When it comes to the interviewing, recruiters and hiring managers look for signs that indicate a candidate’s a keeper. Aside from the job requirements, a polished resume, a professional appearance and an upbeat attitude, there are many other signs that indicate your candidate is topnotch. Take a look at our list and tell us if you agree.
- Industry Knowledgeable. Having a candidate that understands the industry, trends and market potential or hindrance can be pretty telling. How engaged is the candidate to understand where their career or a business is going? Probe for this type of intel in the hiring process and you’ll reveal the candidate’s worth.
- Prepared/Organized. As a hiring manager, ask yourself, how prepared is the candidate. Usually, when you find an applicant that goes through great lengths for their interview, you have a top candidate.
- Reluctant to Bad Mouth a Former Boss/Employer. Nothing turns a hiring manager off more than hearing old office drama. If you find a candidate that can discuss their previous employment and provide insightful information without giving the dirt away, then they’re most likely a keeper.
- Research the Company before the Interview. You would think this item would fall under preparedness, but it doesn’t. Being able to intelligently discuss the company you’re applying for should hold a significant amount of weight. Sure many people can do the job, but do they understand the company? Have they read the companies press releases? How much do they grasp about the business situation? This one isn’t a deal breaker, but it speaks volumes about a potential candidate and their worth.
- Skilled at Minimalizing Tangents. During most interviews people go off on tangents, including hiring managers. When used as a hiring tactic, going off-topic during the interview can easily show how quickly a candidate was able to get back on track.
- Skilled at answering Stump Questions. You’ve just thrown a curve ball question and they’ve managed to provide a positive answer. The stump questions are usually telling, so when you find an applicant that can maneuver around these hurdles during the interview process, it’s a good thing.
- Interview Follow Up. Whether it’s an email or a hand written note, when a candidate takes the time to say thank you, that’s a sign of a keeper.
- Solid Referrals/Previous Work Experience. It’s no secret that an ideal candidate has already preformed the job, but when you have a referral that can attest to their performance, they’re a keeper.
- Keeps Personal Drama Personal. Every employee has personal drama and candidates are no exception. When you have a professional candidate, they know what to say and how to act and avoid disclosing anything negative about their personal life.
- Exhibit Confidence Before & After Interview. Did your candidate look just as confident leaving the interview as they did when they arrived? What’s their demeanor? Do they look relieved or still upbeat? Making a mental note to check can reveal some interesting signs as to whether or not you candidate’s a keeper.
Again, there are many other factors that fall into play when hiring. Sourcing top talent is definitely a challenge and even we can’t give away all our secrets, but this list should help. What about you? What types of signs do you look for in a top candidate? Are there any you believe are just as vital to reveal the very best?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Ingrid Moore
Ingrid Moore is the Founder and CEO of Corporate Resources of Illinois, an employment & staffing agency located in Schaumburg, IL who assists employers with finding the right hire. For more info, follow us on our LinkedIn Company Page, or follow us Corporate Resources of Illinois‘s Google+ page.
