When it comes to hiring someone for their team, nearly every employer likely already has an image of their ideal candidate in mind. Whether it’s someone who isn’t afraid to push the envelope or someone who is reliable, trustworthy and gets their work done on time, the “ideal” hire can vary from employer to employer, sometimes making it difficult for potential candidates to know what qualities they should emphasize in their application.
To provide a little bit of guidance, business leaders from Young Entrepreneur Council list 11 words they’d use to describe their ideal employees and explain what it is about those specific characteristics that makes someone such a great hire.
1. Motivated
An ideal employee is motivated. A motivated employee is passionate, takes initiative, puts in extra effort, seeks growth opportunities and is resilient. They can bring significant value to the organization and have a positive impact on company culture and morale. – Nic DeAngelo, Saint Investment – Real Estate Funds
2. Curious
If I had to choose one word to describe my ideal employee, it would be “curious.” I’m a firm believer in constant innovation. When you hire employees who do exactly what they are told instead of asking questions and trying to understand why systems are in place, you may create blind spots and miss out on amazing opportunities to grow and evolve. I also like curious employees because they force me to reflect on my decisions, which means I have the chance to ask myself, “Is this really the best way to accomplish our goals?” – Daman Jeet Singh, FunnelKit
3. Responsible
The top word I’d use to describe my ideal employee is “responsible.” This is because I run a fully remote company and there’s no way to manually track the work of over a hundred people in different time zones. We need people who make an effort to understand what their tasks are and then carry them out. They have to be responsible for their work. Such a characteristic serves employees too because it means that no one is going to micromanage them. Being responsible makes it possible to work your own hours in a remote setting, and it helps me hire people from anywhere in the world too. – Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner
4. Resourceful
My ideal employee is resourceful. Rather than bringing every hiccup to the team or their supervisor, this employee is capable of fixing small issues on their own, and they are resourceful enough to present problems alongside possible solutions. By definition, they are a quick and clever worker because they have the confidence to problem-solve on their own. – Leila Lewis, Be Inspired PR
5. Determined
I like to say that finding someone who has a “fire in their belly” and who is passionate about what the organization does is the number one nonnegotiable trait I look for in employees. Starting and running a business is hard, and the best companies don’t spend time motivating employees. Instead, they hire people who are already motivated by the mission and goals of the company. The best way to build a business with the right people is to ensure everyone is excited about your mission and has that fire in their belly. – Arian Radmand, IgnitePost
6. Adaptable
We work in the marketing industry—the sphere that doesn’t have a template for anything. When it does, it’s probably too late. So everybody on our team has to be able to implement new ways of doing things pretty much every quarter. We realize that this is not for everybody, so it’s extremely important that whoever is joining our team is able to thrive in an ever-changing environment. – Solomon Thimothy, OneIMS
7. Solution-Oriented
An ideal employee for any brand is one who possesses a solution-oriented or opportunity-seeking mindset. These employees bring with them a unique set of qualities and skills that can significantly contribute to the success and growth of a company. One of the most significant benefits of having such qualities is that it enables employees to approach challenges and obstacles positively and creatively. Instead of feeling demotivated by problems, solution-oriented or opportunity-seeking employees perceive them as opportunities to learn, grow and innovate. This perspective encourages them to think outside the box and explore new and innovative ways to solve problems. This leads to more efficient and effective solutions and helps the company thrive. – Kelly Richardson, Infobrandz
8. Diligent
Having a diligent employee helps ensure that tasks are completed on time and to a high standard. This employee is able to stay focused and motivated and is willing to put the extra effort in to get the job done. This is an ideal trait to have in an employee and can help create a positive work environment. – Rachel Beider, PRESS Modern Massage
9. Committed
For me, being committed checks all the boxes that make a person the right fit for the respective role. Committed employees won’t shy away from learning new skills that can help increase performance, embracing company values, keeping the company’s goals before their own, getting the job done and, most importantly, staying devoted to the responsibilities assigned to them. So, onboarding a person who’s committed may increase your chances of finding the right fit for the company. – Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
10. Independent
If I had to pick one word, it would be “independent.” Whether someone is working alone or on a team, they also need to be able to take initiative, think for themselves and sometimes come up with their own solutions. An independent employee is someone who doesn’t simply follow what everyone else is doing but who looks for new and creative solutions. Of course, they also need to balance independence with being a team player and serving the needs of the project or client. – Kalin Kassabov, ProTexting
11. Proactive
Proactive employees are those who take initiative, are forward-thinking and go above and beyond what is expected of them. They take ownership of their work and are always looking for ways to improve processes and outcomes. Proactive employees are self-motivated, adaptable and able to work independently, which can save time and increase productivity. They are also able to anticipate and prevent problems before they occur, leading to improved efficiency and cost reductions. Overall, having proactive employees can help drive innovation and growth within the organization, leading to long-term success and a competitive edge in the market. – Kyle Goguen, Pawstruck