A recent international study surveyed more than 500 business leaders and asked them what sets great employees apart. The researchers wanted to know why some people are more successful than others at work, and the answers were surprising; leaders chose “personality” as the leading reason.

Notably, 78% of leaders said personality sets great employees apart, more than cultural fit (53%) and even an employee’s skills (39%).

Skill and experience are of course are vital, but if a candidate showcases personality they will improve their chances of being hired significantly.

So just like our 10 ways to be an extraordinary leader (insert a link to article)  we’ve created 10 ways to be an extraordinary candidate that will help boost your chances of being hired.

Being Adaptable.

To really stand out, a candidate must be reactive to change, even working outside their job description. Client’s love to see candidates go above and beyond by accepting challenges, rolling up their sleeves, and getting hands-on with tasks that are not required of them.

Why? Because it shows the willingness and resilience that the candidate has to offer to go above and beyond their job description, which is reassuring to the client.

 Communication

Both verbally and in writing, communicating effectively is essential. It’s a skill required in any type of industry that you will need to showcase to your team, manager and customers. It will improve your relationship with them as well as improving your networking, should you want to achieve your career aspirations.

Interpersonal skills

Interpersonal skills, also known as people skills, are what we use to interact and engage with people. Socialising and interacting with your team and manager will improve your communication with them as well as improving the overall harmony and ethos.

Your interpersonal skills will be evaluated during interviews, so be sure you keep this in mind so you can showcase yourself effectively.

Room for improvement- Exceptional candidates always see an opportunity to grow and develop. There is always room for improvement. Even if you’ve done an amazing job if you can find something to learn and eager to do better in your role a client will value that and see you as an ideal person to grow within the company- making you more of a reliable asset.

Leadership

When companies hire for leadership roles, they seek candidates who can successfully interact with employees, colleagues, clients and others. Even if you're not applying for management jobs, leadership is a valuable skill to bring to the employer as it shows you can take on responsibilities and help take charge of a team or project when the situation arises.

Positive Attitude

Attitude may not be everything, but it’s extremely valuable. Companies value candidates with a positive entrepreneurial mindset- even in difficult and challenging circumstances. They want to hire applicants with a “can do” attitude who are assertive, flexible, dedicated and who are willing to contribute anything extra, if necessary, to get the job done.

Teamwork

A key skill that’s valuable in any work environment, companies and clients want to hire team players. If you can interact engage and cooperate with other members of a team it creates a more cohesive unit, as well as building trust and morale. If you are in an interview- highlight successful examples of how well you worked in a team.

Honesty

This may surprise some, but clients and companies do appreciate honesty and integrity. If a project doesn’t go to plan, refrain from making excuses. If you refuse to be accountable for the outcome, managers are more inclined to prefer candidates who know where they can improve and select those that take ownership and responsibility. It highlights both leadership and trust.

Marketable. “Marketable” can mean many things. Inside the organization, it means “likeable.” Now, not everyone has to be liked to be an exceptional candidate, but if you get along with the team, your more likely to be assessed for a promotion within the company because you have the support and trust from the team.

Exceptional candidates are well-liked by co-workers. They have integrity and leadership skills (even if they’re not in an official leadership position) that people respond to. Externally, it means they can be trusted to represent the brand well. Managers know they can send these employees out to meet with clients and prospects without worrying, it also eases the workload making them more inclined to delegate tasks- which improves your experience.

Composure. Dealing with difficult people is frustrating and exhausting for most. Exceptional candidates control their interactions, by keeping their feelings in check. They approach the situation rationally. They identify their own emotions and don’t allow anger or frustration to fuel the chaos. They also consider another person’s point of view and are able to find solutions and common ground.

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