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Finding a new job can be an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. You've spent countless hours perfecting your resume and cover letter, and finally, you get a call or email inviting you for an interview. At this point, you might be wondering, "What goes on in the mind of a hiring manager?" Well, fear not! In this article, I will explain the psychology of the hiring manager and offer some tips for candidates to help ease their anxieties.
To understand the psychology of a hiring manager, let's think of them as a food critic. Just like a food critic, a hiring manager has a discerning eye and is looking for the best of the best. They want to find someone who can bring something new and fresh to their team, just like a food critic wants to try new and exciting dishes. So, how can you impress a hiring manager? Here are some tips:
Show passion and enthusiasm: Just as a chef puts their heart and soul into their dishes, a hiring manager wants to see that you're passionate about the job and eager to join their team. Show your enthusiasm by doing your research on the company and asking thoughtful questions during the interview.
Action Items:
here's an example to demonstrate how to show passion and enthusiasm during a job interview: Let's say you're interviewing for a marketing role at a digital advertising agency. To show your passion and enthusiasm for the job, you might do the following:
Do thorough research: Prior to the interview, research the company's website, social media channels, and recent news articles to get a sense of their brand voice, target audience, and recent campaigns. You might also research the company's competitors to gain a broader perspective on the industry.
Prepare thoughtful questions: Come prepared with a list of thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the company and the role. For example, you might ask about the company's approach to creating data-driven campaigns or inquire about the team's creative process.
Highlight your relevant experience: During the interview, be sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in marketing or advertising. Talk about campaigns you've worked on, skills you've developed, and how you've contributed to the success of previous marketing teams.
By doing your research, preparing thoughtful questions, and highlighting your relevant experience, you'll demonstrate your passion and enthusiasm for the job and the company. This can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of landing the role.
Highlight your skills: A chef wouldn't put a dish on the menu that they weren't confident in, and a hiring manager wouldn't hire a candidate who wasn't skilled in the necessary areas. Be sure to highlight your relevant skills and accomplishments during the interview.
Action Items:
Here's an example to demonstrate how to highlight your skills during a job interview: Let's say you're interviewing for a software engineering role at a tech company. To highlight your relevant skills and accomplishments, you might do the following:
Provide specific examples: During the interview, provide specific examples of your experience working with different programming languages, tools, and frameworks. Talk about projects you've worked on and the impact they had on the company or users.
Discuss challenges you've faced: It's important to showcase how you've overcome challenges in the past. Discuss a particularly challenging project you worked on, how you approached the problem, and the successful outcome you achieved.
Show your technical aptitude: Be prepared to answer technical questions that demonstrate your aptitude for software engineering. For example, you might be asked to explain a complex algorithm or asked to solve a coding challenge.
By highlighting your specific skills and accomplishments, discussing how you've overcome challenges, and demonstrating your technical aptitude, you'll showcase your value as a candidate for the software engineering role. This can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of landing the job.
Be personable: Just like a food critic wants to have a good experience at a restaurant, a hiring manager wants to work with someone who is easy to get along with. Be sure to show your personality and engage in conversation during the interview.
Action Items:
Here's an example to demonstrate how to be personable during a job interview: Let's say you're interviewing for a customer service role at a retail company. To show your personable side during the interview, you might do the following:
Start with small talk: Begin the interview with some friendly small talk to help break the ice and build rapport. For example, you might ask the interviewer how their day is going or mention something interesting you noticed in the office.
Share relevant anecdotes: When discussing your experience in customer service, be sure to share relevant anecdotes that demonstrate your ability to connect with customers and provide excellent service. Talk about how you've handled difficult situations with tact and empathy, or how you've gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs.
Ask questions: Engage the interviewer in conversation by asking thoughtful questions about the company culture, the role, or the team. By showing a genuine interest in the company and the people you'd be working with, you'll demonstrate your personable side and increase your chances of making a connection with the hiring manager.
By starting with small talk, sharing relevant anecdotes, and asking questions, you'll show your personable side and make a strong impression on the hiring manager. This can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of landing the customer service role.
Follow up: After a meal, a food critic might leave a review, and after an interview, a hiring manager might follow up with a candidate. Be sure to send a thank-you note or email after the interview to show your appreciation for the opportunity.
Action Items:
Here's an example to demonstrate how to follow up after a job interview: Let's say you just finished interviewing for a graphic design role at a creative agency. To follow up after the interview, you might do the following:
Send a thank-you email: Within 24 hours of the interview, send a thank-you email to the interviewer expressing your gratitude for the opportunity to interview for the position. Be sure to highlight specific points from the interview that stood out to you, such as the company's culture or the projects you would be working on.
Showcase your skills: Use the follow-up email as an opportunity to showcase your skills further. For example, you might attach a link to your online portfolio or send a design sample that aligns with the company's style or aesthetic.
Express your interest: In the email, express your continued interest in the role and the company. Let the interviewer know that you're excited about the possibility of joining the team and look forward to hearing back.
By sending a well-crafted thank-you email that showcases your skills and expresses your continued interest, you'll demonstrate your professionalism and attention to detail. This can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of landing the graphic design role.
Remember, just like a food critic, a hiring manager is looking for something specific. They're not just looking for someone to fill a position; they're looking for the right person to join their team. So, if you don't get the job, don't take it personally. It might just mean that you weren't the right fit for that particular role or company.
Remember that every interview is an opportunity to grow and improve. Just like a chef perfects their recipe with every dish they create, you can refine your interview skills with every experience you have. So, don't get discouraged if you don't land your dream job right away – each effort is getting you closer to that goal. With each interview, you're gaining valuable experience and becoming more skilled at presenting yourself to hiring managers. Keep at it, keep learning, and eventually, all the ingredients will come together.
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