Hiring a New Team Member? Here are 5 Qualities to look for

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

Like a well-oiled machine, a team should be able to collaborate and function smoothly. Each team member plays a crucial role in the team’s success as each brings unique talent or skills. If even a single part of a machine is missing, there will be a glitch or more. So, it is imperative that you find a person who will not only be able to contribute his expertise for the benefit of the team but will also be able to amalgamate effortlessly with each team member.

The decision of adding a new member to the team should be made with serious consideration. Replacing a member frequently can hamper the team’s productivity, progress and even the members’ work spirits. So, if you are planning to add a new member to your team, you will need to look at certain qualities of the candidate that will be in sync with your team culture and values.

Why is it important to find the perfect team member? Well, did you know that successful innovation is increased by 15% when there is collaboration at the workplace? (Source: PGi)

So, in order to collaborate, there has to be a certain connection as well as communication between the team members.

Here, we share with you some important qualities that you must look for in a new team member.

Gift of the Gab

It goes without saying that communication is key to success for any team. The new team member would need to have both verbal and written communication skills. You see if there is a barrier in communication, tasks will not be executed right, which would eventually lead to conflicts. A message needs to be successfully passed on from the sender to the receiver.

Moreover, the new member should be able to communicate freely with his/her team members. If he is a reserved person, he will not be able to function well with the team. He should also be able to communicate effectively with people in other departments in case of future collaborations on projects.

Eager Beaver

Positivity and enthusiasm are other important qualities that every team member should have. In a team, if one member has a foul mood, the vibe in the workplace can turn grim. And in a bad environment, concentration wanes and productivity decreases.

Ensure that the new hiree has an approachable personality and the ability to work under pressure. He/She should also be able to take constructive criticism positively and motivate others in times of crisis. He/She should also be able to work with diverse people with different personalities. He/She should be able to share her disagreements professionally without a hint of rage and arrogance.

Jack of all trades, Master of some:

In an ideal team, when a team member is unavailable due to an emergency or other reasons, his fellow teammates should be able to fill in for him. The substitute doesn’t necessarily have to be an expert in that field but should be able to handle the basics. So, you need to look for someone who is an all-rounder. For instance, let’s say you are hiring a graphic designer for your digital marketing team. SEO is an important part of the digital marketing world. So, find someone who would be able to step up when needed.

Woman/Man of her/his words

You need someone reliable and trustworthy for your team’s success. The new hire should be able to keep their promises and be able to deliver on time. If one team member doesn’t follow through and complete his task on time, it could dent the progress of the entire team. So, ensure that the person you hire has a reliable and trustworthy personality.

A Thirst for New Knowledge

The job market changes every once in a while and so are the trends. Employees should have the thirst for knowledge as they will need to learn new things as and when the time comes. Moreover, in case there is a particular technical skill that your team lacks, any of the members should be willing to step up and upskill themselves. So, ensure that the person who is about to hire has the thirst for knowledge.

These are some of the important points to consider when adding a new member to your team.

Remember: