What employers want in an employee

Seven Top Attributes Employers Seek in Employees Stand Up and Stand Out

At Institute Success, we occupy an interesting position in the market place. We work with business owners and executives helping them with a process to hire the right person for the right job.  Additionally, we help people with their career management. Some individuals are looking to identify their next job, and some are looking for a total career change.

As a result, it gives us a different eye on the marketplace regarding what businesses look for when it comes to hiring and retaining talent for their organizations.

“We can let circumstances rule us or we can take charge and rule our lives from within” - Earl Nightingale

We’ve compiled this list of the top seven attributes employers seek:

Skills and Knowledge that match the job.

Employers want you to have the right skills and knowledge. Look at the job description. Be honest with yourself. Do I have the right skills? Are my skills transferable for that position? While I’m in the job, has my job description evolved and changed? Do I need to update my skills to fit my new responsibilities? Executives and hiring managers share their frustration about people applying for positions when they are not qualified. Additionally, we will hear from our business clients this question, why aren’t my people meeting our expectations. If you’re currently in the job, continue to upgrade your skills. If you’re a career transition client, go through the discovery process of identifying what you want in your next life adventure. Then create a plan of action to get there.

Effective Communicators

If you want to be successful in your life and your career, it is your responsibility to learn the art and skill of communicating with everyone you encounter in business and in life. Leadership is communication and communication is leadership. Good communicators understand and appreciate that people have different styles  of communicating. Our first session with all our leadership and career clients involves creating an awareness their own communication preferences and how to interpret others.

Positive Attitude and excellent interpersonal skills

Work cooperatively with others. Don’t be that person at work who finds fault with everyone. Bosses don’t like to spend time playing mediator. Don’t discuss your last bad boss, BMW (bitching, moaning and whining) about the previous or current organization and all the incompetent employees you are forced to carry does not score you positive points. And please, don’t discuss the troubles you may be having at home. Employers tell us all the time, “We want a No Drama Zone”. 

Active listener

Learn the skill of active listening. Good listening is much more than being silent while the other person talks. Listen to connect with what the speaker is saying and release your urge to judge them. Yes, they are not perfect; no one is. Periodically ask questions that indicate, you are engaged. Asking questions promotes deeper discovery and insights. Sitting silently and occasionally nodding does not provide evidence you are listening. Asking a good question lets the listener know, that you are not only heard what they are saying,  but that you comprehend it. * HBR article -July 14, 2016 https://hbr.org/2016/07/what-great-listeners-actually-do

Proactive Feedback

Don’t assume because you feel you’re working hard, and you feel you are doing a good job, that your employer “gets it”.  “Check in” with your managers. Make sure you are both in agreement that you are focused on their and the organization’s priorities.

Commitment to the job

Exhibit enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Create a rhythm that they can come to count on. Be loyal. Would you want someone on your team that doesn’t show loyalty? If you feel you cannot, begin the process of looking for another job. Learn new tasks willingly. Demonstrate initiative and maintain productivity. Become a master of your skills. Be open minded to new learning.

Acceptance of  responsibility

Use time effectively. Evaluate your own work and what needs to improve. Make good decision. Deliver results. Consider this to be mural of your life and ask yourself, Am I proud of this painting?

At Institute Success™ our goal is to meet our clients where they are and help them be successful in their career.