1. Attention to detail

Attention to detail refers to focusing on specific projects, tasks, outcomes or details. High attention to detail typically helps ensure accuracy and reduce errors in processes, services and products, making this an important skill for roles that require precision.

How to hire for attention to detail

To attract candidates with attention to detail, you might include the following in your job description:

• Noting that attention to detail is a must for the position
• Listing related skills such as data analysis and critical thinking
• Including job duties that require attention to detail, such as creating or reviewing reports

Assessing the skill

You can give an observational skills test to assess candidates’ attention to detail, especially with regard to specific jobs. For example, if you’re hiring an accounting clerk, you might provide a hypothetical report or ledger and ask them to find mistakes.

The application and interview process may also provide greater insight into candidates’ attention to detail. Was their resume accurate and error-free? Did they follow the application instructions? Was their correspondence clear and concise? These signs may indicate an applicant has excellent attention to detail.

Roles where this skill excels

• Executive Chef: Leaders in commercial kitchens must shift from big-picture thinking to detail-oriented tasks, ensuring the right ingredients are stored at adequate temperatures and dishes are cooked correctly.
• CNC Operator: CNC operators manage computerized machine processes to ensure high-quality outputs. They attend to details such as schematics, measurements, gauges and settings.
• Correctional Officer: As correctional officers are responsible for the safety of prisoners and the public, they must pay attention to details, including prison processes and the law.
• Staff Accountant: Accounting jobs generally require attention to detail, as individuals work with numbers and reports that impact businesses.

2. Objectivity

Objectivity is the ability to consider a situation or data and draw conclusions without personal emotions or biases. Objectivity can help support collaboration and trust and ensure a fairer approach to decision-making.

How to hire for objectivity

When hiring for objectivity, ensure you:

• Explain what type of objectivity is needed in your job description.
• Use examples of job duties where objectivity is important, such as quality assurance tasks.
• Include information about the reporting hierarchy so candidates understand the position’s level of responsibility.

Assessing the skill

Hypothetical questions and role-play interviews can help you assess objectivity and other observation skills. Pose various scenarios to evaluate whether the candidate can respond in an objective manner.

Roles where this skill excels

• Production Supervisor: Individuals in this position are typically tasked with ensuring high productivity outcomes, which may require the ability to consider processes and worker performance objectively to make improvements.
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse: ICU nurses often work in emotionally charged situations, and they must maintain objectivity to ensure proper patient care.
• Interpreter: Interpreters must avoid inserting their personalities or opinions as they translate, which requires objectivity.
• IT Auditor: Auditing professionals examine data and other information objectively to draw conclusions about potential errors, fraud or security risks.

3. Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to understand someone’s feelings and respond appropriately. In work environments, people with high emotional intelligence may be strong communicators who drive positive relationships and outcomes.

How to hire for emotional intelligence

To attract candidates with high emotional intelligence, ensure your job description includes duties and skills related to this trait. Some examples may include:

• Success in past customer service or supervisory roles
• Empathy and compassion for others
• Excellent conflict resolution skills

Assessing the skill

You might ask candidates emotional intelligence interview questions that pose hypothetical situations. Consider how the candidate responds and whether they indicate emotional intelligence.

Roles where this skill excels

• Pediatric Nurse: Pediatric nurses often work with young children who are unable to express themselves clearly. Emotional intelligence typically helps these professionals understand how to best help these patients.
• Pastor: Individuals in pastor roles often act as advisors and counselors as they lead congregations. The interpersonal work involved may require a high emotional intelligence.
• Relationship Manager: When someone is tasked with caring for customer or client relationships, emotional intelligence can help managers proactively address issues or understand clients’ needs.
• Assistant Manager: Supervisory roles involving day-to-day work with team members can benefit from emotional intelligence, as it helps workers communicate with, coach and motivate others.

4. Communication

Communication skills help individuals express themselves in a written or verbal format. Candidates with strong communication skills support teamwork, provide clients with understanding and increase the chance of satisfactory outcomes.

How to hire for communication

When hiring for communication skills, consider including:

• Excellent written or verbal communication skills
• Bilingual skills, including specific languages needed for the role
• Experience communicating with customers via chat and other technology-based methods

Assessing the skill

Communication skills can be assessed throughout the job application and through communication interview questions during the interview process. Assess resumes, cover letters and emails with the applicant to understand written communication skills and evaluate verbal communication skills during interviews.

Roles where this skill excels

• Marketing Director: All marketing is a form of communication, so this skill is essential for anyone in a marketing role, especially marketing leaders.
• IT Project Manager: Project managers communicate goals, milestones and expectations, and IT project managers typically communicate with technical and business-facing teams.
• Communications Manager: Anyone leading communications staff or processes needs strong communication skills.
• Prep Cook: An employee in a busy kitchen must communicate quickly and clearly to ensure they give and receive instructions about food orders and other tasks.

5. Contextual awareness

Contextual awareness helps individuals recognize patterns, social dynamics, behaviors and situational factors that impact actions or responses. This skill can help ensure cultural nuances and other factors are considered in managing or working with others, potentially improving interactions and resulting in positive team or customer relationships.

How to hire for contextual awareness

To help candidates understand you’re looking for contextual awareness, you might include items such as:

• Attention to detail and ability to respond quickly and appropriately to urgent matters
• Experience with target audience segmenting and targeted marketing campaigns
• A demonstrated ability to think critically about employee performance and provide effective coaching

Assessing the skill

You might assess contextual awareness by presenting candidates with situational questions or case studies that require them to consider patterns. Observe how well they adapt their responses during interviews and whether they demonstrate an understanding of the role’s context.

Roles where this skill excels

• Advertising Manager: Advertising professionals must target messaging to meet various consumer needs, and contextual awareness is often an essential skill in supporting that goal.
• Bookkeeper: Individuals who manage books for a business need contextual awareness to help them identify charges, income or other trends that don’t match previous patterns and need to be looked into.
• Charge Nurse: Contextual awareness helps charge nurses support their staff as they assist patients with varying needs, preferences and backgrounds.
• Business Development Officer: Professionals tasked with developing or growing businesses need contextual awareness to understand current situations and evaluate future efforts and goals.