How many of us have come across the job description of our dreams and have exclaimed, ‘I need to apply!’, but upon further investigation of the job’s requirements, have lamented over not having the years of experience that the description calls for. Next time this happens, don’t let this discourage you; employers are typically more interested in quality, not quantity. Everyone has their own unique skillset – their toolbox of experiences and interests that make them unique. In the business world, these are the tools that make a potential employee stand out; not necessarily the number of years you’ve worked in the industry. During your next interview, focus on the quality you can bring to the organization, by keeping these 6 highly sought-after characteristics in mind.

Longevity

Employers want a candidate who can grow with their company. Hiring takes time and money, so the less often an employer has to go through the process, the better. Long-lasting employees help their business avoid the “revolving door” label and develop a culture of its own. They also become an integral part of that culture and grow to take on new tasks and assist various areas of the company, which in turn helps the company function smoothly. Show the interviewer your interest in working with the company in the long-run by asking questions about potential growth opportunities and the firm’s future.

Attitude

The typical job occupies more than eight hours of our day. That’s a lot of time to spend with someone who is moody, unmotivated, or unfriendly. Showing an employer that you are confident, hardworking, and amicable can go a long way in an interview and may even override a slight lack of experience or missing qualification. Someone who gives off a positive vibe is much more likely to get along with coworkers and become that sought-after long-term worker than one who just punches in and out daily without a smile.

Integrity

Directly relating to attitude, integrity encompasses values such as honesty, judgment, and respect. When looking at candidates, hiring managers consider people who will be honest in their work, able to accept all types of feedback, and willing to admit their weaknesses. They want employees who are trustworthy and can see how their actions can directly affect the firm’s bottom line. Typically, candidates who show integrity will be open to discussing their performance and willing to admit their weaknesses and learn new skills. This way, if employees need to, they can make changes in the way they approach their responsibilities.

Flexibility and Creativity

To remain relevant in today’s environment, businesses must be flexible and sensitive to changing business and technology trends. In order to do this, businesses need to hire employees with those same qualities. As a result, it is important to provide your interviewer with concrete examples of experiences where you felt challenged by some sort of business/technology change and were able to think of a creative solution or an alternate way of completing your tasks. Your abilities to multitask and apply your skills to different tasks in other company departments are also important assets you should emphasize to an interviewer. These days, being successful is largely about keeping up to speed and looking at things from an original point of view.

Leadership

It’s important to possess leadership qualities at every level of the corporate ladder. Companies are looking for employees who can maintain a level of autonomy, solve problems on their own, step up when needed, and lead by example. Before your interview, make sure you can describe at least one time when you had to step into the role of a leader, and what the experience taught you.

Industry Involvement

Showing that you are involved in your industry outside of your standard job responsibilities makes you seem passionate and motivated. Participating in extracurricular activities such as a certification program, volunteer work, and a personal blog that showcases your expertise can be a huge game changer in an interview. Many businesses like to hire employees who will go above and beyond the call of the job description. As a result, candidates who can show they have developed industry skills outside of the office may have a better chance of being hired.