Tell if Your Interview Went Well

In the time between a job interview and when you learn of the decision, the uncertainty can be awful. Fortunately, there are some signals that can indicate a good (or bad) interview. Taken alone, each sign cannot indicate a definitive answer. However, when you look back over your interview, the presence of a few positive signs (and absence of negative ones) can mean that you’ve done well.

Steps

Listening for Specific Questions

1. Notice if they ask how interested you are. An important measure of how much a company wants to hire you is whether or not they try gauge your interest. If they really want you, they are going to try to figure out how much you want them. If this is asked directly, or even indirectly, it may be a very good sign.
   • For example, an interviewer might ask, "What did you think when you first learned about this position?" This is an indirect way to gauge your enthusiasm.
   • Alternatively, they may ask "What attracted you to this job?"
2. Note whether or not they discuss salary. Discussions of salary, initiated by the company, usually do not emerge unless the prospect of hiring you is realistic. If your interviewer brings up the subject of salary, it can be a sign towards the positive.
   • This is particularly true if they are extending a salary offer.
   • Before your interview, spend some thinking about what level of salary you will bargain for. You can review salaries for similar positions at sites like PayScale, Glassdoor, and Monster.
3. Notice if they ask for a second interview. One nearly indisputable sign that you are in the running for the job is a request for second interview. Many times this will occur at the end of your interview, and other times they will call and set it up later. In any case, a second interview insures that you have made it to the short list for this job.
   • A second interview means that they have narrowed it down to a few strong candidates who will be interviewed again.
   • You will want to be as prepared as you can for your second interview (do some research on the company, prepare some good questions to ask, and try to anticipate what they might ask you).
   • By the second interview, you should have previously reviewed the company through Internet and social media searches. However, you need to review their previous information and check for any news since the first interview.
4. Observe if they ask for your references. Often times, interviewers will not ask for references unless they actually intend to contact them. So a request for professional references can be a very good sign! That said, many HR departments have already received resumes with references, so a lack of questions is not a negative signal.
   • Be sure to have a list of references ready when you head to your interview.
   • Type up your reference list and bring it along with another copy of your resume.
5. Assess how well your experience was linked to the job. In most cases, the interviewer will have asked more in-depth questions about your current job, past experiences, and/or education. Your answers should have tied these experiences to the duties and competencies required of you in the new job. It is a particularly good sign if the conversation moved to a problem that the company has and how your experience and skills can be used to solve it. This means that the interviewer can imagine you filling the position.
   • If this come up in the interview, remember to reinforce the idea in your follow-up correspondence.
6. Note whether they ask about other job prospects. Once again, a truly interested employer will be working to gauge your interest in the position. As such, they may come right out and ask you about any other job prospects you have in the works. This is an excellent sign that they’d love to have you aboard!
   • For example, an interviewer may simply ask, "Have you interviewed for any other positions?"
   • If asked this, it is best to be honest. Depending on your answer, you may come off as someone in high-demand, or someone truly dedicated to this job opportunity, and either one can be good.
   • However, there is no need to talk about rejections or interview processes that did not work out.
   • After you respond, notice whether or not they try to sell you on this job. This is a particularly good sign.

