1. Storytelling

Storytelling skills can help employees create narratives that capture interest and provide education or entertainment. This narrative communication style can foster emotional connections and persuade individuals to make a purchase or follow through on an action.

How to hire for storytelling skills

To attract candidates with strong storytelling skills, consider adding the following to your job description:

• Language that addresses a preference for storytelling, such as creative writing, communication skills or narrative marketing skills

• Job duties that require this skill, such as writing landing pages or creating brand stories

Assessing the skill

A person’s resume can indicate whether they have strong storytelling skills. Were you intrigued by their professional summary or did their resume present a logical narrative about their experience?

You can also ask candidates what storytelling tactics they would use in a hypothetical marketing scenario.

Roles where this skill excels

• Copywriter: Copywriters use storytelling skills to create engaging content that supports business goals, such as customer conversions.

• Marketer: Storytelling skills are critical in campaign creation and management, as they help marketers create messaging that connects with target audiences.

• Brand Manager: Brand managers typically engage in storytelling to help audiences understand the business’ mission and vision.

2. Rapport building

Rapport-building skills help people create positive relationships and foster trust. This can help bring teams together, enhance relationships with customers and support a collaborative environment.

How to hire for rapport-building skills

If you want to hire a candidate with persuasion skills of this type, add language to your job description that expresses your preference for individuals with:

• Good team-building skills

• Effective communication skills

• High emotional intelligence

• Strong interpersonal skills

Assessing the skill

You can assess rapport-building skills during the application and interview process. Candidates with these persuasiveness skills can typically build rapport with interviewers.

Roles where this skill excels

• Team Leader: Team leaders and supervisors use rapport-building skills to improve their relationships with employees and foster collaboration.

• Client Services Manager: Rapport-building is critical to client services managers, who work closely with clients of all types to support satisfactory outcomes.

• Customer Service Associate: Customer service associates who can build instant rapport can potentially better assist customers and support high satisfaction ratings.

3. Negotiating

Negotiating is a type of persuasive skill that involves balancing priorities and interests to reach an outcome that benefits clients and employers.

How to hire for negotiation skills

Let applicants know negotiation skills are high on your list of requirements by:

• Listing negotiating as a required skill for the job

• Stating you want a candidate experienced in negotiating contracts or other agreements

• Including job duties related to conflict resolution in the job description

Assessing the skill

Assess negotiation skills by asking candidates to describe a time they negotiated successfully and what strategies they used. You can also conduct a role-playing exercise during an interview to assess their negotiation skills.

Roles where this skill excels

• Attorney: Lawyers use negotiation skills to promote better outcomes for their clients in and out of court.

• Contract Manager: Contract managers use these skills to finalize contracts or secure favorable terms for their employers.

• Purchasing Agent: Negotiation skills help purchasing agents land better deals on supplies and services for their employers.

4. Patience and tenacity

Patience and tenacity help a person remain calm, focused and persistent, even when challenges occur. These traits can help employees and teams meet long-term goals or overcome obstacles.

How to hire for patience and tenacity

Consider including language in your job description such as:

• Ability to work toward long-term goals

• Experience responding to complex situations with patience

Assessing the skill

You may recognize a person’s tenacity during the hiring process. For instance, someone who dutifully follows up and remains engaged throughout the interview process demonstrates tenacity.

You can also ask candidates to describe a time they faced a challenge that required patience and how they responded to it.

Roles where this skill excels

• Sales Representative: Sales representatives may need to be patient as they seek to convert customers or clients, especially in industries with long sales funnels.

• Account Manager: Tenacity is a helpful skill for account managers who may work alongside and support challenging clients or projects.

• Customer Success Manager: Patience enables customer success managers to work through the early stages of relationships to support long-term success goals.

5. Follow-through

Follow-through involves a consistent commitment to complete tasks. Individuals with strong follow-through skills meet deadlines and help build trust with clients, customers and business partners.

How to hire for follow-through

To signal you want candidates with strong follow-through skills, consider adding related skills to your job description. Some examples include:

• Excellent time management skills

• Good organizational skills

• Strong communication skills

Assessing the skill

Candidates often demonstrate follow-through skills during the interview process. People who double-check information, arrive on time and send thank-you emails may have strong follow-through skills.

During interviews, you can also provide hypothetical scenarios that require good follow-through and ask candidates how they might handle them.

Roles where this skill excels

• Administrative Assistant: Administrative support staff need excellent follow-through skills to ensure proper execution of tasks and maintain an organized approach to each.

• Service Advisor: Follow-through skills help service advisors stay connected with clients and persuade individuals that service, parts or other purchases are necessary.

• Financial Advisor: Financial advisors use follow-through skills to communicate regularly with clients while following up on financial decisions they agree on.

Start hiring for persuasion skills

Consider the types of persuasive skills that are most helpful for your open position and how they align with the job duties. Include relevant information in your job postings to attract candidates with these skills, and take time during the interview process to assess and hire for persuasiveness.