Committed to Your Success Coaching & Consulting

In the world of careers and career management, one area that is often overlooked by job seekers is what employers look for in employees.  These are the desirable traits and behaviors that organizations seek in job candidates.  I find that this information is invaluable for job seekers, particularly those who are new to the workforce, as they are not usually aware of organizational expectations for how to perform on the job.  These expectations are not usually taught in school, so new job candidates are unprepared when they enter the workforce.   But this information is also valuable for those job changers, or for older workers, as they can often become complacent and immune to cultural adaptations of the organization.  Knowing these expectations, and putting them into practice, will position your standing in the workplace and can ensure career success throughout your lifetime.

In my daily travels, these are the traits that employers are looking for in their employees:

1. Technical Skills - while technology is a necessity, employers would like it used in moderation.  That means not spending a lot of time on the computer, unless that is in your job description; also curb the text messaging.  Technical skills also entail knowing how to operate a fax machine, copy machine, or using a regular telephone.
2. Communication Skills - knowing how to effectively converse, share ideas, and get your meaning across, not only verbally but in writing as well.
3. Business Skills - this means knowing how to conduct yourself in a business environment, the meaning of a handshake, how to write a business letter, and how to conduct yourself in a meeting - Roberts Rules.
4. Business Dress - nothing that is too tight, too low, too high, too revealing; clothing should be clean and pressed; appropriate for the setting, particularly when you are applying for a job or interviewing for a job.
5. Team Player - working as part of a team is a must, as you are part of the “organizational team”.  Knowing how to share knowledge, ideas, and the workload is essential and more organizations are utilizing the team model more frequently.  Take leadership and ownership for your part of the process and you will stand out.
6. Customer Service - how to greet customers, your attitude, the service you provide are essential to the survival of your business or organization so honing these skills s essential.
7. Good Citizenship Skills - these sustain the organization and will lead you to success:   show up on time, be courteous to your fellow employees, resolve conflict, show initiative, be an independent thinker and worker, be an honest worker, be loyal to the company, support the vision and mission of the organization, ask for help when needed, keep the boss informed, and, most important, show that you want the job - (you are not entitled to it).