How to Answer: What personality traits do you look for in people you are hiring?
4. What personality traits do you look for in people you are hiring?
How to Answer
If this management position requires you to attract new talent and make hiring decisions, you must know how to make a good hire! The interviewer wants to know which qualities you value the most when hiring new team members.
Many people will respond to this question by saying they look for a 'positive personality' or candidates who are 'honest' and 'enthusiastic.' Challenge yourself to stand apart from the rest by providing a more thoughtful answer. Show the interviewer that you understand which qualities would work best for their organizational values and company mission.
Answer Example
"When I am hiring, I look for individuals with grit and drive. People who have a record of fighting through tough times rather than giving up tend to be the best employees. They are usually loyal and often willing to go the extra mile without being asked."
Admin
"Administration work is often done solo; however, it also requires collaborating with other departments, sharing ideas, and supporting leaders. When hiring new administrative candidates, I look for evidence they are self-driven while also being collaborative."
Manager
"I look at experience and qualifications, of course; however, most of all, I seek relational competence. Relational competence is summed up by the 'set of traits that allow people to interact with each other effectively.' I must look for someone with the personality to fit in and thrive in a fast-paced environment."
Marketing
"I look for employees that are versatile, able to adapt, and can find direction in an ambiguous work environment. Marketing is fast-paced, and any candidate I choose must keep up, even when rules are not clear. They should also be creative and willing to take calculated risks. When I interview candidates, I ask for evidence of these traits in the form of previous accomplishments and story-based responses."
Retail
"It's important to look for a few key characteristics such as being a helpful person and possessing an upbeat disposition, especially in a customer-service driven role. I also look for a candidate's drive to go after their own goals. If a candidate is determined, easy to hold a conversation with, and likable, they are most likely to thrive in a retail environment."
Sales
"When adding to my team, I look for passionate, dedicated people who are ambitious and driven to win. I believe these characteristics are essential for sales success. I also look for someone who knows how to get what they want without burning bridges in the process, an essential skill for working in a competitive environment."
Teacher
"I have never been in a position of hiring teachers; however, I can tell you the characteristics I look for when I need to choose a substitute teacher. I look for someone reliable who communicates promptly and has the flexibility to connect with my students. A teacher who can take direction but also generates ideas of their own is one I would choose to run my classroom in my absence."
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