What Hiring Managers Really Look for in Entry-Level Interviews

A Guide for New Grads Who Want to Stand Out
by New Grad Navigator

So, you landed an interview. Congrats! That means your resume did its job. Now it’s time to show up and shine.

But if you're like most recent grads, you're probably wondering:
“What exactly are hiring managers looking for when I don’t have years of experience?”

Here’s the inside scoop from someone who’s hired dozens of entry-level candidates: at this stage, we’re not chasing the perfect resume. We’re looking for the right person to invest in.

Let’s break down what really matters.

You've Done Your Homework

Yes, we can tell when you’ve copy-pasted your answers from a Google search. What we really want is evidence that you:

• Understand what the company does
• Know what this role contributes to the big picture
• Have questions that show curiosity—not desperation

Stand Out Tip: Reference something specific—a recent news article, product launch, or social media post. It shows you care enough to dig deeper.

You Communicate Clearly and Confidently

We’re not looking for TED Talk-level polish. We’re looking for:

• Clear, structured answers (use the STAR method!)
• Strong listening skills
• A calm, professional vibe—even if your palms are sweaty

Stand Out Tip: Practice answering “Tell me about yourself” in 90 seconds or less. Make it personal, relevant, and real.  This is still a business question.  It’s fine if you want to tell us you love to read and play with your dog Scruffy, but we don’t need to know much beyond that from a personal perspective.  Tell us what your super power is, why people love to work with you, and what you are dying to do next.  Make it relevant and focused on where you are interviewing.  

You Show Growth Potential

Forget perfection. Show progress.

Hiring managers love candidates who are:

• Self-aware about their strengths and gaps
• Open to learning and feedback
• Curious about how to grow in the role

Stand Out Tip: Share a time you struggled—and how you improved. That’s more impressive than pretending you’ve never messed up.

You've Got a Little "Something Extra"

This doesn’t mean an Ivy League degree or six internships. Your “something extra” might be:

• A retail job where you led a team
• A coding project you built on your own
• A community initiative you started
• Overcoming a tough situation with resilience

Stand Out Tip: Use these stories to highlight grit, creativity, and initiative—the real-world skills we love.  I’ve been in interviews where the candidate was able to showcase the roles they had prepared them for the one they were interviewing for – and it won the crowd over.  Another candidate did some research on each person they were interviewing with and had a focused question for them – brownie points! 

You're a Good Team Fit

We’re always asking ourselves:

Would I want to work with this person every day?

That means:

• Being respectful and warm
• Showing up with a positive attitude
• Treating everyone (not just the hiring manager) like they matter

Stand Out Tip: Small talk matters. Eye contact matters. A thoughtful thank-you note? Big win.

Final Thoughts: Be Real, Be Ready

Hiring managers aren't looking for perfect. We’re looking for promise. The grads who succeed are the ones who prepare, stay authentic, and treat the interview like a two-way conversation.

Remember: You’re not just being evaluated—you’re evaluating them, too. So show up as your best self, ask great questions, and stay curious.

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