Inside the Mind of a Hiring Manager

I’ve been interviewing recruiters for the last month and to be honest, it hasn’t been going very well. The job market has picked up so much that finding the right person has been a challenge. 

This week, I finally had a great interview with a well-qualified woman named Andrea. Perhaps my personal insights on how Andrea won the job offer will be helpful to you as a job seeker. 

She made a stellar first impression. Before she said one word, Andrea communicated that she was a true professional. She wore a traditional blue suit with a classic white blouse. Her makeup and hair added to the positive image. When she greeted me she stood up, smiled and gave me a good handshake. I liked her already. 

She made big small talk. Lasting impressions are formed within the first minute of meeting someone and Andrea knew this. As I gave her quick tour of the office and reviewed our products, she conversed easily and made it a point to demonstrate she had done her homework and knew a bit about our company. I was beginning to feel optimistic about this candidate. 

She connected with confidence. Once seated at the interview table, Andrea took out her portfolio and asked if she could take notes. I was impressed that she thought what I would say would be that important. As I described the company, the role and the challenges, she actively listened and made brief notes. Her eye contact was excellent, communicating confidence and interest. She added an occasional smile, nod and word of acknowledgement as I talked, demonstrating 100% presence and engagement in the conversation. I enjoy it when people listen to me, don’t you? 

She sold supremely. I intentionally gave Andrea an easy question to start. I figured there was plenty of time to work up to the tough questions, right? Instead of giving me a simple answer and waiting for a better question to show off her knowledge, Andrea turned her response into a success story, giving me three solid examples illustrating metrically-based achievements and results. One question: 3 examples, 10 minutes, 1 very impressed interviewer! 

I had already decided that I was probably going to hire Andrea. 

She rolled with it. I had invited two colleagues to interview Andrea with me. Yeah, I know, group interviews are really stressful and I shouldn’t have arranged it, but there were schedule conflicts. You know what’s even more stressful than a group interview?  When two of the three interviewers arrive late! 

I was pretty sure the late arrivals would throw Andrea off her game but she was brilliant. After the introductions, Andrea was smart enough to go back and summarize the highlights of our discussion so the new interviewers could get the full picture quickly. She then went on to finish the story she was telling me before they arrived. What a sharp mind! 

She knew when to talk and when to be quiet. Interviewers like to ask tough questions and my team was prepared with them. At one point, one of the interviewers asked what I knew to be a question without a good answer. The interviewer had, in fact, been struggling to solve the problem for 10 years. 

Again, I waited to see how Andrea would respond, knowing others had crashed and burned trying to answer this question. Before responding, Andrea was wise enough to ask a few questions encouraging the interviewer to talk about the issue long enough to have time to think. Eventually the other interviewer interrupted and changed the subject without Andrea ever having to answer the question. Lucky or smart? 

She sealed the deal. As the interview concluded, Andrea asked several good questions which showed me that she was seriously considering the opportunity. In addition she made a point of telling me that she wanted the job and reiterated why she was qualified to do the job. Andrea left me with her personal business card (nice touch) and words of appreciation for my time and consideration. Her thank you note arrived within 24 hours. 

On Monday I will make the job offer and I couldn’t be more excited. I hope Andrea accepts. 

Now it’s your turn. Get that job offer! 

Christy Suerth

Your Neighbor, Career Coach and Hiring Manager