These days, many employers seek out people based on factors beyond the standard qualifications. While hard skills such as college degrees, training and experience are certainly important, soft skills are getting a lot more attention. If a person has the right employee traits, it's possible to teach them the skills they needed for a given position. Soft skills, on the other hand, can rarely be taught. Here are some employee traits to look out for.
Perhaps the most important employee trait is natural intelligence. Plenty of people out there can pass an SAT test with flying colors, but that doesn't always mean they're intelligent. True intelligence is an inherent quality that is difficult to measure. Having an intelligent business associate makes your job easier, as you don't have to micro-manage them. Intelligence involves more than knowing information; it's knowing how to solve problems and create solutions independently.
Confidence is another crucial employee trait. However, confidence without intelligence can be problematic. New hires must be comfortable taking on new projects and performing tasks without direct supervision. Confidence is also integral in social business situations, such as sales meetings. Confidence also builds ideas. After all, what good is an idea if your employee is too nervous to share it?
Honesty is an employee trait that is absolutely critical, but is often difficult to assess. Many employee traits, such as confidence or intelligence, can be made evident within a few minutes of meeting new hires. Honesty is a bit trickier. While you can trust your gut instinct and hope for the best, sometimes you don't get to find out if someone is truly honest until a trying situation is presented.
Naturally, you want your employees to be all-stars. However, keep in mind that nobody wants to do business with arrogant people. Modesty is an extremely important employee trait. Actions speak louder than words, and if your employees deserve praise, they should get it based on their merit, not their own bragging. Unfortunately, sometimes people let their egos get the best of them. An ideal employee has the right to brag, but refrains.
Finally, you need to hire ambitious people. Ambition is one of the employee traits that is easiest to recognize. Look at resumes, cover letters and a person's general demeanor to tell if they have the drive to fit in with your company. If someone isn't pushing themselves to progress as a person and as a business partner, everyone involved is going to be held back. Your company needs to function as a well-oiled machine, and every component is important.
Finding a person with all of these ideal employee traits may not be easy, but in the long run the time spent is worth it. Don't settle for someone who is almost there. A truly great hire makes your life easier, makes your company more productive and keeps morale high.
Photo courtesy of chanpipat at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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