Mindshare Monthly: The Qualities That Matter Most When Interviewing Candidates

“We’re at a pivotal stage where things move really quickly, so we look for people who see change as an opportunity and want to make a meaningful impact. The right candidates not only thrive in this type of environment but also strengthen the inclusive culture we’re building.”

–Pontosense, Workhaus members since 2022

Welcome back to another Mindshare Monthly, where we ask our coworking community a question and share the answers! For the past two months we’ve been looking at tech trends, but no matter how innovative your industry, a business is only as strong as its people. So this month we’ve shifted gears to focus on talent, which raises the question: What qualities matter the most when you’re interviewing candidates?

Hiring is one of the most important decisions any company makes. We know that some of the toughest calls happen in the interview process, so we couldn’t wait to hear what you members had to say. The responses were wide-ranging, but some clear themes stood out. Some of our members found that teachable skills, like communication and networking prowess matter the most. Meanwhile, others looked for more innate traits like attitude, sense of humour and cultural fit.

Below you can see all of the answers that our community shared, along with insights into what these qualities might reveal about the future of work.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Strong communication skills are an important factor when it comes to who gets hired. Our members highlighted everything from ‘articulate’ and ‘confident conversation’, to ‘maintaining eye contact’. A good first impression matters too, with one member even narrowing the first impression window down to the first 45 seconds! 

Answers in this bucket of important qualities included:

• They are able to carry on a conversation
• Active listener and curious
• Attentiveness — eye contact always
• Communication skills
• Articulate speaker
• Good first impression (45 sec)
• Networking ability

Your conversations in the interview room run deeper than what’s being discussed.  Interpersonal skills, which often come through most clearly in how someone communicates, matter when you’re deciding on your next hire. The emphasis on clear communication and interpersonal skills suggests that it’s not just about what you have to say, it’s about how you say it. This just goes to show that even as an increasing number of complex technical tasks are delegated to AI, there’s no substituting the skills that make us human.

Adaptability and Problem-Solving

Adaptability is another important consideration. No matter the industry, change is inevitable, and for many of our members the strongest candidates are those who see it not as a challenge, but as an opportunity.

Answers in this bucket of important qualities included:

• Initiative
• Resilience
• Adaptability
• Comfort with change
• Problem-solving
• Ownership mentality
• Able to question misconceptions and educate
• Looking to learn, grow and adapt

While comfort with change is clearly important, our members also look for the traits that set a candidate up for success even when they’re not comfortable. In fast-paced environments, these qualities don’t just help teams to succeed, they also help team members to grow. Adaptability, in this sense, is less about what you know today and more about how you’ll rise to whatever challenges tomorrow may have in store

Curiosity and Passion

When it comes to communication, problem solving, and adaptability, they’re all highly teachable skills. On the other end of the spectrum, many of our members said they value more innate abilities. Members mentioned things like natural curiosity, passion and interest. Since curiosity and preparation go hand in hand, it’s no surprise that research also came up…. So, if you’re looking to signal your curious nature to a prospective employer, make sure you do your homework!

Answers in this bucket of important qualities included:

• Someone who does their research
• Ability to ask good questions
• Passion and ambition for the role/position
• Natural curiosity
• Have done their research about the company
• Active listener and curious
• General interest
• Collaborative spirit

In a world where industries and technologies change fast, curiosity and passion often indicate someone who will continue to learn and adapt — a quality that is often more valuable than technical know-how alone. While these traits may not be so easily taught, the good news for applicants is that you can always play to your strengths by applying to jobs in fields that you’re authentically interested in.

Culture Fit and Attitude

One thing that can’t be neglected is the importance of fit, not just in terms of skill, but in terms of personality and mindset. Respect, good manners and kindness lay a critical foundation, while personality can help candidates really stand out.

According to our members, that more often than not means positivity. Whether it’s optimism, kindness, or even a good sense of humor, candidates who bring a positive attitude to the table are more likely to be picked for the role. These small but significant traits help set everyone up for success in the workplace.

Answers in this bucket of important qualities included:

• If they are a good fit for the culture of the business, all skills can be taught but attitude is harder to teach
• Personality, positivity & general interest
• Manners — being respectful
• Kindness
• Positivity
• Talent + Humanity
• Humor
• Mentality
• Empathy

As one member aptly emphasized, technical skills can be taught, but attitude is harder to instill. These qualities can be just as important as work experience. After all, they don’t just add to a team, they also shape the culture of the business.

Keep the Conversation Going with Workhaus

What stood out most this month is how personal the qualities that set candidates apart are. It’s clear that the future of hiring isn’t just about checking off boxes of experience or technical ability. As we enter the age of AI we are seeing now more than ever that while technical skills are important, it’s the human traits that set us apart. Curiosity, communication, and cultural fit aren’t just nice-to-haves, they’re the traits that shape thriving teams.

That’s all for this month’s Mindshare Monthly! To read and respond to our latest question, just swing by the front desk! We can’t wait to share more of your insights next month, and to keep learning from the incredible community we have here at Workhaus.