When it comes time to bring new employees onto your team, you want to make sure you’re hiring the right people. This means paying attention to personality along with credentials. While an impressive resume is desirable, an upstanding character is just as important. Here are five qualities to look for in new hires so you can grow your team with the best people possible.

Honesty

Honesty and integrity are important qualities in any situation, and they’re vital for your business’s employees. One of the most common red flags you can find on a background check is dishonest or omitted information in a candidate’s application. Your candidate should always be up-front and truthful, even with less than ideal answers. If they put in the effort to be direct and authentic, it shows that they care about this opportunity. On the other hand, a dishonest applicant is more likely to continue hiding or twisting the truth while they work for you.

Ambition

Hiring new employees often doubles as growing your business. As such, you want your candidates to have the potential to grow in and beyond the position you’re trying to fill. Look for a candidate who is both confident and ambitious, but also willing to learn. Someone who is excited to take on new challenges and opportunities will be a great addition to both their specific role and your business as a whole.

Enthusiasm

Of course, one of the most important qualities to look for in new hires is enthusiasm. Passion for a job leads to better effort and results, as their work will be coming from a desire to do well rather than just the reward of a paycheck. If a candidate comes to an interview and does the research, asks questions, and follows up afterward, you know that they have a genuine interest in the job and company. If this is the effort they put into an interview, just think of the hard work they’ll put into the actual job if hired.

Communication

Good communication is vital for any company’s success, which means that your new employees need to be great at communication. This means articulating and answering questions well, but it also means being a good listener. Pay attention to how they listen as well as how they speak. If they make eye contact, nod along, and ask relevant questions, you know that they’re an active listener. This is a key communication component. More active listeners on your team means more collaboration and better success for your business.

Positivity

Everyone puts their best face forward in an interview, but some candidates are more positive than others. Ask your candidate about a time when they faced an unexpected problem, or what areas of their work they think they can improve on, and pay attention to how they answer. Someone who focuses on constructive aspects—such as what they learned from a bad experience—is more likely to channel that same optimism into any problems they face in this position.