Top Ten For Employment Success

Source: Thomas Brown - Human Dimensions of Michigan
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We are in a new millennium and we need to redefine our concept of what determines acceptable work. Leading employers will not accept instances of mediocrity, average output and a small amount of commitment. Highly successful, continually evolving businesses require top performance from every individual.

As a Human Resource Professional for over 14 years I have studied the elements of success for the employment candidate. Why do some people receive job offers more often than others? What is it that they do different than the people who move on to the next job listing in the newspaper or the on-line ad? In my examination of the "Employees of the Future", I have documented the following "Top Ten" qualities to be the most in demand and the most rewarded with long term employment opportunities. Review, reach beyond and display these qualities, and the employers of your future will be knocking down your door.

1. Attentive/Proactive. Provide recommendations and services in anticipation of customer’s needs. Remember, those in which you serve, internally and externally, define customer.

2. Consultative. Give suggestions and alternative solutions. Stephen Covey’s advice of "seek a win-win conclusion" is needed in the workplace today more than ever.

3. Motivational. Inspire action through your attitudes and efforts. Leadership by example is highly desired and rare talent.

4. Accountable. Take responsibility for your actions. Establishing values and goals are great, but people who have also developed systems for tracking them are the employees of choice. We need to create value-driven personal and work lives.

5. Receptive. Open to change and diversity. A great philosopher once said, "everything must change". Employee’s of the future adapt to transitioning workplaces.

6. Resourceful. Use innovation and creativity to achieve goals. Author and Entrepreneur Professor Joline Godfrey says simply, "…people who solve problems get the most opportunities."

7. Unified/Cohesive. Support co-workers. You must embrace successes and make yourself accessible to others during times of need. The ability to work in teams is often sighted as one of the most valuable qualifications in the workplace.

8. Responsive. Actions are timely and consistent with the urgency and importance of the request. The reason most often sited for promotion within a company is a sense of urgency.

9. Flexible. Recognize the need for rules and guidelines, and realize that not every rule or guideline can anticipate every need. John Patrick, Chief Internet Technology Officer and creator of IBM’s ThinkPad® said it best; "You can achieve amazing things and have highly motivated, incredibly loyal people if they think management is willing to ignore the rules to get things done.

10. Informative. Provide knowledge and information that company leaders need to make sound decisions. Intra and Inter net’s are providing real time access and delivery of knowledge and information. Last one to the boss’ desk is a rotten egg!