| By Maddy Gonzalez |
When applying for jobs some college students make the mistake of assuming that employers only care about students’ grades. However, having a 4.0 GPA does not give any student an “automatic in” to get the job they are applying for. It is important to remember that you are much more than anything your GPA or resume says about you. There are other key factors that contribute to an employer’s decision to hire a college student or recent college graduate. One key factor in an employer’s decision to hire a future employee is an applicant’s demeanor, or how an applicant presents himself or herself.
What traits are employers looking for in future employees or interns? Three important traits include someone’s approachability, confidence, and thoughtfulness.
Why is being approachable important? Employers want their employees to be approachable because approachable people tend to be easy to collaborate with. Being able to communicate with coworkers and work well in a team is vital in any job.
Why is being confident important? Being confident in your abilities is seen as a major plus by employers. If you don’t believe in yourself, how can employers trust in you to complete tasks? By taking initiative and showing interest, you show employers that you are confident and capable of fulfilling the responsibilities they are asking you to have.
Why is being thoughtful important? Thoughtfulness shows an employer that you care about what you are doing and what the company’s goals are. Thoughtful people are not in the job for solely personal gain. They also look to help their coworkers, and the company as a whole, perform better.
In summary, how you present yourself can make you more attractive to employers and more likely to be hired because it will convey to employers essential interpersonal skills that no resume or GPA can demonstrate. By being approachable, confident, and thoughtful, you will stand out to employers and show them that you are a capable future employee.