When you’re job hunting, you interact with multiple people throughout the hiring process. But who actually makes the hiring decision?
Many job seekers assume that the recruiter they first speak with is in charge of hiring. Others think every interviewer has an equal say. Neither is true.
Understanding who holds the power in the hiring process can help you strategically approach each conversation—making the difference between getting lost in the applicant pool and standing out as the obvious choice.
Does the Recruiter Decide Who Gets Hired?
The Recruiter: The Gatekeeper (But Not the Boss)
Your first interaction is usually with a recruiter—the person responsible for sourcing and screening candidates. Their job is to find qualified candidates, conduct initial interviews, and guide applicants through the hiring process.
What Recruiters Actually Do:
✔ Review applications and resumes to filter out unqualified candidates.
✔ Reach out to potential candidates (often via LinkedIn).
✔ Conduct the first phone screen to assess basic qualifications.
✔ Coordinate the hiring process—scheduling interviews, following up, and communicating with the hiring team.
✔ Sometimes negotiate salary and send job offers (but not always).
What Recruiters Don’t Do:
❌ Make the final hiring decision (that’s the hiring manager’s job).
❌ Define the job requirements (they follow the hiring manager’s criteria).
❌ Have deep knowledge of every job’s technical details (especially for specialized roles).
🚀 💡 How to Approach Recruiters:
Be professional and approachable. A recruiter can’t hire you, but they can advocate for you—or quietly remove you from the process. Treat them like an ally, because if they like you, they’ll fight for your application.
Read more on: A Day in the Life of a Recruiter: What Job Seekers Need to Know
Who Has the Final Say in Hiring?
The Hiring Manager: The Real Decision-Maker
The hiring manager is the person who actually needs to fill a role. They have a business problem—maybe their team is understaffed or they need a certain skill set—and hiring is their solution.
Unlike recruiters, hiring managers don’t spend all day hiring. They have a full-time job, and hiring is just one of their many responsibilities.
What Hiring Managers Do:
✔ Define the job role and requirements.
✔ Decide what skills and qualifications are must-haves vs. nice-to-haves.
✔ Interview candidates to assess technical and cultural fit.
✔ Make the final hiring decision.
What Hiring Managers Don’t Do:
❌ Handle interview logistics (they rely on recruiters for scheduling).
❌ Always have a structured interview process (many aren’t trained interviewers).
❌ Care about every bullet point on your resume—they focus on how you solve their problems.
🚀 💡 How to Approach Hiring Managers:
This is the person you really need to impress. Show them how you make their job easier, solve their problems, and fit into the team. If they believe you’re the best person for the job, they’ll hire you—even if someone else had better qualifications.
Do Interviewers Have a Say in Hiring?
The Interviewer(s): The Evaluators
Depending on the company, you might be interviewed by multiple people beyond the hiring manager. Each of them plays a role in assessing whether you’re a good fit.
Types of Interviews & Who Conducts Them:
✔ Recruiter Interviews → Focus on basic qualifications, salary expectations, and general fit.
✔ Hiring Manager Interviews → Deep dive into your skills, experience, and team contribution.
✔ Peer Interviews → Team members assess whether they’d want to work with you.
✔ Technical Interviews → If the job requires specific skills, expect practical assessments or coding challenges.
✔ Panel Interviews → Multiple people interview you at once (common in higher-level roles).
What Interviewers Do:
✔ Ask questions to evaluate your skills and cultural fit.
✔ Share feedback with the hiring manager.
✔ Sometimes have veto power if they strongly object to hiring you.
What Interviewers Don’t Do:
❌ Make the final hiring decision (unless they’re also the hiring manager).
❌ Always ask structured, well-thought-out questions—many interviewers aren’t formally trained.
💡 How to Approach Interviewers:
Each interviewer has a different perspective:
- A peer interviewer wants to know if you’re a good teammate.
- A technical interviewer cares about problem-solving & skills.
- A hiring manager wants someone who makes their life easier.
Adjust your answers based on who you’re talking to.
Who Has the Most Power in the Hiring Process?
Not everyone you meet in the hiring process has the same level of influence. Here’s how decision-making power is typically distributed:
🔥 Hiring Manager → The Final Decision-Maker
- Has the highest level of influence.
- Defines job requirements and makes the final hiring decision.
- Considers input from recruiters and interviewers but makes the ultimate call.
🔹 Recruiter → The Gatekeeper
- Screens candidates and recommends them to the hiring manager.
- Can advocate for you internally but can’t hire you directly.
- Helps with scheduling, interview prep, and sometimes salary negotiation.
📝 Interviewers → The Evaluators
In some cases, a strong objection can influence the hiring decision.iring process. Each role has different decision-making power—understanding that helps you win the job.
Assess technical skills, culture fit, and job readiness.
Share feedback with the hiring manager but don’t make the final decision.
FAQs: Who Decides If You Get Hired?
Does the recruiter decide who gets hired?
No. Recruiters screen candidates and recommend them to hiring managers, but the hiring manager makes the final decision.
Who has the most power in the hiring process?
The hiring manager—they ultimately choose who gets the job.
Do interviewers have veto power?
Sometimes. If an interviewer strongly objects, their feedback might block a candidate from getting hired.
How can I impress a hiring manager?
Focus on how you solve their problems. Hiring managers don’t just look for qualifications—they need someone who makes their team better.
Read more on: How Long Does It Take to Hear Back After a Job Interview? Real Timelines Explained
Final Thoughts
Most job seekers think hiring is a black box. But when you break it down, you realize it’s just a structured process with different players.
Want to stand out? Know who you’re talking to & focus on what matters at each stage.