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Interviewing Tips for Hiring Managers
We have created a ton of content around interviewing tips and tricks for candidates, but what about interviewing tips for new hiring managers? Interviewing doesn’t just require preparation from the candidate, but also from the person conducting the interview.
Interviewing is an art, and it can definitely be a challenge for new hiring managers! Luckily we are here to help. Below are some helpful, and practical, tips for new hiring managers, recruiters, and whoever else is interviewing candidates. Candidate care is important, and we organized the tips into: what to do before, during, and after an interview.
What to do Before
Have an Interview Plan — Decide who is involved in the interview, who will meet the candidate, and in which order. Finally, determine how many steps there will be in the interview process.
Print and Read the Resume — Just as the candidate is prepared, so should the interviewer. Take a few minutes before the interview to review the resume so you know who the candidate is, and you can develop interview questions to gain a better understanding of their background, experience, and accomplishments.
Prepare Interview Questions — This an extremely important step because interviews should be purposeful and insightful. As you read over the candidate’s resume, develop questions to determine their level of work experience. This will allow you to gain a more thorough understanding of the candidate and lead you to make a better hiring decision. We suggest open-ended, behavioral-based interview questions because they give concrete and specific information versus yes-or-no responses.
Lastly, check your Internet/Wifi and your computer/phone battery, make sure the lighting is just right (If it’s a video interview, Ring lights are a great purchase). Also, ensure you are in a quiet space with no background noise.
What to do During
Keep to the scheduled time frames. Start on time and allot the time you need to fully screen the candidate, describe the company and job, and ask questions. If you’re going to be late or miss the interview, contact the candidate as soon as possible to explain the issue and to reschedule.
If you do not get a clear response to a question that you ask a candidate, try asking an open-ended question that follows up on the original question or their response. Probing questions are fantastic!
Be nice. It’s easier to “sell” the candidate on the job offer at the end of the hiring process if they had an incredible and inviting experience.
Leave time at the end for questions that the interviewee may have, and make sure to go over the next steps so that the candidate is fully aware of the process and what’s to come.
What to do After
Complete your interview notes quickly after the interview and share them with your team and/or upload them into your applicant tracking system.
Debrief with your team — we suggest daily to go over candidates and discuss the remaining process.
Time is everything, and often time kills deals. Therefore it is key to be quick with your process, and if you like a candidate and they are right for the job, then extend them an offer. You can assume that candidates are also talking to other companies. Don’t miss out on great talent because of a slow process. Be deliberative with candidates yet purposeful and quick with your hiring decisions.
We hope these interview tips help you out during your next interview and lead you to add great new talent to your team. From before, to during, to after the interview, there are important steps along the way to ensure a successful method for interviewing and hiring. As always, feel free to reach out if you need any interview training. Our talent leaders are always here to set you up for success and offer personalized training sessions.
Interested in having our team lead an ‘Interviewing With a Purpose’ training session for your team or company? Email us at info@emergingblue.com for more information on our virtual training seminars.
Now Hiring: Personal Assistant
We have a new freelance role based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our client, a premium athletic apparel company, is looking for a Personal and/or Executive Assistant for the Founder/Creative Director. The ideal candidate will be responsible for a range of activities which will assist his personal life and his business life. Experience with Jiu-Jitsu and/or fitness industry are a plus.
This role is freelance/part-time and requires around 10 hours per week.
A New Ecommerce Luxe Fashion Consignment Store Launches
Meet The NOBO, a San Francisco-based new e-commerce platform focused on luxury consignment. The peer-to-peer marketplace offers its users to shop tons of luxury fashion and even invites bartering to the platform. From watches, to shoes… all the way to beautiful accessories, the online consignment store brings luxury fashions at a fraction of the retail cost. Congratulations to Noelle Bonner on your launch! We are so excited to see your positive impact on the market and your many successes. Click here to read the full article on Biz Journals.
