Hiring Managers: Who They Are and What They Do for Your Organization

Think back to some of your best experiences as a job candidate. Instead of rattling off answers to generic questions, you likely hit it off with the interviewer and found yourself wrapped up in an interesting discussion. You came away with a clear understanding of the role and the team you’d be joining. You knew precisely when you’d be hearing back — and the company actually stuck to those timelines!

If all of that is true, it’s because of the hiring manager who spearheaded the process.

Great hiring managers are an HR leader’s allies in recruitment and talent acquisition. They communicate realistic expectations about the role and create a welcoming hiring experience for all candidates. They also handle the hiring process in a timely fashion so you can fill positions quickly.

But just who are the people in these roles? And what does a hiring manager do throughout the interview and selection process? Let’s dive into the importance of this role and their many responsibilities.

What is a Hiring Manager?

Hiring managers are responsible for selecting candidates and onboarding new employees to fill open positions in their departments. They also work closely with hiring teams to craft job descriptions that accurately detail the roles they’re hiring for. It’s up to them to find the right person for each open position — not just their qualifications, but also their fit with company culture.

A hiring manager usually has the responsibility of overseeing the entire recruitment process internally, from the initial job posting to making a final hiring decision. Here’s a quick overview of a hiring manager’s job:

• Review resumes and cover letters
• Schedule in-person or virtual interviews
• Work with key stakeholders to determine hiring criteria
• Assess the candidate’s values, experience, and cultural fit
• Make a final hiring decision

They typically work alongside recruiters or human resource professionals to assess and prioritize applicants. Once a candidate has been selected, hiring managers may also serve as the direct supervisor for the new hire.

Hiring Manager vs. Recruiter

It’s easy to confuse hiring managers with recruiters. While hiring managers are responsible for the hiring process, recruiters help them out by finding and sourcing enough qualified candidates. Generally, hiring managers act as the final decision-maker and handle the internal recruitment process from start to finish.

Recruiters, on the other hand, are focused on managing the external recruitment process. They make sure that hiring managers have enough talent to choose from. They’re also usually the point of contact for job seekers throughout the process.

What Does a Hiring Manager Do?

The hiring manager is a key figure in ensuring that your organization finds the right fit for each open role. Here’s what hiring managers typically do:

• Develop job descriptions: Hiring managers work with other stakeholders across the organization to develop job descriptions that accurately capture the qualifications and desired skills for each position.
• Source and recruit potential candidates through their networks: Experienced hiring managers use networking tactics to find suitable candidates from their own connections. They also send referrals to other hiring teams within the organization when appropriate.
• Outline the interview process: The hiring manager outlines the interview process and timeline. They decide when each stage of the hiring process should occur — from posting a new job to making an offer — and who should be involved.
• Interview potential candidates: A hiring manager typically handles the first interview with job seekers after the initial screening. They’ll assess the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and cultural fit.
• Make a hiring decision: Once the hiring manager has reviewed all of the candidates, they’ll compare each candidate’s strengths against their team’s needs to make a final hiring decision.
• Manage hiring teams: Hiring managers are in charge of coordinating hiring efforts with external recruiters, HR professionals, and the wider hiring committees. They’ll source opinions from hiring teams and stakeholders to decide who should be hired.
• Onboard new hires: Great hiring managers don’t just get new hires through the door — they also serve as their direct supervisor and mentor. They work alongside the HR team to create a welcoming onboarding experience for their new employee and help them get up to speed quickly.

Some other duties and responsibilities for a hiring manager include:

• Preparing compelling job interview questions or hiring tasks
• Reviewing work samples, portfolios, and reference letters
• Conducting reference checks for job seekers
• Providing guidance to the company on salary offers and negotiations
• Staying up to date with labor laws related to hiring practices

Hiring Managers Support Workers Throughout the Employee Lifecycle

A hiring manager’s role doesn’t end after the final hiring decision has been made. As a team leader and, in many cases, the employee’s supervisor, they make sure that the new person gets to know their team and feels welcome.

The hiring manager also plays a key role in employee development. They act as mentors and coaches, providing regular feedback to support the employee’s growth. They plot out a path for learning and growth so the new hire can thrive in their role.

Great hiring managers help team members stay motivated and engaged throughout their employment at an organization. Employees need resources to do their jobs well, and the best hiring managers will help connect them with the right support. That could mean providing their workers with extra training, leadership opportunities, or employee health resources.

In fact, if you have an employee wellness program, hiring managers and supervisors within your organization can act as your biggest advocates for taking advantage of program initiatives. In the wake of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever for you to support employee wellbeing. There’s no better way to promote work-life wellness than to have the support of leadership at all levels of your company.

If you’re still looking to launch or round out your wellness program, talk to one of our specialists! With our global network of gyms and fitness centers, we can work out a plan that helps each of your employees succeed on their personal health journey.

References

• What is a Recruiter? (September 8, 2022.) Coursera. Retrieved January 25, 2023 from https://www.coursera.org/articles/recruiter 
• How to Write a Job Description. (December 19, 2022.) Indeed. Retrieved January 25, 2023 from https://www.indeed.com/hire/how-to-write-a-job-description 
• Reference Check — Hiring Success Glossary. SmartRecruiters. Retrieved January 25, 2023 from https://www.smartrecruiters.com/resources/glossary/reference-check/