Hiring is always a puzzle as you seek to find the perfect fit for your current job openings. While some jobs entail very specific skill sets, here are 5 key traits that you should look for in any and every hiring situation to ensure that you are hiring the best candidates out there:

A great attitude. This goes without saying, but it’s even more important than ever: An employee with a positive attitude will be more productive and successful and can influence his or her colleagues as well. In one study, salespeople with great attitudes increased their sales by nearly 40 percent. There is enough negativity in the world today—and positive people are simply that much more fun to work with!
Ingenuity and problem-solving ability. Unless you love holding your employees’ hands, you will want to find candidates who are great at creative problem-solving and coming up with potential solutions to problems. This ingenuity will save your company time and money. Make sure you ask questions during the interview regarding previous situations where the individual has to come up with a solution to a thorny issue.
Willingness and ability to learn. Technologies change and so do job requirements. You want to find employees who have an interest in learning new skills, new concepts and new ways of doing things rather than rigid ones who will say, “but this is how we’ve always done it.” Ask candidates what they are interested in learning and how they best learn new skills.
Doing the right thing. Integrity is what you do when no one is looking. It is important for your company’s success to find employees who will do the right thing, who are trustworthy and act with integrity. Make sure you check references for these important qualities.
Technical aptitude. Ultimately, candidates need to be able to do the job that they are applying for. Depending on the position, you may need to perform an aptitude test to assess their ability to perform the work.

In the end, finding the perfect fit and piece to your puzzle involves both hard and soft skills and taking the time to assess candidates for their aptitudes and abilities as well as their attitude and openness to new things and experiences.