Anyone who conducted interviews for potential employees knows that after a while you develop your own priorities of what to ask, what to pay attention to and what to look for in the candidate. If I had to pick that ONE thing in the candidate that will put him at the top of the list, outshining everyone else, I would say I’ll choose a person with potential and ability to learn. This trait puts in shadow even those that demonstrate all required job specific knowledge on the spot.
First of all, there is no such thing as knowing it all, even if it looks like it. Tomorrow you might find a completely new knowledge needs to be applied (nowadays the chances for that are 100%) and the skill to learn “on the spot” becomes more valuable than any previously demonstrated knack. Having this skill in your backpack indicates many other important skills, such as curiosity, flexibility (a sign of being a good team player) and motivation.
So, if I need to choose between “know-it-all smarty pants” candidate and one that convinced me that he has what it takes to learn whatever is needed for the job to be done, without any doubt the latter gets the spot.
How to discover this potential in the candidate is prompting a separate post, but in the meanwhile: if you had to pick this ONE thing you are looking for in your future employee would it be any other trait?
Team members function together like organs of human body: Part 2
Team members function together like organs of human body: Part 1
AnyaWorkSmart 
As someone who is more likely to BE hired than hire, I always want to be considered someone who is “a pleasure to work with”. Of course being great at what you do is pretty important, but when I wrap a job with a client, I’d like them to leave thinking, “I’d work with that guy again.” Professionalism is paramount, but kindness is a close 2nd.
I also hold my clients to that standard again. If you’re difficult, there’s a good chance the next time you need my, I’ll likely be “booked”. Or at the very least, my rates will have gone up.
Hi Dave, I could not agree more with you! Thank you so much for your comment.
What is the point to have an expert on a team if you cannot work collaboratively with him?
I think your comment is contained within the words “having a goodwill”. As a team you can achieve anything when co-workers are open and initially are coming from a goodwill perspective. Well, that is definitely a solid candidate for Thumb Rule #2.
Why not #1? Well, being kind, having a genuinely good intentions IS important, but if a person cannot learn, that alone won’t be enough to deliver. Though as you said, it is a very close 2nd:). A person that demonstrates a natural flexibility of mind and a goodwill definitely has almost the whole package. From a building team stand point it is also important to keep in mind the intended role.
Knowing your approach I’m sure your clients are in the right hands!