What Hiring Managers Discuss After You Leave the Room
If you are like many people I know, you are worried about what hiring managers will say about you as soon as you walk out of the interview. And so you are probably assuming that they are picking on your answers and only hiring those who have no bugs.
This post was originally published on the Muse website .
Well, I can’t speak on behalf of every hiring manager on earth, but I can say that when I was a recruiter, this was not the case. Of course, there is a lot of talk going on before a candidate gets an offer , but what your interviewers are discussing will probably surprise you.
1. Is this person happy with the interview?
Many employers I have come across are doing everything in their power to hire people who are passionate about their company’s mission. A genuine interest in an organization is essential – and many recruiters know they shouldn’t settle for someone who is paper-qualified but not interested in being part of a real team.
And because this is so important to so many people, your anxiety arises more often than you think. Employers know they will meet candidates who don’t know the entire mission or have a history of founding, but they do look for people who seem genuinely excited about getting there for work.
If you are running low on energy, this should be a sign that you should probably look elsewhere. Why? Because it’s an indication to the employer that they should probably look elsewhere as well.
And, if you’re not sure if your enthusiasm is clear, use your thank you note to see how excited you are about the opportunity.
2. Is there anyone else we should ask this person to interview?
I lost track of how many times I refused interviews and had no doubts that we should go through. But I also lost track of how many times I left interviews with a great candidate and had to ask the hiring manager if he or she wanted that person to meet someone else. And if so, when will this person be available.
As frustrating as the scheduling was, it was the real reason that some of the more qualified people I met received nothing but radio silence from me for an extended period.
And even worse, I’ve been burned enough in the past to know that there is a chance that this person will end up with one of our competitors because he or she decides that we are not interested in moving forward. So, while it is understandable to be frustrated with no follow-up, take comfort in the fact that the delay does not mean that you are not on the job.
3. How soon will we need someone to get started?
You may have read this question and thought, “So if I catch a company at a time when it just needs to fill a position, will I be in good shape to get it?” Sorry for bringing bad news, but it really isn’t.
If the employer is ready to make you an offer, he will ask himself how soon he would like you to start figuring out his internal deadlines. Who should be warned? What does the HR department need to adapt to you? When does he think you will be able to notify your current company?
On the other hand, this question often generates long conversations about how well you fit. If you are not the one , then it is more likely that resources will be reallocated to fill the gap until the employer finds the right person – than they will simply hire you (and trust me, this is for the best).
But more importantly, it makes companies think deeply about whether they are happy to hire you , or whether they only agree to renew your offer.
Some of these conversation topics aren’t exactly fun. I understand this – especially because if it were on my own, every conversation the hiring manager had about me would be incredibly positive.
But knowing what’s going on behind closed doors is still a good way to calm your nerves. Employers aren’t just making fun of your answers after you walked out of the interview, or that old jacket you weren’t sure about (but decided to leave at the last minute). They delve into some important questions to determine if you are the right fit for the job, and if the job can make you happy.
Behind the Scenes: 3 Things Hiring Managers Discuss After Interviews | Muse