This is a guest post by Angelita Williams on the traits of a good job candidate. You can read the guidelines to guest posting at our write for us page
While a strong resume, showcasing professional experience, strong academic marks, and a balanced skill set is a perfect start to landing a rewarding career, there are several other attributes not on paper that employers are desperately seeking in their employees. All too often, job hunters rely too heavily on their resume and cover letter to land them the job of their dreams, without also considering how they present their “soft” skills to a potential employer. Demonstrating your own positive character traits to a potential employer during an interview and through your correspondence is just as important as your written credentials. These three traits are the most highly sought after characteristics of a strong and desirable employee.
Positive Attitude
Your attitude communicates more about your potential as an employee than anything else. Even the best of resumes can be a seriously unfortunate employee, if their attitude is bad. Positivity says so much about a person and can have so much to offer a company. Individuals who display a level of drive and enthusiasm for their work are always more successful at their job. A positive attitude in a professional setting helps to boost the company’s morale.
With happier employees, people are able to be more successful at their jobs. A positive attitude from just one member of a professional team can help to motivate others significantly. Employees look for job candidates that are energetic and excited about their job and their work. Though it sounds like the oldest cliché in the book, a positive attitude really can get you nearly anything. So, work to demonstrate your positive attitude, energy, and enthusiasm at work or during your job search.
Communication Skills
For the most part, the professional world is all about working with others to accomplish your goals. Of course, there are several careers that are more individually motivated, but we will always have to work with someone in some way or another in the professional setting. For this reason, strong communication skills are one of the most important attributes an employee can have. It is essential for the working order of any company or organization that the employees can successfully communicate their ideas and thoughts as well as easily understand the ideas and concerns of others.
With the ability to clearly articulate what it is you are thinking and what it is you need to succeed, you can produce a working environment that is efficient and successful. Communication is an aspect of every part of our lives and is often overlooked during one’s job search. If you are seeking a position, you must display your strong ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Moreover, you must also demonstrate your ability to listen carefully and effectively. Employers desire job candidates that can easily enter a new situation and communicate their thoughts and concerns, while also taking in others thoughts and advice.
Strong Work Ethic
While your work ethic is certainly an aspect of your attitude, it cannot simply be combined with the trait of having a positive attitude about your work. Your work ethic demonstrates your dedication to your work. Employers seek job candidates who love what they do and want produce the best work that they possibly can. Tenacity and dedication go a long way in the professional world. Obviously, if you are passionate about your work and passionate about doing a good job with your work, you are going to be a valuable employee.
One of the most difficult situations employers have to deal with is when an employee is capable of completing a job successfully, but does not have the work ethic to do so properly. An employer would far prefer an employee who has a strong work ethic, but is lacking some of the technical skill sets required to do a job. In this case, the employ will have the tenacity to learn that new skill set and complete their work to the very best of their ability.
Photograph courtesy jonny2love
About the Author:
This guest post is contributed by Angelita Williams, who writes on the topics of online courses. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: angelita.williams7 (at) gmail.com.