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What Employers Are Looking For
There are 6 key areas an employer will evaluate you on. Aim to outshine in every one of them.
The interview seat looks tired and worn and you know you have a difficult task ahead of you, competing with all those candidates who occupied the chair before you. The next time you find yourself seated across the desk from a potential employer, bear in mind that there are 6 key areas you will be evaluated on and aim to outshine in every one of them! The following is provided by the career experts at the Middle East's #1 job site bayt.com
1. Work Experience and Education
Your skills, credentials and training will be paramount in placing you above the fray. Have all your relevant work experience at the tip of your tongue and ready to recite. There is no substitute for the right experience and qualifications and you need to be able to recite a history and general aptitude for success in the given role and industry. The right credentials coupled with sound examples of how these credentials have been professionally applied in different positions to add to productivity will be the main determinants of your suitability for any role.
2. Business Sensibility
Employers look for candidates with a sound understanding of how businesses in general, and this business in particular, are run. They are looking for efficiency-minded people with an eye for productivity and the bottom line and a keen sense of business policies and procedures. In any position you apply for, the employers are looking for individuals with finely honed problem-solving skills who can identify and define a problem with clarity and find and implement the optimal business solution.
3. Enthusiasm and Willingness to Learn
Attitude alone will not get you the job but goes a long way in bridging the gap between you and a potential employer. Enthusiastic employees with a positive attitude typically show more initiative in their role and are more likely to go the extra mile. In any role, your initial learning curve will probably be steep and employers want to be sure that you are willing to make the effort and put in the time to learn the ropes, perfect the role and continue to take the initiative to make positive strides forward. Moreover, employers know that enthusiasm is contagious and they hope that adding an employee with a positive attitude and unbounded energy will rub off positively on the rest of the team and elevate the general morale and spirit of the unit.
4. Work Ethic
A professional attitude, work style and work ethic are critical in any business setting. You need to demonstrate dedication and commitment to the company and your career, honesty, integrity, sound business judgment, motivation and reliability. Make sure you always present yourself in a professional light and have a keen understanding of how your professional role impacts the company and the bottom line.
5. Interpersonal Skills
Your emotional intelligence and ability to get along well with peers, management and clients will play a key role in your success and will be under the spotlight during the interview. Be sure to demonstrate that you are a cooperative team player and have no problems interacting with other people. In a poll run by Bayt.com, 15% of employers polled cited that interpersonal skills was the area they found it most challenging to meet the required standards in their candidate sourcing and assessment activities. In another bayt.com poll, 79% of employers cited that in their opinion candidates needed to brush up on their soft skills - of them 37% cited that the candidates they interviewed needed to dramatically improve their soft skills.
6. Manageability
Even star performers have to report to their boss and have to follow company rules and procedures. An employer's worst nightmare is an entrepreneurial type who cannot take directions and is focused on outperforming in his own little domain independent of the team and the manager. Make sure you emphasize your ability to work in a team, follow the chain of command and take instructions, advice and constructive criticism positively.
This article and all other intellectual property on Bayt.com is the property of Bayt.com. Reproduction of this article in any form is only permissible with written permission from Bayt.com.
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Reader Comments
Very precisely defined, benefiting all those who want to ensure a better chance of success in acquiring jobs.
Tue 20-Jan-2009 06:16 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
موقع رائع جدا
Thu 08-Jan-2009 21:02 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Very informative and morale boosting
Tue 23-Dec-2008 03:45 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
THANK YOU
Sat 20-Dec-2008 07:34 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
You have covered all!thanks
Thu 18-Dec-2008 14:10 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
A good article, I must say. I have worked in HR and IT domains for the past three decades in India and abroad with MNCs and reputed Indian companies at very senior levels. I strongly believe that while educational background gives an entry, it is the EQ that takes an employee to the top. My definition of IQ and EQ are Integrity & Intelligence quotient and Emotional & Ethics quotient.
Tue 09-Dec-2008 11:46 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks for sharing this useful information..this will greatly improve the chances of jobseekers in getting hired..keep up the good work!!and best regards!!!
