How an Employer Decides which Candidate to Hire

Caroline Blog Articles 17 August 2022

What makes a candidate stand out? What are the requirements employers look out for when choosing a candidate? Why should an organization hire you? These are questions many have asked themselves over time.

Many processes are indeed required to choose the right candidate for a position. However, what do these processes look like and what makes it an effective hiring process? By the end of this article, you will be able to know what will make you the right candidate.

Why should you be concerned about the processes? As a new graduate or someone looking for a job, taking note of the processes an employer takes when hiring candidates will help you find jobs easily. Read this article to know how an employer decides which candidate to hire.

PROFILE

A profile says more about what you do. It shows how you present yourself and your expertise online. It also emphasizes your interest and values. An employer looks at the profile of their eligible candidates to know the best fit for their company. The posts and comments tagged along with your name can have a great influence on your career. It can be either a red flag or a green flag to your employer.

According to statistics by Career Builder, 54 percent of employers surveyed said they chose not to hire a candidate based on the contents found on their social media profile(s). Employers monitor the activities and reputation of eligible candidates on platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Therefore, you should keep your social media profile professional and appropriate. Regularly, search for your name on Google to see what shows up. This will help you get ahead of anything that can disqualify you or get you screened out during the hiring process.

PORTFOLIO

This has to do with a compilation of your work samples that provides proof of the experience and skills you have as a person. It also consists of the tools you can make use of that can be beneficial to the company you are applying to. A resume/CV is a great part of your portfolio and should be outstanding enough so that you are not ruled out by employers or hiring managers. To be eligible for hire, you have to work on creating a great portfolio.

PERFORMANCE

An employer seeks how well you have performed in your previous organizations. This helps to know the results you can bring to the company and how you can help to achieve the company's goals. To be more eligible for the post you are applying for, ensure you state out what you offered in your previous organizations and the accomplishments you have achieved.

TIPS TO BE THE CANDIDATE YOUR EMPLOYER HIRE

Do Your Research

It is important to research the company you are applying to. This will help you know more about their core values and the company’s history. You should also research the universal hiring criteria of the company to know how it can be advantageous to you.

At Compaira - we want a world where everyone has the chance to progress; we will provide the connections to do this simply and without bias.

Another thing to take note of is the job description. Be sure to read through it so you do not ask questions that have already been answered in the job description.

As a job applicant, before going for an interview, research how the team members in the company communicate. It is also important to check out the systems they work with. It would be a great idea to know this to show your readiness to work with the company.

Take note of these questions and ask yourself before applying for a job.

Do I have the educational requirements required for the job?
What soft skills should I have to get this job?
What is the company culture like?
How many hours of my time do they need every week?
What can I offer in this new job?
Does my salary aim match the job offer?
Does this job allow me the lifestyle I want?
If they screen my social media profiles, would I be eligible?
Would this job help me achieve goals in my career?

You can ask yourself more questions depending on the job you plan to apply for.

Have A Cover Letter

A cover letter will increase your chances of getting a job and make you stand out from other candidates with similar education and qualifications. To create a convincing cover letter, keep it brief and creative. A convincing cover letter may not land you a job, but it will help you get an interview. It also helps the hiring manager know about your skills and how it aligns with the position you aim to get. Think of a cover letter as a 1-minute pitch to sell yourself and grab the attention of a hiring manager.

Prepare For Your Interview Properly.

"Proper planning prevents poor performance" is one of the rules that if implemented can prevent a poor outcome. To prepare for your interview, the first thing to take note of is your outfit. What you wear to the interview is extremely crucial in leaving an impression on the interviewers. Prepare a formal and presentable outfit with the right accessories for it. After this is settled, you can rehearse questions that your interviewer might ask you. Practice how you respond to these answers with a friend. Take note of your expressions and gestures while you practice answering these questions and make corrections where necessary.

While organizations have different ways and standards used to create questions for job applicants, here are common questions asked in interviews.

Why should we hire you?
Why do you want this job?
Tell us about something on your resume
How do you cope with stress?
Tell us about your previous work experience.
Where do you see yourself in 3 years to come?
How much salary do you think you deserve?

Interviewers ask some of these questions to know how much you know about the company so ensure you do your research before the interview. After you have prepared for the interview, set a timer on the day of the interview and be punctual to the venue.

Be Courteous

Treat everyone you come across with respect and courtesy. Apart from the hiring manager, some other workers can be responsible for your hiring and one of them may play a big role in your hiring process. You do not want to give a bad first impression to anyone that will prevent you from getting the job.

Show Interest

During the interview, seek opportunities to ask questions. It would show how much interest you have in the organization. However, do not overdo it so you don't come off as rude. Observe and take note of impressive remarks the interviewer makes or a fellow job applicant states. Go ahead and ask questions based on your observations.

Provide Reliable References

You can provide this when the company you are applying to requests it in the job description or after an interview. However, preparing a list of people that can vouch for you beforehand is not a bad idea. Employers hold references in high esteem because they are opinions of third parties about who you are and what you can bring to the company if hired. Most importantly, ensure your references are from people with a good relationship with you to prevent any negative or ill comments towards you. References are like the last bus stop an employer decides to reach to be certain about your character and qualifications.

Regularly Check Your Mails

Job applicants should regularly check their emails or other forms of communication to see if they have gotten feedback after an interview. A late response from an applicant may seem unprofessional and may leave a bad lasting impression.

CONCLUSION

No employer wants to end up with employees who are not the right fit for their company. For this, employers make use of talent acquisition to ensure they onboard recruits who can be a good addition to their team. To ensure you are the most eligible candidate, features such as a good skill set, reputable character, and outstanding performance are important to achieve.

How an Employer Decides which Candidate to Hire

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