How the Hiring Process Really Works

Potential job candidates are seeking the inside scoop on the hiring process. Be prepared for your job interview and stand out above the rest by knowing what hiring managers are looking for when scanning through application materials and job applicants. The process of hiring the right employee involves careful analysis of both professional skills and personality traits.

The hiring process is often assumed to be a simple process. Employers post job advertisements, candidates submit resumes, application materials are reviewed, and top candidates are chosen for interviews with one lucky individual chosen as the employee. It may sound like an easy process, especially when you are in the midst of your job search, but much more thought and analysis goes into choosing an employee who is skilled, experienced and a solid match for the company.

Employee turnover can be costly for a company, which is why hiring managers must take extra care to find an ideal candidate who subscribes to the company's mission and goals and fits within the company culture. The hiring process involves seeking out specifics from department managers to ensure candidates have the desired qualifications. Hiring managers seek out personality qualities that mesh well with the existing team and craft a job description that outlines each and every skill desired to narrow down the pool of applicants.

The hiring process also involves carefully analyzing the application materials of each candidate. Employers are seeking applicants who go beyond the basics of describing their skills and show that they are proficient in specific equipment, software and hardware utilized within the desired position. The cover letter is a key element of the job search. Employers seek candidates who can accurately and professionally display their skills while showing that their personality fits within the company culture. Cover letters should highlight accomplishments and professional skills that are not listed on the resume. Applicants who submit templates or use generalized wording blend in with the rest of the candidates and do not stand out from the rest.

The interview process is just as detailed. Hiring managers create checklists to determine if candidates possess the qualities that display motivation, initiative and an ability to work with teams and represent the company in a professional manner. The hiring process prompts recruiters to dig deeper into the pleasantries of a conversation during the interview to discover how the candidate would respond to customer complaints, handle workplace conflict and resolve issues within the office.

Job candidates must not assume that the hiring process is similar from one company to the next. Businesses customize their practices to ensure they find the ideal applicant who impacts the company's profits and invests in the products, services and missions of the business.

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