Most people assume the longer they work in a company, the more likely it will be for them to climb the corporate ladder.

In this day and age, however, loyalty alone does not necessarily warrant career development. It takes hard work, devotion, and what is referred to as “soft skills” – intangible qualities that make an employee more efficient and personable, and that help them thrive in the workplace.

With enough of these soft skills, an increasing number of young workers have achieved success despite having limited years of professional experience. These people ostensibly possess the “X factor”: abilities, mindsets and attitudes at work today that make them frontrunners in the job market tomorrow.

Here are some of these qualities.

Likeable personality

This isn’t about changing who you are as a person to fit into a corporate culture. It’s about learning how to collaborate with your colleagues to achieve business goals.

Whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, it’s possible to connect with everyone professionally: you just have to learn to listen to understand others’ point of view, instead of immediately judging or refuting them.

To help you along, keep these in mind:

• think positively and don’t take anything too seriously;
• practise mindfulness and communicate clearly and honestly;
• genuine kindness should come from the heart, so don’t fake it or force it;
• judgement of others is a sign of insecurity within oneself.

Willingness to learn

Regardless of your age, it is important to nurture a thirst for knowledge. After all, learning is a lifelong process; those who don’t actively seek new challenges will likely be left behind by their peers.

Most companies have internal development programmes for their employees to take advantage of. Even if your organisation doesn’t provide training, you could take up online or part-time courses to upskill yourself.

And when all else fails, the most basic act of reading is a surefire way to expand your knowledge.

Determination to pursue your passion

Many people have very little idea of their own desires and long-term career goals – perhaps because it’s been ingrained from a young age that the purpose of having a job is simply to make a living.

On the contrary: the impact of passion in your career is significant. It motivates you to work well every day, and keeps you more holistically fulfilled.

This is why many hiring managers ask candidates questions like “where do you see yourself in the next five years”, or “what do you hope to achieve in this position?” Figure out what you want, and cultivate a goal-oriented mindset to achieve it.

Flexibility to take on new tasks

The ability to multitask is highly desirable in many organisations, especially startups that have a small team with a big mission. Those who are a “jack of all trades” are likely to rise to the top (though be mindful about being a “master of none”!)

This is where the ability to keep learning and upskilling also plays a part. There are many interrelated professional fields such as marketing, sales, and digital technology; those who are able to have fingers in different pies are at an advantage.

If you feel you have limited capabilities, remember that you can still acquire new skills to become a well-rounded employee.

Ability to work independently

To be a leader, you should be comfortable with working under little to no supervision. Show your colleagues and superiors what you are capable of, especially when it comes to organisation, problem solving, and reliable decision making.

Also don’t be afraid to volunteer for new projects, as proactiveness and confidence will prove you are driven to achieve your goals.

That said, going back to the first point above: knowing when to work independently and when to be a team player will go a long way towards advancing your career.

This article first appeared in jobstore.com, an online job site that specialises in providing jobseekers with the latest job opportunities by matching talented individuals with reputable companies in Malaysia. Find your dream job with over 40,000 job vacancies in Malaysia.