Don’t you just wish you knew what the HR Manager is thinking so you could put your best foot forward, avoid blunders and subsequently get hired? Well, you’re not alone. There are things that HR Managers won’t tell you, but they sure wish you knew before you entered the door.

1. Good grooming. Appearance is always important, so you have to look impressive. Good grooming isn’t just about being neat; it’s also dressing appropriately. If you need a job in the corporate world, you have to show that you can dress the part.

2. Do your homework. Don’t ever walk into an interview without having the slightest clue of what the company is all about. When an interviewer asks, “Do you know what our company does?” there is nothing more disappointing than to hear “Sort of.” or “I don’t know.” Visit the company website (if they have one) or ask around. Make notes or maybe even a set of prepared answers; but if you do that, you have to practice so you don’t sound mechanical.

3. They can help your career big time. Basically, HR managers these days are not just hiring for today/now, but planning for the future. Unless a company is hiring you for a contractual or temporary position, their goal is to have you working for the company for a while. On your end, make sure this is a position you are willing to accept when the company offers you a job; that is fair for both parties. Your long-term goals have to align with theirs for that to happen.

4. Show that you’re a perfect fit for the job and the company. Your happiness on the job is important to the HR Manager. If there is a mismatch, then it follows there is a real chance that you’d be unhappy and won’t stay with the company long; or worse, you can make others miserable, too. Convince the HR Manager how well you see yourself fitting in; that you’re a team player; and don’t see the company as a stop gap until something better comes along. Positive attitude and strong commitment – these are qualities that go beyond the actual skills that you put on your resume.

5. Make is easy for the HR Manager to hire you. Keep in mind that your application is one of many being considered. Don’t make them drag information out of you; point out the aspects of your resume that are relevant to the job and be prepared to discuss them briefly. Know how to answer difficult questions, such as: “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” “Why did you leave your last job?” and “Tell me about yourself.” Answer questions honestly, briefly and to the point.

Competition is tough in today’s job market so you need to set yourself apart to stay ahead of the game. Being aware of the HR Manager’s role in your career can boost your chances of keeping the lead, landing the job and growing with the company.

Tags: hiring manager, Hiring Managers, interview advice, interviews, job, job hunt, Job Search, job tips, jobs, Personal Branding

This entry was posted on Friday, May 28th, 2010 at 8:20 am and is filed under Applying for a Job, Job Search Tips, Resume Help. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.