Now Hiring: COO
We are looking for a COO to oversee & develop our client’s ongoing operations and procedures for their modern spiritual lifestyle brand in the retail and eCommerce space. You will be the company’s second-in-command and responsible for the efficiency of business.
This role is a key member of the senior management team, reporting to the founder. You’ll have to maintain control of diverse business operations, so we expect you to be an experienced and efficient leader. The goal of this position is to secure the functionality of business to drive extensive and sustainable growth. This role is based in Las Vegas, NV.
Does this role speak to you? Click here to read the full job description and to apply. Know someone who is a great fit — refer them by sending an email to info@emergingblue.com.
Happy Friday!
Are you looking for a new job, opportunity or team? Click here to check out our open roles. If you’re a brand that is looking to grow their team, click here to see how we can help you find the right talent.
Client Spotlight - Free Fly Apparel
Meet Free Fly Apparel!
Free Fly is an apparel brand that was started with a passion for the outdoors, and founded around a life of comfort, simplicity, and freedom. Founders, Tanner Sutton, Jenna Elliot, and Austin Elliot, always asked themselves why there wasn’t a more comfortable performance shirt in the market. As innovators, they decided to create it and bring it to reality.
Together, they set out to create Free Fly Apparel around natural comfort designed for the outdoor lifestyle. They are predominately a DTC business and have a growing, independent base of 350+ accounts. For the last several years they have experienced double-digit growth, and this year they are celebrating their 10-year anniversary.
Culture & Life at Free Fly
Free Fly has a creative, hardworking and easygoing crew of 20 people (and growing) who love the outdoors. Their driven leaders bring their passion and an openness to learn and grow, and they really want to help their team experience a life of comfort, freedom, and adventure.
The team at Free Fly works hard and plays even harder. From morning surf sessions, to afternoon fitness classes, to boat rides along the Intercoastal Waterway, to backyard happy hours, and competitive ping-pong tournaments, they love to live life to the fullest.
When the teams at Free Fly are not outside experiencing life and practicing the lifestyle they design for, they are working hard in their headquarters in downtown, historic Charleston. They also have an oh-so-cute office English bulldog named Arnold who will bring a smile to their face each day.
Experience Life More Comfortably
Free Fly’s stylish product lines are ecofriendly and super comfortable. Their innovative solution to creating the most comfortable performance shirt is Bamboo! Their custom bamboo blends are created from their mission to bring natural and sustainable material to life while keeping a focus on comfort and freedom. Free Fly inspires the enthusiasts who enjoy life on the water.
“Along the way, we’ve hand-selected a team that challenges the norms of the performance clothing industry by making custom Bamboo products that are simple, purposeful and allow everyone to experience life more freely and comfortably.”
From their people to their product, Free Fly is an incredible and innovative brand that is continuously growing. Interested in joining their visionary team? Click here to check out their open roles. And to learn more directly from Free Fly watch their video, from Sun Up to Sun Down.
Now Hiring: Product Developer
Guess what? We have another exciting job! We are currently searching for a Product Developer with experience in the apparel industry for our client, an Oakland-based Apparel & Accessories company that designs, sources and sells multiple categories of product to mass retailers.
This Product Development position is responsible for coordinating the development of a wide range of products in partnership with Design, Tech Design, and Sourcing teams. In this role, the Product Developer works closely with cross-functional business teams to deliver products to market on-time and on-budget by following our product development process and merchandising calendars.
Does this role sound like the right opportunity for you? If so, click here to read the full job description and to apply! Feel free to refer a qualified friend/past colleague too.
Now Hiring: Freelance Social Media Content Creator
We are searching for a Social Media Content Creator for our client, a globally inspired jewelry brand. This is a freelance role based in Dallas, Texas and requires 20-30 hours per week. If you have strong social, e-mail, website and content creative vision, then we want to chat with you. Click here to read the job description, and to apply!
Be Confident During Interviews
Do you have a phone, video or in-person interview coming up? Are the jitters and butterflies kicking in? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us, and we have some solutions for you. Forbes gives practical tips for combatting interview anxiety so that you can ace the interview, and potentially land the job. From researching the company, to practicing your storytelling, these tips will surely have you more at ease during your next interview.
