From Candidate To Employee – The 3 ‘A’s That Matter

While HR does a a detailed job in recruiting people for a specific role, I like to personally get involved when recruiting critical positions in my team. I get involved in this process to primarily understand the candidate’s ability to learn and adapt quickly. Why? Because from my experience over all these years whilst the candidate needs to have functional and technical knowledge for the role he/she is being recruited for these attributes are equally if not more important. 

But the bigger question is ‘What makes this candidate transition into a contributing employee?’

Personally, for me, this answer can be summed up in 3 ‘A’s.

A Positive ATTITUDE

Individuals with an ability to look at the brighter side of things, a thirst for learning and the fire to keep this learning curve growing, make it to greater heights quicker. Instead of worrying about what didn’t work out, they look on the positive side of the situation and accept challenges beyond their comfort zone.

This attitude is not something that they restrict to the four walls of the workplace. This in fact, is a life mantra. Overcoming the fear of failure by treating every obstacle as a learning opportunity helps develop an optimistic mindset. This directly changes your perspective and impacts your ability to make better decisions. Being at a senior level, the candidate needs to be able to use this ability take quick and fair action in times of crisis, ensuring the outcome works in the favour of the team and company.

An ASPIRATIONAL and AMBITIOUS Streak

For me ambition and aspiration are very important. If you don’t aim/aspire big, dream big, think big, you don’t attempt big - simple. The opportunity in anything we explore is as big as we see in it. In today’s environment the canvas is clean and its on you to paint whatever you think is possible. To anybody who is ambitious about a successful career, my advice would be simple – Explore and Aspire Big.

In the pursuit of a growing professional career, what stops you from selecting a mentor for yourself? It could be someone who you look up to, an established industry veteran, or even a pioneering entrepreneur. Surround yourself with people that help you bring out the best in you. Collaborate with your peers across cross-functional work streams instead of limiting yourself to your described JD and KRA. Keep an open mind towards trying new professional experiences that will give you knowledge and be willing to take risks if it gives you a valuable lesson. A key drawback among most employees with experience is the lack of openness and desire to learn. With technology changing every minute, it is crucial for the candidate to adapt, adjust and learn ways and tricks to better himself at work. Aspiring to be better than the previous day is a great personality trait a candidate can possibly have and is something I welcome in the team.

An ACTION-oriented Approach

But finally it’s action and any ambition is as good as its execution. I appreciate and recognize individuals who come to me with a solution when the problem is brought to my notice. Even if their thought process isn’t up to the wavelength at which the result is expected, at least they are making a proactive attempt and willing to take ownership. Someone who is a No Excuse Leader, taking initiative and going beyond the call of duty is the truest essence of this transition; from candidate to employee.

Personally, I have been someone who is always eager to receive feedback – from colleagues, from seniors, from friends. It helps me grow as a person and from time-to-time, also gives me a reality check.

Organizations have hierarchies to ensure that every individual gets an opportunity to establish themselves. And the only way to climb the ladder is to begin at the bottom. Only if you are focused as an employee, driven as a team-player, and empathetic as a manager, will you be a respected leader. And one can achieve this only when they start out with humble beginnings, prove themselves and strive for what’s best for the team and not themselves. Because with the right attitude, they can make their aspirations come true by always finding a way to make things happen.