Why Robert Herjavec Of ‘Shark Tank’ Looks For The ‘Initial Vibe’ When Hiring Someone

Candidates for jobs at Robert Herjavec’s company shouldn’t be surprised if their interview starts off with general chit-chat. While it may be a common tactic to put nervous would-be employees at ease, the Shark Tank star wrote in Fortune that it’s also his way of assessing the candidate’s potential fit. Ultimately, Herjavec says, they have to work together to reach a common goal.

“The first thing I do when I interview anyone is try to get the initial vibe of that individual through conversation completely unrelated to the business or work. If I don’t like you, I’m not going to hire you—it’s that simple.

“Great teams are built with individuals who complement each other—they can help each other, but still challenge each other to be their best selves. You don’t have to be best friends with all of your co-workers, but you want to create an enjoyable environment where you can at least work together.”

Herjavec also admitted the most experienced candidates don’t always get the job. Fit is more important, and sometimes those with youth and motivation are driven to excel, especially if they can step outside of their comfort zones. Herjavec says he throws his employees “into the deep end way outside of their comfort zones.”

Candidates who get past the pre-interview niceties can expect direct questions from Herjavec about why they should be hired. That’s intended to get at the root of how the person will act on the job. The candidates’ motivation for being in the job is also vital for Herjavec. In a rather sneaky move, Herjavec will ask applicants if they are interested in an opening in a different part of the company to test their focus on the job currently on the table.

Herjavec also has advice for anyone looking to ask him — or any employer — for a raise. As CNBC reported, Herjavec has a 10-point checklist of how workers should approach their boss to request more dollars in their paychecks. Confidence and a respectful approach is essential, as is timing — a few months before the annual review so there’s time to make budgetary adjustments and after lunch on a Thursday or Friday when bosses are in a good mood.

Importantly, Herjavec recommends bringing proof of the good job you’ve done and why you’re worth the raise. He also suggests making a commitment to stay with the company or continue on an improvement trajectory in exchange for an increase in pay. Practice is also essential before pitching your value to your boss.

While Herjavec might spend his summer wielding raise requests and interviewing potential employees, Shark Tank fans can sit tight waiting for the debut of Season 8. The ABC press release states that the show will be back this September with the same cast of six sharks. There are some changes on the way, however: as The Inquisitr previously reported, Daymond John recently revealed on social media he’ll be showing off a head full of salt-and-pepper hair during Season 8.

At least one favorite guest shark will be back. Lowercase Capital investor Chris Sacca blogged about his choice to come back on the show for another few episodes after receiving positive feedback on his appearances during Season 7. As The Inquisitr reported, Sacca wrote that he was somewhat surprised by his new found fame outside of Silicon Valley. He also recommended that the producing team behind Shark Tank post one full pitch online, so home viewers will see the full extent of the entrepreneurs’ grilling that occurs before it is edited down to about 10 minutes for television.

Shark Tank airs Friday nights on ABC.

[Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images]