Now Hiring: Medical Device Sales Specialist
We are hiring a Medical Device Sales Specialist for our amazing client, seca, opening a new office in Charleston, South Carolina in March 2021. The must haves for this role are: (1) passionate about selling, (2) proactive with generating leads and bringing in new business, and (3) excellent written and verbal communication skills. If you’re a sales leader who is an innovative and motivated sales specialist then this is a great opportunity for you! This is a full-time sales role that offers a great training program along with awesome benefits and tons of growth potential. Based on performance, this role could grow into the Director of Product Sales in North America.
Now Hiring: Influencer Marketing Manager
We are hiring! We are looking for a freelance Influencer Marketing Manager in Los Angeles to drive the management and delivery of our client's Influencer program. This role will collaborate across functions as they scale their paid and gifting efforts for the brand. We are seeking a candidate who is enthusiastic about the clean beauty industry, passionate about driving results, and thrives in a fast-paced environment. This role is a freelance role requiring 30-40 hours per week.
Does it sound like the perfect opportunity? Click here to read the full job description + to apply!
Client Spotlight - Lollygag
Meet Lollygag!
Lollygag is a fresh ecommerce lifestyle brand serving up a curated product assortment along with delicious recipes.
Created by the Dynamic Design Duo, Kiko & Leo, Lollygag launched this year with a lot of “blood, sweat, and a little tears”, all while having fun along the way to bring cool, tasty, and happy products to your home. Lollygag is all about bringing people together around a table to make everlasting memories.
Lollygag’s website features an array of products that will speak to many people, no matter their style. There is something for everyone on this site. We especially love Lollygag’s online shop, which has a vintage section of cool and unique products that can easily blend in with new pieces.
Lollygag - Hollywood Glam Tableware Set
Lollygag’s products are created by artisans locally and all over the world.
While curating a unique product assortment, Lollygag values sustainability, and prides itself on being eco-friendly.
The team at Lollygag put great thought and care into their packaging materials… and where they end up once customers receive their order. Even better, they wrap as much of their orders as they can with 100% recyclable, biodegradable paper products by Geami. They fill the void spaces in packaging with recyclable brown paper. Additionally, their tape is a reinforced kraft paper that is eco-friendly and recyclable. All practices we hope to see more companies embrace.
Lollygag - Marcus Matte Black Mug Set
If you are coffee lovers like us, then you definitely need to check out Lollygag’s mug assortment. The Marcus Matte Black Mug Set (pictured above) is one that will elevate your next breakfast or brunch. Even working remotely, a matte black mug is so 2021.
From dinnerware, drinkware, and flatware to linens, placemats, and kitchen accessories, Lollygag has a curated assortment for all styles.
Click here to visit their website to take a look at their product collection!
Lollygag Recipe - The Seoul Bowl
At Lollygag, it’s not only about great products, it’s about amazing recipes that bring these pieces to life. Inspired by a blend of their travels and family meals, these tasty recipes seamlessly share the spotlight with the items they are served on. You can visit their Recipe Guide for fun recipes that will have you cooking in style.
“Inspired by my love of Korean BBQ and my Japanese roots...this next-level Asian-fusion rice bowl will totally knock your socks off- Perfect for spicing things up any day of the week!”
Lollygag is a labor of love. You can see it in the product assortment, the attention to detail, and the love poured into the recipes. You can see it in the idea that gathering together with family and friends, over an amazing meal, is what life is all about.
Kodudos to Kiko & Leo… and Kai… at Lollygag. A team and brand to keep your eye on.
Now Hiring: Senior Director of Marketing
We have a new, exciting and dynamic role! We are hiring a Senior Director of Marketing for SCOUT. The Senior Director of Marketing will oversee all brand strategy and marketing functions for their growing brand. These areas include but are not limited to Brand Management, Creative and Content Management, Digital Marketing, Omnichannel Strategy, Project Management, Budgeting and Team Leadership.
