In today’s hyper-competitive job market, the difference between getting passed over and landing an interview comes down to more than what’s on your resume. While qualifications matter, hiring managers are increasingly looking beyond degrees and technical skills to find candidates with unique, valuable traits. These qualities signal to employers that you’ll excel at your job, contribute positively to the company culture, and adapt well to changing demands.
As organizations focus more on building resilient, innovative teams, understanding exactly what qualities capture an employer’s attention has never been more crucial. Here are seven traits that consistently top hiring managers’ wish lists.
1. A Strong Work Ethic
A strong work ethic ranks as the number one skill companies are looking for in new hires, according to research from ADP. This quality is particularly valuable because it’s also one of the hardest to find. Hiring managers consistently report that job candidates who demonstrate reliability, discipline, and genuine care about their work stand out immediately. “If a new hire possesses these skills, their potential and opportunities are limitless,” explains Tina Wang, division vice president of HR at ADP. “You can teach specific technical skills needed for a job, but if a new hire comes in on day one with these behavioral skills, teaching those technical skills becomes much easier and more effective.”
Ways to demonstrate this quality:
- Share specific examples of times you’ve gone above and beyond to complete projects
- Discuss how you manage your time and prioritize tasks
- Highlight your punctuality and dependability with concrete examples
- Explain your approach to meeting deadlines and handling pressure
2. Entrepreneurial Mindset
Hiring managers value job candidates who bring an entrepreneurial spirit to their roles, regardless of whether they’re applying to a startup or a Fortune 500 company. “An entrepreneurial spirit isn’t only for people who want to start their own business,” notes Shanna Hocking in Harvard Business Review. “Employees who demonstrate entrepreneurial qualities, such as being self-motivated and taking the initiative to create solutions to problems, can enhance any team.” This quality is valuable because entrepreneurial employees see challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles.
Ways to demonstrate this quality:
- Highlight situations where you’ve improved processes or workflows
- Share examples of taking the initiative without being asked
- Discuss times you persisted through rejection to achieve results
- Explain how you’ve identified and solved problems proactively
- Provide specific stories that show you can navigate complexity and drive innovation
3. Curiosity and Continuous Learning
More than half of hiring managers pay extra attention to applicants who show a commitment to continuous learning and skill development, according to LinkedIn’s research. Technological advancements have made this growth mindset increasingly valuable as workplaces rapidly evolve. Curious professionals actively seek to broaden their knowledge and skills, making them adaptable and valuable in fast-changing environments. They consistently ask insightful questions, explore new ideas, and bring innovative solutions to workplace challenges. This quality enhances individual performance and significantly contributes to a dynamic and forward-thinking organizational culture.
Ways to demonstrate this quality:
- Feature relevant courses, certifications, and learning experiences on your resume
- During interviews, discuss books, podcasts, or industry events that have shaped your thinking
- Ask thoughtful questions about learning opportunities within the organization
- Share examples of how you’ve applied new knowledge to improve your performance
4. Self-Awareness
Hiring managers value job candidates who understand both their strengths and weaknesses. Self-awareness at work means reflecting on your behaviors, feelings, and actions to better understand how they impact your performance and relationships with others. Professionals with strong self-awareness recognize their unique talents while acknowledging areas for improvement. They tend to form more positive working relationships and make better decisions about their career development.
Ways to demonstrate this quality:
- Share your professional “superpowers” and how you leverage them
- Discuss areas where you’re actively working to improve
- Explain how you receive and implement feedback
- Describe how colleagues would characterize your working style and contributions
5. Communication Skills
LinkedIn declared communication as the most in-demand skill for 2024, considering both hard and soft skills. Your ability to articulate ideas clearly, listen effectively, and adapt your communication style to different audiences can set you apart from equally qualified job candidates. Strong communicators express complex ideas clearly while adapting their style to different audiences and situations. They speak and listen effectively, combining clear writing skills with thoughtful attention to others’ perspectives.
Ways to demonstrate this quality:
- Show examples of how you’ve simplified complex information for different audiences
- Discuss how you ensure your messages are received as intended
- Highlight experiences where your listening skills helped resolve conflicts or improve outcomes
- Provide writing samples that demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly
- Share stories about successfully navigating challenging conversations
6. Ability to Lead From Any Position
Hiring managers look for candidates who can demonstrate leadership qualities regardless of their title or formal authority. This “leading from where you are” mentality shows that you understand how to create impact through influence rather than position. The most valuable team members don’t wait for a promotion to take the initiative or drive positive change. They find ways to lead through their actions, ideas, and ability to bring others along with them.
Ways to demonstrate this quality:
- Share examples of times you’ve influenced colleagues without formal authority
- Discuss how you’ve taken the initiative on projects that benefited your team
- Explain how you’ve mentored or supported colleagues
- Highlight collaborative achievements where you played a key role
7. Conscientiousness and Reliability
Conscientiousness is a quality that impresses hiring managers a majority of the time. This trait encompasses reliability, punctuality, attention to detail, and disciplined follow-through on commitments. While many job seekers focus exclusively on showcasing their technical skills or industry knowledge, these fundamental qualities of professionalism and dependability remain consistently valuable across industries and roles. Employers know that someone who demonstrates these traits can be counted on to deliver quality work without constant supervision.
Ways to demonstrate this quality:
- Arrive early for interviews
- Follow up promptly on all communications
- Complete any pre-interview assignments thoroughly
- Prepare thoughtful, researched questions about the role and organization
What Hiring Managers Really Want
The qualities hiring managers seek extend far beyond the bullet points on a job description. By mastering these seven powerful attributes, you don’t just become qualified for a role. You become the job candidate who hiring managers fight to bring onto their team. Cultivating these traits will not only give you an edge over other applicants in the hiring process but will consistently open doors to new opportunities, greater responsibilities, and the kind of career path that others only dream about.
Forbes
