How to Hire the Best Candidate: Top 4 Top Qualities to Look Out For

The interviews are up. Out of hundreds of applicants you’ve narrowed down your selection to just a handful of lucky candidates. Now’s the time to be vigilant and look out for key traits that will set your new employee apart from the rest.

Here’s our top pick of qualities to look out for in the hiring process.

1. Passion

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – when it comes to hiring a new employee, passion should trump experience every time. You can’t train someone to be passionate. Maintaining motivation is something that most people struggle with from time to time, but people who are passionate about what they do have a kind of superpower in this regard.

So how do you spot passion in a candidate?

Are they enthusiastic during their interview? Do they seem genuinely excited to have been asked to attend? Nerves are actually a good sign here, it shows their heart is in the process.

Are they proactive about their self-development? A passionate individual will set optimistic goals and is excited about furthering their existing achievements.

Do they believe in your company’s mission? The question “why do you want to work for us?” might not score any points for originality but it is a great way of gauging a candidate’s level of interest. If they can express why your company specifically calls to them, it’s a great sign.

A range of experience

You might think your best bet is to choose a candidate with extensive experience in your sector. However, don’t rule out people traversing into a new career. All that matters is that the candidate has the right transferable skills to take on the role.

People who have chosen a new career path are likely to be more flexible and bring a fresh perspective into your business. It’s also a good indicator that your new employee is pursuing their life with passion (see point 1) and not merely staying within their comfort zone.

Conscientiousness

Thoughtful, dedicated and prepared – these three traits come together to form conscientiousness. These people will work hard to fulfil all of their obligations and never let you down. A conscientious candidate is gold dust to any employer.

It’s easy to spot conscientious candidates during an interview. They’re the ones who have prepared the most, and when asked a challenging question, instead of fumbling their way through, they take a moment to really consider and formulate a thoughtful response.

Determination

How does your candidate cope with challenges and setbacks? Do they have the internal drive to power through a difficult situation and come out the other side?

A determined person won’t shy away from questions about times of struggle at their former place of work. Instead, they’ll see it as an opportunity to express their fortitude and resilience.

Remember, the best candidate isn’t necessarily the best interviewer. If they’re nervous or take a few moments to answer a question, don’t rule them out. Consider the content of what they are saying, and base your decision on whether they have the key traits of a stellar employee.

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