Have you ever worked with someone you just couldn't get along with, no matter how hard you tried? If you later found yourself in a position to hire staff and this person applied for the job, would you hire them? It's quite possible that you wouldn't-based solely on your past experience with this person-regardless of their technical qualifications.
I read recently that you only need two out of a possible three qualities in order to be successful: brilliance, the ability to meet deadlines, and likeability. For example, a client or employer will be happy with you if you're on time and a lovely person, delivering competent work. They will also have no problem putting up with you if you do brilliant work and deliver on time, but happen to have a difficult personality. But you'll never be employed or recommended if you're merely a brilliant pain-in-the-you-know-what who is always missing deadlines.
Think about this for a minute. You don't necessarily have to be brilliant (or have superior training) to be successful. Being on time and being likeable are things that are within reach of anyone. And herein we have the key to a successful job hunt when competing with a huge crowd of equally qualified candidates.
Let's look at "likeability" and "being on time" in a bit more detail. What are they, really, in a workplace setting? They sound an awful lot like the results of a National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) study released last November. The NACE study found that employers are looking for personality traits rather than technical knowledge in their new hires. In order of importance, 260 large companies rated the following as their top five preferred skills:
All of the above skills will result in a workplace that runs smoothly while saving the employer time and money. You'll be making your new boss's job easier-what employer doesn't want that?
Essentially, this means that if you can provide examples of your experience (and success) in these five skill areas, it will go a long way toward making you stand out in the crowd. When you think about this a bit more, it just makes sense. A certificate or a degree-these are the results of standard training that a lot of other people have. Who you are and why you are the best person for the job-that's the real question you need to answer for potential employers.
More ideas on how to show employers you are the one they need to hire:
Visitor Comments
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Brittney - 2015-03-03
I am a student at Brooks Secoundary School. I will be graduating this year in June. I will need a job right away to get job hours to graduate. I am hoping to get a part-time job since i go to school from Monday through Friday. I have no job experience and i am welcomed to be trained.