From a Hiring Manager’s Perspective: What Are They Thinking After Your Interview?

Interview After you interview for a job, the ever-fun waiting game begins. Will you get a second interview or a call saying, “Thanks for interviewing, but…?”  Whether or not you advance in the interview process is now in the hands of the hiring manager. It’s time for the interviewer to process what they’ve learned about you.

So, what could make or break the deal? In deciding whether or not you get a call back for a second interview, here’s an inside look at two questions an interviewer is sure to ask themselves about you.

Do I like the candidate’s personality?

Can this interviewer see you getting along with the team? Would you fit in well with the company culture? On your résumé, you might be a great fit, but there’s a lot that a hiring manager can learn about you during – and after – you interview. Not only will a potential employer evaluate the answers you gave during an interview, but they will take into consideration your nonverbal communication skills, investigate your online personal brand (a.k.a. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.), and check your references. All of these items are taken into consideration when a potential employer is debating hiring you to their team.

Is this person driven?

Are you self motivated and eager to learn and take on new projects? Right now, with the continued uncertainty about the economy and tight budgets, companies are still playing it safe when it comes to hiring. With fewer workers and heavier workloads, employers are looking for hard-working, motivated individuals who can stand the test of time.

To determine if you’re the employee for them, hiring managers will be taking all things about you into consideration when making a decision – your work history, your interview responses, and your references’ feedback. To put your best foot forward during the interview, make sure your résumé is up-to-date, research the company, brush up on some potential interview questions, and dress to impress. Also, contact your references so they can be prepared to give you a recommendation. The day of your interview, it’s your day to shine. Your goal is to make a lasting, positive impression that makes the hiring manager want to hire YOU!

Comments

  1. Michael

    There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes; don’t sweat the interview too much. Once employers review your application, they will be checking your references and any previous employment for several weeks or more. After the interview, they will confer with colleagues about you. Most of all just set a good example and show that you have a positive role in your community. A little volunteer work or religious activity helps to bolster your reputation as well.

  2. Kathleen

    After the interview, this Hiring Manager is thinking: Did the candidate thoroughly research our Company? Were responses to interview questions complete, and did the candidates’ response match my question? Was the candidate interested, sincere, and engaged in the interview process? Are his/her questions canned, or insightful? What did this candidate do or say that makes me want to hire them over other, equally-qualified applicants?

  3. Scott

    On March 9th I had an interview with a placement specialist at a local company that had a large ad in the local Sunday paper.
    The ad clearly indicated that they were looking to fill hundreds of jobs in the accounting field.
    After the interview I was told that with all that I had to offer both in educational and experience that they should be able to place me within two weeks.
    I followed up with the interviewer a week later only to be told that the majority of the jobs had been filled.
    Did they give me a false sense of hope that I would finally get work or did they actually have the number of jobs available that they stated were avaialble? Was this false advertising? Only the firm knows for sure.

  4. Erica Rothenberg

    Which one ultimately pulls more weight? Capability or personality? Or would you say they’re pretty evenly matched?

  5. Jared Cole

    Good Question, Erica. It reminds me of a quote by author Elmer G. Letterman who once said, “Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open.” Having personality can help you find good job opportunities, but being a worker who is capable of learning, improving, and committing can help keep the job. While some fields of work tend to put more emphasis on one or the other, both are highly valued qualities.

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