Dr. Benjamin Granger, Chief Workplace Psychologist and Head of EX Advisory Services at Qualtrics, with over a decade of experience in enhancing employee and job candidate experiences, shared with CNBC Make It that hiring top talents consistently remains a primary focus for them.
The Top Personality Trait Employers, Look For
Employers consistently prioritize conscientiousness when hiring new employees, which signifies a strong sense of responsibility, reliability, and diligence.
You might be familiar with the Big Five personality traits, part of the five-factor model:
- Openness to experience: Demonstrates a significant curiosity and imagination.
- Conscientiousness: Exhibits organization, responsibility, and diligence.
- Extraversion: Enjoys and gets energized by social interactions.
- Agreeableness: Cooperative and selfless in nature.
- Emotional stability: Secure and tends to have predictable emotional responses.
While all personality traits have relevance in specific roles, conscientiousness stands out for its ability to predict performance across various jobs, making it highly prized by employers. As organizational needs shift, employees often find their initial roles changing. Those with this trait are more likely to thrive regardless of the job, as they can adapt to evolving circumstances.
Demonstrating Conscientiousness
During the hiring process, you can demonstrate conscientiousness to potential employers in several ways. Many pre-hire personality assessments are based on the Big Five model, helping employers evaluate candidates' traits. Interviews also often include questions about past behaviors relevant to the job, allowing employers to assess organizational skills and work ethic.
When answering such questions, maintain a consistent structure to showcase conscientiousness by explaining the context, detailing your actions, sharing the outcomes, and discussing what you learned. Recruiters and hiring managers also assess conscientiousness through subtle cues like responsiveness to calls and emails, punctuality, and professionalism. Therefore, demonstrating punctuality and attention to detail, such as proofreading written materials, illustrates your reliability and commitment to work. This conscientious behavior should persist even after securing the job, as employers and managers observe small actions reflecting care, thoroughness, and proactivity.
Becoming More Conscientious
If you are uncertain about your level of conscientiousness, take some time for self-reflection by seeking feedback from a trusted friend or colleague. You can also consider taking a Big Five personality assessment online, which can provide valuable insights into your personality traits and help you understand your strengths and areas for development.
If these traits do not come naturally, you can establish support systems where needed. Introverts, for instance, might feel drained by constant social interaction in workplaces. However, they can still excel by setting boundaries and allocating dedicated time to focus and recharge. The same applies to conscientiousness. If you are not naturally organized, find tools to assist you, such as a digital assistant, time management coaching, or a weekly calendar review.
If conscientiousness is not your strong suit, do not pretend otherwise. While it might take some effort, it would potentially improve your chances of landing your next big shot.
