The agriculture and animal science industry is at the forefront of global movements towards more sustainable farming methods. Worldwatch Report 188 reports on efforts including soil fertility, agroforestry, green manure, urban agriculture, water conservation, recycling, and the preservation of biodiversity and indigenous breeds. With such a focus on the future and sustainability, companies require employees that can thrive in an innovative and competitive environment.

Dinah Wisenberg Brin of Fast Company explains that an employee may be able to perform an immediate role effectively, but that same candidate may not have the versatility to thrive as projects change and evolve.

The Harvard Business Review published an article by Claudio Fernandez-Aroaz, Senior Adviser at Egon Zehnder. Fernandez-Aroaz suggests that certain traits in potential employees are more important to identify than the immediate skills required to do the job. Fernandez-Aroaz states that specific competencies are effective in the short term only, and global business requires a long-term perspective in a hiring strategy.

Fernandez-Araoz identifies five key indicators of a candidate’s potential – motivation, curiosity, insight, engagement, and determination. Certain life achievements can indicate a candidate with outstanding potential.

• Motivation and determination, for example, is evident in a candidate that may have attempted to start a business or another independent venture. A pattern of pursuing hobbies or goals and achieving them is an indication of persistence. For example, running a marathon or pursuing an educational goal take sustained effort.
• Insight and engagement are often evident in candidates who are knowledgeable in the field. They may be aware of the latest projects, innovations, and industry news concerning your company and its competitors.
• Curiosity can be evident in many aspects of life, not just the current field of work. Look for candidates who have a thirst for knowledge on a variety of topics, and who show evidence of consciously seeking out new and interesting information.

Consider any volunteer or student body experience that young graduates have gained that may show long-term professional potential. Improve your hiring strategies and partner with Morris-Bixby Group for your company’s potential and future growth. We target a niche market to sustain our clients as industry competitors now and into the future.