It's pretty obvious that people need excellent job skills to be hired in today's labor market.

But Ray Moscoe, owner-partner of technical recruiting firm TES: The Employment Solution, tells me that another factor differentiates successful candidates today.

It's "fitability".

Ray and I are boating friends. I asked his advice about a new 360-degree feedback product we're considering offering to our clients. Inspired by the idea, Ray told me how "fit" has become a big hiring factor.

"Our clients today don't hire the way they used to," he said. "They are more inclined to look at the complete person, to really pursue the references, for instance. They want to know about the person's character."

He told me that his company used to deal directly with heads of IT or chief engineers. But today most of their placements are made through HR professionals. And they're not just seeking skills.

"When an individual comes looking for employment, there's 50 percent of that individual that's technical ability. They have to be able to do the job.

"But today we're looking for the 'fitability' factor too. How well is that individual going to fit into our organization? What's their personality? Can we see that they're keen, sharp, positive attitude, willing to learn, eager?

"That's the other 50 percent of the individual.

"And," Ray concluded, "it's the feature that's brought out with your product."

Of course, I found that encouraging. Assuming we go ahead with the product, I'll make sure you learn about it here.

But in the meantime, we all know people who are urgently looking for new or better jobs, in a shrinking market.

Let's encourage them to pay attention to their personal qualities. Not just their skills, but their "fitability".