Job Search Step 4: Hiring Manager
I this article, I share with you my appraoch to preparing for the hiring manager screen. Remember, I want to both impress and vet the hiring manager.
The Job Description
When I’m preparing for a hiring manager screen, the first thing I need to do is review the job description. I don’t obsess about it. I try and find the keywords and jog my memory for why I am a good fit for the role.
If I don’t have one or two elements that they’re looking for, I make a note of it. My goal is to find a way to think about my stories around those weaknesses. I’m not gonna go out of my way and stress over it. I’m gonna focus on where I match what they’re looking for.
Recruiter
I’m gonna go back and look at my notes from speaking with the recruiter. Good recruiters should give candidates some tips or insights into what the hiring manager is looking for and any concerns they might have about your candidacy. I am looking to get ahead of those things, ideally in the “Tell me about yourself” answer.
Common Questions
The following are the most common questions I think people get from hiring managers.
Tell me about yourself
Why are you interested in this role at this company?
Product you are proud of
Favorite product and why
Disagreement with engineering partner
Complex cross functional product
Surprise in the data
I also try to make up different questions I would ask if i was hiring for the job description. I will not nail the questions in the live interview perfectly, but I am typically directionally correct.
Reverse Interview
After I have good answers, I need to think a good questions. I want to show that I am really interested in the role by asking good thought-provoking, and or thoughtful questions that show I’m very interested in the role and the company.
Some common questions?
What do you need me to accomplish in the first 60-90 days?
What does the team need most from me?
What does my engineering counterpart want from the person in this role?
What is the goal for the year?
What are the most important challenges that the team faces?
Which cross-functional partners are most concerned with whoever takes over this role and why
What was the biggest fail for the team last year?
What goals would I own?
If you are looking for more questions, here is a list of 15 questions to ask the hiring manager.
Mitigating Anxiety
I try to get a good night’s sleep. Breathing exercises on the days running up to the interview as well as during the interview. If I can calm myself down in the first few minutes, I am more likely to be successful.
