Colleen Bassett
15 October 2020
With the rise in unemployment and so many on the search for a new job opportunity, knowing what attributes employers look for in an employee can prove quite valuable. I asked Google this question a few different ways to see how much the results of my search would vary, and the results were interestingly similar. The same characteristics were populated repeatedly. The most common of those were:
- Good Communication Skills
- Honesty
- Dependability
Other popular attributes include:
- Flexible
- Comfortable with Technology
- Good Work Ethic
- Problem Solver
- Confident
- Determined
- Ambitious
Of the most common attributes — communication, honesty, and dependability — I thought about how these align with what the Bible tells us about how we should operate in our daily lives. For example, what does the Bible say about how we should communicate? The Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:15 to [speak the truth in love]. Guidance on communication is mentioned throughout the Book of Proverbs. In Proverbs chapter six, we learn of seven things the Lord hates. Among those seven things are a “lying tongue, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who sows discord in a family.” Imagine, three of the things that God hates have to do with communication! So proper communication is valuable not just to employers but to God. In essence, good communication will impact our connection with God and people, helping to create positive relationships, and abundant living.
Photograph via Canva
We are also expected to be honest in all of our dealings. Proverbs 16:13 says, “Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.” As Christians, God desires for us to operate honestly, and it’s evident that employers have the same expectation. Corruption can sometimes be irreversible, so the Lord cautions us to be honest in all that we do. Just as it’s important to God for us to “do good” even when no one is watching, it is also essential to do a great job at work even when the boss isn’t looking. We know that God is always watching, so whether or not others on Earth can see us, we are always being observed. Ephesians 6:5-9 reminds us of this.
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.”
Lastly, to be dependable is a quality that also transcends the workplace. If you embody that characteristic, you are someone who everyone has likely come to depend on at work, home, and in friendships. Employers seek people who are dependable because it is critical to an organization’s success. Dependable people are needed in the workplace as well as at home or in a church community.
When we take to heart God’s principles on communication and honesty, we will exude the qualities most often sought by employers. And while employers want people who are hard-working, determined, and ambitious, confident, and tech-savvy, the most important attributes are those the Lord teaches us to focus on. Communication, honesty, and dependability are important to God because they lead to an abundant life!
Below, please find information that discusses qualities employers desire in employees. Additionally, you will find an article on how to glorify Christ in the workplace. Be blessed!