What Employers Look For in a Candidate?

What characteristics make a candidate for a job ideal? Does such an ideal candidate even exist? Basically, What do employers look for in a candidate? Honestly speaking, no one knows, because there is no right answer to this question. Certainly, there are certain characteristics that employers approve of, and others that they do not. But this particular list is rarely objective, and employers are rarely entirely unbiased. Context matters and luck always has a role to play. And while developing the attributes that seem to meet potential employers’ approval may not guarantee you a job, they definitely won’t hurt your chances.

One of the things you can do even before entering the job market is to make sure that you have a substantial circle of contacts. This ensures two things. One is that potential employers know that you are on the lookout for a job and will take you into consideration; otherwise you may miss opportunities you didn’t even know existed. The other thing is that having contacts may be useful for your potential employer too; this makes you an attractive prospect. For example, a lawyer with a lot of contacts brings with them exactly that many prospective clients to their new law firm.

Your credibility matters. Make sure that your reputation and character are spotless. Therefore, your credibility is the most important quality when you are trying to get referrals and recommendations from your clients. A part of your reputation should be built on your competence and efficiency. These characteristics are in terms of job referrals. Some of the things that your prospective employers will be looking for in candidates are intelligence, leadership skills, integrity, amicability, efficiency, and confidence. With the right outlook, skills and experience and a certain degree of likability, there is no reason why you won’t get the job that you want.