According to Google, here are the top 8 soft skills sought by most employers – time management, communication, adaptability, problem-solving, teamwork, creativity, leadership and interpersonal skills. A good list to be sure, but the Executive Alliance Thought Leadership Team believes a top skill is missing from this list and that is, resourcefulness.
If you look at the film industry for a moment to gain some perspective on what qualities people find most attractive, you’ll notice that every single blockbuster movie ever made has, as it’s central character, a highly resourceful person.
In fact, some of the biggest money makers of all time include Maverick who was unbelievably resourceful in Top Gun. How about Jake Sully, the disabled marine that played the Avatar? Or Chris Pratt’s character in Jurassic Park? Was Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in Titanic resourceful? How about Batman? Or Indiana Jones? Or James Bond? You can tie them up, make them bleed, and drop them in a shark tank and somehow, they will find a way to live. No superpowers are needed. Just a Resourceful state of mind.
Recruiters are attracted to those same skills. How great would it be to put a resourceful person into any role? I am surprised this skill is not more of a topic on interviews.
When I interview a candidate, I ask them what they can tell me that shows they are resourceful. Unfortunately, sometimes it is revealed they are not resourceful at all, which I am afraid takes them out of contention. This question often spawns conversation about difficulties candidates have overcome or accomplishments candidates have made.
Whether employers realize it or not and even if they don’t mention the exact word on the interview, all employers would like to hire a resourceful candidate willing to take initiative fearlessly.
According to Google, here are the qualities of resourceful people:
- Takes initiative
- Open minded
- Self-assured
- Imaginative
- Proactive
- Persistent
- Resilient
Now, can you imagine an employer saying this candidate has all the experience for the role, but I wouldn’t want to hire someone who takes initiative, is self-assured, imaginative, proactive, persistent and resilient? Not going to happen. So, when you go on a job interview, be sure to share with the employer your ability to be resourceful. It will make a difference.