What Personality Traits Will Get You Hired:

John Krautzel
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When it comes to getting a job, your hard skills and experience can only get you so far. Today's hiring managers want employees who fit the company's culture, and that often comes down to some key personality traits. If you haven't been successful in your job search so far, it may be time to focus on improving your professional disposition so you can stand out from the rest of the competition.

Go-Getter

Getting a job requires that you put in effort. Regardless of your career choice, you can be sure that the hiring manager is looking for someone who goes above and beyond to get things done. Prove that you're a go-getter by following up after sending in your resume and cover letter, or even visiting the business to check in on the status of your application.

Team Player

If you don't work well with others, you may have a difficult time getting a job. Make sure your resume and cover letter highlight instances when you've collaborated successfully with co-workers in the past. The hiring manager wants to be confident that you can assimilate into the company's community, so make it clear that you're willing and able to collaborate with your future teammates.

Self-Motivated

Bosses don't enjoy micromanaging, so strive to be the type of employee that doesn't require constant supervision. A workplace should operate like a well-oiled machine, and in order for that to be possible, every component must be functioning at its highest capacity. Improve your chances of getting a job by showing that you don't need to be told what to do twice. Highlight examples of how you start and finish projects with minimal intervention required from management.

Ability to Multitask

Being able to juggle multiple tasks at once is one of the most valuable professional personality traits you can have, especially in busy workplaces that require you to wear many hats. Many hiring managers prefer someone who is competent in many fields over someone who is highly skilled in one trade.

Decisive

Even if you're applying for an entry-level position, hiring managers want strong-minded people with growth potential. The boss isn't always going to be involved in every minor decision throughout the day, and it's important that employees can be trusted to make sound, informed judgments as required.

Think Outside the Box

While fitting in with the company is an important part of getting a job, hiring managers do often prefer to have a diverse staff with many different opinions and ideas. Don't be afraid to express your unique points of view. Often, successfully getting a job requires that you take steps to show why you're different from the other candidates, so embrace your creative side.

Willingness to Learn

One of the most essential professional attributes is an open, receptive mind. Many bosses prefer someone with no skills who is willing to learn over someone who is already qualified but set in his ways.

Work on these important traits, and you may find that getting a job becomes significantly easier. Even if it takes some time, developing as a person is the key to long-term professional success. Every single person is a work in progress, so keep taking steps to become the best possible version of yourself.


Photo courtesy of franky242 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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  • Bruce C.
    Bruce C.

    My resume would be three page's if I listed every job I worked after high school in 1966. Drafted same year after being told by the Draft Board if I was in school, I'm cool. Very successful in my Army time with a year living in Saigon. Great story of a young patriotic guy serving his country. In every job I have worked at since my three years in the Army, with a secret clearance, I have obviously encountered many different people who were highly educated on paper and those who were basically uneducated and yet had an uncanny amount of good common sense. The person leading other men and women must be able to fit the puzzle pieces together. Understanding each individual according to their God Created temperments, in my humble opinion is the Key. There are Four Basic Temperments and everyone has a little bit of each. Learning the strong and weak points in each makes for success. Best Regards

  • Lloyd K.
    Lloyd K.

    Don't underestimate me.

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