultimately receive a job offer. The ability to follow through on details while maintaining a gracious demeanor, is another important quality that employers look for in prospective hires.
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