If you want to give your interviewing and hiring practices a major shift and see things from a new perspective, you are in the right place. Here are 10 qualities you should look for when interviewing a candidate.
It is standard practice for recruiters to review a candidate's CV before making a hiring decision. They will weigh the candidate's strengths i.e. their level of experience and the quality of their portfolio.
Also, during the course of the interview process, candidates often leverage their previous work experience and their list of accomplishments to demonstrate that they possess the qualifications recruiters are looking for. As a recruiter, you should look for qualities that have a more direct influence on the role you are interviewing for. So, without further ado, let's examine in greater detail the 10 most important yet often overlooked qualities you should look for when interviewing a candidate.
1. Determination
Determination is the drive and ambition to accomplish something, even in the face of difficulty. It is essential because it demonstrates a candidate’s commitment to succeed and shows that they are willing to put in the hard work necessary to reach their goals.
During an interview, it is important to look for indications that a candidate is determined. Did they take an initiative when faced with a challenge? Did they take ownership of their own improvement? Did they take the time to research the opportunity and ask insightful questions? All of these behaviours demonstrate a candidate’s level of determination.
Determination is also important in the workplace. A determined employee will be more likely to take initiative and work hard to achieve their goals. They will be more motivated to tackle difficult tasks and more likely to stay with a company in the long run. It demonstrates an individual’s commitment to their work and their willingness to put in the effort necessary to reach their goals. It is an invaluable asset in the workplace and one that should be sought after when interviewing potential employees.
2. Creativity
How does creativity affect the interview process? Cause and Effect. During an interview, a person's creativity can be a big part of whether they get the job. Creative thinking and problem-solving skills can be extremely beneficial when it comes to tackling new challenges and finding innovative solutions.
Additionally, creative applicants demonstrate the ability to think outside the box and come up with unique solutions to problems that may not have been thought of before. This can be valuable when working with a team, as it encourages collaboration and out-of-the-box thinking. Furthermore, creativity can also be used to make a positive impression on the interviewer by demonstrating enthusiasm, confidence, and the ability to work well in a team.
3. Integrity
Integrity is the quality of being honest, truthful, and reliable. It is a trait that is needed for any relationship, whether it is business or personal, to be successful and meaningful. A person of integrity is trustworthy and accountable for their actions, which creates a strong sense of trust between employer and employee.
Without integrity, there is always a risk that an employee may not act in the best interests of their employer. Furthermore, integrity is important for boosting morale and creating a positive work environment. When coworkers can trust each other and rely on each other, they are more likely to collaborate and work more efficiently together.
Integrity is also important when it comes to building relationships with clients and customers. People want to do business with companies that have trustworthy employees. Having a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness can help maximize business opportunities and open new avenues for growth.
4. Work ethic
Work ethic refers to a set of values and attitudes that entail committing time and effort to complete tasks in a professional and productive manner. It is an important trait to look for in a candidate because it shows how committed they are to the job and how well they can stay motivated and get things done at work.
People with a strong work ethic are more likely to take ownership of tasks and be reliable, which is essential for any workplace to function properly. Therefore, you should look for this trait in potential candidates to ensure that they have the necessary attributes to succeed in the role.
5. Communication skills
Communication skills are the ability to speak, listen, and write effectively, as well as read and interpret body language. It is an important part of any successful team or workplace because it makes it easy for people to share their ideas and thoughts. Effective communication at work increases efficiency cuts down on mistakes and risks and helps coworkers understand each other.
Communication skills are very important because they show that a candidate can get along with others and talk in a professional way. It also makes a candidate more desirable because they can be a positive and sincere representative of the company.
6. Dedication to learning
An important lesson I learned from my family's experience as farmers is that dedication to learning is essential for success. This holds true when looking for a good candidate for any job. A dedicated learner is someone who is willing to go the extra mile to understand a task and get it done, as well as someone who is open to new ideas and eager to learn something new. Such a candidate is likely to be more reliable, productive and successful in their roles, making them the ideal candidate for any job.
7. Positive attitude
A positive attitude is an important quality to look for in a candidate because it reflects their confidence, authenticity, honesty, reliability, and self-discipline. These qualities are essential in an employee who will fit well into a company’s culture. The kind of employee who will do well at work and make a positive contribution to their team is someone who is confident but not cocky. They are honest and genuine, reliable, and disciplined enough to put in the work that needs to be done.
With such an employee, a company can be sure that they are getting someone who is motivated and self-driven, and will bring a positive attitude to the work environment.
8. Open-mindedness
Open-mindedness is a crucial trait to look for when interviewing candidates, as it demonstrates an individual’s ability to think critically and embrace differing views. It is critical in bridging communication and collaboration gaps among coworkers, allowing for better problem-solving and more innovative solutions. It is also important for a candidate’s performance on the job, as it suggests that the person is willing to learn and take on new challenges.
Open-mindedness enables the candidate to be adaptable and flexible when faced with new situations. It shows that the candidate is willing to be challenged and can take constructive criticism in order to get better. Furthermore, it demonstrates that the candidate is open to feedback from colleagues and supervisors, allowing for better problem-solving, more cooperative working environments, and a better work-life balance.
Also, having an open mind implies a certain level of trust and respect, which can be very helpful in making a workplace that is healthy and productive. If a candidate is willing to take direction, ask questions, and be open to differing points of view, it shows that they value the opinions of their colleagues and supervisors. This is essential in team environments where collaboration is key.
9. Motivation
Motivation is the internal drive that encourages us to perform desired tasks. It is an essential factor in the job interview process, as it provides employers with an indication of the candidate's enthusiasm and commitment to the role. During interviews, look for signs of motivation, such as the candidate's response to questions, their body language, and their ability to explain their reasons for wanting the job.
Asking open-ended questions that relate to the candidate's passions and interests is a great way to assess motivation. Additionally, ask the candidate to provide examples of their past achievements, to display their ambition and commitment.
10. Dependability
Dependability is the ability to be trusted to keep promises and commitments, show up on time and be reliable in all aspects of job performance. It is an important quality that you should look for when hiring new employees.
Dependability can be identified during the interview process by paying attention to a candidate's past work experience and references. Ask questions about their ability to complete tasks thoroughly, their attendance record, and any successes they had in the past. Also, be sure to ask the candidate about their attitude towards punctuality and their ability to follow through on tasks. Listening to shared by the candidate about their past successes and comments from past employers can also help figure out if they can be trusted.
Conclusion
The fact that there are too many people competing for too few jobs is as obvious as the sun rising. So, recruiters are having to work harder to find and hire people with skills that are in high demand. With this information in hand, you will be better prepared to select the most qualified candidates and to prevent the potentially disastrous consequences of a poor choice of staff.
