A candidate’s track record and how bright they are figure highly in many a recruiter’s decision-making process. 

However, according to Karren Brady (Baroness Brady of Knightsbridge), vice-chairman of West Ham United Football Club, businesswoman and one of Lord Sugar’s advisers on BBC’s The Apprentice, they are trumped by one thing: enthusiasm.

Speaking last week at Recruitstock in Hampshire, The FIRM’s (Forum for In-House Recruitment Manager’s) annual learning festival, Brady told the audience: “I only look for one thing, and that is enthusiasm. I cannot and will not work with unenthusiastic people no matter how bright they are, no matter how good their track record is.

“I want people who are proud of what they do and want to do their best every day, and I think that as a trait carries you through an awful lot of ups and downs.

“And I actually quite like honesty. I prefer [hearing] ‘I don’t know how to do it but I really want to learn how to do it’,” she continued.

Although not involved in recruiting on a day-to-day basis, Brady said she sits in on some final interviews, and takes an active role in senior level appointments. 

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