Describe the Characteristics of a Successful Employee

by Rick Suttle
Successful employees help other employees when necessary.

Successful employees help other employees when necessary.

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Recruiting, training and hiring a new employee costs about $4,000, according to "Entrepreneur" magazine. For that reason, you want to hire people who exhibit at traits that indicate they will become successful employees. Certain characteristics may be more necessary for your immediate needs or particular industry. Over time, however, you will find that your most successful employees have several key characteristics in common.

Solid Work Ethic

Successful employees usually have a solid work ethic and generally are self-sufficient. They do not need to keep asking you for things to do. They take the initiative to find out what needs to be done and then do it. For example, an inside sales representative might ask another representative how to fill out an order form, rather than asking the sales manager. Employees with a solid work ethic are self-disciplined and dependable. They show up for work on time and stay as long as necessary to complete tasks and assignments. Some even take work home to meet project deadlines.

Communication Skills

There is a reason employers deem communication to be one of the most desirable skills, according to career development experts Katharine and Randall S. Hansen of Quintessential Careers. Employees who can communicate tend to learn about their jobs more quickly. Communications skills include learning how to listen, write and speak well. Employees must listen to fully understand assignments. Those in management positions must know how to write and speak to convey their strategies and recommendations through reports and oral presentations.

Team Player

An employee is rarely an island in the workplace. She must work with others to complete tasks and projects on time. For example, marketing research, engineer and finance employees often must work together when introducing new products to the market. A marketing research employee provides insight about what the consumer wants with respect to product features, styles, flavors or dimensions. The engineer determines the necessary materials and feasibility of producing the product. Finance specialists calculate the cost of producing the product. Effective team players contribute an equal amount to team projects. They keep moving toward the common goal of the group. They also are willing to help others when they have completed their assignments.


The most successful employees are well-organized. They plan their days in advance and allocate their time accordingly. They do this by calculating how long it takes to complete certain tasks. They then can determine how to meet project deadlines. Many successful employees use planning tools like calendars, planners and project lists to keep track of their work. They add assignments as they arise and remove completed projects form their active lists.

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