What qualities make a great entry-level candidate?

The early days of your career, for most entry-level candidates, can be a very confusing and frustrating time. You may be worried about a lack of callbacks, or perhaps you’re struggling to progress past the early interview stages. You may even be falling at the final hurdle, having poured so much time and effort into the interview process, only to be sent back to GO, without the 200 pounds.

There is so much to worry about, and it can be difficult to maintain self-confidence, you may start to wonder if you ever will find a job, let alone a fulfilling job with a good employer. Sound familiar?

These thoughts are entirely normal, and they are the same thoughts that ran through each of our heads when starting out on our career paths. Some candidates breeze into their first position and never look back and it’s hard not to compare yourself to that standard. Please keep in mind that you are a wonderful candidate, you have so much to offer and the right opportunity will come along.

So, what exactly is it that recruiters and hiring managers look for in entry-level candidates? The fact that you’re researching this topic alone is a great start and brings us to our first point...

1.       Drive

Technical and soft skills aside, nothing can get projects over the line like good-old fashioned hard work. Employers know this and will actively gauge your ability to push yourself during interviews and while reviewing your CV and Cover Letter. Drive is a lovely intangible to focus on, it’s something you have expressed throughout your life, both in and outside of the classroom. Prepare some answers in advance that really showcase your willingness to put your shoulder to the wheel and move things along. It won’t go un-noticed. The most successful entry-level candidates are those who show raw motivation to get things done and are willing to leverage any and all assets around them to do so.

2.       Communication

We’ve seen it time and again; teams, projects and sometimes, whole organizations, failing because of poor communication. Employers are well aware of the importance of good communication, so, you absolutely must be able to understand and relay information in a timely and effective manner. You may have difficulties with communication, and that’s ok, but you need to begin developing those skills. Interviews are largely a verbal process, so, start with your verbal communication skills and move on to written communication from there. Learn the differences between business writing and essay writing, take a creative writing course or join a public speaking group like Toastmasters. Actively developing your communication skills makes great content for your CV and shows an employer that you are a strong communicator and actively trying to improve further.

3.       Collaboration

How well can you work in a team? Whether you’re a solitary worker or a hardcore team player, you need to be comfortable working with others. It’s a simple fact of working life, nobody is an island and even in relatively isolated positions, the need for collaboration will arise. It’s difficult to move through life without having taken part in some form of teamwork so you likely have plenty of experience to draw on. If you’re struggling to convey that to an employer, analyse the behavior of someone you regard as a good leader. How do they navigate relationships and what comparisons can you draw between your group work and theirs? If you prefer to work solo, don’t be afraid to say so but do stress that you can work well in a team when required. Employers will appreciate your honesty and self-awareness.

4.       Organizational Skills

This can be a tricky one for those of us who are more inclined to operate in a form of controlled chaos. It’s typically embedded in your nature and can be a difficult skill to learn, but you absolutely must do so. There are no excuses for disorganization in the workplace. Being on top of your to-do lists, email inbox, files and appointments is crucial, not only for success but simply fulfilling the basic requirements of your position. Disorganization leads to burnout and that’s bad news for everybody. The best way to demonstrate your ability to remain organized to an employer is by responding to their communications in a timely manner, promptly providing any documentation required, taking the time to clearly lay out your CV and showing up to interviews early.

5.       Quick Learner

You won’t be expected to know everything, or anything close to it when starting a new position. Everyone has had a ‘first day’ and they understand it can be a lot to take in. You’ll likely be shown everything you need to know but keep in mind that the faster you get up to speed, the better, in an employer's eyes. If you can demonstrate an ability to do this through your educational background, a previous part time job, sports or activities, it will tick a major box for the employer and set you apart from other candidates. Think about a time when something new just clicked with you, like it intuitively made sense and simply convey that to an employer.

6.       Be Yourself

It may seem an inherent contradiction when you’re trying so desperately to put your best foot forward, but you are only human, as is the interviewer and you both know it. Own your flaws and let the hiring manager know what you’re doing to improve upon them. The best interviews that I've been a part of on both sides of the table are those in which a candidate is candid. You’ve got tones of great qualities and a killer skillset, it’s just a matter of finding the right job for you. Employers want to find the candidate who best fits the position. It’s nothing personal, nor is it a comment on your abilities, it simply means that it wasn’t the right fit which is really good news whether you want to hear it or not. You would have been unhappy in that role for one reason or another so keep your chin up and the right opportunity will come along.