I was reading an article on 8 traits employers are looking for on BioSpace.com the other day and although some of them were right on target, others missed the mark in terms of Creative and Marketing roles. And of course, the hard part is making sure you show them all off in your interview.
So here you go, à la David Letterman, my Top 8 Traits Creative Employers are Looking For (and how to work them into your interview):
[DRUM ROLL, PLEASE]
8. Engagement. Direct eye contact and listening skills are just as important as being articulate. Show how well you collaborate right from the start.
7. Confidence. A classic, but still so important. You are creative and skilled and talented. You ARE!
6. Dress. Whatever your style, be clean and put together. Hiring managers expect you to be professional, but still want to see a bit of that personality shine through. Check out our blog for more tips on what to wear to your creative interview.
5. Do your research. Know as much as you can about the company culture and the person you are meeting. Prepare a couple of interesting questions to ask your interviewer. LinkedIn is a great place for finding inspiration!
4. Adaptability. I agree on this one. If there is any chance to express that you’re ready for anything, do so.
3. Curiosity. Creative people are interested in learning new skills and coming up with new angles on old problems.
2. Stories. A great story is gold. Have a few stories prepared to illustrate how you accomplished something challenging, delivered a project with unexpected results or learned a valuable lesson. Come on, you must have some stories to share!
And 1. Energy. Be a bright shiny penny. There are a lot of people out there who are tired, overworked, and underpaid. You might be interviewing with one of them. Remember – you may be between roles and stressed, but you are NOT tired!
Did you notice anything that was missed from the lists? What traits do you think are important? We’d love to hear your favorites!
Wendy Stackhouse, for Artisan Creative