Hiring new talents take a lot of time, money, and effort. Applicants often go through an intensive screening process so the company will be assured that they selected the right candidate for the job. Having the right technical expertise is important in securing a job position, but the hiring committee is also on the look-out for other factors that can contribute to the company’s success. Here are 7 important things employers look for when hiring job candidates. 

Communication Skills

A good candidate is one who can express his ideas clearly and confidently. Good communication skills allow you to collaborate and build relationship with your boss, co-workers, and the whole organisation. A good communicator should be honest, passionate, and consistent at all times. Moreover, when asked by the interviewer about your strengths and weaknesses, you should have a clear and focused response.

Attitude and People Skills

Employers like to hire positive, encouraging, and upbeat people who can contribute to the organisation’s good working environment. They value applicants who are team players but can also step up and take charge when asked to lead the team. Avoid giving negative comments about your previous boss or trash-talking your former colleagues. It does not reflect well on your personal brand and would only make you appear like a whiner and  not very professional.

Drive

Companies value applicants who are driven and goal-oriented. These are the candidates who are clear on what they want to achieve and are willing hard to work for it. Highly-motivated applicants tend to be more responsible, and they get things done efficiently. They are also reliable in delivering quality outputs on the given deadline. Another way to make employers notice you is to ask questions about the work you’ll be performing once you get hired. This proactive move shows your prospective boss that you’re thinking about the value that you can provide the company in the long term.

Existing skills and trainability

Candidates who possess actual valuable skills needed for the open positions are usually prioritized by companies over other applicants. In your resume and during the interview, you should make sure to highlight all the relevant training, education, and experience that you had in the past. This way, your prospective employer can have a better idea about where and how you could fit into their organisation.

If you don’t currently have state-recognised qualifications for the job you want, you might want to consider undergoing a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment process so you can acquire official recognition for the skills and knowledge you already possess. On top of going through the RPL process, you can also opt to receive gap training if you’re unable to provide sufficient evidence for your competency in a specific field.

Aside from underscoring your current value as a prospective employee, RPL and additional training will also emphasize your willingness to learn new things and your eagerness to go the extra mile in order to upgrade your expertise.

 

Personal Interests and Social Life

Employers recognise the importance of having life outside of work. Studies show that employees who enjoy a healthy work-life balance are more productive and effective in the workplace. Showing that you have hobbies and other recreational activities gives your prospective employer a glimpse into your character and personality. It can also show your creative side and the innovative ways you can contribute to the company. This will also help employers decide whether you’re a perfect fit for their company or not.

 

Realistic Salary Expectations

Every new employee needs to be flexible and realistic about their salary expectations. Employers are easily turned off with applicants who haven’t proven anything yet, but are already demanding perks and high salaries from the company. At the same time, employers appreciate candidates who know their worth and are willing to assert themselves. In order to avoid awkward situations, applicants are advised to do extensive research. Inquire about the salary range for your prospective job within your area. Be ready to negotiate for the best deal you can get.

 

Social Media Expertise

With technology invading almost every aspect of our lives, employers expect their applicants to be social media savvy. Job seekers also need to be smart and careful about what they put on their social media profiles. Companies looking to hire you are likely to check you first on Google or through your Facebook account.  What you put on your social pages will ultimately reflect the kind of employee you’ll become.

While skills and credentials are important, employers also place a high premium on a candidate’s attitude, personality, social skills, and potential for self-growth. These are the essential factors that will give a candidate the extra boost he needs to help him secure his dream job.

By Eddy

Eddy is the editorial columnist in Business Fundas, and oversees partner relationships. He posts articles of partners on various topics related to strategy, marketing, supply chain, technology management, social media, e-business, finance, economics and operations management. The articles posted are copyrighted under a Creative Commons unported license 4.0. To contact him, please direct your emails to [email protected].