3 Traits Every Employer Wants You to Have
No one aims for a life of mediocrity, to spend their work tenure under the shadow of their more talented peers. If you’re not careful, though, that’s exactly where you might end up.
Have you seen schoolmates that were ahead of you, did more internships than you and seemed to be destined for success get nowhere 15 years down the line? There’s a reason for that.
Just like there’s no replacement for experience, there are no shortcuts for true, lasting success—in any sphere of life.
In the corporate world, competition is fierce, and chances of making it depend on the skillset you’ve acquired.
As per the Society of Human Resource Management, soft skills such as Emotional Intelligence, Integrity and Teamwork are the most in-demand requirements for a majority of job positions.
If you want to have a glowing spotlight shining on you throughout your career in corporate America, we suggest you acquire these 3 traits every employer wants you to have—if you haven’t already.
Let’s see how many you can check off your list.
· Emotional Intelligence
As you climb the proverbial ladder, you’ll see that the secret to excelling at work is Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Leadership. These are defined as the ability to recognize, process and transform your own emotions as well as of those around you.
Competing in the rat race, it’s been ingrained in our brains that to be successful you have to be the smartest person in the room. While this may be true for some, it’s certainly not the be-all and end-all for corporate success.
Emotional Intelligence—the capability of mastering your emotions in stressful situations and visualizing your goals—is what your future employers want from you the most.
· Team Work
Remember, there’s no “I” in team.
Teamwork is a skill that might not come naturally to everyone, but it’s one that’s simply indispensable in the modern workplace.
Corporations are becoming increasingly diverse with more and more employers seeking talent that has a well-honed ability to adjust to people with different attitudes, backgrounds and personalities.
Not only does it improve overall performance, it also brings unique ideas to the table that might never have been introduced otherwise.
If you can collaborate well with others, you win.
· Integrity
Integrity means treating others with respect, sincerity and fairness. It’s a trait that ranks highest during the vetting stage for entry-level job candidates by employers, according to professors of the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
When it comes to the interview process, being polite and respectful is a given. What’ll make your interviewers remember you is your demonstration of integrity.
Show up on time for the interview, talk about when you had to make some tough decisions while sticking to your moral compass and so on. These point you out as a person of substance—someone an employer would want on their team.
With these three traits and a positive mindset, there’s nothing you can’t achieve—truly.
For the ultimate tips on succeeding in the corporate world, follow Hall of Fame speaker Steve Gilliland’s motivational keynote speeches based on his own experiences as a former Fortune 500 company executive.
You can check out his keynote presentations at his official website.