The 5 Magic Signs Hiring Managers look for during an

We all know that interviewing is a skill in itself. Your CV gets you in the door but ultimately it’s the interview where you can demonstrate your ability and really separate yourself from the crowd and stand out. And you prepare accordingly, you research the company, you have a quick look at the Hiring Manager’s profile on LinkedIn, you delve deeper into the role itself and the position description and you do any other homework you feel necessary. But what then?

The interview stage is critical and there are 5 Magic Signs every Hiring Manager looks out for during an interview which I have listed below:

Rapport
Background and skills to do the job
Future growth and development potential
Attitude
Culture Fit

There is no hard and fastened rule on the weight of importance of these 5 signs as together they are greater than the sum of their parts.

Rapport

The ability to build rapport is really important as it showcases your ability to connect and engage with people on a personal level. This can be everything from simple manners/ greetings with the person who meets you at reception; to the small-talk with the Hiring Manager while you go for a coffee or walk to an interview room; to saying goodbye after the interview. Rapport isn’t about being fake, it’s actually about being real and being true to your personality and breaking down barriers and making a connection with someone. The Hiring Manager will assess your ability to build rapport with him/her because it will be a good indication of your ability to build rapport with both internal and external stakeholders if you get the job.

Background and skills to do the job

It sounds obvious and straightforward but yes the Hiring Manager is looking to assess your background experience and skill set and yes your CV showcases your story on paper but the proof is how you bring your story to life. They want to know if you can do the job day to day and it’s crucial you are able to bring your experience to life with key examples that showcase this but your delivery and ability to talk through is paramount. Your experience is exactly that, it’s your story. Other candidates may have similar backgrounds and skill sets but your story and experience is unique and your ability to bring this to life in your way may be the difference between you getting the job and not.

Future growth and development potential

After the Hiring Manager establishes you have the right skills and the right level of experience to do the job, they will want to know if you are the type of person who will grow and develop in the role. They want to know if you are a future leader or have that potential to be one. This the part of the interview where you need to demonstrate your hunger for continuous learning and examples of how you have shown personal leadership in your past roles. Be it past promotions or taking on additional projects and going above and beyond in your current day to day responsibilities.

Attitude

Attitude is king. Never underestimate how important attitude is in when you’re in the interview. It is the difference between getting a job and not. When you are competing for a job, it’s likely that you may have the same background and experience as the other candidates going for the job and the deciding factor as to who gets selected can come down to attitude, pure and simple. Your attitude, your outlook, your mindset, the way you see the world and how you deal with setbacks and show positivity, hard work, collaboration and resilience is so so important when a Hiring Manager needs to make a decision.

Culture Fit

The fifth element a Hiring Manager wants to assess is your culture fit and ability to work well in the organisation as a whole and work well in his/her team and get on with other key stakeholders especially if you are spending 40 plus hours a week together! Will you fit in seamlessly or will you rock the boat? It all depends on what he/she is looking for. Similar to building rapport at the beginning and through the interview process, you will have to demonstrate your ability to adapt your communication style to suit certain personalities and have a strong self-awareness to read situations and read between the lines.

If you need more advice on how to land your dream role, get in touch with me anytime john@iknowho.com.au

< Older Post

Newer Post >

What is a Fractional CMO and could one be right for you?

By Kristina Gerdov • June 25, 2025

Discover what a Fractional CMO is, the benefits they bring, and how to know if hiring one is the right move for your business.

How personal branding can supercharge your job hunt in 2025

By Kristina Gerdov • May 13, 2025

In 2025, personal branding isn't just a buzzword – it's important for anyone navigating the job market. The uncomfortable truth is this; you're likely being Googled more often than you're being interviewed. In a digital-first world, your personal brand can potentially boost your career prospects. So how can you leverage it to stand out during your job hunt? 1. Your brand is what people say when you're not in the room Personal branding isn’t just about the polished version of yourself that you post on LinkedIn. It’s what others say about you when you’re not around. Consider how you’re being perceived online and offline. Is your brand consistent, authentic, and aligned with your career aspirations? What would potential employers say about you when they Google you? To start refining your personal brand, think about your values, your goals, and how you want others to perceive you. This means showcasing your strengths, yes, but also acknowledging your struggles and learning moments. Authenticity can give you a competitive edge. 2. Lead with curiosity, not just expertise Publicly asking thoughtful, insightful questions. It positions you as someone who is constantly learning, open to feedback, and not afraid to explore new ideas – a thought provoker and idea leader in your space. In the job hunt, this quality can set you apart from others who might be more focused on offering answers than asking the right questions. So, when you’re engaging with others online or in an interview, try focusing on asking questions that spark deeper discussions. Your curiosity and willingness to learn can make a lasting impression. 3. Your personal brand is about becoming known for the right things Remember, personal branding isn’t about trying to become famous. It’s about being known for the right things – the things that align with your career goals and the value you want to offer to employers. For job seekers, this means ensuring that your online presence and interactions reflect your expertise, passion, and ambition. When crafting your personal brand, be deliberate. Think about the skills, values, and personality traits you want to highlight. 4. Be consistent and intentional The foundation of a strong personal brand is consistency. Your personal brand is built in the small, everyday actions – how you engage with your network. Consistency in your interactions helps shape how people perceive you and helps create a brand that’s memorable. If you're job hunting, it's critical to show up consistently both online and offline. This includes engaging with industry professionals on LinkedIn, contributing to discussions, and demonstrating professionalism in all your interactions. 5. Small steps to narrow the gap So, what's the gap between how you see yourself and how others might perceive you? The goal isn’t perfection, but making small, consistent adjustments that move you closer to aligning your internal brand with how you’re seen externally. It could be tweaking your LinkedIn profile, starting a blog, or sharing your expertise. What’s one small thing you could do this week to move the needle and narrow that gap? Whether it’s posting a thoughtful comment on a relevant post, reaching out to someone in your industry, or sharing a story of a recent challenge, small actions can have a big impact over time. 6. Share struggles, Not just wins When it comes to personal branding, it’s easy to fall into the trap of only sharing successes. However, some of the most credible personal brands are built on transparency – sharing the struggles and lessons learned along the way. It’s interesting to see how you handle setbacks, not just your triumphs. Embracing imperfection in your personal brand helps paint a fuller picture of who you are. Whether it’s sharing a challenging project you worked on or a time when you faced a setback and how you overcame it, these stories can help demonstrate your resilience, problem-solving abilities, and growth mindset – qualities employers are eager to see. In today’s market, personal branding isn’t just a nice-to-have. By being intentional, consistent, and authentic, you can build a personal brand that resonates with potential employers, ultimately setting you up for success in your job hunt. So, there’s no better time to start than now.

How to: Succeed in a new role

By Kristina Gerdov • April 3, 2025

Starting a new role is so exciting but can sometimes feel like a whirlwind—there’s so much to take in. That’s why we’ve broken it down into a simple 30-60-90 day plan—to help you settle in, make an impact early, get aligned on your KPIs, and feel a sense of achievement from day one.