Understanding what a hiring manager is looking for in a new recruit will go a long way to putting you on the shortlist. To help you delve into the minds of your hiring manager and ace that interview, we’ve crafted this handy cheat sheet.
1. Do you have the necessary skills set for the job?
The hiring manager is keen to establish from the outset whether you’re equipped with the requisite set of skills and experience to handle the role. He’s preoccupied with one burning question: How much time and effort do I need to invest, if any, on this candidate to make sure that he or she is up to scratch? So the first few job interview questions will most likely centre on your current job responsibilities and your past work experiences.
You can tip the balance in your favour by trying to align your career skills as closely as possible with the job specifications. This way, your interviewer will be left in no doubt that you’re the perfect candidate.
2. Will you be able to fit in with the people in the company?
To ace that interview, you need more than just outstanding paper qualifications. Hiring managers often look out for intrinsic qualities in their quest for the ideal candidate. Demonstrating a positive outlook and attitude will help you get one step closer to scoring that job. Being a wet blanket? Not so much.
This is also the part where you get to toot your own horn. Do some homework beforehand and list down any past accomplishments. Sporting achievements? Put them on the list. Leadership awards? Get it on there. Involved in community work? Yes, please. By mentioning these accolades in the interview, you’re not just demonstrating your skills outside of work, but you’re also giving the hiring manager a glimpse of your personality. And this will help him or her assess whether you’ll be a good fit with the people in the company.
3. Do we have chemistry?
Whether we like to admit it or not, chemistry plays a part in a successful interview. While the interviewer may be grading your answers and totting-up scores to evaluate you objectively against the other interviewees, a good feeling about someone may be the factor that ultimately makes the decision in cases too close to call. You can’t expect to feel a personal chemistry with every interviewer, but there are still steps you can take to establish a good rapport. Be polite, professional and approachable. Throw up some topics and try to find some common ground. The goal is to facilitate a meaningful interaction. And this also paves the way for you to be able to ask at a later date for some interview tips if you don’t get this one. Interviewers are usually willing to give some feedback on how you did if you ask.
So there you have it – common job interview questions that your hiring manager is most likely to ask. Now that you have a clear outline of how the interview is going to go, you’re all set to score a successful interview.
