Uncertainty is one of the key factors when job seekers apply for a new job. The days following an interview can be pretty stressful, not knowing where you stand, especially if you’re still determining whether the interview went well. You may find yourself obsessively examining each response, casual comment, and facial expression to decide whether you can anticipate a second interview – or whether you may already have landed the job.
While it’s unlikely that you’ll ever be able to predict a recruiter’s intentions with absolute precision, there are a few cues you can look for that point to a positive outcome. Here are nine indicators that will give you a better perspective of the interview’s success.
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When you break it down, an interview is a one-on-one conversation between two people on a human level. However, it may seem at the time that it’s more like a nerve-wracking interrogation – especially when your anxiety levels are running high.
The central portion of any job interview may be all about business. Still, it’s a good sign if the conversation continues more relaxed and informal after the basic formalities have been taken care of. Some polite small talk and pleasant back-and-forth will show that the interviewer is not only interested in you but also at ease in your presence. It demonstrates that they genuinely want to get to know you better with the view that you will be joining their team. But be reassured if the hiring manager sticks to the business script. Certain organizations conduct fairly structured interviews with fixed lists of questions asked in a specific order to comply with company policy.
Interviewers interested in potentially hiring you will probe further into your responses by posing follow-up questions that expand on your answers. Even though it may initially seem somewhat daunting, someone pressing you for more information is a positive sign. However, keep in mind that if they’re merely repeating the same questions but differently, it can be a hint that you needed to provide more details in your previous responses.
An interviewer’s job is to come across as purely businesslike and impartial. However, the recruiter’s body language can be a significant tell, giving clues about whether you’re making a positive or negative impression. These seemingly insignificant clues can reveal a lot about their inner thoughts and opinion of you.
Here are some positive body language signals to look out for:
Being asked to meet potential co-workers during an interview is another positive message. If the recruiting manager introduces you to their boss, a department head, or another decision maker, put a tick in the “positive” box. Here, the assumption is that the interviewer genuinely likes you and wants to be input from additional decision-makers.
If your interviewer gives you a brief office tour, this could indicate that the job is yours. Office tours are designed to provide you with a preliminary impression of how the workplace is organized and may include an introduction to some staff members. These workers will probably be in the department you’ll join or the team members you’ll be working with. An office tour is not a small thing. It’s one of the surest indications that you will be employed. You wouldn’t be given time if you hadn’t made a good impression and weren’t in the running to get the job.
Suppose the hiring manager is seriously considering you for the job. In that case, they’ll want to pique your interest in the position by actively highlighting growth prospects, benefits, company culture, performance bonuses, and more. When the interviewer starts selling the company to you and touting all the fantastic benefits their organization offers, you know you’ve just about got the job. Furthermore, pay attention if they inquire whether you’re conducting interviews with other companies. They might be determining how aggressive an offer they should make.
If the interview lasts longer than anticipated, this could indicate that your interviewer has a great interest in you. If they’re taking time out of their busy schedule to talk to you for a while longer, that is a sign that they think you would be a good fit for the role and want to get to know you better. But bear in mind that a lot relies on context.
It’s an excellent sign if the recruiting manager walks you out of the building or to the parking lot. If they take the time and the trouble to usher you out of the building following the interview, know that the interview went exceptionally well and wait for that call or email to confirm that you’ve got the job!
Writing a follow-up email immediately after the interview is essential. If you receive a response fairly directly thanking you for your time and informing you that the hiring manager will be in touch shortly, this is a positive indication. At the very least, you will know you’re on the shortlist. Interviewers can only sometimes respond to emails immediately, especially if they come from applicants who could have been more impressive. Therefore, a prompt and positive response demonstrates that the company is seriously considering you and wants to keep you involved in the employment process.
