New hires are rarely easy. Knowing the amount of money that you have invested in the hiring process and understanding the pressure to find the right person with the right skills who will fit in the with the culture of the office, making the final selection can seem like a daunting task. Because of the investment in any new hire, a growing number of companies are working with professional job placement agency to make sure that you get the very best result. From executive HR search firms helping to fill the top positions in the country to outplacement consulting firms who are looking for the right sales team members, every hiring decision can have a lasting impact on your organization.

In a time when a growing number of applicants have similar resumes and skills, companies often find themselves looking at personal attributes that would allow someone to interact harmoniously and effectively and with other people. Known as soft skills, these personal attributes can be what separates the some excellent candidates from the one person who is selected.

From problem solving to teamwork and from flexibility to self motivation, there are a variety of soft skills that can help you stand out from the rest of the candidates if you make it to the final cut. Executive HR search firms know that the ability to identify these skills in candidates can lead to a hire that will bring assets to a team immediately as well as into the future.
Problem Solving. Some people tick all of the official skills boxes when they sit for an interview, but still do not seem like the correct hire. Perhaps, for instance, they were not able to give specific examples of a time when their problem solving skills made them stand out. The ability to problem solve can make or break a potential candidate. Being able to demonstrate that you are able to step into a situation and assess what is going on and make suggestions, however, is an important skill that can help you land a job.

Teamwork. Hiring someone who can contribute to a team philosophy can help you make sure that everyone is working toward the same common goals. When you find these people, it is especially important to make sure that they are satisfied. Some of the latest research indicates that 86% of companies with employee recognition programs cite an increase in worker happiness, a happiness that can contribute to a positive team culture.

Flexibility. One of the most important characteristics in any new hire is flexibility. As proof, one of the latest McKinsey’s research studies indicates that gender-diverse companies are 15% more likely to outperform their peers and ethnically-diverse companies are 35% more likely to do the same. Having the flexibility to work with people who are not exactly like you is one indicator of how flexibility can play out in the workplace.

Self Motivation. Finding workers who can set their own goals and stay on track enable companies to effectively make the most of every worker
In a job market when 2.7 million workers voluntarily left their jobs at the end of June 2015, finding hires who buy into the teamwork mentality can be a significant advantage. This 2015 number was a 25% increase compared to 2013. Factor in that a Gallup poll indicates that only 2 out of 10 workers believe their manager is doing a good job of encouraging them to do their best work, and you begin to understand why finding workers who are self motivated is also essential.

Every employer and every applicant is different, but there are a few characteristics that help a candidate standout. If you are an applicant who demonstrates the soft characteristics of problem solving, teamwork, flexibility, and self motivation, for instance, you may be even more attractive to executive HR search firms. And while not all executive HR search firms operate in the same way, they all want to find the very best candidates to present to their clients. As a result, they often have a check list of soft skills that they are looking for that serve as indicators that this worker might be a really good fit in many different work environments.