What do credit managers look for in a credit and collection employee? If you're trying to be the best you can be, see how you fare against these performance traits.

There are certain traits that credit managers hope their employees will exhibit on the job. Although no person will have all these traits, the more traits you have, the better it will be for your company and for you. Employees who go furthest in a company are those who meet or exceed the requirements of the job.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Credit & Collection Manager's Letter, which Credit Today purchased in 2006.

Consider the following list and decide: Do you have what it takes to get the job done right?

• Empathy. Do you have understanding and sympathy when it comes to a debtor's position? Are you able to communicate your empathy and still ask for payment?

• Imagination. Do you try to develop better collection approaches?

• Resourcefulness. Can you review a file quickly and still extract those points that need your full concentration?

• Intelligence. Can you absorb policies and procedures quickly and completely?

• Eloquence. Do you have good command of the language? Do you use proper grammar? Can you make your message clear both on the phone and in letters?

• Energy. Do you move quickly and with purpose throughout the day?

• Ambition. Do you want to move up in the ranks? Do your performance and attitude show your desire to grow?

• Confidence. Are you an assertive collector? Can you control a collection contact without being arrogant? Do debtors know you mean business?

• Enthusiasm. Are you eager to collect debts? Are you proud when you've made a successful call?

• Consistency. Do you consistently collect more dollars than the average collector? Do you consistently make more than the average number of debtor contacts each day? Do you keep consistent hours? Can people count on you?

• Control. Can you continue to produce good results under pressure? Do you control your emotional reactions when dealing with debtors?

• Teamwork. Are you willing to help your co-workers? Do you share new ideas or successful techniques?

• Leadership. Do people look to you for ideas or answers? Are you ready to give those answers when asked?

Granted, not everyone will have every one of these traits, but a good collector will have at least six of them. Rank your weak spots so that you'll know which ones to focus on first. Start with the most important trait and work through until you've improved in all areas. Such improvements will make you feel better about yourself, and your increased professionalism will make your manager feel better about you!

Employees who go furthest in a company are those who meet or exceed the requirements of the job.

Editor's Note: The above article originally appeared in the Credit & Collection Manager's Letter, a newsletter purchased by Credit Today in 2006. This article originally appeared prior to 2000.