Research reveals the top traits that could cost you your job if you work in finance

While your skills and experience are key areas companies look at when hiring, a new survey from leading independent job board, CV-Library, and CV-writing firm, TopCV, reveals that three-quarters 92.7% of employers in the finance industry believe personality is most important when considering someone for a job; more so than your skillset (87.8%) or experience (78%).

The survey, which quizzed nearly 200 employers on what they look for in candidates, found that 7.3% of employers in the finance industry find appearance important. When it comes to personality, the top turn-offs include: being unreliable (72.5%), arrogance (70%) and dishonesty (67.5%). The full breakdown includes:

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Unreliable (72.5%)

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Arrogant (70%)

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Dishonest (67.5%)

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Know-it-all (42.5%)

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Close-minded (35%)

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Ignorant (30%)

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Immoral (25%)

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Entitled (17.5%)

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Cruel (17.5%)

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Annoying (15%)

Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library comments: “In the current market, where skills shortages are making it harder for companies to find the right finance professionals, employers are increasingly opting to recruit on potential over experience. So, if you’re looking for a new job right now, you’re in a good position; as long as you impress with the right personality traits.

“Of course, every hiring manager you meet will have their own preferences, but our research shows that there are a few key areas that could jeopardise your chances of securing a job. From being unreliable when it comes to your interviews, to being too arrogant when talking about yourself; these are traits that we as humans seek to avoid. So, make sure you portray the best version of yourself when meeting with potential employers.”

Interestingly, when asked to choose between experience, education and potential, employers in the finance industry believe potential (73.2%) is more important than experience (22%); while only 4.9% say education is most important.

What’s more, when asked about the traits that impress them the most when hiring, employers in the finance industry cite being reliable (61%), honest (58.5%), confident (56.1%), having integrity (51.25), perseverance (41.5%), authentic (36.6%), friendly (29.3%), loyal (26.8%) and polite as their top choices.

Amanda Augustine, careers expert at TopCV, adds: “Historically, assessing job seekers was contingent on two factors – experience and skills – but our new survey reveals that more intangible qualities, such as personality, are determining which candidates rise to the top.

“Today’s hiring managers are tasked with assessing whether a candidate will fit in with the company culture, and this determination is primarily based on how the candidate behaves during an interview. The fine line between ‘confidence’ and ‘arrogance’ when making that first impression is everything – one’s personality can make or break an interview.”