The ten qualities
of good employees
Who is the ideal employee for your company? Decide in advance which traits and qualities are important. The art is to recognize these traits in candidates.
Keeping promises
Reliability is very important in almost all positions. What an employee promises, they must deliver. If that doesn’t happen, chances are that others will constantly have to chase and check whether they have done their job.
Tips
- Pay attention to punctuality and realistic promises during the application process.
- During the probationary period, pay close attention to whether the new employee keeps their agreements. Make note of any ‘excuses’.
Strong communication skills
A good employee has strong communication skills. This means, among other things, that they are able to listen well and clearly get their point across both verbally and in writing. This is important because clear communication among employees reduces the likelihood of workplace conflicts.
Tips
- In the cover letter, look for correct spelling and sentence structure.
- During the interview, look for logical reasoning and clear answers.
Pleasant to work with
Simple manners make a world of difference. It’s about having a pleasant attitude toward others, for example by greeting colleagues and showing genuine interest. Additionally, someone with good manners won’t miss an opportunity to thank people when appropriate.
Tips
- Ask the person who greets the applicant to pay attention to the initial greeting.
- In some industries, such as hospitality, you can offer trial shifts to test hospitality skills.
Enthusiastic attitude
Enthusiasm is contagious. An employee who carries out their work with passion creates a positive atmosphere in the workplace. As a result, colleagues are likely to feel inspired. An employee with an enthusiastic attitude is a real asset to your company.
Tip
- Try to assess if someone will contribute to enjoyment in the workplace.
Helps others
Teamwork is the key to success. If an employee is ready to help others from time to time, you have a valuable team member. They are not only focused on their own success but also help the entire company move forward by offering colleagues a helping hand.
Tip
- You can have applicants complete a task as part of a team. Pay attention to their collaboration and ability to help others.
Straightforward
It’s not always easy to say things as they are. Still, you gain more from an employee who can do just that. If important matters are left unspoken, they linger in the background and can turn into bigger problems. Good employees are therefore straightforward.
Proactive
Good results often require hard work. For that, you need employees who know how to get things done. They have no trouble starting new tasks and don’t need constant instructions. Instead of getting sidetracked or stalled, they choose to quickly tick off the most important tasks.
Entrepreneurial mindset
Entrepreneurship is about seizing opportunities. A good employee understands this and does not feel uncomfortable when stepping outside of their comfort zone. They have the ambition to help your company move forward and are willing to take responsible risks. This is only possible with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Learns from mistakes
Every employee makes mistakes now and then. Of course, you want to avoid a workplace accident. Good employees actively look for the cause of their mistakes and learn from them. Because they learn from their mistakes, they are able to improve your company step by step.
Resilient to change
When a company grows, all sorts of changes occur. For example, job content might change, and roles and responsibilities may shift. Employees who are resilient to change know how to adapt to these circumstances.
Are you torn between two candidates or want extra confirmation that you’re choosing the right employees? A selection assessment can help. Plus, you’ll immediately have a clear development plan for your new employee.