Fri 28-Nov-2008 23:51 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا علي هذا المجهود الرائع جزاكم الله خيرا
Wed 26-Nov-2008 17:07 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
يعطيكم العافية على ماتقدمونة من عمل وخدمات
Mon 10-Nov-2008 14:03 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جعلكم الله اهلا للخير واحسن عملكم في الدنيا والاخرة وجزاكم الله عنا كل الخير لما تقدموة من جهد كبير في موعقكم الكريم
Thu 06-Nov-2008 19:11 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزاكم الله كل خير
Mon 03-Nov-2008 14:27 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزاكم الله كل الخير عن الخدمات المقدمه بالموقع .
Sun 02-Nov-2008 10:20 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا لكم على جهودكم وجزاكم الله خيرا وشكرا.
Fri 31-Oct-2008 21:01 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
its really good and i hope so that it will helps me.......thanks alot
Mon 20-Oct-2008 03:02 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
am very happy about that my best wish
Tue 14-Oct-2008 21:16 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا لكم على جهودكم وجزاكم الله خيرا وشكرا
Sun 12-Oct-2008 00:02 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
As usual you enlighten people to understand things on this endeavor, provide us with the correct perspective in viewing certain scapes especially on these aspects. Thank you very much.
Sun 05-Oct-2008 13:52 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thx alot it helps me
Mon 29-Sep-2008 23:10 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
this site helps a lot! thanks for the advice.
Fri 12-Sep-2008 05:32 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
اشكركم على ما قدمتم
Wed 27-Aug-2008 12:23 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
very useful information
Tue 26-Aug-2008 06:47 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكر الله لكم مساعداتكم ومجهوداتكم التي تتسم بالخير
Mon 11-Aug-2008 10:01 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Though I am stil on the prospective list but I am confident that for the Middle East this is the best site I have ever come across. It not only provides you an opportunity for your but also paves the path your your success. A job good done and appreciated.
Mon 14-Jul-2008 06:30 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
cool.... this enlightens me really.. now i know what are the things employers are more focused on..Thanks guys keep it up.. Keep on helping jobseekers like me... More power!!!!
Thu 10-Jul-2008 16:09 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
الله الموفق
Sun 06-Jul-2008 11:52 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
السلام عليكم ورحمت الله وبرا كاته شكرا على المجهودات الجبارة التي تقومون بها لمساعدة الشباب جزاكم الله ألف خير و أتمنى للجميع ولي التوفيق والمسانده في أمور الحياه
Sat 05-Jul-2008 20:08 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
الله يجازيك عنا خير ياريت يكون الموقع ده وش خير علينا
Tue 24-Jun-2008 00:23 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
im very happy with that. becouse, this what is happening in some organisation now are days.thanks keep it up and inlighting officer. yusuf abubakar from nigeria
Sun 22-Jun-2008 11:20 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you very much. The biggest problem in the Arab World work environement is mixing between persoanl and work related issues. This means if you disagree with your boss or colleague you will be BLACKLISTED !
Mon 16-Jun-2008 08:24 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزاكم الله عنا كل خير و ادعو الله ان يسدد خطاكم لما فية الخير والثواب
Tue 03-Jun-2008 09:33 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
الى الامام ومجهود تشكرون عليه يا دوت كم
Sun 01-Jun-2008 10:23 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks for the tips. I appreciate your help to better understand the interviewer perspective. All information is useful. Regards, J. Howard
Sun 04-May-2008 13:47 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
الله يوفقكم لما فيه الخير انشاء الله
Fri 02-May-2008 17:55 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
ربنا يوفقكم لما فيه خير للناس ويارب الاقى وظيفة تساعد على زيادة دخلى ومسايرة الحياة الصعبة والاسريه
Fri 02-May-2008 17:12 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
الله يعطيكم العافية على جهودكم
Sun 20-Apr-2008 10:15 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
This is very useful article to understand the modern techniques to qualify in an interview. Thanks to Bayt Team for providing such material to improve the personal skills. Best Regards.
