VA for Professionals

15 April 2024

Struggling to stand out? It might be time to take it personally…

Although it can seem like experience, knowledge and qualifications are the only factors a prospective employer is interested in – your personality also plays a big part in your suitability.

To make sure you’re highlighting your personal qualities as well as your skills, here’s a quick explanation of the difference between them – and five personal qualities most valued by employers:

Personal skills vs. personal qualities

So, skills are all a potential employer really wants to see, right?

Not necessarily. In fact, whilst skills are generally things you learn or pick up over time through professional experience or training, qualities are those softer attributes that you develop through life experiences and personal growth.

That’s not to say qualities can’t be developed, but they’re generally more inherent.

Communicating both your skills and your personal qualities – and how you bring the two together – is a vital tool to help impress a potential employer. Not to mention help you succeed in your chosen role.

Confidence

Employers also want someone who can prove their abilities, know their worth, and actually follow through with their claims. After all, if you’re not sure of yourself, how can they be sure of you?

Remember: it’s not just about what you say, it’s also about how you say it.

Proactivity

Do you wait to be told what to do, or do you lead by example?

If you veer towards the latter, you’re probably the proactive worker that a lot of employers are looking for. A team of quick thinkers with a high level of initiative is key to a smooth-running workplace.

Example: talk about previous instances that prove you can use your initiative to get things done – whether it’s taking the lead on a project, noticing a mistake and fixing it, or prioritizing tasks effectively. show an active interest in the role.

Resilience

No matter what the job is, roadblocks will always come up.

This means that employers need someone who’s able to approach unexpected challenges in an optimistic, non-defeatist manner. This means not only being able to solve problems, but also being able to learn and grow from adversity.

If you’re passionate about your goals, even in the face of adversity, you’re more likely to do what it takes to get there.

Adaptability

Change is a natural part of business.

Not only will employers be looking for someone who’s open to that, but they’ll also want someone who can be flexible and adaptable in their work.

For example, if you work in a large department store, and need to cover for someone in a different section of the shop), prioritize your workload according to the most up-and-coming projects, or take on extra responsibilities – adaptability is vital in almost every workplace.                                                                                                                                      

Positivity

Let’s face it, your attitude matters.

Even if you’re fully qualified for a job, a negative attitude can put you at the bottom of the candidate list. Not only will you come across as unenthusiastic, but you could also imply that you’d rather focus on the bad than the good.

And even if you don’t think you’re being negative – anything from the way you talk about previous mistakes or problems, to how you answer competency questions, can imply a pessimistic attitude.

So be careful with your wording and make sure you focus on the positives in every situation – even if the outcome wasn’t easy to obtain.

Read the full article here:

Five personal qualities valued by employers | reed.co.uk

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