How to Get Hired

You've heard the saying "You never get a second chance to make a first impression" and it's true, so here are a few personality traits that employers are looking for when they're bringing in prospective job candidates and what bosses want when they're looking for someone to promote.

Forbes Magazine conducted a survey of various companies and here's what they said about who they'd like to hire.

More than half of the companies surveyed said that they wanted someone who was intellectually curious. If you're curious about things, many bosses see that as a sign you'll be a good long term employee because the times are changing with new computer programs and new technologies and if you're curious about things, you'll want to learn and adapt.

Do you pay attention to how others perceive you and your work ethic? Then you're in luck. Another trait bosses look for is someone who is self aware and self monitoring. In other words, they're looking for someone who can just do the work and doesn't need to be pushed, poked, prodded or cajoled into completing their tasks. Perception is reality and if you look like a motivated self starter, you're going to be perceived as one.

Almost two thirds of bosses think that someone who is confident will be a good employee and one boss says they can tell how confident of a person you are within 30 seconds of meeting you. It's also important to keep up your confidence after you get a job because that way you're more likely to be promoted.

Are you an energetic go getter? Your energy level is another thing that managers and bosses look for. Your energy level needs to be high every single day and 78 percent of hiring managers say that someone who's energetic is more likely to be hired than someone who's not.

The number one thing than bosses and managers say they look for in a  potential candidate or in someone they want to promote is someone who has a high level of professionalism. Especially in the interview, but even more so when you get the job or promotion. When the interview wraps up and they ask you if you have any questions and you can't think of one, one question to ask is "What is the dress code like?" If you get the job, 86 percent of managers say that someone who dresses up for work and is there on time or five to ten minutes early are two professional characteristics that they value.