WHAT’S THE HIRING MANAGER LOOKING FOR? by Bill Kaufmann, President of My Greener Future
How do you answer the simple question, “What do they expect from me as an applicant?” In reality, the answer it simple. They’re looking for someone who:
- Is a Business person who understands how their function contributes to overall results
- Is Competent in their function given today’s issues and tomorrow’s direction
- Is a Compatible fit and will contribute successfully within our organization
Primarily, a hiring manager wants someone to manage business results through their function. If you, as an applicant, don’t understand how you can affect the business results through your function, then a hiring company won’t be interested in you.
What’s your return-on-investment if you’re hired? How can you affect revenue, profit or cost? Whether you are a General Manager or an intern, you should be able to define your value. All functions have key drivers. The interviewer sorts through applicants to find candidates that match the next level of performance. Make sure you know and can articulate what they are for you!!
Secondly, a hiring manager is looking for competence within the function. Do you know what you’re doing? Will you support our efforts over the next 5 years, not just for today? Can you support the business objectives? Ask yourself the question, “If I were the hiring manager, what would be the eye-popping results or experiences that I want to see in candidates?” Then, as an applicant, provide it during the interview, to become the candidate of choice.
Thirdly, the hiring manager is looking for fit: Do you fit into their culture and style? How do you operate? Will you be a problem child or a leader? If you are uncomfortable in an interview, ask yourself “Why?” Is it the potential fit within the organization or the fit with the interviewer?
During the interview, you must be able to articulate business results within your current job. If you can’t answer the question, “How do you currently affect revenue, profit or cost in your present position?” your interview will be a short one. In summary then, here are some of the questions an interviewer will likely be asking you, directly or indirectly:
As a businessperson,
- Can you translate our vision into actionable strategies to get the needed results?
- Have you successfully achieved similar results somewhere else?
- Can you increase our results? Improve performance? Reduce Cost?
As to competence in your function:
- What was the greatest challenge in your current position?
- How did you resolve it?
- Can you solve our issues given your work history?
- What were your objectives over the past 5 years?
- How did you achieve them?
As to fit:
- What will your current boss, peer, subordinates say about you? Why?
- Who in your current organization do you get along with the least? Will you fit in with us?
Just like the motto says: Be Prepared!
Be a candidate rather an applicant. Join us at My Greener Future.
Find more information, articles and mini-webinars on our website: Mygreenerfuture.com