While every candidate is unique, there are some common qualities that all recruiters and employers are looking for in potential new hires.  Below are a three of those essential qualities that every candidate must have:

1.     Passion for their work.  Recruiters and employers aren’t looking for candidates who just want a “job” they want someone who has a calling to do the type of job they are applying for.  Are you passionate about your work?  If the answer is yes, then think of ways that you can prove it to employers.  Maybe you mentor youth who want to work in your field or volunteer your legal skills and expertise to senior citizens.  Whatever you do that proves you are passionate about your work, make sure you share it with potential employers and recruiters.

2.     The ability to learn from their mistakes.  Making mistakes is just a part of life, but what makes the best candidates stand out, is their ability to take their mistakes and transform them into lessons. Employers and recruiters are looking for job candidates who are humble enough and smart enough to admit they have made mistakes and have learned from those errors.  Be ready to share your stories of mistakes that have turned out to be learning moments which have taken you to the next level in your career.

3.     The ability to work well with others.  Recruiters and employers aren’t just looking for candidates who are good “lone guns” so to speak, they are looking for those candidates who integrate well into their existing corporate culture.  Candidates who exhibit the ability to work as a part of the existing corporate culture to achieve the firm’s goals are the most sought after new hires.

One of the biggest mistakes made by recruiters during a recession is that they pull back on necessary overhauls of their brand.  Nothing beats a recession like a strong brand that can attract lucrative clients and valuable talent.  Below are a few things you can do to improve your brand during a recession:

1.     Assess the health of your brand.  What is working?  Are you attracting the type of clients and job candidates you want? Is your brand communicating your company’s intended message?

2.     What do your clients want?  One of the most important jobs of good branding is to convince clients that your company can help them fulfill their wants and needs.  Is your band effectively communicating what your offer to potential customers and how you are different from the competition?

3.     Refocus on your company’s core values and services.  Make sure your marketing materials communicate clearly what you are offering without muddling the message with too much information.

4.     Never cut on quality. Make sure you create quality websites and print marketing materials that remind the customer that you are professional and intend to provide top-notch quality service.