Recruiting the right employees is critical to the success of any company. While technical abilities and relevant qualifications are essential, personal attributes are equally important. These qualities shape individual performance and influence team dynamics and overall company culture. Identifying candidates with the right traits can make all the difference between a thriving, high-performing team and one that struggles to meet expectations.
Although the qualities of an ideal employee can vary depending on the specific needs of a team or company, certain characteristics are universally valuable. Below, we’ll explore the essential qualities that make for outstanding employees—especially for tech teams—and discuss how to evaluate these traits during the hiring process.
Understanding What Makes a Good Employee
When we talk about the “qualities of a good employee,” we’re referring to a combination of technical expertise, soft skills, and personal traits that enhance an individual’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the team. These qualities apply to anyone joining your organization, regardless of their contract type or seniority level.
In fast-moving tech environments, employees must excel at their individual responsibilities and collaborate effectively with others. This combination of teamwork and independence makes a good employee an invaluable asset.
Core Qualities of a Great Employee
Strong Documentation Skills
Clear and organized documentation is essential, especially for remote or distributed teams. When employees document their work accurately, they create a resource that future team members can rely on, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and ensuring that everyone remains aligned. Proper documentation also leaves an accountability trail, making it easier for others to step in and continue where someone left off without disrupting workflows.
Adaptability and Problem-Solving Abilities
In dynamic environments, things rarely go as planned. A great employee embraces change, continuously tests their work, and makes necessary adjustments along the way. Whether fixing bugs, refining processes, or responding to shifting project priorities, adaptable employees can pivot quickly and keep the project on track.
Proactively identifying potential issues before they escalate demonstrates foresight and a strong problem-solving mindset. This not only ensures smoother project execution but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
Openness to Feedback
Collaboration is at the heart of every successful project. Great employees understand that receiving feedback is an opportunity to grow rather than a personal attack. They welcome constructive criticism, use it to enhance their skills, and apply lessons learned to future tasks. Employees actively seeking feedback from colleagues and supervisors demonstrate a commitment to personal and team development.
Curiosity and Attention to Detail
Curious employees dig deeper to understand the broader context of their work. They don’t just focus on their specific tasks; they look at how all the moving parts come together. This quality is particularly important in development environments, where small details can significantly impact the final outcome.
Curiosity also translates into asking thoughtful questions. Employees who know when and how to ask questions—whether about processes, project scope, or dependencies—contribute to more efficient workflows and smoother communication within the team.
Balancing Independence with Teamwork
The ability to work autonomously while remaining a valuable team player is crucial. In distributed teams, employees must know when to rely on their own skills to complete tasks and when to seek assistance from others. Striking this balance ensures that projects progress smoothly without unnecessary bottlenecks.
Independent team members demonstrate accountability and take ownership of their work, but they also understand the importance of collaboration. They know how to contribute meaningfully to group discussions and make sure their efforts align with the team’s goals.
Prioritization Skills
In fast-paced environments, managing multiple tasks and deadlines can be overwhelming. Top-tier employees excel at prioritizing their workload based on the project’s objectives and deadlines. They focus on tasks that move the needle while deferring lower-priority activities until the appropriate time.
These employees don’t just work harder—they work smarter. Understanding the bigger picture and focusing on what matters most, they help their team stay on track and meet critical milestones.
Goal-Oriented Approach
Being goal-oriented means more than just completing individual tasks; it’s about aligning personal efforts with the broader objectives of the team and the company. Employees with this mindset proactively identify potential roadblocks or opportunities that could affect the project’s success.
A goal-oriented employee takes ownership of their work, ensuring it contributes meaningfully to the team’s objectives. Focusing on outcomes rather than task completion drives them to go above and beyond, helping the entire team succeed.
How to Evaluate These Qualities During the Hiring Process
Now that we’ve outlined the qualities that define a great employee, the next challenge is assessing these traits during the hiring process. Here are some practical steps to identify candidates with the right combination of skills and attributes.
Ask for Examples from Past Experience
During interviews, ask open-ended questions that prompt candidates to describe how they handled specific situations in previous roles. For example:
- “Can you walk me through a time when you worked on a remote team? What challenges did you face, and how did you address them?”
- “Tell me about a time when a colleague didn’t follow agreed-upon policies. How did you handle the situation?”
These questions reveal how candidates think, how they approach challenges, and how well they align with your team’s culture.
Create Real-Life Scenarios
Role-playing exercises can provide valuable insights into a candidate’s interpersonal skills. For example, simulate a scrum meeting and observe how the candidate communicates with the team. This helps you assess their ability to collaborate, contribute ideas, and handle group dynamics effectively.
You can also give constructive feedback on a mock project during the interview to gauge the candidate’s reaction. Do they respond positively and show a willingness to learn, or do they become defensive? This will give you a glimpse of their openness to feedback.
Check References from Previous Employers
Speak with former supervisors or colleagues to get a clearer picture of the candidate’s work style, strengths, and areas for improvement. Ask specific questions about their ability to manage deadlines, collaborate effectively, and handle unexpected challenges.
Pay Attention to Their Questions
Candidates who ask insightful questions during the interview often demonstrate curiosity and a genuine interest in the role. Take note of the topics they inquire about—are they focused only on the job’s logistics, or do they dig deeper into the company’s processes and culture? Thoughtful questions can signal a candidate’s commitment to understanding the bigger picture.
The Benefits of Hiring Quality Employees
Hiring employees with the right qualities offers significant benefits beyond individual performance. These team members not only excel at their own tasks but also elevate the performance of those around them. In distributed tech teams, where communication and collaboration are critical, having employees who are proactive, adaptable, and skilled at prioritization is invaluable.
By focusing on technical skills and behavioral traits, you’ll build a team that can thrive under pressure, adapt to change, and consistently deliver high-quality results. While finding candidates who meet all these criteria may seem challenging, the rewards are well worth the effort.
Investing time and effort in the hiring process helps ensure that your team is set up for long-term success. The right employees will contribute far more than just their technical skills—they’ll become integral parts of your company’s culture and help drive its growth.
Now that you know what to look for in a standout employee, you can take the next step toward building a stronger team. Ready to dive deeper? Check out our CEO’s insights on the pros and cons of outsourcing software development.
