What Do Employers Look For?

It can be tricky to know what employers are looking for when hiring new members of staff. There will always be differences amongst organisations and it’s impossible to generalise completely. However, there are a number of personal qualities which you can emphasise to make yourself more employable:

• Show that you’re loyal. If you’ve had a few different jobs in a short space of time, this won’t necessarily count against you as long as you can explain why this is the case. Get good references from previous employers and think of other examples outside of work which demonstrate your loyalty.
• Be friendly and personable. This is incredibly important in an interview situation. It will make you come across well and will leave a lasting good impression.
• Show initiative. You might not have every single skill which an employer wants but if you show that you’re willing and able to learn, they will have more confidence in you.
• Be conscious of time. Nobody wants to employ someone who turns up late to work every day and can’t meet their deadlines. Arrive at your interview early and come well-equipped with evidence of your timekeeping.
• Show that you’re able to present yourself well. Don’t just pick a smart outfit – think about every last detail. Make sure that you have clean shoes, your hair is tidy and you don’t have messy broken nails. Employers want people who will represent them well in front of clients.
• Demonstrate how well you work in a team.  Above all else, employers want someone who will be an asset within their existing team.