What Characteristics Do Employers Look For?
When employers evaluate candidates, they look at more than degrees, certifications, technical knowledge, and previous job titles. They also want to understand how a person works, communicates, handles responsibility, responds to challenges, and interacts with others.
The characteristics employers look for vary depending on the industry and position, but several qualities appear repeatedly across hiring research and employer surveys. Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, dependability, adaptability, motivation, professionalism, and willingness to learn are among the qualities frequently mentioned by employers.
For example, a recent U.S. employer survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that employers particularly want new graduates to demonstrate the ability to work in a team, solve problems, and communicate effectively, while also valuing technical skills, work ethic, and analytical abilities.
A 2026 UK government survey similarly found that motivation and time management were among the most important characteristics employers reported when hiring young people.
So what exactly should job seekers develop and demonstrate?
15 Characteristics Employers Look For
1. Strong Communication Skills
Communication is one of the most consistently valued characteristics employers look for.
Employees communicate through:
- Emails
- Meetings
- Presentations
- Phone calls
- Reports
- Team discussions
- Customer interactions
- One-on-one conversations
Good communication isn’t simply about speaking well. It also involves active listening, clear writing, asking questions, understanding instructions, and responding appropriately to feedback.
An employee may have excellent technical knowledge, but if they cannot explain an issue to colleagues or communicate professionally with customers, their effectiveness can be limited.
Current employer research continues to identify communication as a major hiring consideration. NACE’s 2026 Job Outlook research specifically highlights effective communication among the capabilities employers want to see in new graduates.
How to demonstrate communication
Instead of writing:
Excellent communication skills.
Show evidence:
Prepared weekly project reports and presented technical updates to engineering and operations teams.
That tells an employer how you used the skill.
2. Reliability and Dependability
Employers need people they can trust to complete their responsibilities.
Reliability means consistently doing what you have agreed to do.
A dependable employee:
- Meets deadlines
- Arrives prepared
- Completes assigned tasks
- Follows through on commitments
- Communicates when problems arise
- Can be trusted with responsibility
Indeed’s current guidance on employer-valued traits includes dependability, while employer research also repeatedly connects reliability and follow-through with workplace readiness.
Reliability is especially important because managers cannot personally supervise every task an employee performs.
How to demonstrate reliability
Use examples involving:
- Meeting deadlines
- Completing projects
- Maintaining consistent performance
- Taking ownership of recurring responsibilities
- Successfully managing independent work
3. Adaptability
Businesses change constantly.
Employees may encounter new technology, new processes, changing customer expectations, reorganizations, or additional responsibilities.
Adaptability is the ability to adjust without losing effectiveness.
An adaptable employee may:
- Learn new software
- Take on unfamiliar tasks
- Work with different teams
- Adjust priorities
- Respond constructively to changes
- Learn from mistakes
Indeed’s current employer-traits guidance specifically identifies flexibility as a quality organizations value.
Adaptability is also increasingly relevant as technology changes job responsibilities.
Example
Instead of saying:
“I am adaptable.”
Say:
“Learned a new project management system and transitioned daily reporting to the platform within one month.”
The example provides evidence of adaptability.
4. Problem-Solving Ability
Employers don’t want employees who simply identify problems. They want people who can think through problems and work toward practical solutions.
Problem-solving involves:
- Understanding the problem
- Gathering information
- Identifying possible causes
- Evaluating alternatives
- Implementing a solution
- Reviewing the result
Problem-solving is consistently identified as an important capability employers want to see in candidates. NACE’s 2026 research specifically lists it among the skills employers want new graduates to demonstrate.
Resume example
Weak:
Good problem-solving skills.
Stronger:
Investigated recurring equipment failures, identified the underlying cause, and implemented corrective measures to improve system reliability.
The second version demonstrates the characteristic instead of merely claiming it.
5. Teamwork and Collaboration
Very few professional roles operate completely independently.
Employees may need to work with:
- Colleagues
- Managers
- Customers
- Vendors
- Engineers
- Designers
- Finance teams
- Operations teams
- External partners
Teamwork means contributing effectively toward a shared objective.
