How to Think Like A Hiring Manager and Land Your Dream Job
The process of finding a new job can be nerve-racking for applicants, but hiring managers often find their side of the equation to be stressful as well.
When companies put out the hiring sign, they are most likely short-staffed. Maybe they have lost a popular employee, and now they’re looking at onboarding and getting a new worker up to speed. No matter what the reason, hiring takes a lot of time, effort, and resources. Job seekers would do well to remember this every time they apply to an open position.
Candidates that make things easier for hiring managers are more likely to have a smooth application process that ends with a job offer. Below are a few things you should know keep in mind the next time you have to interact with a hiring manager.
Four Ways To Think Like Hiring Manager in Your Job Interview
It is All About the Little Things
From the first interaction with a candidate to the post-interview follow-up, hiring managers take note of every piece of information.
While any relationship naturally gets a bit more casual as two people get to know one another, you can’t allow your professionalism to slip. Even interactions that seem casual, like confirming an interview’s details, should be treated as part of the application process. Typos and careless errors can quickly ruin an opportunity, regardless of how minor they may appear to be.
Red Flags are Candidate Killers
Hiring managers are always on the lookout for a low-quality applicant. Each manager has their own mental list of red flags. Steering clear of the most common ones, such as arriving late to an interview or bashing an old employer, will help you remain in consideration.
Good Candidates Ask Good Questions
Hiring managers always end a job interview by asking the candidate if they have any questions and the best candidates tend to ask great questions.
The important thing is to do your research and develop questions that reveal your insight. The position description, website, and social media profiles are usually useful resources for finding out what is essential to the company. Your questions should probe these areas.
Bad Candidates Negotiate Upfront
Most companies post a pay range to give potential applicants a sense of what the position pays, but most of these ranges leave a lot to the imagination. If your expectation falls at the upper end of the range or just above it – you probably should establish if you and the employer are at least in the same ballpark on remuneration.
That said, you should not be negotiating on salary upfront. Candidates who focus on pay will seem dispassionate about their line of work, which is not an impression you want to give.
We Can Help You Make a Great Impression
At ZDA, we understand hiring personnel’s motivations, and we use this knowledge to help job seekers walk into an interview ready to make a great impression. Please contact us today to find out how we can make you a better candidate.
