If you’re like many business owners and managers, you are probably heavily focused on candidates’ hard skills. You’re looking for someone who knows the systems and processes you use, and who can hit the ground running on day one. While these skills are undoubtedly important, they don’t tell the whole story. To find the best candidates, pay attention to soft skills. While hard skills describe what a candidate can do, soft skills describe how people operate within a work environment. Here are five soft skills you should look for in candidates for any position.
Adaptability
What does a typical day look like in your office? Is there such a thing, or is your environment dynamic and ever-changing? The more fast-paced the environment, the more adaptable your candidates must be. However, even the most routine office sometimes gets shaken up.
Think about the worst day your company has had—a comedy of errors when everything went wrong. Would you want the candidate by your side on a day like that? Adaptable employees don’t get flustered when project requirements change, or copy machines stop working. They multi-task, change direction and go with the flow.
Problem Solving
Problem-solving abilities are a real asset for employees in all types of jobs. From designing new systems to handling customer complaints, all employees will run into difficulties. If they’re able to think on their feet, consider the problem from different angles, and implement solutions, your business will benefit from increased productivity and better customer service.
Organization/Time Management
The best employees are on top of their work. Some are responsible for accounting for all the manufacturing parts at a workstation. Others manage all aspects of a product lifecycle. Still, others keep up with a phone that never stops ringing. They know how to prioritize projects and how to schedule their day to meet important deadlines or quotas.
Curiosity
The best employees have a genuine curiosity about the world around them. They are always learning, growing, and improving themselves. They should be interested in getting better at their work, and in learning about how your company operates.
Communication
Communication is key to any business. In industrial jobs, strong communication improves workplace safety as well as productivity and ultimately, profits. Whether an employee works alone or is part of a team, he or she should effectively relay information to coworkers and supervisors.
Ready to Get Started?
To learn how Custom Staffing can help you hire the best candidates for any industrial position, contact us at 419-221-3097 today.