Strong collaboration includes:
- Sharing information
- Listening to other viewpoints
- Respecting colleagues
- Communicating responsibilities
- Helping team members
- Resolving disagreements professionally
- Taking responsibility for your own contribution
NACE’s 2026 employer research identifies the ability to work in a team as one of the capabilities employers particularly want to see in new graduates.
6. Positive Work Ethic
A strong work ethic refers to the way someone approaches their responsibilities.
It can include:
- Consistency
- Effort
- Responsibility
- Persistence
- Professional discipline
- Completing tasks properly
- Taking ownership
A person with a strong work ethic doesn’t necessarily work longer hours than everyone else. Instead, they take their responsibilities seriously and make a consistent effort to produce quality work.
NACE’s 2026 research lists a strong work ethic among the qualities employers value alongside technical and analytical abilities.
How to demonstrate work ethic
Show situations where you:
- Took responsibility for a difficult task
- Completed a project under a deadline
- Solved a problem rather than avoiding it
- Volunteered for additional responsibility
- Maintained quality during demanding periods
7. Willingness to Learn
Technology and job requirements don’t stay the same forever.
Employers therefore value candidates who demonstrate a willingness to learn and improve.
This can involve:
- Taking courses
- Learning new software
- Asking questions
- Seeking feedback
- Reading industry information
- Learning from experienced colleagues
- Developing new technical skills
A recent study of employers reported that organizations value candidates who can learn, adapt, and grow with the organization.
For early-career professionals, this characteristic can be especially important because employers don’t necessarily expect a new graduate to know everything.
They want evidence that the person can learn what they don’t yet know.
8. Integrity and Honesty
Integrity means behaving honestly and ethically, even when nobody is closely monitoring you.
Employers may look for people who:
- Tell the truth
- Take responsibility for mistakes
- Respect confidential information
- Follow professional standards
- Avoid misleading others
- Treat colleagues fairly
- Keep commitments
Indeed’s current guidance identifies integrity as one of the highly valued workplace traits.
Trust is fundamental to employment. Managers need to know that employees will provide accurate information and handle responsibilities appropriately.
How to demonstrate integrity
You don’t necessarily need to write “I have integrity” on your resume.
Instead, demonstrate it through examples such as:
Identified an error in a project report before submission, corrected the information, and informed the project manager.
9. Motivation and Ambition
Employers often want people who are motivated to perform well and develop professionally.
Motivation can show that you are willing to put effort into achieving meaningful objectives.
Ambition can indicate that you want to improve your capabilities and take on increasing responsibility.
However, ambition doesn’t necessarily mean wanting to become a manager as quickly as possible.
It can mean:
- Developing expertise
- Taking on challenging projects
- Learning new skills
- Improving performance
- Taking greater responsibility
- Building a long-term career
A recent UK government survey found that motivation was the most commonly identified important characteristic among the measures employers were asked about when hiring young people, with 95% of employers rating it important.
10. Confidence
Confidence helps employees communicate ideas, participate in discussions, ask questions, and take responsibility.
However, workplace confidence is different from arrogance.
Professional confidence means being able to say:
“I understand this area, and here is my recommendation.”
while also being comfortable saying:
“I don’t know the answer yet, but I’ll find out.”
Indeed lists confidence among the qualities employers look for in candidates.
How to develop confidence
You can build professional confidence through:
- Presentations
- Interviews
- Public speaking
- Project ownership
- Learning your technical subject thoroughly
- Practicing professional communication
Confidence tends to become more convincing when it is supported by actual knowledge and experience.
11. Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand your own emotions, manage your reactions, and recognize how other people may be feeling.
It can help employees:
- Handle disagreements
- Listen effectively
- Give feedback
- Receive criticism
- Work with different personalities
- Manage stressful conversations
- Build professional relationships
For example, if a customer becomes frustrated, responding defensively can escalate the situation. Emotional intelligence can help you remain professional, understand the concern, and focus on resolving the issue.
This characteristic can be particularly useful in management, customer service, healthcare, HR, sales, and other people-focused careers.
12. Initiative
Initiative means taking appropriate action without always waiting for instructions.
An employee demonstrating initiative might:
- Identify an inefficient process
- Suggest an improvement
- Volunteer for a project
- Research a solution independently
- Help solve a problem
- Take ownership of a task
Initiative doesn’t mean ignoring procedures or acting without authorization.
