Once you’ve made it past the initial resume and cover letter screen, it’s time to show off your personality and what you can truly bring to the table with your experiences and background. The in-person or video interview is how the hiring manager will get to know you better and learn how you may fit within the organization. You already have shared your technical skills and the impressive accolades you have received, and now it’s time to show the hiring manager why you’re the right person for the role! 

What you showed them on paper needs to be translated into your face-to-face meeting. This means you need to master making a strong first impression, show you’re prepared and be ready to share experiences outside of what’s on your resume.

5 Things Hiring Managers Want to Hear from You

Here are five tips on what hiring managers want to hear in an interview. 

1. They want to hear that you are interested 

While you may be completely qualified and a great fit, the hiring manager wants to know that you actually want the job. Show that you are genuinely interested in the company and that you are passionate about the role. You have to tell them you are motivated and determined and show them that you would accept an offer if you got it.  

Here are a few things that will help in showing your interest: 

• How prepared you are. If you truly care about the role, you’ll do your homework and due diligence to be knowledgeable about the company in your interview.  
• Your tone and excitement while talking about the company and the role. If you show that you are excited and are into the conversation, this will go a long way in letting your interviewer know that you want the job. 
• The questions you ask at the end of the interview. When you show that you want to go deeper about the role and want to know about the day-to-day at the company, the culture and ask other questions, you will show that you have been thinking about his position and that it’s something you want to pursue. 

2. They want to hear that you are a team player 

While you should be able to do your job without constantly needing someone to guide you throughout every task, being able to work with a team and ask for help is also important. Every company wants to hire someone who is a good collaborator and works well within a team. Many projects and tasks require people to work together and someone new joining the company should be able to fit in within the current team dynamic and add value to it.  

The key here is balance. While you need to show your interviewer that you are skilled and capable of doing the job, you also need to show them how you have worked well in a team setting. Make sure to also talk about your experiences managing and working with other coworkers successfully. 

3. They want to know you are curious and motivated 

As mentioned, asking questions during the interview will show the interviewer that you are interested and have thought about the opportunity. When you ask questions, you show that you have been paying attention and that you are curious about the role and want to learn more. Demonstrating this motivation will show the hiring manager that you want to learn more and that you are someone who wants to contribute to the team’s success. 

Here are some questions you could ask: 

• How can I help the organization succeed? 
• What will my daily responsibilities be? 
• What are the opportunities for growth in my department? 
• What does the culture look like? 

4. They want to hear you are a culture fit 

Culture is a big priority for companies – they want to have the best people with aligned values and motivation to foster engagement and success. During an interview, the interviewer examines your personality and looks to see if you will fit in with coworkers and if your values and goals align with the company’s.  

Show them that you are friendly, you work effectively with others, and that you can adapt to any environment you are placed in. Don’t forget to smile and show off your personality – the hiring manager wants to get to know you! 

5. They want to know you can do that job 

At the end of the day, every hiring manager wants to hear that you are capable of doing the job and that you are here for more than just the paycheck and perks. While they know your skillset and your background, you need to show them you are confident, open to learning, want to grow and have experience that will add value to the company. 

When you get the opportunity to talk about yourself, highlight your skills and most recent relevant experiences. Additionally, you can include other experiences such as volunteering and other interests that provide more insight into your interests and values.