By: Elise Porter
I am a recruiter for a Fortune 500 company. My day kicks off bright and early with a stroll from my home to the Manhattan skyscraper that serves as my office. Armed with a cup of coffee, I settle in at my desk where my laptop awaits, ready to unveil the list of applicants lined up for interviews. While they all express similar levels of experience and impressive skill sets, they're about to perform another critical phase of the hiring process that is just as important: the behavioral interview. Following these conversations, I will be able to differentiate who is the best fit, and who might be better with another role. All of the potential candidates have the hard skills needed to be a successful employee, and will be able to learn as the tasks advance over time. However, technical skills are not enough to win yourself a job. So when looking for the best fit for our company, we will look towards their personalities, and decide who might provide a valuable asset to our team.
I am not actually a recruiter for a Fortune 500 company. I'm a college freshman, who has just started embarking on my journey into the professional world. But if that scenario were real, and I found myself conducting those interviews, I know precisely which traits I'd be seeking.
In a 2023 article published by Forbes, they identified the top five power skills employers seek: communication, customer service, leadership, attention to detail, and collaboration. While these attributes are undeniably crucial, I'd argue that bravery deserves a spot on that list—a quality not typically thought of. Bravery can sometimes be misinterpreted as not having fears, but when I think of bravery I consider it being able to confront your fears and overcome them. The key difference being that everyone gets scared, but those who are brave have the ability to push past those daunting thoughts. Most often in a professional setting, this becomes the fear of failure. The reluctance to apply for a job or request a promotion stems from the fear of rejection. However, if you never push past those trepidations and try, there isn’t any chance you will succeed. The most accomplished individuals confront many challenges and grow due to the ability to either navigate through the challenge, or learn from their mistakes. Companies that have the most success might have had to take the most significant risks, so being able to show the quality of moving past those fears is thus a trait I would look for if hiring new employees.
Especially when looking forward to all business industries in the next decade. We are in a vital transition period for technologies, to a future where AI will be adapted into most aspects of operation. This can be very daunting as it is an innovation that is unknown, and powerful enough to replace many human functions. If a company decides to shy away from this change, however, they will quickly fall behind their competitors. The most valued leaders will be those who bravely welcome these new technologies and learn how to use it advantageously. By doing so, they provide themselves a foundation and competitive advantage that could set them apart during this transition.
As much as I have explained why I believe that bravery is essential, you might be wondering how to practice this attribute. From my experience, the most effective way to enhance your bravery skills are by putting them into use. The next time that you feel fear taking over your thoughts, push through it. If you don’t take the initiative to complete tasks that scare you, someone else will pounce on your missed opportunity. Everyone has the ability to be brave, it simply just requires the self-discipline to not take the easy route and let your emotions dictate your actions. Most people will be facing the same fears that you are, however if you are the one to overcome the obstacle, that may differentiate you from the competition and land you a job in a Fortune 500 company, if so desired.
Perna, Mark C. “The Top 5 Power Skills Employers Are Looking for in 2023.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 12 Sept. 2023, www.forbes.com/sites/markcperna/2023/05/30/the-top-5-power-skills-employers-are-looking-for-in-2023/?sh=582926d528c1