TALENT ACQUISITION: 5 QUALITIES TO LOOK FOR WHEN RECRUITING TOP TALENT

Jeff Mignault • May 11, 2017

Talent acquisition and recruiting is an important opportunity for your organization to not only find and hire the best talent available, but to also improve your organization. Getting it right can pay huge dividends for your company. Therefore, it’s important to invest in your hiring practices, know the qualities to look for when recruiting top talent, and have the right approach to hiring.

HIRING FOR CHARACTER OVER COMPETENCE

As they say, you can’t teach character, but you can teach skills, a reason why many companies are now placing a greater emphasis on soft skills and looking for a strong organizational culture fit when hiring.

“Your organization is only as good as the talent you recruit. It is the people who define and shape the organizational culture — so identifying people with the right character, attitudes, and behavior must be the highest priority when hiring or promoting within,” says leadership expert Bill Hogg in Focus on Character Not Competence: 3 Ways to Build a Strong Organizational Culture.

5 QUALITIES TO LOOK FOR WHEN RECRUITING TOP TALENT

Here are some of the top qualities to look for when recruiting talent:

1. LEADERSHIP:

You can never have too many people with leadership abilities. Looking for candidates with leadership skills can help you now and potentially in the future when looking to fill other roles within your organization.

2. RESILIENCE:

Finding people who can thrive under any circumstance is vital. “Most organizations are now experiencing increased instability and uncertainty, and thus, using shorter planning horizons. Teams in all functional areas are seeing more tumultuous work streams with changing goals and deadlines. Some people have a strong tendency to mentally lock-up under those conditions,” says Technori.

3. COACHABILITY:

The ability to be coached, learn new skills, and take constructive criticism is very important. Those who possess this, seek out mentorship, and are open to expanding their skills and abilities will grow professionally and help your company evolve, as well.

4. VERSATILITY:

There is less and less room for one-dimensional talent today. Organizations need people who have diverse skill sets and can work on multiple projects, and in a variety of settings. Versatility gives your company more flexibility.

5. LOYALTY:

This is perhaps one of the most difficult qualities to find today. Modern professionals are becoming accustomed to moving around, and finding someone who is willing to grow with your company and be loyal is highly desirable. But you need to offer an environment and culture that will make them want to stay and be dedicated to your company.

MORE RECRUITING TIPS AND ADVICE

Jeff Mignault
HR consultant coaching Gen Z employees on communication and people skills in the workplace
January 28, 2026
Learn why Gen Z struggles with people skills at work and how HR leaders can train communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence effectively.
Woman in front male coworkers in the background appear to gossip, illustrating workplace harassment
January 21, 2026
Learn when to start a workplace harassment investigation, how investigations work in Canada, standards of proof, and what employers must not say.
Employee working with vacation gear at the office, illustrating vacation accrual and carryover rules
January 14, 2026
Learn how vacation accrual and carryover works in Canada. Compare provincial rules, use-it-or-lose-it policies, payouts, and employee entitlements.
Burned-out match representing employee burnout in the workplace
December 17, 2025
Learn the top signs of employee burnout and practical remedies employers can use to reduce stress, improve morale, and build a healthier, more productive workplace.
HR team reviewing January 2026 pay equity and transparency compliance checklist
December 8, 2025
Prepare for Ontario’s January 1, 2026 pay equity and transparency rules. Learn what’s changing, compliance steps, risks of non-compliance, and how HR can get ready.
Handshake in front of Canadian flag representing cross-border hiring
December 3, 2025
Hiring employees in Canada as a US company? Learn the HR essentials for employing Canadians from the US, including payroll, compliance and cross-border requirements.
Manager mediating employee conflict
November 26, 2025
Learn how to handle internal conflict resolution in the workplace. Discover why it matters, when managers should intervene, and key conflict resolution strategies.
Coworkers arguing in an office showing a toxic work environment
November 12, 2025
Learn what a toxic work environment is, key warning signs, legal implications, and how employers can fix toxic workplace culture and rebuild trust and productivity.
Respectful employee termination canada
November 5, 2025
Learn the 2025 employee termination rules in Canada, including severance pay in Ontario, notice laws, and how to avoid wrongful dismissal claims.
Team creating an AI policy template
October 29, 2025
Learn how to create an AI policy for your organization. Explore AI policy examples, templates, and best practices to ensure ethical, compliant use of AI tools at work.