3 Character Traits to Look for When Hiring

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When hiring a new person to your team, pay attention to the character of those you interview. Candidates are more than their resume. Sure, you want someone with the necessary skills and experience to excel at the position, but they also need to have the right personality. The people who power your company have the ability to make or break its success, so choose wisely.

3 Must-Have Character Traits in a Candidate

Before extending a job offer, make sure the person has these three character traits:

  1. Drive: It is great having employees who do as they’re told, but that alone isn’t enough. You want individuals who take initiative and push themselves. People who only come into the office each day to earn a paycheck, don’t push your company to succeed. It’s important to seek candidates who can be productive throughout day, without being babysat. Choose motivated people who enjoy exceeding expectations. Determine if a candidate has the level of drive you need by asking open-ended interview questions to gain a better sense of their mannerisms.
  2. Versatility: Things don’t always go as planned, so you need a team of flexible employees who are willing to pitch in whenever and wherever they’re needed. Often times this requires people to help out in other departments and in roles not listed in their job description. Find out if a candidate is a team player by asking them about problems they have helped solve in the past and how they work as part of a group.
  3. Positivity: A candidate might have the perfect resume, but if they have a negative personality, you don’t want them on your team. Remember, skills can be learned, but personality traits are innate. You don’t want to spend your days working with someone who will bring you and your team down. Instead, you need a staff filled with positive and enthusiastic people who enjoy working together and helping your organization succeed. Gauge a candidate’s level of positivity by paying close attention to their body language and their general demeanor.

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