Cavuto: It helps to be smart, but doesn't hurt to smile
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It helps to be smart.
But it doesn't hurt to smile.
I'm with some CEOs recently and as often happens, the subject of hiring comes up.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In this economy, let's just say these guys have fielders' choice.
And guess who they're choosing?
People who are smart, obviously.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}But more often, people who have a good attitude, even if they're not as smart.
That's right. Grades take a back seat to gusto.
And here's how these bosses explained it to me.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}All the candidates they interview for positions are smart.
That's a given.
So they're all coming into that job interview kind of the same.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It's how they pop in that interview that determines whether they get the job.
And more often than not -- apparently a lot more often than not -- the go-getter gets it. The reticent Einstein does not.
One CEO, who doesn't do the direct hiring himself, sends this message at his company to those who do.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Find me the candidate who lights up the room, and I'll find you the candidate who's going to light up our sales."
When I asked what defines someone who lights up a room, he didn't even pause.
"Someone who's alert and engaged, curious, even funny."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Apparently funny counts for a lot.
But they stressed they weren't looking for the next Jimmy Fallon, just someone who was fun, and whose fun-loving attitude was and is contagious.
What's the upshot? How about just being up?
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Be the kind of person you would want to be around.
After all, you spend a lot of time on the job.
The key to getting that job and keeping that job is acting like it isn't a job at all.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}So smile. There's apparently money in it.