Are you aiming to move your career forward? Are you in the
running for a new job? Know that it will take more than smarts to get
ahead. Anyone can do a job. At the end of the day, what it really comes
down to is
how you do your job. Employers are looking for employees who do more than just
clock in and out each day. It’s
important to perform your job with the goal of not only doing your best
work but also being the best employee. Who you are matters just as much
as what you do.
It makes a big difference when you fulfill your job requirements
while also being mindful of how your actions affect those you work with.
Who you are as a person, and your habits (whether good or bad) can
determine how far you get in your career or even if you get hired for a
new job. Roughly 77% of employers
say
soft skills (attributes that are associated with your personality) are
as important as hard skills (these are the skills you need to perform a
specific job function) when it comes to job candidate evaluations.
While there are certainly exceptions (there are plenty of
mean people who get far in life), it often pays to work in a way that honors both you and your teammates.
If you’re looking to get ahead at work, there are certain key
personality traits that can help you attain career success. Here are
five attributes that will make any employer want you on their team.
1. Motivation
Motivated man | iStock.com
If you’ve lost your get-up-and-go, find it. No one should have to
hold your hand and closely supervise you just so that you can get your
basic tasks done. A lack of desire to do your best work is not only
frustrating for your employer but also a morale killer for your
co-workers. Get excited about your job and see how your work improves.
Learn a new skill, join an
employee network,
or find ways to help your teammates. If you just can’t seem to get
passionate about your job, maybe it’s time for a change. Either consider
taking on a new role at the company, changing jobs, or doing a total
career overhaul. It’s possible your chosen career
just isn’t right for you.
A motivated employee, on the other hand, is one who has an infectious
passion for the job. He or she doesn’t have to be told twice to do
their work. This the type of worker who can jump in to help with a
project, lead a team, and who genuinely cares about the work he or she
produces. Motivated employees are more productive and tend to have a
better chance at getting promoted.
2. Adaptability
Working from home | iStock.com/g-stockstudio
Employers must grow and change to keep up with the competition. Are
you willing to grow and change with them? Employees who are resistant to
change and insistent on doing things the old way will get left behind.
If you want to move forward in your career, you’ll need to be willing to
support your employer during times of transition. Instead of resisting
new ideas and methods of getting things done, aim to be flexible and
open to ideas that differ from yours. Change could prove to be good for
your career. You may find yourself in a new role that catapults you to a
higher rung on the ladder.
3. Integrity
Man working at a desk | iStock.com
Do you steal pens from the office? Do you leave work early when no
one’s watching? You might think no one notices, but there’s always
someone who has an eye on you. Whether you think someone is watching or
not, behave as if the CEO is sitting right next to you. Choose to do the
right thing even when you’re tempted to fulfill your selfish desires.
Hiring managers employ those they both like and trust. You never know
who is watching you, so behave.
4. Discipline
Businessman | iStock.com/shironosov
If you hope to be a boss one day, you’ll need to develop
self-discipline. If you can’t manage yourself, how can your boss expect
you to manage others? This involves being on time for work and resisting
the temptation to skip those boring meetings that have nothing to do
with you. Also remember that discipline is more than checking off boxes
on your
to-do list.
Your attitude counts. An employee who does a good job with a bad
attitude won’t get very far at work or in life. You’ll also be miserable
to work with.
5. Kindness
Meeting | iStock.com
You don’t have to step on people to get ahead at work. It’s not
always the nasty employees who win in the end (a lot of the time they
do, but we’ll talk about that later). It’s OK to pursue your career
goals, but it’s also important to have others’ best interests in mind.
Don’t become so focused on advancement that you ignore the feelings and
needs of those around you. Work may be the last place you want to be
kind, but being likeable can get you far. Likeable people tend to have
an
easier time finding employment
and generally get more co-worker support. So think twice before you
steal your colleague’s idea or reach into the office refrigerator and
take a bite out of someone’s sandwich and then put it back. (You know
that was you.)
Culled from Money & Career Cheat Sheet:
