Job seekers don’t have much time to win over hiring managers, a new survey by Accountemps finds.
Fifty-two percent of human resources managers polled said they form a positive or negative opinion of candidates during interviews in 10 minutes or less. Twenty-nine percent of respondents said they form their opinion about the interviewee in five minutes or less.
“Job seekers must be at the top of their game from the first moments of the interview,” said Kathryn Bolt, Canadian president of Accountemps. “In addition to providing strong responses to a hiring manager’s questions, candidates should project enthusiasm and a professional demeanor throughout the discussion.”
Job candidates need to remember it’s not just the interviewer they need to impress. “Hiring managers commonly seek advice from everyone who’s interacted with the interviewee—from the receptionist to the individual’s potential colleagues,” Bolt said.