Getting A Great Employee Is Hard

credit: Engin Erdogan

Though this blog focuses on generating leads for your business, but I will be sharing on what bosses want in employees. Getting a good employee is hard to come by, getting a great one is like you found a diamond out of nowhere. Why do I say that?

Recently I was having lunch with one of my female friends who owned a printing company that her employee had worked there for almost 3 years now but still do not know some of the basic terms in printing. My friend had to teach her employee over and over again. She shared that it was very tiring and frustrating to do these unnecessary teaching again and again.

I can understand her feeling, where I too saw this situation in one of the companies where I worked before. The worst thing that happened was when this colleague of mine shared our database to a business partner for FREE! That was a very serious mistake, and thank God he was not sacked.

What makes a good employee, or should I rephrase it – what is it that a employer is looking for in a employee? Below are some of the points:

1) Teachable – without this characteristic, you will not be able to go far in the company. Teachable also means that a employee must be humble as well, so that the employee will not have a big head or become an Indian Chief, doing what he/she thinks its right. Always listen and learn from an experienced colleague who is willing to teach you.

2) Learnable – this will actually show your employer that you are willing to learn and interested about this business. So how do you show your employer that you are interested in the business? By asking on how, where, why, when questions. Its just like courting a lady or man, if you are interested in the lady or man, you will be asking questions about them, knowing them more in depth.

3) Think about the company – there are two areas that your employer will notice you very fast and quickly, if you understand them. They are in the areas of generating sales and cutting cost for the company. As most of us know very well, a  top sales person who sells very well for the company will be rewarded by huge commissions. Cutting cost and generating sales are what businesses are looking for – which in turn results for profit and reward for outstanding employees.

4) Be flexible – there are sometimes limits what a employee can do, but if he/she is able to to demonstrate resourcefulness, and still preform a task out of own initiative it will be a great thing for the company.

5) Leadership – this will be the stage where most companies wants every employee to be. A company is willing to pay for an employee that shows great leadership – that is why most CEOs are paid millions per year. Because they can lead the company to a whole new level.

As most of the people on earth are employees, this why it is hard to be on the top. But not all of us are willing to have the above five qualities. If you do demonstrate these five qualities, then will you be able to go far. Always think for the company. Let’s increase our standards today and step up!