What Hiring Managers Like to See in a Candidate

When preparing for an interview, whether it is virtual or in-person, there are several things hiring managers look for in candidates. Our recruiting team put together a list of these items to help you get interview-ready!

1. Understand the Company. Having a solid understanding of the company, its culture, and its industry will help you to tailor your responses to be specific to the company. Understanding the company and industry will also show the manager your interest in the company!
2. Be Professional, But Be Yourself. Show up to your interview in business attire, even if the interview is virtual. Keep your responses professional and avoid talking negatively about past employers.
3. Showcase Relevant Experience. Reference specific projects that you have worked on, goals you have met, and teams you have been a part of that are relevant to the job that you are interviewing for. Managers love to see that you have the ability to do the job!
4. Demonstrate Your Ability to Learn. Just like managers want to see that you have the technical skills to do the job, they also want to see that you have the ability to learn new skills. Talk about times in the past when you have learned a new skill or technology.
5. Be Honest. Communicate your expectations for the role and your career goals to the manager. Let them know what you want to accomplish in this role. Just like the hiring manager is interviewing you, you are also interviewing them to see if this would be the best fit.
6. Ask Questions. Come prepared to ask questions about the company, role, and team. Also, paying attention throughout the interview and asking questions will show that you are attentive.