What Do Companies Look For?

Job Opening: Accounting Specialist

“We are looking for at least 1 year of experience for this position”

How often have you read or heard that requirement for a new job opening. In this economy, many firms are tightening their requirements for open positions and looking for that perfect candidate. The experience question is an interesting requirement. Are firms looking for experience running calculations, developing formulas, managing reports or utilizing income statements as part of this job?

As part of my research when writing How Hard Are You Knocking, I asked hiring managers what they meant by the word ‘experience’. Their answers were consistent. “I want someone who can hit the ground running, require less ramp-up time and understand the basics of the position responsibilities.”

In addition, many executives commented that experience also meant, working in teams, dealing with conflict, accomplishing tasks and dealing with people. Many firms list experience as an absolute, but as we will explore, experience is a multi-faceted outcome from ones past.

During my research, I found that many hiring managers, look for candidates that can fit within their firms personality and culture and would add value to their team, the position and the firm. Here are the top 10 traits that hiring manager’s look for.

1) Enthusiasm / Motivation: Passion for the industry, the company and the position.

2) Flexibility and Ability to Adapt:Someone willing to do what it takes to add value and accomplish a task.

3) Self-Confidence: Confidence while interacting with others and approaching a problem.

4) Reliability: Follow-through, achievement orientated and a finisher.

5) Detail Oriented: Quality in work, follow through and attention to a task

6) Customer Oriented: Ability to serve both external and internal customers.

7) Communication Skills: Writing ability, Presentation skills and ability to communicate in a team environment including dealing with conflict, mentoring and leadership.

8) Time Management Skills: Ability to multi-task and manage time commitments.

9) Teamwork Experience: Ability to lead people, take direction, and remain flexibility in a team.

10) Emotional Intelligence: Ability to understand ones strengths, reveal empathy in dealing with people, remain confident and approach situations with logic and street smarts.

These attributes can be derived in many ways such as class/group projects, professional and social organizations, internships and job experience. Develop a list of all of your accomplishments and experiences in the areas listed above and identify those traits that you believe highlight you and the value you can bring to a firm.

Interviewing is a game where one side is looking for the perfect person who can fit the position and the other person is selling their skills, abilities and desire during a brief interaction. Be prepared to tell your story and provide detailed examples that show your fit for the position and firm. For instance, if you were in a leadership position within your professional organization, sell your ability to motivate, deal with conflict and organize teams.

Learn to sell your college experience as your life experience. Research the firm and their position description and understand the firm’s culture. Once you fully understand the overall expectation for the role, develop a list of your skills, attributes and experiences that you believe would bring value to the firm. Prepare examples and sell these during the interview.

The most prepared candidates are landing the jobs today. Spend your time researching your top 10 target firms, develop a resume that sells your abilities that match the firm’s expectations and prepare your stories and examples for the interview.

About the Author: Augustine is a nationally acclaimed author and professional speaker focused on career development and corporate people strategies. He is the Author of the book How Hard Are You Knocking? and has been featured on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC and reviewed in USA Today, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, The Chicago Tribune, and The National Association for Campus Activities. He has made numerous radio and television appearances and has presented to over 300 organizations and 100,000 people throughout the United States. He is a contributing writer to Inc. Magazine, Fast Company and Monster.com on topics pertaining to the people strategies of successful organizations. His newest award winning seminar is titled “Landing a Job in a Difficult Economy” To learn more about Tim, his books and seminars series, please visit www.howhardareyouknocking.com or contact him directly at 248-447-2005.