5 Qualities Every Employer Wants in a Job Candidate
And how to show you have those coveted traits.
Instead of only saying you’re creative or taking pride in your work, give anecdotes that demonstrate those qualities.
It may be better to spend time thinking about the job at hand with a larger lens by stepping back from the particular details and requirements. Ask yourself: “If I were the hiring manager, what would be the qualities I’d need to see in a person before I’d be willing to say, ‘You’re hired’?”
Work these qualities into your self-description, and prepare examples of stories from your experience that demonstrate you have them.
1. Creativity. If everyone who claims to “think out of the box” really did so, there would be nobody left inside it. Like the other qualities discussed below, you need to demonstrate your creativity rather than just asserting that you have it.
Do you have stories to tell about how you conceived and implemented positive workplace change? Perhaps you have changed how your company’s products or services are produced, packaged or marketed. Maybe you came up with ideas about how to shorten production time or eliminate or reduce administrative procedures and red tape. These are all examples of stories you can tell with a great takeaway message.
Stephanie L. Gross, MSLIS 