Characteristics that Make a Great Employee

Chances are, you have met someone who you thought was a great employee, and you have met someone who you wondered why they were ever hired in the first place. The problem that many employers face is that so many people present themselves well in the interview but don’t perform at the expected level once they get the job. It can be difficult to tell if someone really is who they say they are. Part of how you can determine that in the interview, or at least get a better idea about who they are, is to ask questions that prompt them to discuss how they have behaved in certain situations.

For example, if you want to see if someone is adaptable and resilient, you might ask them something like, “Tell me about a time when your job responsibilities changed unexpectedly. How did you respond?” The workplace can often be unpredictable, and this sometimes requires employees to step up and take action that is not specifically listed under their job description. While you should not rely on someone to take on new responsibilities full-time without also adjusting their pay or title, there will be times when you need them to perform a new task here or there. You do not want to hire someone who will refuse to do something because they have a “that’s not my job” attitude. You want someone who will perform under pressure and who will be a team player.

Great employees understand that their own success and the success of the organization go hand in hand. They are not just focused on advancing themselves. They want the best for their team, and they will act accordingly. If you want to determine if someone has the ability to work through any problems that might arise between them and a coworker, you might ask them to tell you about a time when they disagreed with someone on their team and walk you through how they got past the disagreement. The average manager spends about 5 full weeks out of their year dealing with conflict, most of which is between employees. You want to hire someone who is able to work through their problems to the best of their ability before they involve a manager.

Some of the other characteristics that make a great employee are:

• Strong work ethic
• Positive attitude
• Effective communicator
• Problem solver
• Lifelong learner
• Innovative
• Takes accountability
• Etc.

Depending on the position that you are hiring for, you will want to ask the kinds of questions that will determine if the candidate can and will exhibit the characteristics that will make them successful in that particular job. The formula is not exact, but you will know best what you need out of your employees. When looking for new employees, the most important thing is that you recognize the candidate’s potential. They do not have to be perfect, and they likely won’t be, but you can train them to success if they are willing to learn.

-Meghan Slaughter