When hiring managers ask the right questions during the interview process, they will hire the right person for the job. When candidates answer those questions smartly, they will become employed.
What Do Hiring Managers Look For?
The hiring manager’s focus is to find the highest quality candidate for the salary they are offering, and they look for the right person for their company.
Hiring managers are looking for several things in a candidate.
Take note, and you will significantly increase your likelihood of being hired.
The 6 Key Qualities That Will Make You a Top Hire
When hiring managers evaluate candidates, they look beyond qualifications and skills. They seek specific qualities that align with their company culture and contribute to long-term success.
This section highlights key characteristics that hiring managers value and provides insights into what they seek during the interview process.
By understanding these qualities, you can better position yourself as the ideal candidate for the job –
1. Demonstrating Cultural Fit:
Hiring managers not only evaluate your skills and qualifications but also assess how well you would fit within the company culture.
They want to ensure that you can thrive in the work environment and collaborate effectively with other team members. During the interview, pay attention to the company’s values, mission, and work culture, and highlight experiences or qualities that align with those aspects.
2. Displaying Strong Communication Skills:
Effective communication is vital in any role, so hiring managers are attentive to your communication skills during the interview.
They assess how well you articulate your thoughts, listen actively, and engage in meaningful conversation. Showcase your ability to express ideas clearly, ask insightful questions, and actively listen to the interviewer’s responses.
Strong communication skills demonstrate your potential to collaborate and convey information effectively within the organization.
3. Illustrating Problem-Solving Abilities:
Problem-solving is a crucial skill that employers seek in candidates. Hiring managers are interested in your ability to analyze challenges, develop creative solutions, and make sound decisions.
Be prepared to share examples of situations where you successfully resolved problems, overcame obstacles, or implemented innovative approaches.
Highlighting your problem-solving skills demonstrates your resourcefulness and adaptability, which are highly valued by employers.
4. Exhibiting a Growth Mindset:
Employers appreciate candidates who have a growth mindset – an attitude that embraces challenges, values learning and development, and welcomes feedback. Hiring managers want individuals who are open to new experiences, willing to acquire new skills, and continuously seek opportunities for growth.
During the interview, demonstrate your willingness to learn, adapt, and take on challenges as opportunities for personal and professional development.
5. Showcasing Passion and Enthusiasm:
Hiring managers are drawn to candidates who are genuinely passionate about their work and the industry.
Demonstrating enthusiasm and excitement for the role and the company can set you apart from other applicants. Share stories or examples that illustrate your genuine interest in the field, your motivation to contribute, and your eagerness to make a positive impact.
Hiring managers value candidates who bring energy and enthusiasm to the workplace.
6. Projecting Professionalism and Emotional Intelligence:
Professionalism and emotional intelligence are highly regarded as qualities in the workplace. Hiring managers pay attention to how you conduct yourself during the interview, including your demeanor, body language, and interpersonal skills.
Show respect, maintain a positive attitude, and demonstrate your ability to work well with others. Displaying emotional intelligence, such as empathy, self-awareness, and adaptability, can leave a lasting impression on hiring managers.
Remember, while it’s important to understand what hiring managers are looking for, it’s equally important to be authentic and true to yourself during the interview process.
Present your qualifications, skills, and experiences with confidence and honesty, allowing the hiring manager to see the best version of yourself.
Hiring Managers: Information & Observations
The following is the information hiring managers need to make good observations about candidates.
1. Behavioral Characteristics
During your interview with the hiring manager, they will look for behavioral characteristics, which include:
- Motivated
- Articulate
- Adaptable
- Reliable
- Accountable
- High Integrity
- Confident
- Good Listener
- Self-Directed
- Enthusiastic
- Effective
Examples of Behavioral Questions:
1. Tell me about a new customer you obtained using your networking skills.
2. Provide an example of a cold call you made that led to a new customer.
3. Tell me what your three most important work values are and provide me with an example.
4. The wrong order was shipped to a very important customer. Describe how you resolved this error.
5. Tell me about a time when your integrity was tested.
2. Functional Characteristics
The hiring manager will also look for functional characteristics to ensure you have what it takes.
• Functional Skills: The hiring manager will look for skills that are relevant to the position they are hiring for, so make sure you sell yourself and your skills. Don’t be modest here – this is one of the few chances you get to promote yourself.
• Self-Management Skills: The hiring manager will look for personal characteristics that can benefit their company. Show the hiring manager that you are a self-starter, work well under pressure, can multitask, etc.
• Content Skills: If your resume was done well, the hiring manager already knows your experience and qualifications. Now you’ll get a chance to elaborate.
3. Frequently Asked Questions
Interview Questions that Hiring Managers Ask
There are a number of common interview questions you can expect to be asked, such as your name and where you went to school.
However, there are many other questions, and some of those seemingly innocent common questions may not be so innocent. Here are four examples:
1. Why do you want to work for us?
Make this about you, but also about the company you are applying to. Remember, the hiring manager really only cares about what’s in it for the company.
2. What do you expect to be doing ten years from today?
This is your chance to show your ambition. Don’t be afraid to show that you are an achiever. That’s what employers want.
3. Are you willing to work overtime?
This may seem like an innocent question, but one simple answer will tell the hiring manager just how loyal you are to the company. Answer “yes” no matter what you are actually thinking.
4. What has been your greatest accomplishment and failure?
While you shouldn’t embellish, you also shouldn’t sell yourself short. Don’t be afraid to give yourself the credit that is due for your accomplishments.
You should also be honest about your failures. It’s human to have failed at something, and it’s that honesty that the hiring manager is looking for.
That’s just a few of the potential questions, but the key is, regardless of the question, remember that you are your own sales representative, so sell what you have to offer, but don’t exaggerate beyond your abilities.