What does a hiring manager look at?

IEDave, ASN, CNA, LVN · May 9, 2012

I received this message for a Resident SICU position l I applied to here in DFW:
"You have met the minimum qualifications for the position applied for. Your application has been sent to the hiring manager for further review and consideration. Communication regarding next steps will follow via email."
My question is what is the hiring manager looking at past the minimum qualifications? Also, how many applicants does the hiring manager usually end up with after HR has sent them the qualified applicants? Is it still hundreds of applicants, or are there a select few? How many people do they generally interview from that group? What are usually the next steps? I just want to know what I'm up against. Does anyone know? When you speak to an HR Recruiter, they are so vague. Thanks!

First, congrats on making the first cut! :bow:

Second - while a lot depends on the facility, you're usually in competition with between 3 & 10 other applicants. Of those, they'll usually interview a minimum of 2, more typically 3-5 so they have a pretty good selection when/if they decide to do the #2 go-around.

Far as what they're typically looking for - really, that depends a lot on the individual hiring manager. Some want to hire the cheapest candidate, some are looking for the "good fit", some are looking for candidates that can "hustle", and the list goes on & on. Good question to ask the manager during the interview process. Wish I could give you more than the standard "put down everything you've got on your resume/CV & hope", but without any knowledge of the people involved it's impossible to say.

Next step is usually either (a) a one-on-one interview with the hiring manager, or (b) a group interview - depending on the facility, it can be the hiring manager & their boss, or a group of several interviewers, or a series of individual interviews. Hope for the 'hiring manager and their boss' one, 'cause that usually means that they're going to hire quickly.

What tends to irritate me with the HR folks isn't their vagueness (they're doing that to avoid any appearance of bias - it's a liability thing), it's that they're so often wrong. For instance, the person I got some of the above info from said point-blank that his hospital didn't hire LVN's. After his spiel I went home, logged onto their website - and printed out 6 job postings for LVN's at his hospital. Sigh.

In any case - best of luck to you! :yeah:

----- Dave

allnurses Guide · May 10, 2012

Here in DFW the panel interview with the manager is often utilized - you being interviewed by three to four nurses who work on the floor you are interviewing on, all at the same time. You will be sized up for "fit" as much as for what your new grad resume says. Bring several good copies of your resume and open the interview by passing one to each individual there. Dress professionally (no scrubs!) and be honest, open and share your enthusiasm. Likeability is a major part for a new grad. All new grads pretty much have the same thing to offer in terms of skill level and experience, so it comes down to personality and "fit".

How many made that first cut depends on the facility. One local major hospital took a TON of people from the hundreds who applied - something like 45 made the first cut to interview for 12 positions (numbers are approximations - this was for the January internships and I dont remember anymore). It just depends. You can ask how many positions they have open when they give you a chance to ask questions in your interview.

max0602 · May 10, 2012

Thanks you guys! This info really helps!