Top 10 Qualities recruiters are looking for in candidates

If someone would ask me “What do you think are the Top 10 Qualities recruiters are looking for in candidates?” I would say that it is difficult to say since every industry, every company, every job, every boss and every job candidate is different. Times are changing and so are corporate environments. However, there are some qualities (in no particular order) that recruiters would appreciate to find in their future employees.

# 1 – Passion

Every recruiter would be happy to have an employee on board who is passionate about his/her job, about the company, about the products or services they deliver. Someone who speaks, looks and acts like a real brand ambassador. Someone who might easily be able to attract new clients, who spreads the word about how great it is to work at his company, who gets raving feedback from clients about how well he is doing his job.

# 2 - Motivation

Every recruiter would be happy to have an employee on board who is highly self-motivated. Someone who doesn’t need to be pushed or reminded of what needs to be done and how it needs to be done. Someone who on Fridays looks forward to go back to work on Monday thinking “I can’t wait to get started with this great new project. Let’s see what I’m going to move this time.” Remember motivation can’t be bought neither taught, either you have it or you don’t. Make sure you find out during the interview to what extent the potential hire is motivated.

# 3 - Teamwork

Every recruiter would be happy to have an employee on board who is a team worker. Having a great team worker among your staff can have the following benefits for your company: goals will be achieved quicker, targets will be met or even exceeded, the work environment will be happier, healthier, more positive and more productive due to the likability and competence of the employee.

# 4 – Competence

Every recruiter would be happy to have an employee on board who is fully competent in his job duties. Someone who knows what, when and how something needs to be done. A person who can achieve certain results if clear targets are being set. A person who is also prepared to learn quickly new skills in order to stay up-to-date within certain industry standards.

# 5 – Communication

Every recruiter would be happy to have an employee on board who is a good communicator. Someone who knows how to communicate the right way in any situation (no matter whether it is verbally on the phone or face to face, in writing emails/letters, posting on social media or by using body language). There are many examples of business relationships, deals and jobs that have been lost due to a lack of appropriate communication with others.

# 6 – Flexibility

Every recruiter would be happy to have an employee on board who is flexible with regard to working hours, working days, travel commitments and job duties. Someone who can show that he will not stop as soon as the clock strikes 5pm, who is also prepared to work during unsocial hours, who is prepared to travel to other cities or countries and can stay away from home for some days and who takes on also duties out of their official job description is often hard to find and therefore very welcome.

# 7 – Problem solver

Every recruiter would be happy to have an employee on board who is an effective problem solver. Someone who knows exactly how to tackle and solve arising problems during certain tasks. But not just that, an employee who is also able to make suggestions to the company as to how other corporate issues might be solved (even though they might go beyond his own responsibilities) is a valuable addition to the team. No doubt.

# 8 – Integrity

Every boss would be happy to have an employee on board who has a real sense of integrity. Someone who is honest with themselves and with others, who doesn’t have any problems in admitting their strengths and weaknesses, who is loyal and would never criticise an employer or other staff members (previous and current ones).

# 9 – Likability

Every boss would be happy to have an employee on board who is likeable. Someone who has great interpersonal skills and can deal with different people (team and management members, suppliers, clients, fans, general public) at all levels at any time. Remember people want to do business with people they like and they can trust! Similarly, recruiters want to hire people they like too (after making sure they meet all the other requirements too obviously!).

# 10 – Reliability

Every boss would be happy to have an employee on board who can be trusted and relied on no matter what the circumstances might be. Knowing that there is someone there who can take charge of certain tasks can be a very reassuring feeling. For example, if a deadline needs to be met within a certain timeframe, or if someone needs to be notified urgently, or if a change to something needs to be made in the last minute, you know that that person will do it. Great feeling, isn’t it?

What can we learn from this? It’s not enough to know a job inside out but also to have the right character traits in order to land and carry out a job. Now it’s the recruiter’s challenge to find out to what extent a job applicant meets these qualities. Good luck and happy recruiting!