Fri 11-Apr-2008 13:59 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرااااااااااااا على المعلومااات القيمه ............ وان شاء الله سوف تكون مفيده
Fri 11-Apr-2008 02:09 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكر جزيل لكل من ساهم في هذا العمل المفيد
Sat 05-Apr-2008 09:12 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
It boosts one's ambition into reality.
Sat 05-Apr-2008 01:39 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
your tips is an important information.thanks
Tue 01-Apr-2008 15:28 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
مشكورين على كل الجهود التي تبزل ما تقصرون
Wed 26-Mar-2008 07:05 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
يعطيكم الف عافية على ماتقدمونة من عمل
Sat 22-Mar-2008 08:43 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزاكم الله خيرا على هذا الموقع الرائع والمفيد والمتميز بخدماته وتواصله مع المشتركين, وأسأل الله لكم المزيد من التقدم والنجاح وأن يكتب في ميزان حسنات القائمين على هذا الموقع"بيت.كوم"
Tue 11-Mar-2008 15:32 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
لم يترك لي اخواني ما اقول بس مع دلك انا حغني صفحتكو بسظوري اللتي لا تستطيع تصوير فرحتي بالموقع ده ..........اللي مهما كتبت لا انا ولا اخواني مش حنقدر نوصفو بالشكل اللي يستحق حقيقي ...........سندس
Fri 07-Mar-2008 23:33 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
الحمد الله الذى ربما جعل منكم سببآ لاشخاص يمتلكون الخبره والجهد والامانه ولايجدون من يساعدهم اتمنى للجميع التوفيق............ والله الموفق
Wed 13-Feb-2008 23:04 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله اخوكم فى الله احمد وانا احمد الله على هذا الموقع الممتاز لانه بجد حاجة بسم الله ما شاء الله وربنا يقويكم على الممزيد من العمل والجهد ليكون احسن موقع باذن الله تعالى
Tue 12-Feb-2008 16:41 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نور الدين من المغرب السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته لا أستطيع أن اقول الا بارك الله فيكم و سدد خطاكم و حقق مبتغاكم . نشكركم على هذه الخدمات القيمة التي تقدمونها خدمة للطاقات العربية و الاسلامية و تدعمون و تطورون بها الاقتصاد. الى الأمام نحن معكم و نشجعكم. مع أطيب المتمنيات
Sun 10-Feb-2008 18:13 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Its a wonderful website very useful and comprehensive too. Ideally all employers shall also highlight the salary package for overseas employees too. Regards
Wed 23-Jan-2008 08:15 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
بالنسبة لي : هذا الموقع يعتبر من العشرة الأوائل التي أفضل أن أدخلها لما فيه من سهولة في التصفح وشمولية لم أجد لها مثيل في العديد العديد من المواقع .. أشكر القائمين على هذا الموقع وأتمنى لكم المزيد المزيد من النجاح به وبمواقع أخرى مستقبلية إن شاء الله ..
Sat 12-Jan-2008 21:23 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks for the great site it really help
Wed 02-Jan-2008 11:20 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
good for new job seekers thanks
Sun 30-Dec-2007 21:00 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
الله في عون العبد ما دام العبد في عون اخيه
Sat 29-Dec-2007 14:33 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
فكرة الموقع جديدة وممتازة لانها تتيح فرص أكثر للعمل
Sat 22-Dec-2007 14:25 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
It is a great help for the job seekers
Fri 14-Dec-2007 14:31 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Many thanks and all the best for all. Thank You Bayt
Sun 09-Dec-2007 03:41 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
We need more articles like this...
Thu 15-Nov-2007 05:38 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you for your "GOLDEN ADVICES"
Wed 14-Nov-2007 18:55 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكر الله لكم مساعداتكم ومجهوداتكم التي تتسم بالخير
Sat 10-Nov-2007 02:34 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا على المجهودات الجبارة التي تقومون بها لمساعدة الشباب و أرجوا منكم المساعدة لإيجاد وظيفة و مهما كانت هذه الوظيفة و الله لا يضيع أجر من أحسن عملا و شكرا
Sat 03-Nov-2007 15:00 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
sound advice, thank you.
Thu 18-Oct-2007 11:17 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
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