With only a little bit of time remaining before the New Year, a lot of people are looking to kick off 2015 on a fresh note.
Recently, I started the hiring process for sales professionals within one of my companies, which partners with nonprofits.
I know during this time of year people think, perhaps, of moving jobs during the coming year and they set their mind to start looking early in the first quarter so they can be in a new place or job by summer.
I have been in a hiring position for many years and there are certainly some key qualities and attributes that span across most industries with regard to the desirability of a job applicant.
It is important to remember, as unfair as it may seem to prospective employees, it's a buyer's market.
In other words, there are many candidates for any one position, so employers have their pick.
This means in today's competitive job market, candidates need to bring their "A game.
" Confidence - When I am interviewing someone whom I have never met, one of the first things I want to see is confidence.
This means, even if you are nervous, you can never let it show.
Do whatever relaxation techniques that work best for you right before any interview and then walk in to meet with your potential employer with a high-level of confidence (not to be confused with cockiness).
This shows employers that you feel comfortable in your own skin, and if that's the case, they are going to be more inclined to let you work on their projects.
Intelligence - An interview is a time to evaluate someone's intelligence.
Everything you say, or don't say, speaks volumes.
When I am interviewing perspective candidates, I want to know they are able to think on their feet.
This demonstrates they can think through challenges that may come along the line in their respective job.
Don't discount any question an employer might ask as inane or inconsequential.
If they are asking it, there's a reason.
I also want to see how well a prospective candidate has learned about my companies and the industry where I work, even if they have never worked in the sector prior to our conversation.
I don't mind someone who is green.
They just have to show me their willing to learn.
Initiative - I can't stress this enough.
Today's business world demands initiative and creative thinking from entry-level employees to senior management.
People need to know how to take calculated risk and be constantly seeking to make the end product better.
I don't want to work with people who are not looking for how to improve the business.
Today's working environment, and my teams, are comprised of people who think through challenges and offer suggestions and ideas to make our work better.
Better productivity, in turn, provides better results and a better working environment.
Personality - I mentioned that I wanted to see someone who is comfortable in his or her own skin.
Within my teams, as in life, I have people who are extroverts and introverts.
I don't expect everyone to be an extrovert, but I do expect him or her to be true to who they are as individuals.
I expect them to stand by their convictions and passion, demonstrate the highest ethical values and be able to engage in a productive and positive fashion with the people they need to work with within the company and on the outside.
By being true to themselves, people become likeable since others do not perceive someone with an artificial and disingenuous personality.
Leadership - Today's business environment is a lot about being unique.
With so much opportunity and resources available to everyone, it's incumbent on all job applicants and employees to demonstrate leadership qualities.
Employers today are looking for someone who stands out, is thoughtful, goal oriented and can effectively engage others to follow his or her line of thinking.
As a manager, there are few things greater than working alongside smart leaders - even when you are the boss.
They make the work challenging in a good way and help managers to see things in ways they might not otherwise have considered.
As you sit down to review your resume and prepare to look into a potential job change next year, think carefully about the image you are projecting.
Make sure your resume demonstrates your skills and qualities around leadership, for example.
And, when you enter into interviews with prospective employers, ensure you have practiced and even role-played with a friend so you are comfortable and confident with your answers.
You certainly want to be able to show a new employer your competence and experience, but it is also critically important to show those intangible personality qualities that make you unique and the best person for the job.
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