A Hiring Manager’s Guide

Alex Simpson
3 min readSep 8, 2021

Hiring managers are always looking for the best person to fill a position. But what happens when you’re not sure which of two equally qualified candidates to hire? How do you know who the better candidate is? One way is by understanding how different types of people will approach problems and tasks on the job. In this guide, we’ll take a look at eight personality traits that can help to hire managers to make an informed decision about which candidate would be suitable for their company:

1) Curiosity

Curiosity is one of the essential traits for any employee to have. It’s also a trait that can be easily faked during an interview, so it’s essential to research candidates thoroughly before hiring them. If you know someone who works with a candidate or did in the past, ask about them and see if they respond positively when asked about their strengths and weaknesses.

2) Flexibility

As curious people, flexible ones are always open to learning new things and trying new ideas. They don’t like stagnation and encourage it in their co-workers. Flexible people are also more likely to consider alternative viewpoints, which is essential for managers who need people with good problem-solving skills.

3) Responsibility

When hiring employees, employers want ones who take responsibility for their actions and decisions. They don’t want employees who make excuses or blame others when something goes wrong. Employers also want employees willing to accept any adverse consequences of their decisions and take the initiative to fix them if they have made a mistake.

Employees with responsibility are more likely to take ownership of tasks, which is vital for organizations that do best when everyone works together towards a common goal. These employees will keep doing what needs to be done until the job is finished and won’t be afraid to ask for help when they need it.

4) Social Skills

Employees with strong social skills are more likely to thrive in an office environment because they can easily make friends and work well with other employees. They’re also better at communicating their needs and requests, which is why many employers value social skills in employees.

Employees with good social skills are generally more likable and tend to have higher workplace satisfaction because they feel their relationships with co-workers are productive and valuable.

5) Time Management Skills

Time is money, but it’s also something that all of us have a limited amount of each day. Employers want employees who manage their time well because they’re less likely to leave tasks unfinished. They will also be more productive during the workday and can get more done in a shorter amount of time.

Time management skills are essential for any employee, especially for managers or supervisors who need to ensure that everyone gets everything they need to get finished.

6) Positive Attitude

Employees with positive attitudes will have a better experience at work because they’re more likely to enjoy what they are doing. They can easily adjust to change, which is why employers want them on their team. Positive workers are also willing to help out their co-workers when necessary and encourage team building by supporting and celebrating the accomplishments of others.

Originally published at https://alex-simpson.org on September 8, 2021.

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Alex Simpson

Alex Simpson is the proud Construction Manager for BCPM Limited and based in Papua New Guinea. Visit Alex-Simpson.org for more information!