12 Soft Skills To Look For In A New Hire

Recruiting your next new hire is an important part of your company’s success, but hiring is a time consuming and expensive process. It takes time to post job ads, screen resumes, schedule interviews, and make hiring decisions. It’s up to you to dedicate the appropriate amount of time and energy to hiring if you want to find the right person for the job.

It’s easy to pick someone based on a sheet of paper, but as a recruiter you need to be looking for more than just what shows up on a resume or online. You need to hire the right person for the job – someone who fits with your company. Someone with the right soft skills.

Many of the soft skills that make a great employee are easily recognizable during the interview process – especially if you ask the right interview questions.

Next time you’re hiring, here are the top soft skills to look for in a new hire:

Adaptability – The workplace is a constantly evolving place. Is the candidate adaptable and flexible? Can they handle new roles, new skills, and new technology?
Proper Fit – How will this potential employee fit into your company culture? Will she be a positive addition to the work environment?
Team Player – Everybody you hire needs to play well with others. If someone isn’t a team player, they most likely won’t be a good fit.
Results Oriented – Is the job candidate a producer? The job candidate might be the perfect person, but if they aren’t driven to complete the job they are applying for, then they are the wrong person to hire.
Communication Skills – When a new hire is easy to contact and quick to respond, it shows that they are on top of their game.
Passion – Enthusiasm and desire for the job, the company, the product, and life in general is a huge bonus. When someone is passionate about what they do, work is fun.
Honesty – Honesty is always the best policy. It’s important to hire someone who is trustworthy, ethical, and honest. Any sort of lying cannot be tolerated.
Creativity – Out of the box thinking is important for any business. It’s those innovative ideas that give your company a boost when you most need it.
Dependability – Is this person dependable? Can you count on them at all times? Will they stay true to their word and always get the job done?
Longevity – Could you see this new hire climbing the ranks of your company? Is he oozing potential? Will he be around in a year? Two years? Ten years? When the right people stick around it will help your company be successful.
Growth Potential – Does the candidate want to grow as a professional? Are they keen to learn more about their niche and embrace developing trends?
First Impression – While first impressions can be wrong, it’s important to trust your gut sometimes. Pay attention to how the person comes across to you. If you wonder about them, so will their co-workers and your clients. First impressions are more important than many people realize.

Pay attention during your next job interview and see what you can really learn about a job candidate. When you can identify the right soft skills in a new hire, you’ll know that you’ve found the right person to join your team.