Employers look for certain things in the people that they hire. Some employers may use shallow or subjective criteria to hire new employees, but that doesn't hold true for every employer or every job. Here's a list of the top 10 qualities and skills that employers are looking for.

1) Loyalty

Employers are looking for loyalty at both the supervisor level and overall corporate level. Employers want and need to be able to trust their employees to work professionally to meet the employer's best interests. Employers do not want to hire people who require close scrutiny or who can't be trusted to represent the company in public.

2) Honesty

Employers want employees to give them accurate, timely information. Individuals may waver from this standard, but the enterprise doesn't.

3) Problem-solving skills

Companies are looking for people who are motivated enough to take on challenges with minimal direction. They don't want to have to tell people to react when fires are burning - the employee should know that something needs to be done and then work to fix the problem.

4) Communication skills - oral and verbal

I can't emphasize these skills enough. You need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively in either medium. Yes, that includes E-Mail.

5) Technical competency

Most positions require certain skills, often backed up by a professional designation. This is true in the accounting, financial, engineering, human resources, information technology, and legal fields, plus many others. If you're hired to sell software, you'd better have some selling skills!

6) Flexibility

Business leaders aren't omniscient and they make mistakes. They also have to react rapidly to changing business conditions. They need people who can change gears and focus quickly and adapt their working hours as required.

7) Work ethic

I think it goes without saying that employers want workers who will work hard and who are committed to meeting deadlines.

8) Determination and persistence

This is extremely important. Managers will give employees challenging goals, but generally they are achievable. The key is to be able to work hard and keep moving things forward when you encounter obstacles.

9) Ability to co-exist amicably with co-workers

I was going to use teamwork, but that's been done to death and it's also implicit in some of the other qualities. However, employers, and managers in particular, really really like to have people who can get along with their colleagues and who can act maturely and responsibly in difficult circumstances. "High maintenance" employees give managers the willies.

10) Eager and willing to learn new skills and add to their knowledge base

Along with flexibility, employers need employees who can and will learn new skills when needed. People with a lifelong interest in learning will fit the bill.

Learn more about this author, Mark Dykeman.
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