7 Signs a Candidate Will Be an Engaged Employee
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Today's Question: What signs do you look for in candidates to determine whether or not they will be engaged on the job?
1. They Ask Questions That Show They've Imagined Themselves in the Role
Candidates who ask questions that reveal they've pictured themselves in the role and have considered some of the issues they could potentially face are likely to be engaged employees. These individuals have gone beyond researching what the company does; they anticipate what the job will require of them and ask questions to gather more data that will improve their understanding.
— Lynda Spiegel, Rising Star Resumes
2. The Role Meshes With Their Preferences and Abilities
— Cassie Rosengren, Digital Knack
3. Their Communication Is Open and Engaging
— Chris Clay Wilding, Wilding Consulting Inc.
4. Their Eagerness Shines Through
If in the first encounter we notice that the candidate knows nothing about our line of business but is eager to learn about it, eager to try new things with the company, and willing to take training, this is the kind of employee that we see will be engaged and dedicated to the type of work that we do.
— Jason Perkins, San Diego SEO Firm
5. They Persist Through Every Step of the Hiring Process
For us, how engaged an employee is on the job is directly linked to their enthusiasm, so we've had to develop systems to gauge how enthusiastic a candidate is about the job during the hiring process. The biggest predictor of this that we've found is a candidate's persistence throughout the application process. We require personal statements from all applicants, as well as answers to a few key questions relevant to the job and their experience, and those serve as the front line in weeding out candidates who aren't enthusiastic about the job.
— Scott Marquart, Stringjoy
6. They Have a History of Taking Initiative
We look for candidates who have a history of taking initiative. This could range from starting their own business, to volunteering at a nonprofit, to taking online courses to expand their skill set. There are tons of ways individuals can demonstrate their self-motivation during the hiring process.
Looking back on employees we have hired over the years, the most successful and engaged ones are people who set goals and take action. Instead of waiting to be told what to do, they proactively take on new assignments.
— Serena Holmes, Tigris Events