How to get that job you want and keep it. What employers look for in an ideal candidate.

The classic saying “Put yourself in someone else’s shoes” applies here more than ever. You need to put yourself in the shoes of the person interviewing you and of the company hiring you. If you had a position that needed to be filled in your own company, would you not screen everyone with a fine tooth comb? This is your “baby” after all; its financial livelihood depends on the daily decisions and actions of your employees.

Would you not seek someone with a sense of loyalty, curiosity, enthusiasm and pride in their work? You would look for a person that would go the extra mile, take ownership, be autonomous and approach everything with a desire to master that task. Would you not wonder if they are going to be the “right fit” for your company? Would the person feel comfortable in the corporate culture, would it be an environment where they could thrive and grow?

This is where you need to do your research on the company beforehand and be able to prove why they should hire you. It not only allows you the opportunity to show them why they would want to hire you, but also gives the chance to know why you would want to work for them! There are classic traits that every employer looks for, but there are also Industry specific ones as well. Know the industry, know the company. Would you not hope for a resourceful and creative person?

A good interview question that comes up from time to time is “Name one mistake you made in a past job, and describe the steps you took to correct it”. This is an important question because it realizes we are all human, we are not perfect; however it is our ability to solve the problem that shows our potential, whether they were of our own creation or not.

Lastly, be that person you would want working for you. That is the biggest key to excelling at any job … it’s all about your attitude, what you put forth determines what you will receive in return.