Many candidates look great on paper, but fail to make a lasting impression during the interview. Top contenders typically embody a number of specific traits that are very important to hiring managers. These people stand out as being more than someone who comes to work each day to collect a paycheck ─ they’re hardworking, talented and a pleasure to be around.
If you’re preparing for an upcoming interview, be sure to demonstrate the following five candidate traits to the hiring manager, to make a good impression:
- Interpersonal Skills: Companies are made up of a variety of different personalities, so hiring managers want to know you can get along with everyone. Someone with excellent interpersonal skills is able to work with everyone ─ despite their differences. During the interview you may be asked to describe how you handle yourself when working with people you don’t really like or who don’t get on well with one another.
- Confidence: No one wants to hire someone who is doubtful about their own skills and abilities. Employers seek confident candidates who believe in themselves and the value they can add to the company. Those who are secure with themselves stand up for their beliefs and aren’t afraid to share their ideas with the group.
- Positive Attitude: Hiring managers know they’ll be spending at least part of their day with the candidate they hire, so they want to choose someone pleasant to be around. A person with a positive attitude makes the workday much more enjoyable, as they accept all new challenges with a smile and are ready to take on anything that comes their way.
- Flexibility: Business isn’t always predictable. Companies need employees they can rely on to take on additional tasks, work extra hours and learn new skills if needed. Prepare for the interview by thinking of a few examples demonstrating your on-the-job flexibility. For example, you could mention how you volunteered to take on some of a former colleague’s assignments after she quit, until a replacement was found.
- Organized: An organized worker keeps track of deadlines, maintains a neat and orderly file system, and can provide project status updates on a moment’s notice. As a result, these people are reliable and easily able to manage competing priorities. Impress the interviewer by discussing your past experience with successfully completing a number of projects simultaneously.
Looking for a new job you really enjoy? Contact Sparks Group. We have a variety of diverse and challenging assignments at top companies throughout Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, North Carolina, and beyond.
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