HR Staffing: Top 10 Qualities I Look for in a Candidate
Posted by Chris Conley on Thu, Sep 02, 2010 @ 11:02 AM
When you get to the screening and interviewing stage in your talent acquisition process, you start to rate candidates by more than just skills and qualifications laid out on a resume. You now are interacting with the individual and assessing them on a personal level.
When you prepare for interviews and decide upon the questions you will ask, make sure to think about more than just actual job duties. Think about questions that will help you determine if this candidate will be a fit with the:
- culture of the company
- dynamic of the team
- and your management style
Many hiring managers and recruiters believe it’s imperative to identify the weaknesses or areas for improvement of each candidate and then decide if you can have any impact in those areas.
For example: a candidate may have the qualifications to do the job, but what if they wouldn’t be a fit personality-wise with your team-- or you’ve realized your management style wouldn’t have an impact on them. Are these areas that you could impact? Is it worth your time to even try?
What do you think are some of the most important character-related attributes a candidate should have to help ensure they will be an “A Player”?
These are some of mine:
- Respectful of others
- Trustworthy
- The ability to learn quickly
- Dedicated
- Positive Attitude
- Multi faceted Communication Skills
- Initiative and Drive
- Problem Solver
- Creative
- Collaborative
Obviously a candidate needs to be able to fulfill the requirements of the job but don’t forget to take a closer look at your candidates and identify not only who can do the job but who can bring real advantage to your team and firm and be a great person to work with.
Successful teambuilding starts in the interview.
Written by: Heather Sandell, Staffing Manager
Photo Courtesy of BPSUSF
------------------------------------------
Foster Thomas is the Mid-Atlantic region’s leading HR Management Consulting organization. With over 17 years of experience providing best-in-class HR-focused professional services, Foster Thomas creates custom scalable HR solutions for emerging and mid-sized organizations, government contractors and non-profits.