The 4 Things a Hiring Manager Looks For in a Candidate

“There are three secrets to managing. The first secret is have patience. The second is be patient. And the third most important secret is patience.” – Chuck Tanner

Author Byline: Peggy McKee
Author Website: http://www.career-confidential.com

Candidates are always looking for the “secret” to what the hiring manager is really looking for, so that they can highlight those parts of their experience that will entice the manager into making the job offer. If you look at hiring across industries and job titles, the basic qualities all hiring managers look for in the interview are the same:

Does this person understand the job?
Can he or she do the job?
Will he or she do the job?
Does this person pose a risk to my own continued employment?

Everyone who is responsible for hiring employees is held to account for how those employees perform. The manager wants to make a good hire, and it often feels like a pretty big risk for him. And it is. A large part of their job is choosing the right candidate.

The good news is: you can make that decision easier for the hiring manager by creating a 30/60/90-day plan. A good 30/60/90-day plan outlines what you will do as a new employee during your first 3 months on the job. It covers your training and your strategy for success. Your plan (and your discussion of the plan with the hiring manager) answers all those questions.

It shows that you understand the job, or you never would have been able to create the plan. It’s an especially good tool for job seekers who are new to the career.

It shows that you can do the job—you already have a plan. The plan shows, step-by-step, what you intend to do to get up to speed and take off as a self-sufficient, successful employee.

It shows that you will do the job because anyone who would take the time to create a plan like this already has a good work ethic and commitment to the job.

It shows that you won’t pose a risk to the manager’s employment. He can see that you know what you’re doing, and he can see that you know what it takes to be successful.

The 30/60/90-day plan is a valuable tool for you as a job seeker. I would not go to another interview without it.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Good luck in your search.

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