Key Competencies Employers Look for in Campus Hiring

February 27, 2025

Key Competencies Employers Look for in Campus Hiring

Here, Dr. D.K. Agarwal, Chairman & Managing Director of SMC Investors & Advisors Ltd, provides an understanding of what students should possess during the campus hiring process. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Agarwal’s firm has developed from having 4-5 employees to a wealth management powerhouse in India that encompasses over 4000 employees and 2500 offices across the country. Dr. Agarwal’s words regarding opting for students during campus hiring are also noted, especially around their competencies, to help students compete successfully for a job role in a firm.

Golden Words By Dr. D.K. Agarwal

For Dr. Agarwal, the most fundamental resource for an organization operating in a service sector is its employees. Great customer service is driven by the general attitude of the company’s representatives. A caring workforce also guarantees assistance that is up to the standards required.

Key Insight: The real value of any service-based company lies in its employees.

1. Commonsense: A Pillar of Fulfilling Problem Resolution

Dr. Agarwal makes a very important point when he states that looking for candidates who possess commonsense is one of the focus points for his firm. An employee with commonsense does not require active supervision, and can address customer problems in a satisfactory manner on their own.

Why Anyone Gives Commonsense Value:

In an organization, many issues can be address instantly with commonsense and with no need of supervision.

There is less need for intervention, which makes activities easier day to day.

Key Takeaway: If a candidate possesses commonsense, 50% of their job is already done. It puts certain difficulties in resolving issues in consideration more manageable, and participation from an employee is always welcomed.

2. Ambition & Passion: One of the Major Keys to Winning

Another critical factor Dr. Agarwal highlights is the level of ambition and passion in a candidate. In order to reach the top over your career, a solid determination to make your mark is vital which will set you up for success.

What They Look For:

  • Passion for their work.
  • Unquenchable will to achieve success.
  • Ability to think outside of the box.

High energy levels to stay motivated and overcome challenges.

Key Takeaway: One of the hardest tasks is to attain success without passion and drive. Everyone knows that employers are looking for people who can make a difference and work toward achieving success.

3. Integrity: The Foundation of Trust

Dr. Agarwal points out that integrity is a crucial aspect for every employee in an organization. For example, in the service sector, a person’s integrity will always reflect the reputation of the company alongside the relationship it has with its clients.

Reasons of Why Integrity is Important:

  • Every worker in the organization upholds a strong value system.
  • It builds confidence in the clients with the organization.
  • An integrally challenged employee is a potential organization’s asset turned liability.

Key Takeaway: Never compromising will ensure that a value system that fuels ethical lapses is never entered into.

4. Empathy: Providing Better Customer Service

One such management skill that has utmost importance in the service industry is empathy. Understanding the customer’s issue and being able to solve it with amazing tenderness is simply superb customer service as Dr. Agarwal puts it.

Empathy In Practice:

It is part of the job to understand customers’ problems even if it is way past normal working hours.

Customers will always appreciate getting a better service thereby ensuring that they stick to the company.

Key Takeaway: Empathy is a skill like all other soft skills; rather, it is a critical one when it comes to nurturing long engagements with clients and maintaining a positive image of the company.

5. Smartness: Melding Work To Be Done Efficiently With New Approaches

Finally, Dr. Agarwal mentions the need to take smart working into consideration. Apart from hard work, being smart, creative, and innovative adds a candidate’s value proposition.

Characteristics of a Creatively Smart Worker:

Creativity: Being able to provide alternative ways of accomplishing goals.

Innovation: Seeking to do things differently and better.

Efficiency: Getting the job done without unnecessary use of effort.

Key Takeaway Technology: It is evident that smart employees do not only work hard, but also think in terms of new ideas and solutions which result in benefit to the organization.

Conclusion

Agarwal’s reasoning regarding students on campus with employment opportunities add interesting information for the students who wish to join the job market. In order for them to be employed and perform well in the service industry, candidates need to develop authentic commonsense, ambition, integrity, empathy, and smartness. These are key elements for any career as well as for the achievement of organizational goals.

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