When you are interviewing job applicants, there are certain "soft skills"—that is, non-technical skills that relate more to how you work with others and solve problems—that you should be on the lookout for, as these attributes are not usually spelled out on a candidate's resume. Here, members from Young Entrepreneur Council share 13 underrated but important soft skills they look for when they are hiring new employees.
What's an underrated, but important, soft skill you look for in every new hire? Why is that?
1. Initiative
You should look for the ability to learn and take initiative in new hires. Nobody wants to micromanage an employee. To that end, nobody wants to be micromanaged. Someone who can pick up tasks quickly and improve them will be well-positioned to be the best team member. —Erik Knight, SimpleWan Inc
2. Introspection
A potential new hire who shows they are an introspective person places themselves on firm ground. It is important to have team members who are thoughtfully reflective and have an ability to self-examine because those abilities result in ethical decision-making and natural improvement over time. —Charles Bogoian, Kenai Sports
3. Willingness to take risks
One important soft skill I look for in new hires is a willingness to take calculated risks. If I notice something on their resume or in their interview that demonstrates this, I'm much more likely to hire them. Professionals with this skill are valuable because they can identify asymmetrical situations where the potential reward far outweighs the risk. —Bryce Welker, CPA Exam Guy
4. Honesty
People who are honest throughout the interview process about their strengths, limitations, and experience bode well for me. Once they’re hired, I can count on them to speak up when they need help with something, be accountable when things go wrong, or spot an opportunity for how we can do something better. —Emily Stallings, Casely, Inc.
5. Decision-making
One underrated but important soft skill I look for in every new hire is their decision-making ability. I believe that decision-making is even more important than hard work because a good decision coupled with effort will lead you naturally and easily to success more than a lot of hard work. —Alfredo Atanacio, Uassist.ME
6. Responsibility
I look for people who take full responsibility for their jobs. They ask about what they have to do and get back to you when they're confused or facing a problem. You don't have to worry that they've done their job for the week and you feel assured that things are moving forward as they should. This trait has become more essential now that remote work has become the norm. —Blair Williams, MemberPress
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- Selling Your Business: How This Entrepreneur Made the Transition From Founder to Employee
- First Time Firing an Employee? Advice for New Business Owners and Managers
- How to Check a Job Applicant’s References
7. Agility
Agility is an important soft skill we look for with every hire. As tasks change, a new hire’s ability to adapt is critically important. Knowing when to wear multiple “hats” while an important decision needs to be made can make a dramatic impact. —Jordan Edelson, Appetizer Mobile LLC
8. Organization
I love to see people's desktops and work environments. Usually, if the desktop icons are a mess (with hundreds of icons on their computer), then their work files and communication internally are going to be disorganized. You will end up with project and service issues because something is missed. —Peter Boyd, PaperStreet Web Design
9. Conflict resolution
So much emphasis is placed on work ethic, attitude, decision-making, and time management. While these skills are incredibly important, employees also need the ability to work through stressful situations, problems, and conversations, and have a positive outcome. This not only sets the tone for the company’s culture, but it also drives success in every area. —Blair Thomas, eMerchantBroker
10. Collaboration
How well someone works with others determines how smoothly processes run and projects get done because it also includes communication. Without collaboration, you'll end up with mismatched teams that fail to meet deadlines or don't perform adequately. You need people on your team who know how to work together. —Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
11. Willingness to ask questions
One of the most underrated yet critical soft skills to find in a new hire is a willingness to ask clarifying questions. When team members, especially new ones, are too timid to admit they need to gain a stronger understanding, they both decrease organizational efficiency and display their preference for ego-serving over being part of a growth-mindset team. —Richard Fong, ABCDreamUSA.com
12. Time management
I'm always impressed when a new hire is punctual to their interview and first few days of work. If someone is late for the interview or has to delay their start day after signing the contract, it's not a good sign. In this sense, time management and punctuality are the soft skills I look at when we bring new people to our team. —Chris Christoff, MonsterInsights
13. Humility
I believe you are only as great as you are humble. Humility in a new hire always shows they are willing to learn, willing to listen, willing to think of others highly while still owning the greatness of who they are. I would prefer a candidate who is humble and less trained over someone who is prideful and well-equipped. You can teach skills; you cannot teach humility. —Ismael Wrixen, FE International
