# 4 things Employers Look For **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 2, 2014, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157 "2014-04-02T11:52:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/1 "2014-04-02T11:52:28Z")
In Sundays KC Star a woman writes a column for job seekers and one time she shared this. Its the 4 basic things an employer looks for whether that’s in an interview or even on a job application. Please feel free to comment (oh, and it might not necessarily be in this order): 1. What do you bring to the job (experience, training, abilities)? 2. Will you get along at this job (both coworkers and customers)? 3. How long will you stay? 4. How much will you cost them (salary plus any special issues you bring along)? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/2 "2014-04-02T12:30:52Z")
That seems like pretty common sense answers. Not much to add, but not much insight from the list. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/3 "2014-04-02T12:32:55Z")
They like it if you bring donuts too. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/4 "2014-04-02T12:39:00Z")
And remain sober. EVERY work day. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/5 "2014-04-02T13:31:52Z")
Well since its a Kansas City article they totally forgot to add the question asking your favorite BBQ place. You wouldn’t want a Gates fan in a Jack Stack employee group. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/6 "2014-04-02T13:37:50Z")
Those are questions employers ask, not “things they look for”. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/7 "2014-04-02T13:48:28Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > 1. How much will you cost them (salary plus any special issues you bring along)? Well, this question could be a little troublesome. Are they asking if you’re planning to become pregnant in the next couple of years and therefore will need maternity leave? Are they asking if you’ve got health issues that will increase their overall health insurance costs? How do you ask about “special issues”? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/8 "2014-04-02T13:54:53Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > How do you ask about “special issues”? You don’t, or it [gets the hose again](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=718678). ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/9 "2014-04-02T14:01:54Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > Well since its a Kansas City article they totally forgot to add the question asking your favorite BBQ place. You wouldn’t want a Gates fan in a Jack Stack employee group. That goes along with getting along with your coworkers. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/10 "2014-04-02T14:06:53Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Well, this question could be a little troublesome. Are they asking if you’re planning to become pregnant in the next couple of years and therefore will need maternity leave? Are they asking if you’ve got health issues that will increase their overall health insurance costs? How do you ask about “special issues”? Your right. Your first issue on maternity - that can go for #2 - will you get along when the other coworkers have to cover you during times you are taking care of your kids. Also on #3 if its a woman planning to leave when her kids are born. On “special issues”. This is especially an issue for smaller companies where sometimes its just one employee with an expensive medical condition that causes the whole companies health insurance rates to be raised. Or if say a person requires an elevator or handicapped access and its an old building that would be difficult to accommodate. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/11 "2014-04-02T21:09:37Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > And remain sober. EVERY work day. EVERY day?? Fuck. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/12 "2014-04-02T21:17:32Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > And remain sober. EVERY work day. Oh shit. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/13 "2014-04-02T21:25:04Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > That seems like pretty common sense answers. Not much to add, but not much insight from the list. They are, assuming you have the ability to see things from the other person’s point of view (in this case, the employer’s). Unfortunately not everyone has this ability (or chooses to exercise it). ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/14 "2014-04-02T21:31:18Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > They are, assuming you have the ability to see things from the other person’s point of view (in this case, the employer’s). Unfortunately not everyone has this ability (or chooses to exercise it). Yeah, people often act like its them doing the employer a favor by working there instead of vise versa. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/15 "2014-04-02T21:33:18Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > And remain sober. EVERY work day. Is that a rule, or like, sort of a guideline? ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/16 "2014-04-02T21:55:07Z")
I’m an employer (very small outfit; 1-3 employees depending on the season and work-load.) I’ve found that drinking or using on the job is sadly common, in my experience. The last two people I let go were getting high and weird at work. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/17 "2014-04-02T23:13:36Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Yeah, people often act like its them doing the employer a favor by working there instead of vise versa. Actually those questions are good if you are hiring cogs. A better question is “how are you going to make me more money?” Someone with a good answer to that question is doing the employer a favor by working there. If getting fired hurts the boss more than it hurts you, you’ll never get fired. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/18 "2014-04-02T23:40:43Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Actually those questions are good if you are hiring cogs. A better question is “how are you going to make me more money?” Someone with a good answer to that question is doing the employer a favor by working there. > If getting fired hurts the boss more than it hurts you, you’ll never get fired. Never been laid off huh? ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/19 "2014-04-02T23:45:03Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > And remain sober. EVERY work day. DURING work hours. Always have put that in there in case they think that there’s a loophole.😃 ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157/20 "2014-04-02T23:57:16Z")
Around here, it seems that full sleeve tattoos and exotic facial piercings are a necessity for a job. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-things-employers-look-for/685157.md?page=2)