There are several characteristics that human resources consultants are looking for when they need to hire new employees. When a company has to restructure, it’s usually because the budget is being redone and they can’t afford as many people or the employees that they have are not benefiting the company effectively. Restructuring could be a good or bad thing but either way, whether you are the new employee or existing, here are some characteristics and traits that human resources consultants want to see as they go through the laying off or hiring process.
Ability to Learn
An individual needs to be able to learn new things. The old saying ‘you can’t teach a old dog new tricks’ can’t be true for a new hire or someone that wants to keep their job. You constantly have to be able to glean from those who have more experience than you and be able to learn. A good boss knows that the only way the company is going to keep growing and advancing is if it is progressing. This means that the employees need to progress right along with the products, services and technology. You need to be able to flow with new processes, rules and ideas. Having some of your own ideas to throw in the mix is great, but you can’t throw someone else’s ideas out the window.
Go Getter Mentality
This is especially true in the realm of sales but it can be effective for any employee position. You have to be able to go out there and get things done. If your boss has to constantly prod you and push you and get you to do what you’re supposed to be doing, that will get old fast. While someone managers like to micro manage, most wish their employees would just do what they are supposed to do without someone constantly watching over their shoulder. Being a go getter isn’t just about going out and making money. It’s also someone that is eager to grow and move up. If you want to climb the corporate ladder, then you need to be a go getter. Someone that is timid and shy, is not going to get very far. You have to go get what you want, it’s not going to be handed to you on a silver platter.
Submission to Leadership
Human resources consultants also appreciate employees that are willing to submit to the leadership of the company. That might be your direct boss, it could be a team of managers but whoever it is, accepting that someone is above you and being willing to do as your told and listen to them says a lot about a person’s humility and character. Unless you own the company solely, you will always have someone to answer to and you have to realize that it’s okay. Having to answer to someone else is not necessarily a bad thing. It also means that when things go wrong, you aren’t given the responsibility. However, you can’t just point blame either. Take responsibility for your own actions and at the same time, realize that the person above you needs respect.
Ability to Work Well Alone and as a Team
In order to stay hired at any company or get hired into a new position, you have to be able to work by yourself and stay motivated. A lot of companies now offer work from home options or give the employees space to get their work done without someone hovering over them. So, you have to be responsible enough to keep working when you aren’t being watched. However, you also need to be able to work with other people effectively. You can’t be contentious and rude when you’re working with others. Human resources consultants watch carefully to make sure that you can have pleasant encounters with your co workers.
What it all boils down to is being committed to your work. If you have integrity and can commit yourself to your job, then you will be able to keep your job or get hired at a new one. Integrity and commitment are, unfortunately, two characteristics that are hard to come by in this day and age.
