What employers look for in candidates
Understanding what an employer wants to find out about you as a candidate will give you a head start in showing them why they should hire you.
In a nutshell, employers want to know four key things about you as a candidate.
Do you want the job?
Do you have a passion for the role? Do you show enthusiasm for their organisation, for what they do and for their customer? Research the employer thoroughly and be crystal clear in communicating why you want to work for them in your applications and interviews, and why they should hire you. Build that connection!
Can you do the job?
Employers want someone who will get on with the job and hit the ground running. Show that you have the transferable soft and hard skills needed to perform well in that role, and what are you doing to upskill yourself for any you lack. Tell a story that makes it easy for an employer to connect the dots with relevant and compelling examples on your CV, cover letter, personal statement, and at interview too.
Will you be a good fit for the team, the role, and the company?
Does the culture, values and mission of the company match how you like to work and be in the world? Are you a team player? Do their leadership and management styles connect with how you like to be led and managed so you can be at your most effective and play to your strengths? More importantly, what can you uniquely add to the culture of that team and organisation that it doesn't already have? Be a trailblazer!
Why should I invest in you?
Show your potential! Work experience, whether paid or unpaid, volunteering, temping, in person or virtual shows you have been exposed to work environments and that you know your way around how a business office works. This is a huge advantage as a candidate and shows you are someone who is confident, ambitious, motivated and proactive, and have a certain level of professionalism -all great attributes to an employer.
Suggested Reading
By Anna Gordon - Certified Business Coaching Psychologist ABP CBCP
