Today, Urban Interns, the go-to site for part-time work and internships, interviewed me for their blog about being an entrepreneur and hiring part-time employees.   When asked about what I look for in a job candidate, here’s what I had to say:

“Eminently capable” is the term I use to describe what I’m looking for in an employee. In a small business, you need to find people who can figure out how to execute on whatever you need them to do. To me, that means have a great attitude, being highly motivated and taking ownership for your work. Asking for help is key too—that demonstrates judgment and thoughtfulness and I always prefer that versus someone going down the wrong path without involving me early on with questions or issues.

As a career switcher, I don’t necessarily care about past work experience being relevant—I care more about the qualities and traits that you possess that have enabled you to have success in your past endeavors. Are you a quick learner? A strategic thinker? A problem solver? Are you going to give 110% percent to be a part of a fun, dynamic, fast-paced growing organization that hopes to seriously change the world one day with a new approach to teaching communication?

Are you eminently capable?  Would love to hear your thoughts.

To read the whole interview, including if and how communication strategies differ for people at big companies versus small start-ups, and what workplace TV show I’d most like to work in (Mad Men!) click here