5 Things Hiring Managers Won't Tell You About Interviewing

Posted by in Career Advice


Today's job market is definitely one that favors employers. No matter what they are looking for, the odds are good that they will be able to find the exact combination of skills and experience that they want. In order to stand out, it's important to know what the employer is looking for.

 

What do employers want to see during an interview? To find out, I did a little research and found a great article from Inc.com that gave some great information. After reading what several hiring managers had to say, here are 5 things that they wish they could tell you about the interview:

 

They want you to be likable. During the interview, employers are watching and listening in order to determine what sort of employee you would be. They want to hire people they like and who they think would be able to work well with their team. They're looking for you to smile, make eye contact and be enthusiastic about the job. An unhappy or constantly negative employee can do a lot of damage to a company and employers are hesitant to hire people whom they think wouldn't be a good fit, even if they are the most qualified.

 

They want you to be genuinely interested in the job. Before an interview, you should do some research to find out more about the company and the job. During the interview, you should be asking questions about the job responsibilities and determining if the job is something you are interested in doing. Employers want to know that you are genuinely interested in working for them, not just in working in general.

 

They want you to tell them why they should hire you. These days, there are hundreds of applicants to a single job listing. It can be overwhelming for a hiring manager to sift through every resume and decide who to hire. This means that you have to market yourself and employers expect you to tell them why they should hire you. Marketing yourself isn't difficult. In fact, you probably already know why you're a good fit for the job. (If you don't, you should ask yourself why you're even applying.) Just make sure that you share the information with the interviewer.

 

They want you to follow up. Many people are hesitant to give a follow up phone call or email after an interview. They are worried that it would seem pushy or annoying, however, interviewers expect you to follow up after an interview. It's a common practice and one that allows them to see which of the applicants are genuinely interested in the job. Unless the interviewer tells you specifically not to call, you should always, always follow up after an interview.

 

They want you to ask questions. At some point in every interview, the employer asks if you have any questions for them. A lot of people are hesitant to ask many or feel that it's better to decline. However, an employer will expect you to ask questions. Be sure that you ask the type of questions that show that you've done some research about the company and ones that let the interviewer know that you've been listening to their description of the job. Not asking questions only shows that you aren't very interested in the job.

 

Knowing what employers are looking for is the first step in marketing yourself. Hopefully these tips will help you stand out during your next interview.

 

 

What other things do you think employers are looking for? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

 

