What’s More Appealing in a Candidate: Talent or Positive Attitude?

Searching for the perfect candidate when hiring is a waste of time. Every candidate will have flaws and faults, and it’s up to you to find the one who’s the best fit overall. So during the process, should you be looking for someone with undeniable talent, or a positive attitude? Which is more important? 
 
Obviously, it would be ideal if a candidate had both. However, if you’re having trouble finding an individual who’s good-natured and skilled, focus on the attitude.  
 
Skills and abilities can always be learned; yet, attitude is innate. It’s difficult for someone who is negative by nature to bring positive energy to the table. It doesn’t matter how many degrees or certifications they’ve earned. 
 
So while talent is important, a good attitude is a must. Here are a few more ways it can impact your company and your team: 
 
A collaborative spirit. 
 
Those with a positive attitude are more likely to get along with others and collaborate well. They’re also less likely to get defensive and more likely to step in and try to solve problems. This is critical to the overall success of your team. 
 
Open-mindedness. 
 
Those who are more positive by nature tend to be open-minded toward new ideas, new ways of doing things, and other people’s ideas. This is important when it comes to innovation and creativity within your company. You need those who come to the table with their own ideas, but are open and encouraging to others as well. 
 
Accountability. 
 
Those with a positive attitude are more likely to listen to constructive criticism and implement feedback into their work performance. This makes managing them easier for you and also helps to ensure they’re staying on track in terms of goals and productivity. 
 
So when you’re hiring, how do you find those people who are truly positive at heart? It’s difficult when candidates are putting their best foot forward during interviews. Some ways to uncover their inner nature include by: 
 
• Talking to your receptionist. How did the candidate treat them? Sometimes, a negative individual will treat the hiring manager with respect, but be rude to others in the office.  
 
• Asking about challenges and mistakes. During the interview, ask each candidate to discuss the most significant challenge they’ve faced on the job, as well as mistakes they’ve made. Their answer will give you insight into their attitude, especially if they bad-mouth others or point the finger of blame.  
 
• Conducting a personality test. You can also conduct personality tests to get behind the candidate mask and learn about each individual you’re considering. You can test for different skills, as well as interpersonal traits, to ensure you’re hiring someone who is the right fit for the job, your team, and the company. 
 
Do you need help hiring candidates with great attitudes for your job openings? 
 
At Gill Staffing, we can give you access to the best of both worlds: candidates with talent and strong skills, along with a good attitude and positive work ethic. As one of West Michigan’s top staffing agencies, we have the network and ability to connect you with professionals for a range of positions in many different industries. Simply contact us today to learn more about the difference we can make for your company.