Responsibility and company loyalty are the most highly valued manager qualities, according to head hunters.  Today’s management candidates are preferably over 40, have a market-oriented attitude and the boldness and ability to be innovators, in addition to a solid academic education. Kowtowing to the 30-somethings is over.

Must Complete Projects

“An ideal top management candidate completed a relevant education in their mid-20’s, has had around three employers, and has stayed in each job for 5 years.  When I look for candidates, I feel that it is important to see that they have completed the projects they started,” says Storsveen.

“The dotcom wave is definitely over.  These days, we are more critical to young managers that jump from job to job after only two years.  The kind of education they have is no longer so important.  In top management groups, we can find social anthropologists, political scientists, economists, sociologists, lawyers, and psychologists.”

Good staying power, combined with a sense for numbers and good storytelling abilities, is important:  the storyteller is back, but in a new and more responsible edition.  According to Storsveen, “The ability to build visions and generate employee enthusiasm is crucial.”

Social Engagement

“There is also a great demand for people with social engagement and interests that extend beyond a burning interest in golf.  Healthy interests outside of work help to create a fulfilled person with a balanced life.  Being balanced doesn’t necessarily mean driving a station wagon and being married to someone you met in your 20’s,” emphasises Storsveen.

This article was previously published on www.konsulentguiden.no.