Hiring managers also influenced by appearance, physical fitness
While strong skills and experience are essential to getting ajob, many employers take other factors into account as well, according to aCareerBuilder study.
A sense of humour, an eye for fashion or even knowledge ofcurrent affairs and pop culture could also play some part in influencing a hiringmanager’s decision, found the survey of 2,076 hiring managers and HRprofessionals.
When asked, if they had two equally qualified candidates, whichfactors would make them more likely to consider one candidate over another, respondentsanswered:
• a sense of humour (27 per cent)
• community involvement (26 per cent)
• being well-dressed (22 per cent)
• having a commonality (21 per cent)
• being physically fit (13 per cent)
• being on top of current affairs and pop culture (eight percent)
• being involved in social media (seven per cent)
• knowledgeable about sports (four per cent).
“Employers are not only looking for people who areprofessionally qualified for the position, but also someone who is going to fitin at the office,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice-president of human resources atCareerBuilder.
