6 Qualities Employers Look for in Job Applicants

If you are considering a change in career, you may worry that you are not qualified for the new line of work. But the truth is that you probably have the skills that employers look for. Employers know that technical skills are easily learnt. What they are more concerned with instead are personality traits that are part of you.

If you are looking for a new line of work, having the following 6 qualities will work in your favor.

1. Passion

Every recruiter or company would be happy to have an employee who is passionate about his or her job, about the company and what they do. This passion is obvious when they talk, how they act and how they deal with issues and clients. Without passion, it will be difficult to be productive in your job. Before applying for that position, ask yourself this question: “Will I wake up excited every morning and look forward to another day at the office?”

2. Teamwork

Organizations look for candidates who are obvious team players. Employers know that having a good team player on board can have a lot of benefits to the organization. It is easier to achieve goals, meet and exceed targets and basically have a happier and more productive work environment with team players on board.

Are you the type of person that can give your all for an idea that is not yours just so the job can be done? Will you be able to put aside personal bias and office politics in order to meet a joint target? Employers need to know that you can do this.

3. Leadership

Organizations look for candidates who can assume leadership roles even in non managerial jobs. The ability to motivate, coach and supervise others towards a common goal and manage resources is a highly desirable quality that employers look for.

4. Creativity

Creativity means having the ability to come up with original and imaginative ways to solve problems. Employers look for people who can bring a fresh perspective to their organization. They need people who will see a problem and come up with different ways to solve it.

5. Confidence

No one wants to work with someone who is not confident in their abilities. It is vital that you exude an atmosphere of confidence that shows the interviewer or hiring manager that you are capable of getting the job done. It is more important though, that you understand the thin line between knowing you can do the job and showing that you know more than the hiring manager. Confidence should not be confused with arrogance. Confidence tells people that you are good in your job, not that you are better than everyone else.

6. Critical thinking

Employees need people who can make good decisions with very little information. This critical thinking quality is important for effective problem solving. Critical thinking does not only mean making suggestions to the company but also taking the right action to solve problems. If you have the habit of making the right suggestions on how corporate issues can be solved, you will be very valuable in the company.

Interviewers and hiring managers know the questions to ask during an interview that would help them determine if an applicant possess these qualities. Therefore, it is important that you work on your skills in these areas before the interview in order to stand a better chance of success.