Whenever a young graduate appears for an interview, there is always a rapid heartbeat within them which keeps them excited at times and tense at others. The anticipation of what the outcome will be will probably fill their minds to not think beyond it.
This mindset might also bring in a certain sense of fear among the candidates as they will start to evaluate their performance, recollecting the most positive points that they have expressed at the interview and also the missed opportunities that they fear will cost them the job. The opportunities that they missed will cast a deep shadow of anxiety within them and will contribute a great deal to their unpleasant mood.
This situation could have been avoided if the candidates had an idea as to what desirable qualities an employer seeks from a candidate. This could have had a soft-tone effect on their mind and probably made them more relaxed, confident and positive when going through the process of selection.
I have come across many young graduates going blank and feeling dissatisfied with themselves for not having done their best at something that was certainly within their reach. It is definitely a lack of understanding about the employer’s perspective since every employer has a list of specific qualities that they seek from a potential employee.
Apart from technical knowledge, there are certain other aspects that employers look for. The following points will give you an idea about the desirable qualities that employers seek from candidates:
Long-term stability and potential: Employers are attracted to candidates who will stay committed for a long time to the company and demonstrate an ability to acquire various skills that would benefit the company. Candidates who are genuinely excited about a career path much beyond the initial position are more likely to be selected.
Ability to work independently: Employers look for candidates who can take responsibility on their shoulders and perform with less or no day-to-day supervision to achieve the expected results.
Getting along with others: Candidates must demonstrate team building skills and the ability to get along with others in the company.
Capable of multi-tasking: Companies seek to hire candidates who can deliver results effectively, displaying the ability to perform varied tasks within a specified period of time.
Problem-solving ability: The business environment is constantly evolving and changing, and to keep pace, the company and its staff are expected to adapt rapidly by throwing up more solutions to the problems that emerge with a creative and innovative approach.
Emotional stability: The maturity of the mind is always a key factor in determining the strength of the candidate. Emotional stability is a very desirable feature in candidates from the point of view of the employer.
Enthusiasm and passion: Candidates who are passionate and express inbuilt enthusiasm are always preferred over others. Most modern businesses and corporates these days require candidates with traits of professionalism, high energy and supreme confidence, which will elevate their company’s culture and stature.
The ability to look beyond and more particularly from the other person’s point of view will always be a winning attitude for individuals. In case of a placement scenario, if the candidates have an idea about the employer’s perspective, then they will emerge successful.
(Nicholas Francis is an HR mentor based in Madurai. He serves as a member of board of studies of Social Work in colleges and contributes to the professional training and development of institutes)
