What Managers Really Want in an Interview
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While you may not have come right out and said it, you communicate a lot about yourself in how you respond to or ask certain questions. So pay attention to these unintentional little cues!...because managers are looking for some very specific character traits during the interview. Don't disappoint.

What the manager is looking for: Humility

What you give them: Grandstanding


Don’t make things up or ever overstate your role to make yourself seem more qualified and important in the manager's eyes. Be specific about what you were (and weren't) responsible for so that the manager doesn't think you are an ego-maniac (or a liar!). Always provide the details of your team when discussing your work since there is no such thing as a "one-man show". Portraying yourself as such will only make you come off as pompous.

What the manager is looking for: Honesty

What you give them: Smokescreen


There may be details off your resume that throw up a red flag. Prevent these from turning into a problem by addressing them upfront (ex: a noticeably long commute, lengthy gaps within your employment history, a title discrepancy where you appear to be taking a step back, etc..). Managers know that no candidate is perfect. They're not seeking perfection! What they are seeking is clarity and the truth so they can identify whether or not you can handle the job. A minor red flag will not get in the way of a manger hiring you if you are qualified, but a conscious effort to hide your red flag just might. Plus, by bringing it up and offering a real explanation, you will avoid having the manager draw his own conclusions (which may be worse than the actual truth).

What the manager is looking for: Consistency

What you give them: Schizophrenia


You are going to meet many people throughout the interview process and rest assured...they will all convene at the end of the process to compare notes together. If you have different versions of your answer depending on the person you were speaking with, the company may think you aren't sure what your answer really is or that you were simply telling people what they wanted to hear. Your answers to core interview questions (such as what you want in your career, why you are leaving your job, what your strengths are, why you like the position, etc...) should never change. Abiding by this rule will not only help you to come across as more genuine, but it will also make it a heck of a lot easier to interview if you stay focused on keeping your story straight.

What the manager is looking for: Objectivity

What you give them: Confrontation


During an interview, you don't ever want to engage in a heated debate over policy, methodology, technology, etc.. Most of the time, you are asked for facts. But occasionally, interviewers will ask you for your opinion on a certain topic. You certainly can provide one. However, you're best off tempering yourself from getting too evangelical about the subject. Managers sometimes ask these kind of opinion questions simply to sniff out any heavy attitudinal bias. A candidate's reaction is also a good indicator of whether or not they are flexible and open-minded in discussing things. So know what the potential casualties are of letting your opinions fly and try your best to not say anything that will end up hurting your chances.

What the manager is looking for: Team Players

What you give them: Sore Losers


People with the right kind of positive attitude are always highly sought after by companies. being a team player is a key trait to demonstrate. Show the manager that you believe strongly in a team-based work culture by speaking highly about your team. Also, inquire about their company-sponsored social events or team-building activities. You want to make it clear that this is important to you. Stay away from making excuses and playing the blame game with your co-workers and never talk negatively about your previous company or paint yourself as the victim of a a wrongful termination or unfair circumstances. Navigate around and avoid this type of commentary at all costs.