Identifying the Essential Skill Set Your New Hires Need
Skills are quickly becoming the currency of the business world. In the past, employers were often focused on a new hire’s hard skills—their expertise as it relates to a particular sector or type of work. Today, essential skills are more likely to fall into the category of “soft” skills. These are the qualities that dictate employees’ ability to assimilate into the company culture, to work well with colleagues, to overcome unforeseen obstacles and to pursue the innovation that growing companies need.
Essential skills for employees will certainly vary depending on the organization and the work for which it is hiring, but there are some basic skill sets that can make any new hire a promising contributor to the company. Keeping these in mind as you craft job descriptions and hiring strategies can help you find the right fit early on.
6 Top Skills to Look for Throughout the Recruiting & Hiring Process
Interpersonal: More frequently, today’s work is being done in team formats, which makes interpersonal skills a necessity. Employees should be able to work harmoniously with colleagues of varying backgrounds and beliefs.
Analytical: An analytical mind can help organizations forecast problems, figure out solutions, and usher in change quickly. This is especially important today, as many businesses have been challenged in recent months to become adaptable and agile. This shift can be supported by employees with strong analytical skills.
Communication: No matter the business, the ability to communicate is among the top essential skills for employees to have. Whether employees work remotely, in an in-person setting, on teams or independently, their verbal and written communication should be clear and succinct in order to help them carry out both their job duties and the mission of the organization. Lack of good communication skills is one of the top problems we see, which is why we thoroughly test each candidate on a variety of writing, grammar, email etiquette skills.
Leadership: All employees, even entry level ones, should possess a degree of leadership skills, as these can help foster the creativity and innovation today’s businesses need. Candidates who demonstrate a passion for their work and confidence in their ideas often go on to become high performers within the organization.
Teamwork: When employees can come together to collaborate and share their expertise, the business is much better positioned for success. Applicants who show a willingness to learn from others and humility that can support that practice are likely to be team players.
Technical: While softer essential skills for employees are key for employers to watch out for, they must also remain cognizant of any technical expertise needed for a vacant position. Be clear from the start of the hiring process about educational or experiential requirements that would be vital for carrying out the responsibilities of the work.
Craft Effective Job Descriptions
Struggling to write a job description that focuses on the right skills so you can hire qualified staff and elevate your company’s goals? An experienced staffing agency can help you draft effective job posts and field applicants. Our staffing solutions are curated to identify candidates in Washington, D.C., or Maryland that fit what your organization needs to grow. The staffing experts at Elite Personnel can be your trusted partner in finding talented remote and in-office candidates and advancing your DE&I initiatives. Call us at 301.951.3333 today.