The Personality Traits That Will Get You Hired
By Katharine Paljug, Writer February
9, 2018
When you're applying for a job, professional success and
industry experience are only part of what your interviewer wants to see. Harder
to show, but many times more crucial for actually landing the job, are the
personality traits that make you the right fit for the company.
"Employers want to know that you are qualified for a
position, but they also want to see that you will fit in with the company
culture. The only way to assess this is to get a sense of your
personality," said Susan Peppercorn, CEO of Positive Workplace Partners and
author of "Ditch Your
Inner Critic at Work: Evidence-Based Strategies to Thrive in Your Career."
"Knowing that someone has the experience and skills to be successful in a
job is paramount, but when two candidates have similar capabilities, often the
soft skills are why one person gets hired over another."
A2014 studyby
the career resource and job-listing site CareerBuilder found that many
employers prioritize the same soft skills in employees, looking for candidates
who are dependable, positive, flexible and effective communicators who work
well under pressure, among other personality traits.
"When companies are assessing job candidates, they're
looking for ... the right personality," said Rosemary Haefner,
CareerBuilder’s chief human resources officer. "It's important to
highlight soft skills that can give employers an idea of how quickly you can
adapt and solve problems, whether you can be relied on to follow through, and
how effectively you can lead and motivate others."
Hiring experts and business leaders weighed in on the
personality traits that can make the difference between a strong candidate and
a new employee.
1. A multitasker
Employees are rarely hired to perform a single function.
Especially in a small business setting, companies need people who are willing
to come out of their roles and do whatever is necessary, said Ron Selewach,
founder and CEO of talent acquisition software company Human Resource Management Center Inc.
"A small business needs people who can not only
tolerate chaos, but thrive in it," he said.
2. A strategist
Career psychologist Eileen Sharaga said that every
business needs a strategic thinker. Hiring managers want someone who can
identify long-term goals. It’s critical to demonstrate that you have not only a
vision for the future, but also a plan to get there, she said.
3. A decider
People who can use their own judgment and take decisive
action are valuable to any company, Selewach said. Business leaders can't be
involved in every minor decision, so they look for a candidate who is not
afraid to pull the trigger. The ability to act and take responsibility for the
outcome is essential for anyone hoping to move into a management or leadership
position.
4. A cautious person
Beth Gilfeather, CEO and founder of Sevenstep Recruiting, noted that a more
cautious employee acts as a counterbalance to risk-takers. "They are
risk-averse, but sometimes, you need people to provide stability and fairness,
and keep your business from taking on too much," she said.
5. An independent thinker
Some employees go along with everything the boss says,
without question. These people may be good for an ego boost, but ultimately,
leaders need team members who will challenge the status quo if it's better for
the business.
"I want people who will … not be afraid to stand up
for what they think is the right thing for the company," said Meg Sheetz,
former president and COO of weight loss program, Medifast.. "I
also look for people who understand that they will not necessarily agree with
every decision that the company may make, but ... they have to find a way to
support their teams in a unified approach."
6. A team player
Most jobs require some kind of collaboration, whether with
a team of other employees, a group of clients or occasional outside
contractors. The ability to work pleasantly and effectively with others is a
key part of nearlyany job.
"Employers value candidates who are flexible enough
to get along well with a variety of personalities and work styles," said
Peppercorn. "Examples of accomplishments working on a team should be part
of every job-hunter's interview repertoire."
7. A cultural fit
Individual employers may value different traits, but they
all look for the elusive cultural fit. Every company's culture is slightly
different, and each is founded on different core values. What matters most to
employers is that the person they hire embodies those values in their everyday
lives.
"Our culture is founded upon a work-hard, play-hard,
humble, self-reflective and collaborative environment", said Max Yoder,
CEO of online training software company, Lessonly.
"Different roles obviously call for different specifics, but all of us
share those core motivations."
How to highlight your personality
Personality traits are difficult to demonstrate on a
resume, so it's essential to highlight them during the interview. Sheetz noted
that strategic storytelling can get your personality across to a hiring
manager.
"Sharing stories that demonstrate how you performed
during an experience is extremely important to help get across your personality
traits," she said. "[Discuss] how you handled yourself in a
crisis, or how you showed up as a leader during a positive or negative
time."
Haefner agreed, adding that simply stating you're a
team player, for instance, isn't enough for most hiring managers. Instead,
provide a concrete instance of when you worked on a team to accomplish a goal,
she said.
Yoder said the best way to express your personality is to
simply be yourself. "If you're a great fit, it will be apparent. If you're
not, it will also be apparent. The most important thing to remember when
walking into an interview is that it is completely two-sided – you're
interviewing us as much as we are interviewing you."