Meeting with a hiring manager is an exciting part of the job search process. It’s an opportunity to meet your future boss and showcase how you’ll contribute to the team and organization.
While preparing for this crucial interview can be nerve-wracking with so much riding on the conversation, it’s also an opportunity to really shine.
Continue reading to learn what a hiring manager interview entails and what it means when you land one. I also share 6 expert tips to maximize your success during this important interview.
What Is A Hiring Manager Interview?
Hiring manager interviews are your opportunity to meet your potential future boss. The conversation typically takes place immediately following the recruiter screening interview or serves as the final interview in the hiring process.
A hiring manager is often the person who will be your direct supervisor if you’re offered the role. They play a key role in making the final hiring decision.
As I’ve mentioned before when discussing different types of job interviews, your conversation with the hiring manager allows them to evaluate your:
- Cultural alignment: How well do your values align with the organization’s?
- Fit for the team: Can they envision you collaborating effectively with the group?
Because you’ll be working so closely with your manager, this interview isn’t one to take lightly, even if the conversation feels more informal compared to other interviews. Letting your guard down can happen particularly when you meet with the hiring manager at the end of the interview process, so it’s important to keep your interview game strong throughout.
Does A Hiring Manager Interview Mean You Got The Job?
Landing a hiring manager interview is a great sign, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve secured the job. While it’s a positive step, don’t expect an offer just yet.
Depending on the company’s interview process and when you meet with the hiring manager, it’s common for 3 to 5 (or even more) candidates to have this conversation.
How To Nail The Hiring Manager Interview
While many standard job interview preparation tips apply, there are some particulars you need to remember when getting ready for a conversation with a hiring manager. Here are 5 tips to help you ace this important conversation:
1. Conduct research.
Use LinkedIn to research the hiring manager and identify potential for your conversation. This shows your initiative and genuine interest in the role.
To avoid coming off as overly eager, you can mention that you researched them on LinkedIn. This might sound like, “In preparing for our conversation, I reviewed your LinkedIn profile. I noticed that…”
Additionally, leverage the information you gained through the interview process to inform your conversation. For instance, “During my interview with [person], I learned…”
2. Be specific about why you want to work for the company.
While you should always have a solid response to “Why do you want to work here?” during any interview, it’s particularly important when meeting with a hiring manager. This demonstrates your alignment with the company’s mission, values, and work.
You want your future boss to understand why you’re drawn to this company. Moreover—and this is often overlooked—you want to share why you are the best fit for the company.
Avoid a generic response. Instead, craft an answer so specific that you couldn’t use it if you were asked the same question by a competitor.
3. Know the job description inside out.
By the time you meet with the hiring manager, you should know the job description like the back of your hand. Be prepared to speak to each job duty listed, as well as your relevant experience and accomplishments. This preparation allows you to confidently address how your skills make you a perfect fit for the role.
A simple way to prepare is to create a three-column spreadsheet:
- Column 1: Copy and paste the language from the job posting.
- Column 2: Write out your relevant experience and skills, using language from the first column.
- Column 3: Document your accomplishments as they relate to the first and second columns.
This approach will ensure that you have relevant talking points and examples for everything covered in the job posting.
Note: If there’s a language or software program mentioned in the job description that you’re not familiar with, research it ahead of time and have an answer ready as to how you’ll quickly get up to speed by your first day.
4. Develop thoughtful questions.
You must craft meaningful questions for your hiring manager. This not only showcases your thoughtfulness and genuine interest in the role but is also an additional opportunity to sell yourself.
While I have an entire article dedicated to questions to ask a hiring manager, I want to highlight a few points:
- Don’t ask questions to look smart or because you found them online (including the ones listed in this article).
- Your questions should be genuine and get to the heart of what you really want to know about your manager, the team, or the company.
- Use your questions as an opportunity for the interviewer to continue getting to know you. (This is still an interview, after all!)
For example, if I were interviewing, a question I might ask a hiring manager is, “I’m incredibly passionate about trauma-informed coaching. Can you share how [Company] currently supports the mental health of its employees?”
5. Let your personality shine through.
Ensure that you allow your true, authentic self to shine through during your meeting. This conversation is not the time to be meek or reserved. Authenticity is important, as you want your interviewer to really get a sense of what it will be like working with you day in and day out.
If you’re interviewing via Zoom, this can feel trickier, but it’s far from impossible. You just need to be intentional about sharing yourself.
Like it or not, many hiring decisions, even in the tech industry, come down to whether the person on the other side of the interview table (or Zoom screen) thinks they will enjoy working with you. So, you must let your personality shine through!
I often advise clients to develop a list of 3 to 5 personality attributes they want to share during a conversation. Think of these like “spices” that can add flavor to your answers. While you don’t want your personality to overwhelm the interviewer, sharing a bit of yourself can make you memorable and leave a lasting impression.
6. Send a thank-you note.
Lastly, your interview doesn’t end when your conversation does. Be sure to send a follow-up note, as this reinforces your interest in the position and follow-up skills.
Your thank-you email doesn’t need to be lengthy; however, you should send one, especially in the competitive job market, if you want to be remembered.
Here’s what to include in your note to the hiring manager:
- Briefly reiterate your interest in the position and company.
- Mention a specific point from the conversation that resonated with you.
- Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration.
Does The Hiring Manager Make The Final Decision On Who To Hire?
While they may be called a hiring manager, they don’t always make the final hiring decision. This is particularly true in tech companies where multiple decision-makers are involved in the hiring process.
In fact, many tech companies deploy collaborative hiring processes to reduce silos, minimize bias, and raise the standard for talent.
Final Thoughts On Hiring Manager Interviews
Preparation is key. Use these tips to showcase your skills, experience, and personality effectively during your next hiring manager interview.
Also, keep in mind that the interview process, especially the hiring manager conversation, is a two-way street. Ask yourself whether you can envision yourself working at this company and with this person day-to-day.
On a final note, please reach out or schedule a consultation if you’d like the help of an interview coach as you prepare for your big day—I’d love to help you make the best first impression possible with your future boss. I’m here for you. You’ve got this!
