What Hiring Managers Wish Job Seekers Already Knew
“You’re hired.” Those are the words you’re hoping to hear at the end of the interview process. You’ve read all the advice from friends and self-help books, but somehow much of that information seems lost when you’re sitting across from the person making the decision.
It’s time to lighten up a little and cut yourself some slack. Don’t worry whether your handshake failed the firmness test. Don’t agonise over whether you said ‘um’ too many times when you were speaking.
Do you want to discover what hiring managers wish job seekers already knew? Here are some tips that might make your next interview as a first time job seeker more pleasant and less stressful:
1. Nobody Likes Formal Interviews
Does that shock you? Many hiring managers dread formal interviews as much as you do. What they actually want is a conversation to see how you handle yourself in normal circumstances.
So take advantage of the situation when the hiring manager asks you about your goals or philosophy and open up about yourself. This interaction will help to indicate whether you’re likely to enjoy working there.
2. Ask Questions that Show You’re Interested
The hiring manager wants to hear from you. Before you start interviewing at different companies, write up some generic questions that can be used with minor adjustments at just about any interview. The best questions will give some indication to the hiring manager about your interests and concerns, and the answers will help you decide whether you actually want the position.
3. Your CV isn’t Everything
Your CV is often a polished picture of you and may not show the depth of your personality. Aspects like your online presence, on the other hand, will tell the hiring manager much more about you, so make sure this represents the person you want the hiring manager to see.
4. Show Your Passion
Don’t be afraid to show off your desire to succeed. The hiring manager will be happy to see a person who is ambitious about thriving in the job. By the same token, you might ask the hiring manager about their motivations. Does their answer describe the kind of environment you want to spend the next several years in?
5. Just Be Yourself
Do your part to make the recruiting process enjoyable. The interviewer wants the process to be enjoyable as much as you do. Don’t put on a false front – open yourself up. The hiring manager will appreciate the relaxing atmosphere and may look at your candidacy more favourably.
6. Focus On the Future
What you’ve accomplished in the past is an indication of your abilities, but the hiring manager is more interested in what you can do for the future of his organisation if he hires you. Talk about what you can do for the company – not about your past accomplishments.
7. Network, Network, Network
Network with professionals who can vouch for you whenever you have the chance. It is only natural that the hiring manager will be likely to favour a candidate that has been vouched for by a mutual connection. Keep your networks fresh.
Final Tips
Job seeking for the first time does not have to be a painful process. Be honest and open during interviews and you will be likely to end up at the right decision about which offer to take.
About Allen Recruitment
Allen Recruitment is an international recruitment consultancy business with offices in Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Sweden, Belgium and Poland. A full-service recruitment consultancy offering temporary, permanent, contract and contingency roles in a variety of industries such as IT, Tech, Finance, Telecom, E-commerce, Engineering and more.
Posted in: Job Seeking Resources
