What We Look for When Hiring: Insights from Our Clients to Help You Prepare Better

At Talentnauts, we work closely with founders, engineering leaders, and hiring managers across some of the most promising product startups. These conversations don’t just revolve around open roles; they often go deeper into what really matters when they’re hiring someone for their team.

Over time, we’ve begun to see patterns. Certain traits and behaviours consistently stand out to our clients when they describe their best hires. And what’s interesting is that many of these qualities are not listed on job descriptions yet they can make or break a hiring decision.

This post is our attempt to share those learnings with you, the candidate. Whether you’re preparing for interviews or just trying to grow into your next big role, this insight may give you a clearer sense of what thoughtful hiring managers are truly looking for.

Curiosity Is a Strong Signal of Future Growth

One of the most repeated statements we hear from our clients is:

 “I’m looking for someone who doesn’t stop at the first answer.”

This may sound simple, but what they’re actually referring to is deep, natural curiosity. Candidates who ask thoughtful questions, explore problems further than expected, and follow up when something seems off are the ones who stand out.

Curiosity is not about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to explore things beyond the surface. Our clients appreciate candidates who don’t treat problems as checklists, but who treat them as opportunities to learn something new or improve the status quo.

If you’re someone who has ever said, “Something didn’t quite add up, so I looked into it,” or, “I wasn’t satisfied with the first explanation, so I tested a different approach,” that mindset is exactly what hiring teams value.

During interviews, try to talk about these moments. Share examples of how your curiosity led to a better outcome  whether it was solving a bug, fixing a process, or improving a product.

Decision-Making in Uncertainty Matters More Than You Think

Many early-stage and high-growth companies operate in environments with incomplete data, shifting priorities, and ambiguity. And yet, decisions still have to be made every day.

One line we hear often from hiring managers is: 

“I don’t need perfect answers. I need people who can make the best decision with the information they have.”

This is a critical trait. Clients value candidates who are confident enough to take a stand even when things are not clear and humble enough to course-correct if new information emerges.

What often separates good candidates from great ones is how they handle being wrong. Can you accept feedback, update your thinking, and move forward? That adaptability and self-awareness are key.

If you're preparing for interviews, think about situations where you had to make a judgment call. What factors did you weigh? How did you communicate your choice? What did you do when things didn’t go as planned?

Being able to articulate your thinking in uncertain conditions shows maturity, clarity, and leadership potential.

Clear and Structured Thinking Stands Out

Another insight that comes up consistently from hiring managers is the value of structured thinking especially in complex or fast-moving environments.

As one client told us: 

“I don’t mind if their answer is off, I care how they got there.”

This means founders and leaders are looking for candidates who can break down a messy, ambiguous problem into manageable parts. People who can identify the key issues, prioritise what matters most, and explain their thought process in a clear and logical way.

It’s not just about getting to the right answer, it’s about demonstrating the ability to work through the problem in a way that brings clarity to others.

During interviews, practice sharing how you approached a problem. What was your initial framework? What trade-offs did you consider? How did you explain your decision to your team or manager?

Being able to walk through your process, not just your results, will help hiring managers see how you think, which is often more important than what you know today.

What All of This Means for You as a Candidate

As a candidate, it’s easy to focus on perfecting your resume, brushing up on technical questions, or preparing model answers. While those are important, we want you to know that what often makes the difference in a hiring decision are qualities like:

• Your ability to stay curious and ask meaningful questions

• Your confidence in making decisions with limited information

• Your clarity of thought and ability to explain your reasoning

• Your willingness to learn, reflect, and grow

These are the traits our clients consistently bring up when they talk about the people they’ve hired and want to hire again.

And these are the traits we, at Talentnauts, are always looking for as we evaluate candidates on behalf of our clients.

Preparing for Interviews? Here’s Our Advice

Reflect on past experiences that demonstrate these traits. Think of real stories from your work where:

• You asked the second or third question when others didn’t

• You stepped up and made a call even though things weren’t perfectly defined

• You broke down a complex task and guided others through it

• You accepted feedback and iterated for a better outcome

  
  

Bringing these moments into your interviews clearly, confidently, and with self-awareness can often set you apart.

We’re Hiring for Thoughtful Teams

Talentnauts works with fast-growing companies that care deeply about the people they bring in. These teams are not just hiring for skills they’re hiring for mindset, adaptability, and long-term impact.

If this post resonates with you, and you’re someone who thrives in environments that reward curiosity, ownership, and clarity we’d love to hear from you.

Explore our open roles or reach out to us to talk about what’s next in your career.