While all hiring managers are different, we’ve found there’s a remarkable similarity in the simple, standard things that they look for, or don’t want to see. Get these things right or their take away will be that this candidate just doesn’t get it, and doesn’t know how to deliver what I want. That’s not a good impression. Here are some simple insights we’ve gathered.

Your résumé should answer one key question.

It shouldn’t simply be you rattling off your job descriptions. It should show how you did something others couldn’t and hopefully how it has led you to be sitting in the chair opposite this hiring manager.

You can gain an edge with your cover letter.

It shouldn’t be a form letter that you’ve cut and paste different names onto. Make this personal and make an impact.

You can leave the subjective descriptions off the résumé.

Maybe you were excited while you were writing. It doesn’t impress us. Get back to the hard facts.

We may check references beyond your list.

But start by letting everyone know on your list that they’ll likely be called.

The phone interview is not a casual chat.

Don’t get bounced in the phone interview by not taking it seriously enough.

You can be too early to the interview.

Don’t show up more than 15 minutes early. No one will know what to do with you and it’s annoying.

We think a lot about your personality.

Work environments have grown more and more collaborative. We need to know your personality will work for us. It’s very important.

We want you to talk in interviews, but be concise.

We need to know all about you, but mental organization is important too. Don’t veer too far from the path you should be on.

Be honest in interviews, but not negative.

It’s better to say nothing at all then something negative when talking about old bosses and co-workers.

We want you to ask questions.

You’ve reacted to the questions, now show some initiative and curiosity and lead the discussion with some good questions for us.

Don’t forget the thank-you note.

And be quick about it, like the next day. An email is OK.

We’re hoping for some enthusiasm — but not desperation.

Hone your tone. Don’t overdo it, but show some energy.

About NextGen

NextGen is the brainchild of longtime telecom professionals with nearly 50 years of experience and millions of dollars in Telecom Recruiting Services. We focus on establishing long term relationships with our clients and candidates so we can recruit the best and the brightest in the telecom industry. This ‘quality over quantity’ approach is at the heart of everything we do and has resulted in successful job placements at Fortune 1000 firms worldwide.