Which personality traits are managers or bosses looking for in an employee? This is a vital question if you are looking for new job in this hard economy, trying to gain a promotion in your current job, or plainly seeking the respect you think you deserve. Through my research online (and also asking the Quality Logo Products owners and managers), I was able to come up with a list of 4 personality traits that seem to be the most common. Hopefully, this will help you as you better yourself at your current job or as a future hire!
1. Self-Motivation
If you are a self-starter, you require constant supervision. It is good for you.
The definition of motivate is to give somebody a reason or incentive to do something. Through this definition, one can conclude that for an employee to be motivated they must feel like they are making a difference with what they are doing or that by succeeding at this particular job will lead to other career advances. For an employee to be motivated, he or she must feel one of these things. Now that we all understand a little better what motivation is, let us take a better look at why motivation is so essential to the “perfect employee.”
It doesn’t matter if the boss is a CEO of a Fortune 500 company or a manager of a McDonald’s: he or she is looking for employees that do not have to be micro-managed. Ideal employees should be able to take on a job or task and figure out a solution without having to be harassed by the manager throughout the entire day. This takes a “get it done” type of personality in which they are not afraid to help out with things without being asked or constantly nagged. Bosses want to be confident that things are getting done when they turn their back on employees, because if their team is made up of motivated people then they know that tasks will be completed.
2. Positive Attitude
Who would you rather have on your team?
I don’t think I need to recite a definition of a positive attitude. We have all worked with people who complain and disrupt other employees, but we have also worked with people who always have something nice to say and can boost your mood when you’re having a bad day. I can picture you now, either looking around your office or picturing people in your mind that fit either one of these descriptions. Now, I want you to ask yourself who you would rather work with.
I’m going to take a wild guess and say the latter employee or co-worker: the person with a positive attitude and enthusiasm. Managers know that these types of people will be able to boost spirits when the team is falling apart or there is a big crisis. Smiles and a friendly attitude can also go a long way in an interview, because it will convey that you would be pleasant to work with. What’s the most important thing to take away from trait number two? If you can’t be positive and happy all the time (like me), then it is important to remember that bad attitudes bring down the team! So, even if your day is not going perfectly, try to refrain from taking it out on others and find another outlet. Let’s face it — attitudes are contagious. Positivity is not just beneficial to the boss, because it’s also beneficial to colleagues who’d rather not work alongside a “Debbie Downer”!
3. Organization
Stay organized and you’ll be amply rewarded.
I am referring to multiple organizational skills when I say that employees should be organized. This trait means being able to organize work but also able to organize thoughts, people, and time. What do I mean by organizing people? A superior employee is able to work and get along with other employees in teams while figuring out what each individual is able to do. Time management is one of the biggest problems that employees face.Overcoming the obstacle will give you needed points with a boss, because an efficient employee is a productive employee. And what kind of boss wouldn’t want that?
I have one more suggestion for those of you wondering if you could be more productive for your boss; keep a journal of all your activities during the day. You will most likely be astounded at the amount of time you spend surfing the web, talking to coworkers, or texting (if not, then you have nothing to worry about). Being organized comes down to being as efficient and productive at your job as you can and reaching those deadlines with plenty of time to spare.
4. Confidence
Be confident in your abilities!
The interview is the first time a future employer will really be able to see this part of you. An interview can be very overwhelming and sometimes feel like a firing squad of questions, which the interviewee needs to answer quickly. The best advice I can give to someone going into an interview is to be PREPARED. Go over some general questions in your head before an interview so that you feel comfortable with your answers beforehand. If you are confident in the interview, then the employer will be positive that he or she can trust you with anything he or she throws at you.
If you are already in a secure position and you are wondering how you can show your boss just how confident you really are, then I would recommend that you simply show it through your work. Don’t be scared to stand up for your accomplishments. I guarantee an employer would rather you stand by what you did, even if it is wrong, than slither away at the first criticism. Other personality traits can be easily improved upon, but lack of confidence in yourself and your work is had to overcome!
After writing and researching this topic, I was able to take a good long look at myself and what types of things that I can do to be a superior employee. I hope that you are able to do the same! Don’t be afraid to ask your manager what he or she thinks you can do to improve.