Good initiative means recognizing an opportunity or problem and taking an appropriate step toward addressing it.
Example
Instead of:
“I am a self-starter.”
Write:
“Identified repeated manual reporting work and proposed an automated reporting process that reduced repetitive data-entry tasks.”
That provides measurable evidence of initiative.
13. Time Management and Organization
Employers need people who can manage their workload effectively.
Time management involves prioritizing tasks, managing deadlines, planning work, and allocating time appropriately.
Strong organizational skills help employees:
- Track responsibilities
- Meet deadlines
- Manage multiple projects
- Prepare for meetings
- Maintain documentation
- Avoid unnecessary delays
A recent UK government survey found that 93% of employers considered good time management important when hiring young people.
Practical ways to improve
Try:
- Creating daily priorities
- Breaking large projects into smaller tasks
- Using calendars
- Setting realistic deadlines
- Reviewing unfinished tasks
- Identifying urgent versus important work
Being organized helps turn good intentions into consistent results.
14. Critical Thinking and Good Judgment
Employers need employees who can make sensible decisions rather than simply following information without evaluating it.
Critical thinking involves examining evidence, questioning assumptions, considering alternatives, and reaching reasoned conclusions.
It can help with:
- Decision-making
- Risk assessment
- Data interpretation
- Troubleshooting
- Planning
- Evaluating proposals
For example, if a report shows an unexpected result, a critical thinker doesn’t immediately assume the result is correct. They may check the data, investigate the source, and compare it with other information.
Critical thinking is particularly important in technical, analytical, managerial, financial, and professional roles.
15. Professionalism
Professionalism brings many of the characteristics employers look for together.
It can include:
- Respectful communication
- Reliability
- Appropriate workplace behavior
- Accountability
- Ethical conduct
- Preparation
- Appropriate appearance
- Respect for colleagues
- Following organizational procedures
Professionalism is visible throughout the hiring process.
For example, employers may notice:
- How you write an email
- Whether you arrive prepared for an interview
- How you communicate with reception staff
- Whether you listen to interview questions
- Whether you follow up professionally
In other words, professionalism is not simply something you mention on a resume—it is something you demonstrate through your behavior.
Characteristics Employers Look For at a Glance
| Characteristic | What it demonstrates |
|---|---|
| Communication | You can exchange information effectively |
| Reliability | You can be trusted with responsibilities |
| Adaptability | You can respond to change |
| Problem-solving | You can handle challenges |
| Teamwork | You can collaborate with others |
| Work ethic | You take responsibilities seriously |
| Willingness to learn | You can develop new capabilities |
| Integrity | You can be trusted to act ethically |
| Motivation | You are prepared to work toward goals |
| Confidence | You can communicate and take responsibility |
| Emotional intelligence | You can manage workplace relationships |
| Initiative | You take appropriate action |
| Time management | You can manage priorities |
| Critical thinking | You can make informed decisions |
| Professionalism | You understand workplace expectations |
There is no universal order that applies to every job. The characteristics employers prioritize depend on the role, industry, organization, and level of responsibility. Current employer research nevertheless shows considerable overlap around communication, teamwork, problem-solving, motivation, reliability, adaptability, and work ethic.
How to Show Employers You Have These Characteristics
One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is listing characteristics without evidence.
For example:
Hardworking
Reliable
Team player
Excellent communicator
Problem solver
Almost anyone can write these words.
A stronger approach is to provide evidence.
Instead of “teamwork”
Collaborated with five team members to complete a project ahead of the required deadline.
Instead of “communication”
Presented project findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Instead of “adaptability”
Learned a new software platform and incorporated it into the team’s workflow within four weeks.
Instead of “leadership”
Coordinated project tasks among four team members and tracked progress against weekly deadlines.
Instead of “problem-solving”
Analyzed recurring process failures, identified the underlying cause, and implemented a corrective solution.
This follows an important principle:
Don’t tell employers what characteristics you have. Show them through evidence.
NACE’s 2026 guidance similarly recommends that graduates provide evidence of the skills and abilities they have developed rather than simply listing them on a resume.
Characteristics Employers Look For in Fresh Graduates
If you’re a student or recent graduate, you may wonder how you can demonstrate these characteristics without years of professional experience.
