What Hiring Managers Really Want to Know About You
When the interviewer asks you about himself, of course he wants to know about your previous experience and qualifications , but this is only a part. They really try to gauge a lot of factors when considering you for the job, like how well you fit for the company and more.
This post was originally published on the Muse website .
Interviews are a lot of anxiety, especially when the interviewee has what can only be described as a professional poker face. You can go crazy trying to figure out what exactly is going on behind that diplomatic smile.
To save you agony and help you prepare better, here’s an insider’s look at what’s going on in the hiring manager’s head during a job interview. In general, employers are looking for the most suitable technical and cultural employees that fit their budget. While all of these questions will come to their minds, the questions they ask are usually not so direct. So, know that no matter how wacky or inappropriate the question may seem, they all fall back on these five core issues.
Have you done this kind of work successfully in the past?
In fact, the question should be more like “Can you do this job?” but this is not always easy to assess. This is why so much weight is placed on your ability to demonstrate relevant work that you have done, whether for another company, for a school, or just independently.
Whenever possible, you should talk about your respective experiences and transferable skills. Of course, it’s not just about results. It is also important to be able to communicate why you were successful. Tell stories about your previous experiences and be introspective. The interviewer will try to draw conclusions from your responses, so you can spell them as well to make sure you are sending the message you want to send.
Will you work well with my current team?
There is always some context in which you are hired and it is in the hiring manager’s best interest to make sure you are the right fit and can get started right away.
How exactly can a recruiting manager determine if you will practice? It’s still a bit of a gamble after all, but something you should definitely try to convey is your communication style and efficiency, your work ethic, your career values, and how you approach problems. Think about it broadly, and then present a specific supporting example as you prepare for your interview.
And remember, there is no right or wrong answer here. After all, you don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you don’t fit well.
What do you know about my company?
You are applying for a specific role that probably exists in many other companies, so why this one? Hiring managers want you to show not only that you know what makes their particular company special, but that you really enjoy it. Doing your homework about the company and pondering why you are a good fit shows that you have invested in it.
Naturally, this is not all. Asking thoughtful and informed questions about the company is a great way to show continued enthusiasm as you progress through your interview ( here are some great ones ). Do your company research ahead of time and demonstrate what you know, both in your answers and in your questions.
Is the expected work in line with what it really is?
In other words, do you know what you are signing up for and is this really what you are looking for? Nobody wants to hire someone who just wants this job to support him or her until a new, more coveted job comes along. And while we’re on the subject of expectations, are your expectations for the company’s salary in line? To get down to business, can the company afford to hire you?
To understand this, the interviewer can ask anything from your motivation for leaving your previous position to what worries you most about your new position. The current salary question is likely to come up at some point as well. After all, there are hundreds of different questions that can solve this problem. To prepare in real time, find out what your career is. Where are you from, where are you going and why? How does this work fit your goals? Oh, and read about negotiation .
Are you confident in your abilities?
Hiring managers may not consciously think about it, but you can bet their perception of your confidence will affect how they remember you. Self-confidence can mean different things to different people, but overall, if you can show that you are passionate about your work and look the way you look, half the battle is won. If you want to boost your confidence even more, take the time to do some powerful poses before your big interview.
Of course, looking confident is just a matter of practice, but being confident requires a whole new way of thinking. If you are short on time, talk to friends and mentors in a support network. Having the right people in your life can change the world for the better when it comes to self-confidence – not to mention it’s easier (and more effective) to say, “My manager would call me hardworking,” rather than “I say that I’m pretty hardworking. “
If you can deliver a clear message that solves all of these problems, you are well prepared to meet the mysterious hiring manager . So, before heading to your next interview, be sure to check everything on this list. You may still not be able to read the person at the table, but this time you won’t need it.
5 Questions Hiring Managers Think During Interviews (But You Can’t Ask) | Muse