HR Spotlight: Interview Tips and Tricks

Looking for a new job in the new year? You are not alone; there are an approximately 1.845 million individuals looking for their next career move. As new hiring budgets go into effect at the beginning of the year, many expect to see a rise in hiring in January and February. We caught up with our LCS HR director Rachel Huizenga to get her advice for those interested in joining LCS.

 What do you look for in a candidate?

When interviewing someone for a role at LCS, my goal is to determine if the candidate has the education, experience, and skills to be successful in the role. I like to spend time learning about a candidate’s education and work history, as I do believe that past performance can predict future success. However, it’s not all about education and experience. I’m always on the lookout for individuals with high energy and enthusiasm. If someone can show me they are passionate about what they do, and can distinguish themselves from other applicants, I know they can be a good fit. We also invest heavily at LCS in the professional development of our employees. I love to see curious candidates that want to learn more and grow their own knowledge and skills.

Finally, at the end of an interview, the one thing I’m always asking myself is, “would this candidate make our organization better?”

What should candidates know about LCS before applying?

We have a very structured hiring process, and we move through it quickly. We invest a lot of time and effort into selecting the right employees for our roles and expect that candidates will be invested in the process on their end. Our recruiter reviews every resume submitted and if the applicant’s qualifications are in line with the role, our recruiter will reach out to schedule a phone interview. After that, the process can differ slightly depending on the role. We always keep our candidates updated as to where they are in our process and what the next steps are.

What can candidates do to have a less stressful interview?

Prepare, prepare, prepare!  Preparation can go a long way towards easing interview stress. Successful applicants have done their research, analyzed the job posting, and researched LCS and our products. Candidates should also come prepared to provide details about projects they have worked on and their successes. 

Keep in mind that an interview is a two-way street. Not only am I trying to determine if a candidate has the qualifications to be successful in a role, but the interviewee should decide if this is the role and company they want to work for. Candidates know what’s important to them, what makes their work meaningful and enjoyable. I don’t. There is no other way for a prospective employee to know whether they want the job unless they ask questions. At the end of the day, I want a candidate to show me they are as excited about the role as I am about them joining our team!

What do you want job applicants to know about LCS?

LCS has been named a Top Workplace in Cincinnati for 10 years in a row for a reason. I think it’s clear to candidates who look at our website and social media pages that we have lots of fun at work. As an employee at LCS, you can participate in monthly company events, try out new food trucks, or maybe even attend our Rent Manager User Conference. However, we also have a team of unique individuals who bring their passion, creativity, and drive to work each day. Our employees work on challenging projects, while collaborating, innovating, and transforming the technologies around them.

Ready to take the next step in your career? View our open positions and submit an application here.