Figuring out whether your interview went well isn’t always easy…
Although there can be obvious signs that you impressed the interviewer, others can be hard to gauge. But whether it’s a sure-fire signal or a more subtle hint, there are many ways to tell whether an employer is seriously considering you.
We’ve already covered what to do when your interview goes badly and six reasons you didn’t get the job, but here are eight signs your interview probably went well:
You have an actual conversation
If your interview felt more like a casual chat than a formal interrogation, your skills and experience probably aren’t the only thing that clicked with the interviewer.
Not only does it show that you’d fit in with their company culture, it also proves you’d have a good working dynamic if you got the job.
So if you notice that your interview starts to focus less on the formalities, and more on what kind of films you like (see also: laughs at all your jokes) – you’re probably doing well.
They give you positive affirmation
This may seem obvious – but if you’re focusing on getting your answers right, you might not be paying full attention to the interviewer’s reactions. And trust us, they mean a lot.
Because whether it’s through their body language or how they respond to your answers – you can often gauge how an interviewer feels about you just by looking at them. And if they’re fully engaged and giving positive feedback – you can be sure you’re on the right track.
Just beware of the tell-tale ‘I’m only here because I have to be’ signs (e.g. uninterested silences, slouching, lack of eye contact, continuous clock watching).
They’re making an effort to sell you the job
Although every interviewer will talk about what the role is about – not everyone will make a real effort to spark your interest.
So if you notice the interviewer is giving you a detailed explanation of what the job entails (including exactly what ‘you’d’ be doing) – whilst listing the perks and benefits of working for them, you’ve probably made a good impression.
It’s an even better sign if they actively link back to how that matches your skills and interests. It means they want to make the position work for you – not just any candidate.
They include you in their future
How can you tell if your (working) relationship has a future? They’ll actually tell you where it’s going.
If your interviewer talks about how they’d use your expertise into their future projects, plans, and developments (and/or brings in other members of the team to discuss) – it’s likely that you’re a top contender for the role.
Not only does it show that they can see you adding value by working there, it also means you’ve made a good enough impression to actually last.
They introduce you to the rest of the team
An invitation to meet the team is essentially a colleague trial run.
You’ve impressed in the interview, and the recruiter wants to know if you’ll interact well with the team before they make their final decision. So all you have to do is keep impressing, by being polite and friendly with everyone you meet.
This is also the perfect opportunity for you to get a feel of the working environment. Something as simple as a tour of the office or a chat with your potential colleagues can often be enough to figure out if a workplace is really right for you.
Eight signs an employer is not the one
It runs over the scheduled time
Let’s face it – interviewers are busy people.
Amongst interviews, appointments, meetings, and general tasks – their free time is probably rare. This means that they have to stick to their schedules and allocated timeframes…that is, unless it’s worth it.
So if your interview runs over the scheduled running time, it’s almost always a positive sign. Not only do they want to learn more about you, they also don’t mind sacrificing their time for it.
They ask when you can start
The key to figuring out whether this question indicates your interview is going well is to focus on how it’s delivered.
For example, if your interviewer quickly asks this in addition to a number of other generic questions – they’re probably just going through the motions.
However, if they ask it alone, and follow up with other questions and comments about your availability – it could be a sign that they’re considering employing you (and are willing to work around your schedule if necessary).
You get invited to a second interview
Good news, they want to see you again.
If you’re invited to a second interview there and then, you can be sure you did a good job – especially if they ask you before the interview’s even over.
And although it might seem daunting to go through this process again, don’t let nerves make you forget the positive. They already like you – so just keep doing what you’re doing, and you’re bound to continue to impress.
Second interview tips: What you need to know
Second interview questions and answers
Looking to improve your interview technique? Read our list on what to do after a job interview, and find out how to follow up after an interview now.
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All amazing and valid pointers but even if you get all or some of the pointers listed they may not want to hire you. Let’s not view this as a bad thing.
My motto is when one door close, several bigger better doors will open for you BUT only you can make sure they do. Don’t let rejection get you down….use it as a spurring mechanism to get you where you want to be!
The other thing to remember if you don’t get the job is that they could have interviewed 6 equally good candidates for 1 job. So even if you all did the best interview on record 5 will have to be turned away. So not getting doesn’t necessarily mean the interview was bad. In these circumstances it is practically a names in the hat result and pull one out.
all psychological…people are buying from people and the decision to offer you job is being decide in the first minutes of the interview.
The advice is rather behind the times as far as the modern approach to interview and assessment of an individual of shortlisted candidates is concerned. Where interviewees are faced with the same: “What would you do in this scenario, under these situations and circumstances” ? As a continual progression of questions from a prearranged and prepared typescript, where the interviewer is busily precising your answers against each question on paper and gives no hint whatsoever of whether your answer was strong or weak. Because all candidates answers will be compared, assessed and judged by a panel of 5 or 6 assessors present and introduced at the start of the assessment stage which includes a group, competency interview and practical scenario assessment of the most suitable candidates. Followed by a panel decision weeks later of which candidate has impressed them most as possessing the best overall credentials in their unanimous, experienced opinion of having worked at the job in the past to be given the offer of a job opportunity. Where the candidate may go away personally satisfied with their performance on the day. But has no indication whatsoever of whether each stage of the assessment and interview process has figured strongly or weakly in the minds of every assessor, who may have only personally seen your performance at the group or practical scenario stages of your assessed performance.
Recently Ive been on two day long interviews with two separate companies including pitch presentation. These were actual “how would you hit the ground running” presentations with expected names and contact numbers. You do wonder if companies are using this as a way to gain free consultation or attention into the market. Ive got feelers out but will wonder if those names are contacted by the company who felt I wasnt a “fit” for their organization but two x full days of interviews and introductions around each company seems like a huge amount of time on both sides to find a candidate.
hahaha that’s look like a funny story, I had an interview with exactly those signs and at the end m – finger !!!!
I recently applied for a band 2 post in the NHS as a support worker in critical care. I’ve recently just finished a degree in biomedical science and I had to sell why my degree was relevant to that role. It was when the interview panel said they would support me to finish my nursing qualification (from previous study) that I had an inklin that I had sold my skills well.