last week, I had the pleasure of running all of our first round interviews for our Assistant Account Executive role.

candidly, this was my first time running interviews on my own. 🏃‍♀️

nervous, but excited, we made it through fueled by caffeine and the chomp stick I ate over 4 hours with only time for one bite in between the next call. 

the classic question came up in almost every conversation…

“so, what are you really looking for in the person that gets this role?”

for me, the answer was simple.

3️⃣ things:

• composure.
• willingness to learn.
• emotional intelligence.

why these three?

skills can be taught. systems can be learned. but the way someone approaches challenges, relationships, and growth? that’s what makes or breaks a team.

I’ve learned over time that it’s more important to witness how people handle failure than how they handle success. 

anyone can shine when things are easy.

the real measure is: what happens when the presentation bombs? when the client pushes back? when they’re feeling overwhelmed? when the answer isn’t so obvious?

do they panic, blame, and spiral? or do they take a breath, ask good questions, and figure out the next move?

the intangibles matter

willingness to learn keeps us adaptable. in an industry that changes every week (or day), curiosity is non-negotiable. especially on a small team, where you’ll inevitably get thrown into projects way outside your job description. we keep things interesting. 

emotional intelligence is what allows you to read a room, support a teammate, or deliver feedback without “burning bridges.” it’s the difference between reacting and responding. between saying the thing you can say versus the thing you should say. it’s not about being “soft,” it’s about being aware. of yourself, of others, and of how your words land.

composure is what builds trust with clients and colleagues alike. people don’t just remember what you said — they remember how you carried yourself when things got tough. I actually wrote a whole separate takeaway on a related topic, because it’s that important. composure doesn’t mean never feeling pressure; it means you don’t let the pressure shake the room or how you handle yourself. 

🥡 the takeaway: great hires aren’t just the ones with stacked resumes or perfect portfolios. they’re the ones who stay curious, stay grounded, and have a sense of self.

because at the end of the day, it’s not about how you work when everything goes right. it’s about how you show up when things don’t.

p.s. this is your reminder to send the thank-you email after the interview. the little things count.