Characteristics of the Ideal Job Candidate
A group of 50 HR VP’s and Directors were discussing the characteristics they look for in the ideal job candidate for their firms.
The group discussion took on the following questions:
- What are the characteristics YOU look for in candidates?
- What are some “red flags” to look out for?
- If you had an ideal “wish list” for candidates, what would it entail?
The group came back with some very insightful answers. Here are the results:
Ideal Characteristics
- Cultural fit to the company
- Strong (and proven) communication skills (asks good questions, listens and responds well, etc.)
- Can show initiative and enthusiasm and confidence
- Strong team player
- Exhibits humility and not arrogance or cockiness
- Strong set of technical and management skills for the position they are looking to fill
- Willingness to accept responsibility and be accountable (doesn’t look to place blame on others)
- Shows the ability to be adaptable and flexible and resourceful
- Has a pattern of continued learning throughout their career
- AND, most importantly, passion for the direction of where they are going or want to go!
Red Flags
- Watch non-verbal cues during interviews and interactions (they often reveal the “true” message and/or feelings of candidates)
- Someone who is not prepared for the interview, the position. or knowledge of the company
- Someone who is arrogant and/or is not a “hands-on” person
- Makes negative and/or derogatory comments about former employers
- Inconsistent on answers to questions or information on resumé
- Shows no passion for what they do or in the opportunity they are seeking
Ideal Wish List
- Someone who exhibits “active listening” to everyone they encounter during the recruiting process
- Has a customer focus both internally and externally
- Has a skill set of “people skills” of empathy, passion, and development
- Looks to move the organization forward regardless of the “level” of their role
- Has a solid career vision for themselves
- Leads a balanced life with their work
- And, the #1 ideal wish list item…has a proven track record of integrity, honesty and ethics
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Mark James, CPC is the founder and CEO of Hire Consulting Services (HCS). Established in 1999, HCS is a highly customized executive outplacement and career coaching firm for executive-level professionals.
Mark is equipped with over 25 years of experience in Executive Career Management Coaching, as well as Outplacement and Executive Search Consulting. He is the author of the three best-selling books—Keys to the C Suite: Unlock the Doors to Executive Career Path Success, The Interview Mindset: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Your Career, and The Recruiter Mindset: The Ultimate Guide to Working with Executive Search Recruiters.
Mark uses a proven and successful strategy and structured process to fully enable his clients to conduct a professional job search campaign and with the singular goal of securing their next career opportunity in significantly less time it would take without a career coach. Clients gain a new perspective of their marketing value coupled with executing a strategic plan and closing the deal on their new role in their next job.
