I have been a hiring manager for almost 10 years. This is my process. Understand the process and use it to your advantage.

Step 1. A job is posted.

I get so many resumes I get cross eyed after the 10th one and start looking at just the experience, keywords, education, and maybe the last couple job functions.

Step 2: THE INTERVIEW!!!!!

What you need to understand is that, for the most part, all we are really looking for is that you can hold a conversation. I am a technical guy, so I am going to ask some technical questions. If you don't know the answer, you can pass. We can teach you anything we want you to do and will usually not put you on a project until we have properly trained you anyway.

You need to be comfortable speaking without prompting and asking leading questions about the job. Do not just wait to speak until you are given leave to speak. This is not a "speak when spoken to" process. Most, if not all, interviewers are looking for someone to help lead the conversation or at least be extremely active.

Typical Interview Question: Please describe a time when you were assigned a task in which you may not have agreed?

Response I would like to hear: You got the job done. Your boss (officer) told you do to a task and you completed that mission. Done. BUT!!!! What did you do next? If I were your interviewer, I would love the next portion of the conversation to involve how you brought up a better way to do the job to benefit the company as well as free you up to do more/better tasks.

Most of us will be working with people... Prove that you can be a charming/affable colleague who will represent the firm in the best possible way and you will be one step closer to landing your next great job.

Feel free to reach out to me anytime.

Erik

www.linkedin.com/in/eriklindholm/