This document provides 6 tips for building a great working relationship with hiring managers. The tips include: 1) Introducing yourself and setting expectations on the recruitment process and timeline; 2) Coming prepared with questions about the role and technology; 3) Agreeing on regular follow-ups, especially in the beginning, to stay up-to-date; 4) Understanding recruitment is a partnership and asking hiring managers for help if needed; 5) Ways hiring managers can help, like sharing about the team online, reaching out to candidates, and brainstorming with recruiters; and 6) Contact information for the author.

1. 6 tips to build a great working
relationship with Hiring Managers
by Ela Moscicka
Lead Talent Sourcer (Engineering) at Microsoft
elmoscic@microsoft.com

2. Introduce yourself & set expectations
 Set some time to get to know each other
 Agree on how recruitment process will look
like and discuss:
• Key job requirements
• Steps and Interviewer(s) list
• Sourcing strategy
• Dealine
• Follow ups with HM (how often will you
meet?)

3. SOURCING
STRATEGY
Come prepared and have your questions ready about e.g.
technology, years of experience, team, what they’re working
on, future plans
If you never worked with that technology ask Hiring
Manager to tell you more about it or ask them to nominate
someone from their team so they can do a training for you.
If you feel like you didn’t receive all needed info (or you
forgot/didn’t have time to ask all questions) agree with
Hiring Manager that you’ll get back to him/her via email

4. Regular Follow-ups
Agree how often will you
meet with Hiring Manager
(take time-zone
differences into
consideration)
1
By having regular follow-
ups you’re ensuring that
both sides are up to date
with recent changes
2
Working together for a
first time? Having more
meetings/catch up calls in
the beginning will help you
achieve smooth process
3

5. Recruitment process
= partnership
As a Recruiter/ Talent Sourcer you might have
a lot of great ideas on how to improve
recruitment process, but remember that it’s
all about partnership:
don’t be afraid to ask Hiring Manager (& their
team) for a help, especially if things aren’t
goins as expected and e.g. you don’t have
enough candidates in the process.

6. Hiring Managers – how they can help?
 Being active online and share news about team and hiring
 Reach out to candidates that are difficult to attract
 Doing brainstorming session with Recruitment team -> the more
ideas the better 
 Organize virtual event so attendees can learn more about particular
topic/team

7. Questions? Contact me:
E-mail: elmoscic@microsoft.com
Twitter: @ElaMoscicka
LinkedIn: Ela Moscicka