What do employers look for in employees?

What do employers look for in employees?

Hiring the right candidate can be a tricky process for employers, especially if the company is hiring for a senior job role that carries a lot of responsibility. Many employers have a checklist of the key skills and qualities they hope a new candidate will bring to the role.

As a potential candidate, familiarise yourself with the skills and qualities employers look for when selecting new candidates so that you can implement those qualities into your CV, cover letter, and highlight them in your interview, when selected, to make a solid impression.

Do you want to know what qualities you have that could make you stand out from other applicants? Read our guide to finding out what your USPs are.

Are you looking for a new job? You may find our tips on starting a new job useful to help you get started and settled in quickly.  

Qualities employers look for in an employee

Some qualities are highly sought after and we review these qualities below, to help support your job application.

Reliability – Every employer wants to hire reliable individuals, who will do their best to succeed in their role. A reliable employee is punctual and keeps sick days to a minimum. An employee who does their best to finish projects on time and within budget also impressed employers.

Organisation - Related to reliability is the skill of organisation. Employers are keen to hire employees with good organisational skills because organised individuals are more likely to perform well at work and meet their objectives. Even if you are disorganised, try to find new techniques that will enable you to boost your organisational skills as part of your job search.

Passion - For many companies, a good hire is about more than simply gaining an employee who does the minimum expected of them. This is where passion comes in, as someone passionate about the business or their role within the business, will do more than the bare minimum required of them to secure the best outcome on every project.

Leadership - Regardless of whether you are applying for management roles, leadership is a quality that many employers look for in potential staff. Good leadership signals to recruiters that you will be a successful team player. Having excellent leadership skills also shows that you have a positive attitude and can motivate yourself (and others) to do your best.

Teamwork - Strong teamwork skills will always be viewed positively by recruiters. When working as part of a team, it’s important to contribute appropriately and acknowledge the strengths of those around you. Good teamwork is about delegation and being able to move projects forward effectively.

Creativity - Creativity is a valuable skill that can help you stand out from other applicants. Creative employees can see problems and find innovative solutions that others might have not thought about. Creative individuals are often imaginative when developing solutions, so creativity is a highly sought-after skill in the workplace. 

Digital skills - Digital skills remain in high demand for UK employers. If you are not entirely confident in your digital expertise, some courses and qualifications could help you boost your knowledge and impress potential employers.

How can I develop these skills?

There are many ways to improve your skills and gain the qualities you require to excel in the workplace. If you are currently employed, ask your colleagues and managers if there is anything you could do to improve your workplace skills and qualities. Also, reflect on the areas that you think you can improve on and look for training courses and qualifications that will enable you to upskill.

Are you an employer considering providing training to upskill your employees? Read our article on the benefits of upskilling your employees. 

How can I demonstrate these skills on my CV?

Now you have a good idea about what employers are looking for in prospective employees it’s time to show these skills and qualities on your CV and cover letter.

You should try to weave these sought-after qualities naturally into the content on your CV and cover letter. Always include examples, where possible, to show how your skills apply to real-life situations. Examples of your skills in action will be highly impressive to potential employers and will mean you have the edge on other applicants who merely list their positive skills and qualities without providing examples.

Need more guidance on how to craft a great CV? Read our ultimate guide to writing a CV. When you have your CV ready to go you can focus on creating a winning cover letter to impress recruiters and, hopefully, land you the job of your dreams!

Summary            

In conclusion, there are many skills and qualities that employers frequently look for in potential hires. As someone seeking employment, it makes sense for you to acquaint yourself with these attributes and even undertake training (if required) to arm yourself with knowledge and professional skills that will be highly attractive to recruiters.

Call us on +44 (0) 20 3198 7700 to speak to one of our Career Consultants today, to discuss your career goals or get started.