When applying for a job it is important to put together a solid resume and cover letter. While today's employers still look at experience and education, there are also many other qualities and skills hiring managers look for as they consider candidates for a position.
As a candidate, it is a good idea to think about what other qualities can be used to describe yourself which would be appealing to a prospective employer. Keeping this factor in mind as you construct a resume and cover letter could very well give you the competitive advantage in nabbing that coveted position.
Today's workplaces are evolving and it is important to recognize this when applying for a job. Not only do today's applicants need hard skills to be an attractive candidate but also possess those soft skills which often cannot be measured by education or work experience.
Here are 10 of the top qualities and skills employers seek:
• Loyalty
Loyalty is one of the most attractive attributes employers will look for because they want to see longevity and dedication. If they hire you they want you to be able to give the company a good face and give your dedication to the company's success.
Many employers will offer both tangible and intangible benefits in order to appeal to loyal candidates and if you demonstrate you possess this attractive quality of loyalty this will make you a viable candidate. These days your trustworthiness counts significantly.
• Work Ethic
In today's business world employees are often faced with difficult ethical choices to make. This is often facilitated by financial problems and challenges which have arisen due to the dependency on technology.
If you possess a strong work ethic employers will recognize that you have the ability to make good choices when these challenges are presented. Employees who work on a strong moral compass will make the company look attractive to everyone doing business with them; customers and clients are not typically attracted to companies with a reputation of doing shady business. Integrity counts.
• Interpersonal Skills
Applicants who illustrate they possess strong interpersonal skills will also hold a competitive edge in the pool of resumes. Today's businesses have gone global and technology facilitates high levels of interaction with customers, other businesses and even offices located across the world within the same company.
• Communication
When you can demonstrate that you can get along with people and be able to communicate effectively this is a very valuable skill to have. Employers actively seek out applicants who have a strong command of both the spoken and written word.
With the global interaction that occurs, it is important to be able to understand how to send and receive messages properly. Chances are you'll be communicating through text, both e-mail and instant message, telephone, in person and even video and telephone conferencing. Companies want people who are able to communicate in a versatile number of ways.
• Flexibility
With industries working on the global level often businesses are working around the clock in order to accommodate different time zones. Today's workplaces often need high levels of flexibility in their employees. There may be travel involved, working from home, access beyond the traditional 9 to 5 schedule and the ability to communicate electronically.
Traditional offices are quickly becoming a thing of the past and technology is constantly progressing. If you can easily adapt to these face paced changes this will be a significant positive quality employers will sit up and take notice of.
• Computer Skills
Let's face it, the days of typewriters and hand written memos are long gone. Almost every industry and kind of job has some kind of technology attached to the job description. Employers will quickly notice if you do not have computer skills listed on your resume.
If you grew up in the generation where computers were not prevalent, it is in your best interest to take the time to gain those valuable skills. Without computer skills your resume will likely not even make it to the interview stage.
• Efficiency
Efficiency has always been an attractive quality to possess as a job applicant. Employers are paying for your time and they are not going to want you to fritter the hours away. Staff members who have strong efficiency in being organized and getting tasks done in a timely fashion are the ones employers will look to hire and hold onto.
• Time Management Skills
Prioritizing tasks is another valuable commodity. Candidates who can successfully balance demands with other work that needs to be accomplished is also valuable for employers. Being able to distinguish and prioritize assignments is an important quality.
If you cannot demonstrate effective time management and get things done, an interviewer will likely not give your resume another glance. Time is money to employers, and employees which possess the critical balance of solid usage of their works hours are the ones sought out.
• Motivation
Employees who are motivated add value to a company and employers will hire those they see who possess elements of motivation. Individuals that are motivated, want to work and are eager to learn more are some of the most attractive qualities to possess.
• Strong Initiative
Employers like staff who are willing to follow through on a task. While it is true some managers like to micromanage, it is more probable in today's organizational cultures that managers are looking to hire people who are self-starters and not afraid of a challenge.
Many of these 10 ten qualities and attributes are 'soft skills' which often are not as visible as the kinds of skills that are found on a resume. These skills, such as job experience or computer knowledge, can easily be taught, but candidates that cannot show many of the other intangible qualities may lose out on a shot at the coveted position.