Reporting to the Senior Vice President, as a critical leader, you will work closely with the executive and management team to bring the company’s goals and objectives to fruition and validate SCOUT as a nationally recognized brand. This person will lead the company with best-in-class direct-to-consumer marketing programs, strategies and experiences. The number one responsibility is knowing, understanding, attracting and developing the SCOUT customer.
Overseeing all brand marketing and product marketing needs, the Senior Director will be responsible for orchestrating go-to-market strategies and positioning to drive brand awareness across all channels. You will liaise with cross-functional teams to create focused omnichannel marketing strategies, campaigns and activations . You will collaborate on the allocation and deployment of marketing budgets across multiple channels, including digital agency and paid media, and analyze KPI and ROI marketing spend metrics. You will be a key player at the table to ensure SCOUT is powerfully positioned in the market to attract, connect and influence customers to drive sales and revenue growth.
Does this role align with your background? Click here to read the job description + to apply! Also, if you know a past colleague, a friend or family member who is a great fit, feel free to refer them!
About SCOUT Bags
SCOUT Bags is a fast-growing Washington, DC-based brand known for stylish, functional, affordable bags. Their versatile products are designed to help modern women contain, organize, and carry all the stuff they—and their families—need to navigate and celebrate their busy days and lives. Co-founded in 2004 by former Vogue editor and celebrity stylist Deb Waterman Johns, and her entrepreneur husband Ben Johns, SCOUT has become a cult-classic, known for its original, limited edition patterns and versatile designs.
With nearly four decades of experience in the fashion industry, Deb’s refined eye and creative vision is the driving force behind the dynamic SCOUT brand. Recently featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, Oprah Magazine, and USA Today (to name a few), SCOUT aspires to be a national lifestyle brand known as the lifelong quintessential bag source for modern women.
A few other things to know: SCOUT products—bags, accessories, coolers, storage, rugs, and more—are available online and through hundreds of retailer partners nationwide. Giving back is built into their DNA—as is a sense of humor and a commitment to authenticity and approachability. To this point, they only use employees and friends of the brand as models in their marketing materials.
Click here to learn more about SCOUT’s team, products, retail partners, and life at SCOUT in the charming, historic Georgetown neighborhood of Washington DC.
Now Hiring: Creative Director
We are hiring a Creative Director for our amazing client Free Fly. The Creative Director will be the leader of their brand marketing and creative department. As creative leader, you will inherit an amazing team of designers and content creators with the task of bringing big campaigns to life in a collaborative environment. You’ll be tasked with ideating creative concepts of all shapes/sizes and translating them into actionable items to drive the brand forward. You will be given the freedom to flex your creative muscles and be challenged to try new things. Sound like a perfect role for you? Click here to read the full job description + to apply!
About Free Fly
Free Fly Apparel is a Charleston, SC-based performance clothing company specializing in unique bamboo material blends. Before launching in 2011, they spent over two years of research and development to come up with the softest performance fabrics imaginable. Their design philosophy is anchored in fun and adventure while superior design and craftsmanship remains their number one focus.
Free Fly's products are sold throughout 300+ specialty stores (domestic and international) and they are also available through their website.
Please Note: This position is a full-time role and is based out of their headquarters in Charleston, SC.
Feeling Stuck at Work? Get a new Career!
Job hunting during a global pandemic can be challenging (and scary), but it can be done. Business Insider provides practical tips for people searching for a new career. If you’re feeling stuck at work and want to switch to a role that you’re more passionate about, or a job that aligns with your values, pays more, or gives greater upward mobility and career progression, then these tips are perfect for you.
If you’re searching for a new job, let your friends and previous workmates know. Your network is a powerful tool — use it.
Build up your confidence and embrace your powerful skills.
During interviews — whether in person, phone, or video — make sure to speak about your added value and what you will bring to the team/company.
Click here to read the full article on Business Insider.