Industry Insight

3 Things Every Hiring Manager Should Look For

Although the demand for tech talent has made it a job hunter’s market, that doesn’t mean landing a position will be easy. Hiring managers are still maintaining a discretionary eye on candidates – and for good reason. As far as resumes and experience, for example, when reviewing candidates, more positions does not always equate to more qualifications.

Here are three key components that hiring managers are looking for in resumes before moving forward:

Growth throughout a career.

Although a lengthy resume showcasing a number of different positions can look impressive at first glance, that’s not always the case. The most important factor is whether candidates show consistent growth throughout their careers – both when it comes to titles and responsibilities. If you’ve remained stagnant, it can be an indication that you lack initiative, or that former employers couldn’t make the case to grant you greater responsibilities. Whether you are looking for employment now or later, make sure you’re always striving for growth. 

Longevity of each position.

No one wants to invest in a candidate with a track record of bouncing from job to job. When reviewing resumes, especially when it comes to non-contract positions, hiring managers will pay attention to whether you’ve held good tenure at each of your previous positions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median number of years that employees work at any given position is about 4.1 years, although this can vary by age and occupation. For talent between the ages of 25-34, the median time is 2.8 years.

If you show a history of, for example, one year or less at multiple positions, chances are hiring managers may peg you as prone to job-hopping. That means their willingness to invest in you drops – so make sure you can speak to that. Resume gaps, on the other hand, should not rule you out as many factors can play into those including health issues, becoming a parent, economic hardships, moves and more.

Knowledge of your company.

It’s always a good idea to dig into how much you know about the position you’re applying to as well as your potential employer before interviewing. If you’re simply applying for a job with little interest in the company culture or objectives, that could be a mark against you. If you’ve taken the time to get to know at least a little about the company mission, chances are hiring managers are more likely to view you as a potential proactive member of their team.

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