Tips on how to succeed as a personality hire at work

6 tips on being a successful 'personality hire'

August 5, 2024 12:00 PM

Some people are hired because they had the right experience, others are hired because they had the right attitude — and both are equally valuable to the workplace.

Fifty-four percent of hiring managers believe that soft skills, such as creativity and teamwork are highly important, according to Resume Genius' 2024 Hiring Trends survey. What's even more surprising is that 48% of these hiring managers say they've chosen not to hire a candidate because of a lack of soft skills. As for the people they hire exclusively for those soft skills, they're referred to as "personality hires."

"There's a trend today about how personality hires are needed at every company because they improve morale and make the office a more positive environment for everyone," says Eva Chan, career advisor at Resume Genius. "Essentially, [these employees] stand out not by having the top technical know-how and experience, but by having a personality that slots in well with the hiring manager and the culture they're hiring people to be a part of."

A personality hire is described as someone who is a great communicator with strong interpersonal skills, someone who is likable and personable and someone who gets on well with everyone and ensures that the office is in good spirits. Chan shared a few instances she's seen where applicants moved up during the hiring process by sharing personal success stories, being polite in their emails and putting a non-traditional spin on their interview by turning it into a powerpoint presentation.

There are, however, downsides to being hired despite a lack of technical skills necessary for certain roles. In fact, personality hires often receive scrutiny from their peers if they end up being all talk and no productivity, especially if they have trouble being on time, paying attention to details or hitting deadlines. This means that to succeed, personality hires have to hit the ground running once they enter the workplace.

"Even if you don't have the technical skills now, show that you're more than willing to get them," Chan says. "Having a proactive approach and being committed to improving things for everyone shows you're not just a thinker and a fun person to be around, but a doer who can follow through on ideas and make a real impact."

Chan expanded on some tips Resume Genius shared for personality hires looking to be successful both in the recruitment process and after they land a job.

Demonstrate value to the company during interviews

"One of the easiest ways to show you're genuinely interested in the company is to dig deep into a company's values, recent projects, or any notable achievements that you can use as talking points. You should also look up your interviewers beforehand. Finding common ground or topics of interest can help you create a connection. Chatting about these little details shows you're putting in extra effort to connect. But rather than completely bulldozing the conversation, save your questions or comments for the end of the interview — unless they come up naturally."

Share long-term goals with the hiring manager

"Personality hires should be prepared to discuss their career goals and the steps they are taking to achieve them. They should articulate a clear five-year plan and explain how their technical and soft skills will help them reach their objectives. For example, a candidate might say they're working on a PMP certification and taking advanced training courses in relevant software the company uses. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and professional development shows that they're not solely relying on their personality to succeed."

Direct positive energy into learning opportunities

"Personality hires often excel in communication and relationship-building, but may need more technical skills for their role. To address this challenge, they should seek additional training or enroll in online courses to enhance their abilities and complement their interpersonal strengths. For instance, a sales associate with strong networking skills might need to improve their IT system proficiency to manage appointments more effectively and meet sales targets."

Balance socializing with workload management

"Make sure you're always doing your share of the work. You might have a lot of ideas, and that's great, but it's one thing to propose a solution, and another to do the grunt work required to implement it. Do some research, find the best options, and share a shortlist with your team for an idea you pitched, for instance."

Jump at mentorship opportunities

"If there's a mentorship program at your workplace, get involved as a mentor or mentee," Chan says. "Sharing advice and progress can create a win-win situation for both of you. If formal programs aren't available, take the initiative to help a coworker develop a skill they're struggling with. Supporting and uplifting your colleagues will set you apart as a proactive and valuable team member who cares about the company's success and has the potential to be a leader."