What top execs look for in fresh graduates

Humility, enthusiasm and emotional intelligence.

Aside from academic achievements, these are some of the top traits that top executives are looking for when deciding on who will be lucky enough to join their team, as this informal survey by BusinessMonday shows.

According to Federal Land President Alfred Ty, new job seekers should have the humility and eagerness to learn anything and everything.

“At Federal Land, we value the skills and expertise of our  employees but hold even more highly the principles of trust, integrity and commitment. Federal Land nurtures their employees so that they are given a career environment that provides to create an extraordinary experience every single day.”

Other CEOs and top executives share similar views.

Antonio de Rosas, president and CEO, Pru Life UK

Doing well in school and graduating from a good school opens doors but does not mean one will automatically do well at work and in life. Based on my own experience, I have seen outstanding performers who were average achievers in “2nd tier” schools. What I look for in a candidate is the right attitude and willingness to learn. Also EQ is very important for one to have sustained success in the work place.

Archie Rodriguez, president, GRCI

The primary things we look for fresh graduates are grit, kindness, the ability to solve problems creatively, and a deep sense of the work they are about to embark in.

The food industry is a very cutthroat business and no two days are always alike. There is a need for one person to learn details that are beyond their expertise quickly and that always requires people to be inherent learners, and are tenacious when it comes to accomplishing tasks. But still, despite the constant challenge of everyday business, the ability of a person to be service-oriented to his or her colleagues, our suppliers, and our restaurant guests count a lot.

Graduates who know exactly the industry or work they are entering is always a plus—we always want someone who can hit the ground running upon entering the company.

Those who have a positive disposition, those who can see problems as opportunities for growth, are people who I personally would want on my team. Passion for the work, no matter how big or small that may be, always pays off in the long run. And lastly, an innovative nature is always a plus in any industry as it is almost always followed by foresight. At the end of the day, those who help their company get ahead also place themselves ahead of everyone else in the race.

Imelda Ronnie G. Castro, Assurance and Human Capital Partner, ISLA Lipana & Co.

To the graduates of 2014, give yourselves two thumbs-up for a job well done! And life continues—the next step is to look for a job. Landing your first job is like match-making. Ask yourself: What suits your interests? What are you good at? Immediate rewards or peer pressure, no matter how tempting, should not be the be-all and end-all. Consider the intangibles—company culture and values, as well as opportunities for promotion and learning.

As you work, be open to feedback and seek coaching to see how you can improve your performance. You gain more skills along the way that you would be more confident to welcome complicated tasks. You can now share your point of view as you make important decisions. Show your leaders that you are eager to grow and be trusted. Being passionate about your work will turn your nervous energy into positive one, making you more productive and fulfilled. If you love your work and enjoy it, it would not feel like work anymore.

Work is a blessing, a gift. As in all things in life, being grateful will keep you going despite the challenges. Always remember the essentials that will sustain you throughout your life and career: passion, purpose and integrity.

Marife B. Zamora, chair, Convergys Philippines Services Corporation

George Saunders, New York Times’ best-selling writer, delivered the 2013 Syracuse University commencement address that has become viral. He didn’t espouse the usual ‘follow-your-dreams’ advice but focused on overlooked traits of the business world— the need for kindness and the risk of focusing too much on success.

Saunders said, ‘Do all the other things, the ambitious things—travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make or lose fortunes…—but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness. That luminous part of you that exists beyond personality—your soul, if you will, is as bright and shining than any that has ever been. ’

On success, he said, ‘Succeeding, whatever that might mean to you, is hard, and the need to do so constantly renews itself (success is like a mountain that keeps growing ahead of you as you hike it), and there’s the very real danger that ‘succeeding’ will take up your whole life, while the big questions go untended.’

I echo his advice. Do whatever you must but above all, be kind and everything else will follow.

Agnes Gervacio, president, NEC Philippines

Don’t rush! It is admirable that a goal is set and one works hard for that goal. A common pitfall is to rush toward achieving the lofty titles and positions as an executive. Time is a great teacher. Be patient as the reality is reaching a goal takes time. Not only do you shed off the unnecessary stress of racing against the clock—you will also be a happier person.

Look the Part. Not only do you show up on time when you sign up but show up like you mean it! Your outfits need not be expensive. Just make sure you are dressed appropriately. Looking the part not only develops a positive presence for the person but also contributes to the person’s self-confidence. A positive presence will help you be noticed and be taken more seriously.

Make excellence a habit! Work hard and always strive for excellence. It is not enough to get the job done but always target to deliver excellent results. Regardless of what we intend to pursue as a career, a sure fire way to succeed is to make excellence as a habit.

It’s an honor for me to have been requested to give advice to the graduates. These definitely worked for me and I hope these work for you too. Congratulations to all of you! I wish you all the best in the adventure ahead!”

Mercedes L. Vargas, president and executive director, Lopez Group Foundation Inc.

Astrong dedication to serve the Filipino people is the essential requirement to become a Kapamilya. Simply put, you must be in it not just for the profit but for a bigger reason. You have to be someone who will be proud of being part of a company that is dedicated to improving the lives of Filipinos.

The Lopez Group is home to more than 14,000 employees who belong to over 20 different companies spanning a wide range of industries, from mass media, to telecommunications, power, manufacturing, and land and  infrastructure development. In terms of hiring, what we look for in a potential employee is someone whose values resonate with that of the group.

Our companies have always been driven by talented people who believe strongly in the task of nation building. What we’re looking for are future leaders, trailblazers, forward-thinkers, innovators—people who are driven to make possibilities a reality. We need people who can consistently and tirelessly aim for excellence in everything they do, people who adhere to the value of integrity, and people who understand that the level of commitment you put in an endeavor means nothing if it doesn’t impact the lives of the people you serve.

Manny Rubio, president and CEO, SN Aboitiz Power

What I would look for in new graduates are resilience, drive and grit. Given more or less similar competencies and skills, the differentiating factor would be the character of the individual. We should look into how the person will fit in the existing culture. This can be a very subjective process but there are metrics and evaluation tools that are available to make the decision process more objective

Warren Tait, vice president for marketing, Telus International Philippines

Our workforce in TELUS International Philippines is mostly composed of young professionals with a diverse range of extracurricular talents and interests—sports, arts, and the like. We acknowledge the fact that these individual passions can translate to better performance in the workplace, so we make it a point to support what they love through our various people-centered programs.

We also make it a point to embody our corporate social responsibility philosophy—‘we give where we live.’ Our company conducts year-round community building initiatives that give our team members the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of others. They get to help our partner organizations with various programs centered on youth, education, arts, culture, and the environment.

TIP is always on the lookout for bright young talents that possess a healthy appetite for life as well as the passion to excel both in and out of the workplace.