Interviewing with a Recruiter vs. the Hiring Team
Your application got a bite! Your dream job asks you to hop on an introductory call. Your heart is pounding, and you’re wondering, “Is this your interview?” Not exactly, but you have your foot in the door, and now is your opportunity to make a first impression and be invited back to interview.
The interview process is undoubtedly nerve-wracking. The best you can do is prepare and be yourself. Knowing who you will be speaking with throughout the process is powerful knowledge. Typically, you’ll first kick things off with a recruiter. Then, the outcome of that conversation will determine whether you will move forward in the interview process with the hiring manager and hiring team. The hiring manager is usually the person who has the opening on their team and you’d likely be reporting into if hired. The hiring team will typically include a combination of your potential teammates, cross-functional colleagues, and senior leadership. An instance where you don’t speak to the recruiter first might be when a company does not use recruiters and perhaps the hiring managers are looking for candidates on their own.
Phone Screen with a Recruiter
Recruiters are often the first, and sometimes only person you’ll have the opportunity to meet with at a company. They are the gatekeepers, but they will also be your advocate during the interview process. This call is significant, so don't take it lightly. During a 30-minute phone screen, Recruiters will generally want to know the following:
Does your background match the job description?
Did you do your homework on the company?
Are you genuinely interested in the position and the company?
Do your salary expectations align with the budget for the role?
If hired, when can you realistically start?
Recruiter screening calls are also an opportunity for the recruiter to introduce you to the role. Take advantage of this call and try to learn as much as you can about the company, its culture, and what the rest of the interview process entails. Following your call, the recruiter will gauge whether both parties are still mutually interested in keeping the conversation going.
Some key things you can do to prepare for your phone screening:
Research the company – check out their company website, social, media/press articles, awards, leadership. Also be sure to research whoever you are interviewing with
Practice articulating your story and experience, and shaping it to how it is relevant to the job
Be able to share your salary expectations confidently
Know your realistic timeline to be hired
If you are ready to accept an offer, but may need more than the average two weeks to start, let the recruiter know
If you need to relocate, make sure to have a plan, and a realistic idea of how long it will take for you to move, find housing, and be ready to start. The recruiter will be using this information as they advocate for your hire. Keep them up to date if anything changes during the interview process so the recruiter can remain informed
Meeting the Hiring Manager or Hiring Team
You’ve aced your call with the recruiter, congrats! The rest of the interview process might be less predictable because every company, or even team, will have a different style or method of interviewing.
Some things the hiring team will generally want to discuss with you during an interview are:
A deep dive into your level of experience, skillset, and capabilities
Assess your problem-solving skills or how you’ve overcome challenges
Discuss your ability to collaborate well amongst a team of diverse backgrounds, experience, personalities, and opinions
What do you offer? What kind of diverse thinking do you bring to the table? Do you fill out/complete the team, and add to the company culture?
The structure and technique used to learn about you during the interview process will vary. A holistic way to prepare is to research the people you are meeting with, and do a deep dive on yourself. Think about specific examples in which you can showcase:
Management/leadership style (if applicable) – what makes you a good manager?
Ownership of a project - what challenges did you have, how did you navigate them, and what was the end result? Would you do anything differently the next time?
Collaborative or teamwork success stories/failures – again, what challenges did you have, how did you navigate them, and what was the end result? Would you do anything differently the next time?
What other challenges have you overcome? Difficult people are everywhere; how have you had to settle differences with a coworker, customer or client? Did you ever have to change directions mid-way through a project or race against an impossible deadline?
Out of the box thinking – have you ever offered up ideas outside of the norm?
Moments you are most proud of – think of your wins, both big and small
A Few Last Tips to Keep in Mind
A pro-tip is to avoid speaking overly negative about past roles, companies, or co-workers. Often times, it will come across more like office gossip, and the message you are trying to deliver will get lost. Bad experiences are also teachable moments. How can you put a positive spin on the story? '
Another helpful tip is to practice your responses out loud by yourself or with a peer, instead of simply writing or bulleting it out. You might feel silly, but the ability to confidently speak about yourself out loud with comfort and ease is game-changing. When you’re at an interview and butterflies are swarming your insides, formulating a story on the spot might not come so easy. You’ll thanks yourself later for practicing.
Lastly- asking questions during an interview is essential! You might spend the next few years with this company. Aren’t you curious about what you can expect? Be prepared with questions, but also be present in the room, and naturally curious. Ask some questions based on the conversation in the room, not only your prepared questions.