Attention to detail: how you can tell if you really have it

What does attention to detail mean?

Did you know that 77% of hiring managers¹ say that typos or bad grammar on a resume are immediate deal breaker? Paying undivided attention to the finer points shows you have high attention to detail. You're skilled at observing and remembering the details.

Some attention-to-detail synonyms you’ll often hear include detail-oriented, fastidious, meticulous, and thorough. But, they all boil down to the same trait. People who pay close attention are great at finding, understanding, and remembering small details.

The good: 5 benefits of high attention to detail

Attention to detail is a sought-after trait. But why? What are the advantages of this skill? People who have a keen eye for the finer points offer the following benefits:

• Producing consistent, high-quality work
• Being efficient, as they don’t need to return to fix past mistakes
• Being trustworthy, because their work rarely needs a second set of eyes
• Having an impressive memory
• Solving problems efficiently and effectively

It’s for these reasons and more that employers look out for candidates who have high attention to detail. Studies have shown that employers value this skill more than technical and interpersonal skills.

The bad: 5 drawbacks of high attention to detail

Possessing strong attention to detail will make you a valuable asset on any team. However, like any skill, it’s not always positive. People who are always zoned in on details can fall into several pitfalls, including:

• Losing sight of the bigger picture
• Being perceived as micromanagers
• Feeling overwhelmed, because all of the details seem important
• Delaying the start of projects until they feel they have all of the details
• Continuously refining projects, rather than wrapping them up

Even so, the benefits of high attention to detail outweigh the potential disadvantages for many roles. Plus, simply being aware of these drawbacks can help detail-oriented people navigate around them.

Why attention to detail is important at work

Attention to detail is an important skill that is highly valued by employers. Unfortunately, not everyone has a high level of self-awareness to know if they truly possess this competency. 

6 signs you’re not paying enough attention to detail

If you don't pay attention to details, it can hurt you in both your personal and professional life. It's important to be aware of the signs that indicate you might not be paying enough attention to the details. 

1. You frequently submit incomplete work

You forgot to include the attachment with your email. You answered some questions, but not all of them. You showed up at the meeting on time, but you forgot to bring the resources you were supposed to hand out.

Those are just a few examples of scenarios you might find yourself in. The point is that you never quite check all of the boxes right off the bat, and other people frequently need to chase you down for error-free work.

2. You continuously have to go back and fix mistakes

When you do submit projects, it’s usually not the last time you see them. Your work comes back to you like a frustrating boomerang.

More often than not, your supervisor or colleagues must bring your submissions back to you. They ask that you patch up some slip-ups and omissions they spotted as they need high-quality results.

3. You’re always working at a breakneck pace

“Fast” is one of the first words people use to describe your work style. It’s true—you crank through your assigned tasks at record speed.

While your efficiency is admirable, it also means you are not paying complete attention. When you’re constantly working quickly, the finer points tend to slip by you, completely unnoticed.

4. You’re not proud of your previous work

There have been times when you’ve looked back at previous projects, and you can’t help but cringe. Now that you look at them with fresh eyes, you spot all sorts of mistakes and things you wish you would’ve done differently.

While you’re catching those blunders now, this could mean you aren’t keeping a close eye on the details in the heat of the moment.

5. You’re never the final set of eyes on your team

When working on a shared project, you’re never the one asked to look it over last. The final deliverable always lands on someone else’s desk before it’s considered finished.

It stings, but it could mean that your team doesn’t trust you to give things a final once-over, because you don’t pay close enough attention to the details.

If this is the case, don’t stress. It could be a sign that you're a great "big picture" thinker who would do well in a visionary or leadership role. Especially if you had a team member who paid attention to details.

6. You often say, “We’ll worry about that later”

You’re starting a new complex task, and somebody asks a more intricate question about how something will work. You respond by saying you’re not going to worry about it right now, and you’ll figure it out as you move forward.

Somebody with high attention to detail wouldn’t be content with that answer. They want to ensure they have the logistics ironed out before they invest too much time and energy into the project.

Examples of important attention-to-detail soft (human) skills

Excellent attention to detail is a crucial soft skill that can greatly impact job performance and career development. It involves being meticulous, organized, and vigilant in completing complicated tasks. Attention to detail can make a big difference in the quality of work. Whether it's double-checking facts and numbers in a report or catching spelling mistakes in an email.

Examples of attention-to-detail skills include:

1. Organizational skills

Organizational skills help increase productivity and efficiency in the workplace. They allow employees to prioritize current tasks, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines. A well-organized employee is more effective and able to handle a heavier workload

2. Time management skills

Time management skills help employees prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and achieve goals. They prevent procrastination, reduce stress, and increase productivity. Effective time management is crucial for success in the workplace and for career advancement.

3. Analytical skills

Analytical skills help employees make informed decisions, solve problems, and identify opportunities. They involve gathering and interpreting data, identifying patterns and trends, and thinking critically. These skills are essential for success in the workplace. Especially in roles that require problem-solving and decision-making.

4. Observation skills

Observation skills involve paying attention to details, analyzing situations, and recognizing patterns. This helps employees identify problems, opportunities, and potential solutions. These skills are important at work for things such as fixing problems, making sure quality is good, and improving processes.

5 Active listening skills

Being an active listener involves paying full attention, and understanding, and retaining information when communicating with others. It improves communication, reduces misunderstandings, and increases collaboration in the workplace.

Attention to detail test: How to tell if you possess this skill

The above signs will help you to identify whether or not you’re an expert with the details. But, it’s certainly not a perfect science.

If you’re interested to know where your strengths lie, it can be helpful to take an online assessment such as Fingerprint for Success. Our free assessment is backed by more than 20 years of scientific research and boasts an accuracy of more than 90%.

When you first join F4S, you'll fill out a questionnaire that will reveal what motivates you at work. Give yourself about 30 minutes to really think about it. There is no perfect answer but you should be truthful to yield the most accurate results.

Immediately after you complete the assessment, you’ll receive a detailed report and access to your dashboard. This will show with unique insight into your highest motivations. Look specifically for the motivation called “Depth” to see how you rank on your attention to detail.

If “Depth” is represented by a larger bubble and a larger number, that means you possess high attention to detail. But, if it ranks much lower (with a smaller bubble and number), that means you likely prefer the bigger picture.

Once you've reviewed your results, simply set a goal and AI Coach Marlee will create a customized coaching program so you can start crushing your goals.