Noticing Elements of the Interview Process

1. Notice if they use your name. If the interviewer uses your name throughout the interview, this can be a positive sign. Not only does this show that the interviewer has taken the time to learn your name, but it also indicates a friendly and positive rapport.
   • If you notice that the interviewer is not using your name, you may find ways to remind them.
   • For instance, if you are asked a question concerning one of your personal shortcomings, you can say something like: "My former supervisor would always say, 'Katie, your perfectionism is both a blessing and a curse."
   • Reminding them of your name may help the memory of you to stick.
2. Observe if they want you to meet the team. One great sign that they’d like to bring you on board is if they show you around the office and introduce you to the team. They wouldn’t waste their employees' time by introducing them to someone who wasn’t a serious contender. At the same time, they may be looking to get the employees’ opinions on you. So know that this is a great sign, but keep your game face on.
   • Aim for a jovial, yet professional tone.
   • It is a very good sign to be meeting the team; go ahead and let your excitement show.
3. Notice if the interview feels scripted. Does it feel as if your interviewer is just robotically moving down a list of questions? Does this interview feel entirely scripted? Although most interviews will have an underlying script, if an interview is going well, it is likely you’ll move off the grid. If an interview feels very scripted, or if it seems like your interviewer is simply going through the motions, this can be a negative sign.
   • If your interviewer is going through the motions, try to engage them and help snap them into the moment.
   • Keep in mind that interviews can be performed by a variety of different people, some of whom may not be comfortable in doing interviews, so they rely heavily on the script.
   • Some methods for achieving this include: making a tasteful joke, engaging in direct eye contact, and calling your interviewer by name.
   • Any of these (or other methods you may come up with) might break the monotony for your interviewer and cause you to stand out.
4. Look for good body language. Examples of good body language include things like nodding the head or leaning in towards you slightly. A nice strong handshake can also be a good sign. Look for instances of positive body language from your interviewer, as this can indicate how they feel about you.
   • Be aware of your own body language! People tend to mirror each other so smile, speak softly and clearly, and project enthusiasm. Keep eye contact even if the interviewer turns away.
   • Use positive body language toward your interviewer to indicate that you like them, and that you are truly interested in the job.
5. Note the amount of time they spent answering your questions. Most interviews will involve some form of "Q and A" section, where they ask invite you to ask any questions you have, and then answer them. If your interviewer spends a lot of time and energy on this section (and if they seem invested), this indicates that they want to sell you on the job. This can be a good sign.
   • Of course, in order for this work, you must have plenty of questions!
   • Spend some time preparing questions before you head to your interview.
   • You will want to ask questions about the job, the requirements and expectations, the company, the atmosphere and people, and finally, when they will be making a decision.
   • Through your questions, show that you are already know a thing or two about the job and company, as well as the fact that you are invested in making sure this is a good fit.

Paying Attention to How the Interview Ends

1. Watch the clock. Often times, you’ll be given a timeframe for your interview. If the interview lasts longer than scheduled, this is a very good sign. This shows that they’ve moved beyond the script and spent additional time getting to know you and/or selling you on the job.
   • If your interview was short, but you really feel like you clicked with the interviewer and other people you met, this can still be a good sign. Especially if they end with something like, "I think we've heard all we need to know," in a positive and upbeat way.
2. Notice if the interviewer invites you to call or email with questions. Although this by itself is not a definitive sign, when an employer invites you to call or email with additional questions, this can be a mark for the positive. If this invitation comes alongside a few other positive signals, consider this a good sign!
   • If extended this invitation, you should take them up on it!
   • Wait a day or two and then email them with a couple of well-thought out questions.
   • Ensure that your email is professional, gracious, and free from errors.
3. Observe whether or not you are given a clear timeframe. When a company wants to hire you, they will almost always leave you with some kind of clear timeframe. For example, they might say, “We should be making a decision this week. We will contact you either way by Monday.”
   • A specific date (e.g., Monday) is always a stronger sign than "we'll get in touch next week."
   • However, "we'll get in touch next week," is still better than a blanket, "we'll be in touch."
4. Notice if they inquire about your availability. If you are asked about your current availability (particularly when you’d be able to start), this can be an excellent sign. This can mean that they’d like to begin figuring out your place in the schedule.
   • Make sure you know exactly when you’ll be available before you head to your interview.
   • This shows that you've already considered this job a possibility and figured out how to fit it into your life.
5. Notice if you are offered the job! There is no sign more definitive than an actual job offer! If your interview ends with an invitation to join the team, congrats! You have succeeded in getting the job.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Conduct a Detailed Interview
• Avoid Asking Bad Interview Questions
• Take Control in Your Interview
• Prepare for a Technical Interview
• Prepare for an Interview
• Show Your Personality in an Interview
• Improve Non Verbal Communication for an Interview
• Answer Questions on a Structured Oral Interview
• Practice for an Interview
• Conduct an In Person Interview

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