Swiggy Food Marketplace CEO Rohit Kapoor recently shared the four key qualities he looks for when hiring candidates for his team. Speaking on the Josh Talks Podcast, he emphasized that hiring is more of an art than a science. While checklists and experience matter, Kapoor believes the best hires are those who have faced challenges, made tough decisions, and demonstrated resilience.
According to Kapoor, the first trait he values in a candidate is their ability to handle adversity. He wants to understand how they have reacted to difficult situations, not just at work but in life, and how they have coped with setbacks.
The second quality he prioritizes is drive. Kapoor seeks individuals who are genuinely motivated to achieve their goals rather than just talking about big aspirations. He believes skills can be taught, but drive is something intrinsic.
Ambition is the third essential trait Kapoor looks for—not necessarily the ambition to become a CEO but the desire to keep progressing and growing.
Lastly, he seeks candidates with a unique “X-factor.” He explains this as the ability to be engaging and interesting in a conversation, using a personal test: If he were stuck at an airport with the candidate for hours due to a delayed flight, would he enjoy their company or feel the need to escape?
These qualities, Kapoor believes, are what make great employees who bring both competence and character to a team.