Mastering the Interview: What Hiring Managers Are Trained to Spot

Preparing for your next interview doesn’t have to be agonizing. One generalized thesis to remember is hiring managers are paid to recognize effort—or the lack thereof. Their job isn’t just to assess technical skills or cultural fit; it’s to evaluate how much care and preparation a candidate puts into every stage of the hiring process.

When candidates fall short, hiring managers take notice. They often conclude that a lack of effort now might translate into lackluster performance later. They also tend to interpret a lack of effort as a lack of interest in the opportunity.

Understanding how effort is measured can help you avoid common pitfalls that might cost you the job.

Generic Thank-You Notes: A Missed Opportunity

I had a highly qualified candidate lose a role because he sent what was described as a low-effort thank-you note. The email thanked the hiring manager for their time and expressed interest in taking next steps. This was executed in two or three sentences and could have been sent to any hiring manager for any interview.

From a technical perspective, this candidate had all the right skills to excel in this role. But when selecting candidates for second rounds, sometimes it’s the “little things” that stand-out.

Thank-you notes that lack personalization are a wasted chance to leave a positive impression. Hiring managers view generic emails as indicators of minimal effort and disengagement.

• Reference specifics from the interview to show active listening.
• Reiterate enthusiasm for the role and connect your skills to the company’s goals.
• Keep the tone professional and tailored to the conversation.

Lack of Preparation: A Red Flag

Candidates who fail to research the company, its solutions, and the industry stand out for the wrong reasons. A lack of preparation signals disinterest and poor work ethic.

• Understand the company’s mission, products, and recent news.
• Study the solution you’ll be selling and its competitive landscape.
• Prepare thoughtful, specific questions to ask during the interview.

Vague Achievements: A Missed Chance to Shine

When candidates discuss accomplishments without metrics or specifics, they miss an opportunity to demonstrate their value. Hiring managers want clarity and evidence of previous success.

• Use concrete examples with measurable outcomes (e.g., “I grew sales revenue by 25% in 2023”).
• Apply the SAR method (Situation, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
• Tie achievements to the role’s requirements to demonstrate relevance.

Poor Interviewing Skills: Lack of Engagement

A disengaged candidate during an interview raises red flags for hiring managers. Interviews are two-way conversations, and lackluster participation suggests disinterest or under-preparedness.

• Practice active listening and ask clarifying questions.
• Show enthusiasm and express genuine interest in the role and company. This can be demonstrated through research, specific interview question preparation, and post-interview follow-up.
• Prepare examples of past successes to confidently set the context of your experience and answer interview questions.

Hiring managers are tasked with identifying not only the best-skilled candidates but also those who demonstrate effort, curiosity, and a strong work ethic.

Every step of the hiring process is an opportunity to showcase these qualities.

Candidates who avoid these common missteps and approach interviews with intentionality will stand out for all the right reasons. Effort isn’t just noticed—it’s valued.

In more cases than not, when all skills are equal, the candidate who wants the job will extend the most effort, which will get noticed and then rewarded by hiring managers.

Stand Out and Succeed: Master the Interview and Accelerate Your Career

Every interview is an opportunity to differentiate yourself and accelerate your career.

By focusing on effort, preparation, and intentionality, you show hiring managers that you’re not only qualified but genuinely enthusiastic about the role.

Mastering these skills not only helps you stand out but also builds confidence, strengthens your professional brand, and opens doors to the next exciting chapter of your career.