You can use evidence from:
- University projects
- Internships
- Final-year projects
- Part-time jobs
- Volunteer work
- Student organizations
- Freelance projects
- Competitions
- Presentations
- Personal projects
For example, a final-year project might demonstrate:
Teamwork: Worked with other students.
Communication: Presented the project.
Problem-solving: Overcame technical difficulties.
Time management: Completed milestones by deadlines.
Initiative: Researched a solution independently.
Technical ability: Built and tested the final project.
This means your experience doesn’t have to come exclusively from a full-time job.
What Employers Look For Beyond Technical Skills
Technical skills remain important, especially for specialized positions. However, technical ability is only part of the hiring picture.
A candidate might have excellent technical knowledge but struggle to communicate with colleagues.
Another candidate might have good communication skills but lack the technical foundation required for the position.
Employers therefore often look for a combination of:
Technical knowledge + soft skills + professional behavior + evidence of results
Current research supports this balanced approach. NACE reports that employers value technical skills alongside teamwork, problem-solving, communication, work ethic, and analytical abilities.
A 2026 survey of more than 600 employers across different industries also found that employers continued to emphasize interpersonal skills, willingness to learn, dependability, professionalism, and communication while still recognizing the importance of technical capabilities.
How to Develop the Characteristics Employers Look For
You don’t need to wait for an employer to give you the opportunity to develop these qualities.
1. Take responsibility
Volunteer for tasks and take ownership of projects.
2. Practice communication
Write professional emails, give presentations, and practice explaining complicated ideas clearly.
3. Work with different people
Group projects and cross-functional assignments can improve teamwork and interpersonal skills.
4. Learn continuously
Take courses, learn new tools, read industry material, and seek feedback.
5. Practice solving problems
When something goes wrong, don’t immediately look for someone else to fix it. Analyze the problem and consider possible solutions.
6. Ask for feedback
Ask managers, teachers, mentors, or colleagues what you could improve.
7. Keep evidence of achievements
Record projects you completed, problems you solved, responsibilities you took on, and measurable improvements you contributed to.
This makes it easier to demonstrate your characteristics during interviews and applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main characteristics employers look for?
Common characteristics include communication, reliability, adaptability, problem-solving, teamwork, work ethic, willingness to learn, integrity, motivation, initiative, professionalism, time management, and critical thinking.
The specific combination varies by job.
What characteristics do employers look for in a fresh graduate?
Employers commonly look for communication, teamwork, problem-solving, motivation, reliability, willingness to learn, adaptability, professionalism, and a strong work ethic. NACE’s 2026 research specifically highlights teamwork, problem-solving, and communication among the skills employers want to see in new graduates.
Are characteristics more important than technical skills?
It depends on the position. Technical skills are essential for many jobs, while characteristics such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, and reliability influence how effectively employees apply those technical skills. Employers often look for both.
How do I show these characteristics on my resume?
Use specific examples from employment, internships, projects, education, volunteering, or extracurricular activities. Describe what you did and what happened, rather than simply listing adjectives.
What characteristics do employers look for during interviews?
They may look for communication, preparation, confidence, professionalism, problem-solving, adaptability, listening, honesty, and the ability to provide specific examples from previous experiences.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the characteristics employers look for can help you prepare a stronger resume, perform better in interviews, and identify areas where you can develop professionally.
The most commonly recurring qualities include:
Communication, reliability, adaptability, problem-solving, teamwork, work ethic, willingness to learn, integrity, motivation, initiative, emotional intelligence, time management, critical thinking, and professionalism.
But don’t treat this as a checklist where you simply add every word to your resume.
The most valuable approach is to build these characteristics through real experience and then demonstrate them with evidence.
A strong resume might say that you are reliable—but a record of consistently meeting project deadlines demonstrates reliability.
You can claim that you’re a problem solver—but an example of identifying and fixing a difficult problem demonstrates it.
You can write that you’re adaptable—but learning a new system and successfully applying it provides evidence.
Ultimately, employers are not only asking:
“What does this candidate know?”
They are also trying to understand:
“How will this person work, communicate, learn, solve problems, and contribute to the organization?”
That is why developing both technical expertise and strong professional characteristics can make your overall employability stronger.
