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What′s more important for employers - attitude or aptitude?

What is more important, attitude or aptitude? It’s a question that many hiring professionals will have asked themselves when confronted with a candidate who, while lacking in experience, has an attitude that makes them stand out. This could be a big, friendly smile, an amicable demeanour, a charming personality or a certain je ne se quoi about them that shouts “hire me!”

Whatever it is, employers see it the moment the applicant steps through the door. In fact, according to one study by Total Jobs, almost one in five (19%) employers make up their minds about a candidate within one minute of meeting them. While this is a very short amount of time to make a good impression, it does suggest that attitude plays a very significant role in the hiring process. Perhaps, more so than what is on the CV.

This is a viewpoint concurred by Satya Ramamurthy, the head of the Singaporean branch of our partner organisation, KPMG, a management consulting practice. As one of the organisation’s top dogs, he is somewhat of an expert when it comes to hiring. He sat down with E-Financial Careers to talk about how attitude can make or break an applicant.

He begins by citing that quite often, candidates who emit a positive outlook and proactive attitude can find themselves at the front of the pack, even when their work experience or skills may not measure up to their competitors. This is because individuals with a desire to learn tend to make better employees than those who feel entitled to be there.

Equally, employers know that as recent graduates, the applicant is unlikely to have much experience in their sector. Hence, he explains that while aptitude and experience is important, a willingness to learn tends to signify that the applicant is adaptable and ultimately a better fit. He notes that training is expected, mentorships are encouraged and they understand that new recruits will not have all the answers – what’s important, however, is a thirst to find them out. The crux here being their potential, not their past.

Moreover, candidates who have a good attitude and not a “sense of entitlement” tend to be harder workers. He told the financial website that this sense of entitlement is particularly prevalent in Singapore. “They think ‘I’m entitled to what I get in my career’ as opposed to going the extra mile in their jobs”, he says.

“If you’re asked to do something extra at work, don’t say ‘this isn’t my job’, think of how important it is to help your colleagues and learn from it in the process,” Ramamurthy commented.

Another personality trait that proves popular in his firm and among other employers is the candidate’s desire to take risks in their career and to try new things. Ramamurthy admires applicants that take opportunities by the horns, appreciate them and make the best of any given situation, rather than opting for whatever is easiest.

Finding applicants who embody these traits can be a challenge at times, but luckily for employers, there is a way to tap into an exciting array of talented applicants. By registering your vacancies with GradLink for free today, you can get access to a keen cross-section of international graduates who are all vying for their next role.