my former employer referred to me and my co-worker as his most reliable and efficient workers in the restaurant and we were just dish-washers, he told me it was because I was always on time, never called in sick, always did what was expected of me before it was asked, hopefully once the place opens up again after the earthquake we had in feb I can return there, there is nobody I would work for but him
sometimes they will be looking for people who already know a lot about the job/products, ect. and sometimes they will hire people with no knowlege to train them
reliable, hard worker, works well with others, team player and can also work alone if needed, fast learner, punctual, well presented, ect
i'd say reliability, ambition and most of all, knowledge in the job that they will be doing.