It’s always important to hire employees who are smart and hard-working. But, as a top Houston recruiter, Murray Resources can tell you that to really stay competitive in today’s challenging marketplace, you’ve got to dig a little deeper in the hiring process so you can uncover those valuable workers who think on their feet, bring innovative ideas to the table, and who are passionate about what they do and driven to succeed.

So what are some of the top skills you should be looking for during the hiring process to ensure you recruit the right person?

Here’s a look:

#1: Communication Skills.

There aren’t very many jobs out there in which good communication skills aren’t vital. Being able to represent your company well and present ideas articulately, whether in speaking or writing, should be something you look for in almost any hire. While this is a skill commonly sought after, it’s also one that many otherwise qualified candidates may not demonstrate.

#2: Interpersonal Skills.

People want to work and do business with people they like, making it critically important that you hire someone with strong interpersonal skills. This includes being a good listener and being able to build relationships, whether with co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, or customers.

#3: Flexibility.

Today’s business environment is highly unpredictable. Therefore, you need to hire people who can handle the unexpected by thinking on their feet and improvising new solutions, rather than complaining about the challenges they face on the job.

#4: Ability to Work as Part of a Team.

Any manager loves a top performing employee, but it’s also important that they serve well on a team.

#5: Resilience.

Showing resilience in the face of challenges and turning them into advantages is a highly valuable skill. During the hiring process, look for candidates who have demonstrated an ability to turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

#6: Creative Thinking.

In a climate where employees must do more with less, being able to hire imaginative employees who can deliver better results with fewer resources can have a hugely positive impact.

#7: Organization.

You need to hire employees who can adhere to some basic time management rules to ensure customers or appointments don’t fall between the cracks or deadlines aren’t missed. While this doesn’t mean your next hire needs a Type A personality, it does mean that having the ability to stay organized – and on track – is important.

So how can you go about hiring people with these skills?

When conducting interviews, be sure to build questions around these critical skills so that you can evaluate each candidate effectively. For instance, you may want to ask a series of behavior based questions that force a candidate to offer specific, real-world examples of how they’ve demonstrated the skills above.

And if you’d like some help with the process, let Murray Resources know. As one of Houston’s leading recruitment firms, we provide our clients with unparalleled market knowledge and access to the highest caliber candidates. So when you need to hire, turn to the recruitment firm you can trust…turn to Murray Resources. Contact us today to learn more.