Beyond the CV: What Employers Should Really Look For
When hiring, it's easy to get caught up in a candidate’s CV, focusing solely on qualifications, previous job titles, and years of experience.
However, these elements don’t always paint the full picture of a candidate’s potential.
Many essential qualities go beyond what’s listed on paper and can make all the difference in hiring someone who will truly excel in a role.
Here’s what employers should be looking for beyond the CV.
2. Problem-Solving: Thinking Beyond the Obvious
3. Communication Skills: More Than Just Speaking Clearly
4. Initiative: The Drive to Take Action
5. Cultural Fit: Aligning with Company Values
6. Work Ethic: More Than Just Showing Up
7. Resilience: Overcoming Setbacks
8. Growth Mindset: Always Learning, Always Improving
Conclusion
However, these elements don’t always paint the full picture of a candidate’s potential.
Many essential qualities go beyond what’s listed on paper and can make all the difference in hiring someone who will truly excel in a role.
Here’s what employers should be looking for beyond the CV.
Table of Contents:
1. Adaptability: Thriving in Change 2. Problem-Solving: Thinking Beyond the Obvious
3. Communication Skills: More Than Just Speaking Clearly
4. Initiative: The Drive to Take Action
5. Cultural Fit: Aligning with Company Values
6. Work Ethic: More Than Just Showing Up
7. Resilience: Overcoming Setbacks
8. Growth Mindset: Always Learning, Always Improving
Conclusion
1. Adaptability: Thriving in Change
Industries evolve, technology advances, and business needs shift, meaning that the most valuable employees are those who can adapt.
A candidate’s ability to pivot, learn new skills, and embrace change can be more critical than their technical experience.
Look for examples of adaptability in their past roles by asking questions like:
A candidate’s ability to pivot, learn new skills, and embrace change can be more critical than their technical experience.
Look for examples of adaptability in their past roles by asking questions like:
Have they worked in different industries or taken on varied responsibilities?
How have they handled sudden changes or challenges in past jobs?
2. Problem-Solving: Thinking Beyond the Obvious
A great hire isn’t just someone who can follow instructions, they should be able to think critically and solve problems on their own.
Employees who can identify issues, analyze situations, and develop solutions add tremendous value to any organization.
Employees who can identify issues, analyze situations, and develop solutions add tremendous value to any organization.
Instead of only looking at work history, explore their problem-solving abilities by asking:
Can they share a time when they solved a difficult problem without guidance?
Have they proposed or implemented any new strategies in past roles?
3. Communication Skills: More Than Just Speaking Clearly
Effective communication isn’t just about talking, it’s about conveying ideas, listening actively, and adjusting messaging to different audiences.
Whether interacting with colleagues, customers, or stakeholders, strong communicators create smoother workflows and better collaboration.
Whether interacting with colleagues, customers, or stakeholders, strong communicators create smoother workflows and better collaboration.
Signs of strong communication skills:
Clear and confident responses in interviews
Ability to explain complex ideas simply
Evidence of teamwork and collaboration in past roles
4. Initiative: The Drive to Take Action
Employees who take initiative don’t just wait for instructions, they seek out opportunities, improve processes, and contribute beyond their job description.
Initiative is a key trait of high performers who push businesses forward.
Look for candidates who:
Have taken on leadership roles even when not required
Share examples of projects they started or improved
Express a willingness to go beyond basic job responsibilities
5. Cultural Fit: Aligning with Company Values
Beyond skills and experience, an employee’s alignment with company culture affects their long-term success.
If a candidate’s work style, values, and approach align with the business, they are more likely to thrive.
If a candidate’s work style, values, and approach align with the business, they are more likely to thrive.
To assess cultural fit, consider:
Their preferred work environment (structured vs. flexible)
Their values and motivations
Their ability to collaborate with different teams
6. Work Ethic: More Than Just Showing Up
A strong work ethic is crucial but often overlooked in favor of technical expertise.
Employees who consistently demonstrate reliability, responsibility, and dedication are assets to any company.
Employees who consistently demonstrate reliability, responsibility, and dedication are assets to any company.
Indicators of a strong work ethic:
Consistency in past roles (e.g., long tenure in previous jobs)
References that highlight dependability
Willingness to take on challenges
7. Resilience: Overcoming Setbacks
Every job comes with challenges, and the best candidates are those who can handle setbacks with a positive attitude.
Resilience is what keeps employees motivated and solution-oriented even in tough situations.
Resilience is what keeps employees motivated and solution-oriented even in tough situations.
Ask about:
A time they faced a major professional setback and how they responded
Their approach to handling high-pressure situations
Examples of when they turned failures into learning opportunities
8. Growth Mindset: Always Learning, Always Improving
A candidate’s willingness to learn and improve can be a stronger indicator of success than their current skill set.
Those with a growth mindset actively seek feedback, take on new challenges, and continuously develop their abilities.
Those with a growth mindset actively seek feedback, take on new challenges, and continuously develop their abilities.
Look for:
Candidates who have taken extra courses or self-taught skills
Those who seek mentorship and professional development
Individuals who embrace feedback and use it for improvement
Conclusion
Why This Matters More Than Experience Alone
While experience and qualifications are important, hiring based solely on CVs can cause businesses to overlook incredible talent.
A great employee is not just someone with the right degree or title, they are adaptable, communicative, proactive, and resilient. By focusing on these attributes, employers can build stronger, more dynamic teams.
Finding the Right Talent Through the Right Platform
To identify candidates who truly embody these qualities, businesses need a recruitment platform that goes beyond just listing jobs and collecting CVs.
CVQuest provides a streamlined way to connect with candidates who bring more than just experience to the table, helping employers find individuals who will grow, adapt, and thrive within their organizations.