What do employers want? This is the maddening question that every job seeker is trying to answer – as a travel recruitment specialist, I see plenty of people scratching their heads when they are applying for travel jobs, trying to figure out what the potential employer really wants from them. Of course, most job adverts will have a long list of requirements, but these don't tell the whole story. While the skills and experience listed in the advert are likely to be important to an employer (and sometimes essential for the position), every employer will be faced with a large pile of CVs that match the job requirements.

It is at the interview stage when your employer will try and gain a better idea of who you are, and if they really want to employ you. Of course, your potential employer is looking to see proof of the skills you mention in your CV, but they are also looking for some crucial personal characteristics as well. Whether you are applying for a travel job or in any other industry, here are 5 of the qualities that most employees want to see.

Enthusiasm

An employee who is enthusiastic and has a positive attitude in the workplace is worth their weight in gold. Enthusiastic people work hard, learn quickly and aren't discouraged by setbacks, but more importantly, they create a positive atmosphere in the workplace, improving morale and encouraging others around them to work hard as well.

Strong Work Ethic

Enthusiasm is a great quality to have, but if a person is always flitting from one project to another without finishing anything, that's not as useful. Employers are looking for workers who are hard working and can follow through and complete tasks that they are assigned to do.

Initiative

The majority of employees are reluctant to display initiative outside of their area of expertise – they simply want to clock in, do their work, and clock out again. The truly valuable employees can display a willingness to get involved with numerous projects, to help and encourage others, and to find creative solutions to difficult problems.

Reliability

When you travel to your job, are you often late for work? Do you take numerous sick days? If so, that's a bad sign for an employer. Businesses in the UK lose over £13 billion every year from absent and late employees – even if you are hugely talented and highly experienced, if your employer is always having to find people to cover for you and work around your late arrival, you aren't likely to be a good investment for them.

Great Communication Skills

Almost every job will depend on a good level of interaction with co-workers. Employees are looking for people who can express themselves clearly and accurately, both in writing and in speaking, and just as importantly who can listen, learn, and follow instructions.

These are all qualities to reference in your CV and to try and demonstrate in an interview, but they are also important to work on in your existing employment – they'll make you a better (and in all likelihood, a happier) employee. I've helped many people to get their ideal travel job, and it is invariably the candidates who have these five characteristics who are most likely to succeed.