Your resume shows off your skills, qualifications, experience, education and probably a few dozen other heroic highlights. But it will only get you so far. At some point, your intangible qualities will take over and can make you shine brighter than someone with a similar resume. Here are four characteristics you can develop to help you find your dream job.
What Makes You A Great Hire?
#1: Have a positive attitude
Strive to be the person who wears a smile every day, someone that other people are attracted to and want to be around. Your energy is always contagious, so employers would much rather hire someone who’s pleasant and enthusiastic than someone who complains or is grumpy. Those chipper moods spill over into your work habits and how you treat those around you. So, practice being grateful, focusing on the positive, and rewarding yourself with small treats that will put you in a cheery mood.
#2: Be confident
Confidence can go a long way, in both your personal and professional lives. It’s not the same thing as being arrogant. Confidence is carrying yourself proudly and believing that you’re capable of completing a challenging task. If you don’t believe in yourself, then others will have trouble believing in you, too. But if you convey a spirit of determination and tenacity, then you’ll earn admiration from co-workers and supervisors, setting yourself up for promotion. Practice accepting challenging tasks, always believing that you can accomplish them, and don’t ever hesitate to ask for help when you need it.
#3: Be communicative
Communication skills are necessary in every job in every field. Whether you’re running a meeting, asking for a raise, offering and receiving feedback, or selling a product, you need to speak clearly, write clearly, or both. And speaking and writing skills are always apparent during the hiring process—either in an interview, or your cover letter, or in a report from your references. If your conversation skills are lacking, practice. Try engaging friends or strangers in small talk, even when it’s uncomfortable. The more you practice, the better you’ll get and the more confident you’ll become. If you struggle with writing, start a journal or compose emails to friends and family members so that you’re writing every day. Make sure your grammar and spelling are accurate and your syntax is clear.
#4: Be hardworking
Last but not least, you need to be a hard worker, no matter what you do. Show up on time, meet deadlines, and even stay a little late. Make sure you’re completing every task and assignment so that it’s your absolute best work. Show that you’re passionate and enthusiastic about your job and your industry. Ask your boss for more responsibility and think of innovative ways to show that you’re going above and beyond.
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