8 Traits & Skills That Most Companies Look For In A Job Candidate

10/11/2022 | By Marella Gimenez

You'll be eager to start your new employment with a degree after spending months studying. Before you can confidently declare that you enjoy your profession, there is one more obstacle to overcome: getting a job.

Even though you are convinced that your education will eventually provide you with the necessary technical abilities, you are nevertheless anxious about the interview process. Even in expanding industries, competition for positions at the finest businesses can be fierce. What can you do to differentiate yourself as a skilled job candidate?

While some professions, like nursing or data analytics, require more technical expertise, you can make a favorable impression by demonstrating that you also possess these broad capabilities that companies look for in new talents. Here are 8 traits and skills that most companies look for in an applicant.

1. Problem-solving skills

The definition of problem-solving skills is very self-explanatory when you stop to think about it: they enable you to solve difficulties.

A set of problem-solving skills enables you to recognize problems, put forward solutions, pick the best one, and put it into action.

The following is a list of abilities that could be useful at every stage of the problem-solving process. These examples can assist you in making a list of your problem-solving abilities while you create your resume:

a. Ability to analyze

You need to look at a problem from several perspectives to solve it. Your analytical abilities are just what you need to make suggestions and uncover the core of the issue.

b. Research abilities

This ability meshes well with your analytical abilities. You must be able to locate and apply the appropriate tools, sift through the available information with sufficient depth, and locate the appropriate people to whom you may present your thoughts. The ability to conduct research is a crucial part of the problem-solving skill set.

c. Creativity

Sometimes finding the proper solution will require you to step out of your comfort zone, think outside the box, and push the boundaries. This is only achievable when your creative thinking talents are sharp as razors.

2. Communication skills

If a problem couldn't be effectively communicated, it would never be resolved. One can never overestimate the value of effective communication. All approaches to problem-solving rely on effective communication.

Practically every career requires good communication abilities. Employers seek team members who can understand what is expected of them and productively interact with others. Writing, speaking, listening, and bargaining are examples of communication abilities frequently listed on resumes.

3. Leadership skills

You must prove to employers that you can inspire and lead others to accomplish shared goals, even if you are not applying for a management role. It's crucial to show that you have the ability to manage your time well by citing an instance in which you have done so.

Describe instances where you had the chance to organize and coordinate activities while earning your degree or participating in extracurricular activities like university clubs and societies. Recruiters have a strong preference for candidates who can resolve issues and disagreements.

4. Organizational skills

The ability to prioritize tasks according to those that must be done right away against those that can wait or be delegated to another person is called organization abilities.

Procrastination, clutter, miscommunication, and inefficiency are just a few bad work habits that may be avoided by maintaining excellent organizational abilities.

Managers need workers who can not only keep their work and desks organized but who can also swiftly adapt to an organization's organizational framework.

5. Flexibility

Professional flexibility is the collaborative capacity to manage change at work.

The timing of changes at work is not always predictable. Flexibility is crucial for this reason. Being flexible makes you adaptable, resilient, and change-responsive. You can adjust to unforeseen pressures at work, such as abrupt increases in workload, pressing issues, or an unforeseen disaster like a cyber security breach or a financial collapse.

Managers and corporations increasingly value flexible individuals. When a crisis arises, they assist in stabilizing the situation. They keep goals within grasp, and they frequently "go the additional mile" to encourage colleagues who require assistance or guidance.

6. Interpersonal skills

Your ability to connect with others depends on your interpersonal abilities. These abilities come into play whenever you converse with coworkers, friends, or family. You can relate to, comprehend, and work with others more effectively because of them. We also employ them to create solid, reliable connections.

According to Trie Angeleva, a specialist in mindful living and career transformation, interpersonal skills are the soft skills that are essential to our employability and capacity to thrive at work. The characteristics of a person's personality and demeanor that benefit those around them are included in what is also known as emotional intelligence.

7. Teamwork skills

When it comes to having the capacity to function well in a team, no career route is exempt. You will still need to work with people in professions that require a lot of autonomous work. Every role in a firm is tied to other functions and teams. People who can collaborate well and comprehend other people's perspectives frequently develop new ideas in an efficient and successful manner.

It's impossible to exaggerate the value of teamwork, so you should emphasize this ability to employers throughout your interview. Make sure to highlight particular occasions where you collaborated effectively with a team, whether they occurred at work or at school, and discuss the fruitful effects of your group's efforts.

8. Emotional quotient

The capacity to comprehend both your own feelings and of those around you is known as emotional intelligence. This is especially useful at work, as teams collaborate to keep businesses running smoothly. If collaboration is a key element of a successful business, emotional intelligence is the glue that holds it all together.

One of the most significant indicators of great emotional intelligence is empathy. To become a valuable employee, one must be able to perceive information from the viewpoint of a peer and their potential customers. A vibrant, inspiring workplace culture can be created with the right people and the right systems in place.

Conclusion

To find your dream job, you must first assess your abilities and identify your strengths and areas for improvement. You will increase your employability by developing and using your critical thinking, teamwork, professionalism, work ethic, oral and written communication, and leadership abilities.

Make a list of the abilities and traits that most accurately reflect your history to ensure that you are showcasing your greatest skills during your job search. Include them in your cover letters and resume.

Consider instances from your own life where you used these abilities to succeed at work, in school, or as a volunteer. Give your interviewer these examples so they can see just how valuable you will be if you are employed.

Finding occupations that require your talents, promoting your expertise in those fields, and identifying your strongest skills can all help you match with the proper career.

To help new graduates and professionals of different skill levels alike progress in their respective fields, KMC provides a variety of career routes.

Offering more than simply alluring compensation packages, KMC is dedicated to helping you find the perfect possibilities and values your development as a person. We want you to live according to our philosophy of flexibility by integrating into our warm and welcoming community. We often plan social and recreational activities, and we provide a variety of sports and fitness facilities to help you strike a balance between work and play.

Get the latest updates on the Workspace Industry in Asia