Getting to the interview stage can already feel like a big win in your job search, but often walking out of the interview it’s hard to judge how it went. Many people tell us they don’t always remember what they said, even those who get the role.
So how can you tell if the interview was a success?
Your recruiter will be able to call you with specific feedback after they talk to the interviewer, but in the meantime there are a few ways to tell if your interview went well.
1. You were in the interview for longer than expected
Your recruiter may have specified how long the interview will last for. A hiring manager’s time is precious especially during a recruiting period. If they choose to dedicate this time to learn more about you, then this is one of the signs that they are clearly interested.
2. The interview felt conversational
Did you find it relatively easy to talk to the interviewer? Did the interview feel like it was more of a conversation than a sterile Q&A session? If so, then you more than likely successfully built up a good rapport with the interviewer and demonstrated some strong interpersonal skills. More so, by gelling well with the interviewer, you have made it easier for them to imagine you getting on well with the rest of the team.
3. You are told what you would be doing in this role
By this, I mean that the interviewer says things like “In this role, you would be expected to…” as opposed to “The successful candidate would be expected to…”.
Following this, the interview went into great detail about the ins and outs of the role. This is one of the signs that they are already imagining you in this position, and now want you to get the full picture of the role and what it entails.
4. The interviewer seemed engaged
As you answered their questions and spoke about yourself, did you feel like the interviewer was interested? Consider their body language and their responses. If they leant in, nodded, smiled and agreed with what you had to say, then chances are the interviewer was engaged with what you were saying. More so, they were encouraging you to keep talking, because they liked what they were hearing.
5. You feel sold on the company and the role
Did you walk out of this interview feeling convinced and excited about the opportunity? And is this because the interviewer talked animatedly about all of the best aspects role and organization – from what you could gain from it career-progression wise, to the rewards and benefits on offer?
If so, then the interviewer obviously felt sold on your suitability for the opportunity and wanted this feeling to be mutual.
6. Your questions are answered in full
On a similar note, because the interviewer wanted you to be sold on the opportunity, the interviewer would have been eager to provide full answers to all of your questions. If they provided enthusiastic and detailed answers to the questions you asked and checked with you that these answers were clear, then this is a good sign that the hiring manager wanted to impress you just as much as you wanted to impress them.
7. You were introduced to your potential colleagues
If the hiring manager introduced you to other employees towards the end of the interview, then, again, this is an encouraging sign.
Better still, if you felt like you got on well with these colleagues and made a good impression, then this will put you in good standing.
8. You were introduced to senior decision makers
Like I said, the hiring manager isn’t going to take the time to introduce you to other people in the business unless they already have a good feeling about you. This is especially true if these people are senior stakeholders.
If you were introduced to a director or c-suite executive, then this is a sign that the interviewer knows these people will need to sign off their final hiring decision. Therefore they wanted to speed up the process by arranging a face-to-face introduction, so that they can see for themselves why you are the right choice.
9. You are asked “closing questions” at the end
These include questions surrounding notice period and possible start dates. This can be a good sign that the interviewer is thinking ahead to the next stage.
You may have also been asked if you are still interested in the role and if you have any other interviews coming up. This suggests that the hiring manager is keen on you, they want you to feel the same way, and that they don’t want to lose out to the competition.
10. The interviewer is clear about the next steps
As the interview came to a close, did the hiring manager tell you what the next stage would be (i.e. – a second interview), and when you could expect to hear back? In doing this, they are saying that you are in with a chance of making it to this stage, so don’t lose interest.
11. The interviewer gave good feedback to the recruiter
When you spoke to your recruiter afterwards, did they provide you with positive feedback? If the organization took it upon themselves to give good feedback to the recruiter shortly afterwards, then this implies that, yes, they have to continue interviewing other candidates, but they want you to know that your chances are strong.
While a great interview doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get to the next stage of the process – you can’t control for the other applicants – it’s a step in the right direction. Don’t stop your job search until your recruiter confirms the offer, but hopefully you’ll get some good news soon.
Even if you miss out this time, a strong interview is a good sign for your job hunt, and the next role could be the one for you. Find out from your recruiter what you did well, and more importantly, what you could improve on, so that next time, you could be signing a job offer.
David, a 21-year veteran of the staffing business, has been in charge of overseeing all US operations for Hays since 2018. Prior to leading Hays US, David held a number of positions in sales, sales management, and senior management. With his wife and three children, David resides in Atlanta and actively supports a number of regional non-profit organizations.
As a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the staffing business, including my current role overseeing all US operations for Hays since 2018, I've gained valuable insights into the intricacies of the job interview process. My extensive background in sales, sales management, and senior management has equipped me with the expertise to understand the dynamics of successful interviews.
In the article, the author explores key indicators that suggest a job interview went well. Drawing from my wealth of experience, I can affirm the validity of these indicators and provide additional context:
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Duration of the Interview: The author suggests that if the interview lasts longer than expected, it's a positive sign. I can confirm that hiring managers, especially during busy recruiting periods, are selective about the time they allocate. If they invest extra time in getting to know you, it indicates genuine interest.
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Conversational Tone: A conversational interview suggests a strong rapport with the interviewer and demonstrates interpersonal skills. From my years in the staffing business, I've observed that successful candidates often establish a connection during the interview, making it easier for the hiring manager to envision them fitting into the team.
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Detailed Role Discussion: When the interviewer discusses the specifics of the role using phrases like "In this role, you would be expected to...," it indicates a positive outlook. This aligns with my experience, where a detailed discussion about the job responsibilities signifies that the interviewer is already envisioning you in the position.
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Engagement of the Interviewer: The article rightly points out the importance of the interviewer's engagement. I can attest that positive body language, nods, smiles, and agreement during your responses signal the interviewer's genuine interest and encouragement.
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Excitement about the Opportunity: Feeling convinced and excited about the opportunity post-interview is crucial. In my career, I've seen that when the interviewer passionately discusses the organization, role, and potential benefits, it reflects their confidence in your suitability for the position.
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Thorough Answers to Your Questions: Providing enthusiastic and detailed answers to candidate questions is a good sign. This aligns with my experience, where hiring managers who are invested in a candidate's success ensure that all queries are addressed thoroughly.
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Introduction to Potential Colleagues: The introduction to potential colleagues at the end of the interview is a positive signal. From my vantage point, it indicates that the hiring manager sees potential synergy between you and the team.
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Introduction to Senior Decision Makers: The author emphasizes that introductions to senior stakeholders imply a positive impression. Based on my experience, such introductions typically occur when the interviewer has confidence in your potential and seeks approval from higher-ups.
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Closing Questions: Questions about notice periods and start dates indicate the interviewer's forward-thinking approach. This aligns with my understanding that such queries signal the interviewer's interest in moving forward with you in the hiring process.
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Clarity on Next Steps: Clearly outlining the next steps at the end of the interview is a positive sign. In my role overseeing staffing operations, I've found that a well-defined path forward indicates the organization's serious consideration of your candidacy.
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Positive Feedback to the Recruiter: If the organization provides positive feedback to the recruiter promptly, it suggests a strong interest in your profile. From my position, I've seen that proactive feedback indicates a desire to communicate your strengths and potential fit for the role.
In conclusion, a successful interview is a crucial step in the job search process. While it doesn't guarantee a job offer, it positions you favorably. I recommend that candidates stay proactive in their job search until a formal offer is confirmed, using feedback to continuously improve their approach.
