While skills and experience remain at the top of the list for hiring criteria, many employers are "going back to basics" when it comes to hiring: Skills and experience are important, but the right candidate has to "fit in" too. People skills, work ethic and what psychologists call a deferred gratification pattern (the willingness to "pay one's dues") are highly sought-after characteristics. Employers tell us that the candidate demonstrating these personal traits will get the job over an equally qualified candidate every time. Some employers confess that these personal traits are even more important than some technical skills for the motivated candidate who can move up the learning curve quickly.