5 Hidden Traits Top Recruiters Wish for in a Candidate

4 Min Read | Posted by Harshil Patel on 15 April, 2020

Getting hired for a dream job is every candidate’s ambition, but only a few come into interviews prepared well enough to get through. While several studies and advice from recruitment consultants suggest studying the company, its values, culture and its history; most forget to study expectations of interviewers and what is required of candidate at a higher level than suggested on the job description. Of course, today reviews from past employees on websites such as glassdoor help candidates learn more about the company that is free from bias or at least minimum bias. Here are a few additional points to keep note of as you prepare for interviews and get set to land that job you have always wanted.

1. Communication

Communicating is a key skill and its importance at the workplace is indispensable. If you can exchange information and ideas with clarity to different people and groups, you will be considered a high valued worker. If the position is a senior level post, then communication becomes important more so.
Soft skills such as communication is a key area every recruiter looks for regardless if this trait is mentioned in the job description or not.
Within communication, aspects such as effective communication, persuasion, framing and negotiation also become highly desirable traits that top recruiters scout for. These traits become key for certain positions such as high-level sales, c-level and mid-senior positions.

2. Adaptability

The ability of a candidate to adapt to new surroundings is one area candidates are also ranked for these days. Interviews sometimes continue to extend to several days or weeks at times just to test a candidate’s ability to adapt and change with changing marketplace conditions and demands of the role.
The willingness to learn and recreate yourself into something better never stops. And top companies pay big money to those who can change quickly in a dynamic workplace.
They want to see that you are ready for any sort of change and can handle that change without any sort of hesitation and have the confidence to go on to achieve the task at hand.

3. Research your interviewer

Most candidates research the company and all about its history, growth, culture and products/services but not many study the interviewer who will be the first point of contact for the candidate who represents the company. Since most interview appointments tend to mention the interviewer name, you must try to study the interviewer via LinkedIn and learn a little more.

Information such as tenure with the company, positions promoted to since joining the company can reveal subtle information about the interviewer that a candidate can acknowledge during the interview or question the interviewer. This will show your preparedness for the interview besides studying the company and shows that you also learn about people which is a very small detail that makes a huge difference in interpersonal relationships.

4. How can you help?

A company hires candidates who tend to fit in their minimum criteria as to how they can benefit their company.
What you must do is try to gather as many sets of skills that might benefit you in your future work place and show them that you have the credibility and the right set of talents to take on the role and progress further.
When you demonstrate how your current skill sets can help a company create revenue, enhance a current process or idea or innovate itself to a new position in the market; you create a very strong impression on the interviewer.
For example, if you are applying for the post of a sales manager, and based on research if you can draw up a sales plan/pitch to increase company revenue – this already demonstrates your proactive stance in assisting the company grow through your contribution.

5. Ability to lead.

Aside from the technical expertise, the qualifications and aptitude – top recruiters look hire candidates who possess an ability to lead teams and influence people.
While not all candidates may have been in leadership positions, you may choose events or times during your college/university or even voluntary services in the past where you participated and helped people. Working in teams and co-operating with people to achieve a task is one of the first steps toward leadership.

• Take opportunities wherever and whenever you can to lead people and teams as this will add immense experience to your ability to be a leader which can enhance your career prospects too.

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