What Are Hiring Managers and Candidates Really Thinking? A Breakdown of Poll Insights

Let’s dive into some interesting insights from my last 4 weeks polls on hiring practices, CVs, and what really matters in the job market. Whether you're on the hunt for a new role or looking to hire, these results highlight some key takeaways to help you navigate technical hiring!

1. How Do You Prefer to Assess (or Be Assessed) in Technical Interviews?

When it comes to technical assessments, it’s clear that both hiring managers and candidates have a soft spot for take-home tasks—43% of you chose this as the most effective method. And it makes sense, right? Take-home tasks give candidates time to think and showcase their skills without the pressure of someone watching over their shoulder.

Coming in second, technical discussions (36%) prove popular too, likely because they’re conversational and collaborative, offering a deeper dive into a candidate’s thought process. Live pair programming (17%) and in-person assessments (3%), however, aren’t exactly peoples top choice. Maybe it’s the stress of working under a microscope or the logistical challenges, but these methods clearly don’t resonate as much.

If you’re designing an interview process, it’s worth keeping in mind: candidates appreciate flexibility, while hiring managers want insights into real-world problem-solving!

2. What’s the Most Valuable Soft Skills for Candidate?

Soft skills can be the deciding factor in whether you get the job or not and communication skills took the win here with 49% of the vote. To be honest, this isnt really surprising whether it’s articulating ideas clearly, collaborating with teammates, or navigating tricky conversations, strong communication is the glue that holds everything together.

Right behind, adaptability (25%) shows its importance in a world where change is constant, this is especially true in start-ups where things change day to day. Teamwork (14%) and problem-solving (12%) rounded out the list, while they’re important, they might sometimes overlap with technical or hard skills during the hiring process.

Lesson learned? If you’re job-hunting, highlighting how you’ve communicated effectively or adapted to challenges could make you stand out. And if you’re hiring, looking beyond just the resume to gauge these traits could help you find that ideal candidate.

3. What’s the Biggest Red Flag on a CV?

This is a good one, The biggest CV turn-off? Buzzword overload, with 42% of the vote. We have all seen the CVs that have absolutely every single technology listed but this is not the way hiring managers want to see CVs. Keeping your technology clear an consics is key, especially if you don't want to get caught out in the interview process.

Lack of achievements (26%) was another major deal-breaker. Make sure your impact really stands out in your CV as this can really help a hiring manager understand what you have been doing! For 16% of voters, unexplained gaps or vague job responsibilities are equally concerning. Transparency and clarity go a long way.

Pro tip: keep it real, be specific, and focus on telling your story in a way that’s both authentic and measurable.

4. What Makes a CV Truly Shine?

If you’re wondering how to make your CV stand out, the answer is clear: clean, concise formatting (43%). Let’s be honest, no one wants to sift through a cluttered CV and also a long CV!

Following closely, highlighting responsibilities (32%) proves that while formatting is key, the content still matters. Show what you’ve done and how you’ve done it. Keywords for ATS systems (20%) came in third, which is a reminder to keep those applicant tracking systems happy, but not at the expense of human readability. And references? Only 4%, this is a big surprising as references are very important and even if you can get a great reference at the start of the process, it could give you a hand up!

The takeaway? A visually appealing, easy-to-read CV with clear accomplishments is your golden ticket.

Wrapping It Up

These polls paint a pretty clear picture, whether you’re hiring or job-hunting, clarity, authenticity, and flexibility are key. Candidates want assessments that let them shine without unnecessary pressure. Hiring managers are looking for soft skills that go beyond the technical. And everyone agrees your CV should be more “show” than “tell.”

So, if you’re revamping your CV or rethinking your hiring process, keep these tips in mind. After all, the best results come when both sides feel seen and supported.