Image source: Morguefile

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  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    What a great discussion! @michael B - I think calling for a job was discovered right before fire! That was how it was done back in the day, and you had to get your resume typed up and looking nice. Which meant doing it yourself with a typewriter, getting your mom or some other relative to do it, or paying someone. You might even have to type up several of these bad boys because mimeographing was expensive and when copiers came out, they didn't make nice, clean copies. Also, dot matrix printers were not the way to print a resume. Back then, we beat the streets for a job, always wore our very best to an interview ( or any appointment really), A handshake meant a lot and employers looked for someone for the long haul. These days, it's different but most hiring managers are of the generation that remembers these things. Give them a great cover letter and a neat resume. Don't be afraid to be a little old fashioned and send a written thank you note after an interview. It goes a long way.@Raymond, I'm sorry that you lost that opportunity. Always ask questions, but even if you make a mistake like that, if the hiring manager really liked you, they would probably overlook it.@Chris D - I've spoken with many, many hiring managers and most of them say that they don't mind a follow up call or email, as long as it is quick, to the point and not excessive. That being said, you're experience might be different.@Mary, being comfortable and not letting nerves get the better of you makes such a difference. I'm so glad you had a great experience!@Todd, if you are unsure about the follow up procedure, ask questions during the interview in order to find out who your should contact or when you should follow up.
  • Melissa E
    Melissa E
    I liked it.  Very informative
  • JOLLY S
    JOLLY S
    This was very informative and helpful . Thankyou  very much..
  • Hyacinth J
    Hyacinth J
    these are valid points,i think employers are looking for people who are polite nicely dress,friendly very positive and know what they want
  • Dorothy B
    Dorothy B
    I agree with the points about interviewing.  I am sure they will be helpful.
  • Michael B
    Michael B
    I agree with what many have already written. One, getting an interview is tough and two, you finally get an interview and it turned out to be a big wet rag. You go home thinking "boy, what a big waste of time". Well, on the first point, does anyone really have a sure fire resume that gets you that interview?If they do, they would probably charge you for the information. So while I agree there are key components, nothing is guaranteed. Sometimes it's not you. Your resume is your business card. Got a great business card, then just keep handing it out. On the interview thing...For years, like others, Iinterviewed job applicants. For what it's worth, here are some interesting take-a ways you do not see mentioned much. If you have a choice, schedule anearly interview. Whenever I had a good interview early on in the process, they set the bar everyone else who followed. Here's another bit of information you may find interesting. You would be amazed at how many people are late or do not show up for theirinterview. I'm telling you, you would be amazed.Being on time for an interview is a must. Depending upon the setting, it's not a bad idea to get there a halfand hour early. Use that time to watch the interactionand communication between employees to gaugethe atmosphere of the workplace. Sometimes thatgives an idea of the type of personality that they arelooking for or who you need to blend in with. If thereare other applicants there, talk to them. Break the ice talking to someone you do not know. If there is a receptionist, front desk or secretary involved turn onthe personality at that point. You never know if theinterviewer is going to ask them for their impressionof you. I used to. Finally, most interviews are unimpressive. The fact is you do not get an interviewunless someone thought you have potential, So, ifyou get an interview you have as good a chance asanyone else. I would be willing to bet that the phrase"and they'd be a good fit" accompanies most hiringdecisions. Most companies don't want to waste their time trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.Back to getting an interview; times have changed. Ido not believe it's necessarily for the best. Years agoyou walked your resume in, sent it in or *gasp*, therewas a phone number you called and a persons nameyou were trying to contact. For anyone too young to remember these days this is how it was done just before the discovery of fire. Then, maybe you get aninterview. For the interview we would wear our bestbest bear skins to make a good impression. If youdid not get the job you were contacted to let youknow. You could actually ask what the determiningfactor was and you were told. Ah! the good old days.Those days are long gone. My impression is thatwhat makes you stand out now is the resume & the quality of the cover letter. It almost serves as a pre-interview. Even if it's not asked for send oneany way. I've never seen "please no cover letters" inan add/posting. I have no idea if this is a breach of some kind of professional etiquette. Does anyoneknow the answer to this?  
  • Cortisa W
    Cortisa W
    These are some great points and will help people who do not know these wonderful tips when going to an interview for a job.
  • Janet F
    Janet F
    Very informative, some things are commen sense but other information here is very helpful, thank you.
  • UCHEGBU J
    UCHEGBU J
    This is very good .Thanks a thousand times . I am now more informed than before ,even as an interviewer and interviewee. Thank you once again.
  • Raymond G
    Raymond G
    Yes, those are some good points, because the last interview that i went on, the employer asked me about 3 times did i have any questions for him , and i said yes 1 time, and that question was about a problem that i was having with applying to the job on the internet, and after i asked that 1 question he looked at me and asked again did i have any more questions for him, but the way that he asked the question was like he was asking with his eyes and i didn't catch on, and i really wanted that job more than anything, also i know that i showed a lot of interest in that job. Thank you for those 5 things, i will be sure to use all 5 of them when i am granted another opportunity to do so.
  • Janice P
    Janice P
    This was interesting and helpful
  • Susan B
    Susan B
    Thank you this is great information. This will for sure help me be better prepared for my next interview. Thank you again.
  • paul b
    paul b
    very good points. I will start the followup points from now on. Thanks.
  • MELANIE R
    MELANIE R
    Diana C, Michael B, and Sylvia Z. Thanks to all three of you. This is the best advice I've ever heard on these job blogs and I'm 55! and looking for a job. Perhaps you all can find employment by writing about HR and employment issues! Thanks a lot, great information.Melanie M
  • Janet M
    Janet M
    Very informative article; good advice. I will keep this in mind. Thank you.
  • Jo Ann B
    Jo Ann B
    I've address all 5 points while interviewing, and to be frank all depends on the hiring managers  interview style.  In my opinion if  there is instant chemistry between you and the hiring manager, you are bound to be a shoe in.  
  •  Angel R
    Angel R
    This information is very helpful. I will be sure to put it to use.
  • Lorraine M
    Lorraine M
    Good information.  Thank you, Lorraine
  • Brian B
    Brian B
    In response to Ross K, your thinking is oh so correct.  But I tend to think that we've gone beyond the days of age 40 as a cutoff point.  That was back in the days when companies wanted people who were going to be with them 20 years or more.  Such security is barely possible anymore because of changing technology and the fact that they often don't want to pay out the increased amount of vacation time and other benefits.  Very often the most senior people are the ones laid off first, regardless of how stellar their work record may have been.  I am now 68 and don't consider myself old at all.  And the gov't wants to raise the eligibility age for SS and Medicare to 70.  This would be fine if people past, say, 55 and especially 60 could find jobs.  I believe that, unless it was changed, the age discrimination laws only apply up to age 70, and after that they can tell you you're too old and there wouldn't be anything you could legally do about it.  So unless some amendments are made, seniors are going to have a difficult row to hoe in the future.
  • Brian B
    Brian B
    In response to Zachary E, sadly the reverse can be true as well.  Very often I have quoted a certain pay range only to be told that the designated pay for the job is often lower.  So if what you are saying is true, very often you can't win.
  • Sherry H
    Sherry H
    Great advise Melissa!  Thanks!!
  • Muhammad A
    Muhammad A
    very nice article indeed.
  • Anissa M
    Anissa M
    thank you--this information is good to know.  I will definitely apply them the next time I interview.  Thanks again, Melissa
  • Denise H
    Denise H
    Great tips. And remember to smile.
  • Peter Z
    Peter Z
    informative article
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article posted by Staff Editor in Career Advice
article posted by Staff Editor in Career Advice

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