Top Skills Employers Search for in Candidates

by Groshan Fabiola I try to cover as many topics as I can

There are some skills and aptitudes employers want candidates to have, to make the shortlist when it comes to hiring the perfect candidate. Although different jobs require different skills, a set of transferrable aptitudes seems to be valuable to all employers, regardless of the field and industry they activate in. These are called transferrable skills and aptitudes and will contribute enormously to your employment chances. Here is a list you might find useful.

Communication skills

Communication skills are well-valued by employers. Although you might not need to communicate with customers on the position you occupy, employers want to know they hire someone who can express themselves, their ideas and propositions in an efficient, easy-to-understand fashion. Whether you discuss with people inside and outside of the organization hiring you, it’s important to express yourself clearly and get a point across without difficulties.

Competence

All employers what to know the person they are hiring can get the job done fast, efficiently and correctly. When putting together your resume and business profiles on dedicated social media outlets, try to incorporate information that sends out the message that you have always met or even exceeded your previous employer’s expectations. Show off your skills, because this will make managers look closet at your resume. After all, all employers search for competent employees, from professional transportation service providers to medical establishments, and so on.

Intelligence

Although you don’t need a degree to get a job in all fields, you still need to show clear signs of intelligence when applying to different jobs. Make sure you show off clear signs of self-awareness, intelligence and that you are smart about your job. Show that you can plan and organize your tasks in such a way to achieve perfect results and that you actually get the job done in time.

Likability

Negative employees rarely survive in the workplace. The secret is that nobody wants to work with negative Ned. Before you walk into an interview, make sure you do everything possible to get into a good mood. Listen to some music you like, watch a comedy, talk to your best friends. Treat everybody you meet before and after your interview like they will have a word to say in the hiring process. Try to develop a likeable and positive attitude as much as possible. Not only it will help you leave a good impression on your potential employer, but it will also help you get in a great mood.

Credibility

Being a credible person obviously contributes to your career development. Think of credibility as your trademark and try to cultivate it as much as possible. To preserve your reputation, try to limit the information you provide about you to social media and other mediums on the web. To make sure your reputation is spotless, google your own name or telephone number you offer in your resume on a monthly basis.

See what pops up. If things you may not want to find about yourself float around on the web, go and see a reputation manager. Find people in your circles that can guarantee your spotless reputation. This will offer your credibility a huge kick. Ask those people if you can use them as references in your resume. Make sure you get all their information, including complete name, address and correct telephone numbers. These references will leave a positive impression on your interviewer.

Passion

Being passionate about your job, and not only is a big contributor to your chances of getting the position you want. This usually happens in cases where multiple candidates have the same set of skills and knowledge. Passion is the differentiating factor that will help the hiring manager make a decision easier. Passion is a tell-tale sign of other things your potential employer is actively searching for in candidates: loyalty.

So, before you apply to any position, make sure you fully understand the job requirements and other variables like company culture. Find things you are passionate about in those and show enthusiasm when you are being interviewed. This will make a huge difference, especially if other candidates are just as well-prepared as you are.

Integrity

For all employers, loyalty is a highly valued trait in job applicants. All employers want trustworthy applicants and they want employees that are willing and able to see and admit their own mistakes. And since we mentioned loyalty, we recommend never bashing your former employer, no matter how things ended between you two. Nobody likes this sort of behaviour, especially in business settings.

For instance, a professional transportation service provider claims that integrity is one of the top qualities they search for in candidates. Apart from knowing they hire only the most competent drivers in the area, the company also wants to know that their employees’ behaviour with clients and collaborators exceeds expectations. Besides, the company also says they train all their employees in developing their soft skills and interpersonal skills. This can easily turn every company into a local or regional leader.

Professionalism

Professionalism is another important trait that companies search for in candidates, no matter the position they want to fill in. Because once they hire an applicant, they become representative of their brand, businesses want to feel safe and comfortable having you part of their team. Your behaviour should remain professional no matter the context you work in. You could be working in the most laid-back business context out there. Although you can relax and lay back a little, keeping it professional will go a long way.

These are some of the most important qualities employers search for in candidates. Before you apply to any business, make sure you analyse your behaviour and transferrable skills. Try to develop those areas where you lack aptitudes, make sure you always work on improving yourself and aim to be the best. In cases where knowledge and skills are not determinant factors, the aptitudes above become more and more important.