What to Look for in a Great Employee in 2020 - Hiring for Success from Eyal Gutentag

A new year often comes with new endeavours, which can require new employees. But finding the right team member can be a difficult task. The right employee can greatly benefit your company, but bringing the wrong person on board can be costly. Knowing the best attributes to watch for while interviewing can save you time, money, and energy. When reviewing applicants, education and work experience are often considered, while personality traits are left unexamined. If you want to know what to look for in a great employee in 2020, you should consider the following attributes during your interview process.

What to Look for in a Great Employee in 2020

Creativity

No matter what industry you are in, you will benefit from creative employees in 2020. Competitive industries are continually changing and evolving - to keep up, you will need creative team members who can think outside the box and adapt to new circumstances. When looking for a great employee, consider their creative drive. The right candidate can generate new ideas, develop existing concepts further, and reinvent failed approaches.

Dependability

When hiring, you can’t neglect to consider a candidate's dependability. A dependable team member will not only be prompt and dedicated, but also consistent. Dependable employees tend to build strong relationships with other co-workers and management, as they naturally build trust with their stability. If you’re wondering what to look for in a great employee in 2020, dependability is a strong factor to evaluate.

Autonomy

A personality attribute I value that is often overlooked in the hiring process is autonomy. While it can be important for employees to be effective followers, a little independence can go a long way. When employees are confident and feel empowered to make their own decisions, they are able to accomplish more on their own, saving you time and energy. It is important to have employees that you can grow to trust who exhibit autonomy. This can help diminish the need to micromanage. Look to hire an employee who knows the right time to ask for help, but isn’t afraid to own a situation when the appropriate opportunity arises.

Attention to Detail

One of the most valuable traits I look for when hiring new employees is their attention to detail. Being detail-oriented doesn’t just mean catching small errors or calling out mistakes. A focus on detail ultimately contributes to the big picture of the company. Detail-focused employees often discover ideas or opportunities that the average person would overlook. Having a person on your team who is conscious of all your company’s moving parts can be incredibly valuable.

Character

Despite an employee’s other qualifications, you must consider whether they will be pleasant to be around a daily basis. Part of building a collaborative team is integrating new employees that will seamlessly fit into the company culture without causing major disruptions. An employee with a good outlook and personality can be a game changer when you spend 40 hours a week together in an office. When recruiting, consider that a new employee’s character can make the difference between a solid team and one with internal conflict. - Eyal Gutentag