You sit across from the hiring manager, a knot in your stomach. The interview seemed to go well – you connected over common interests, had an easy back-and-forth, and highlighted how your skills make you a great fit.
Yet as you leave, a nagging doubt creeps in. You didn’t hear any “buy signals” – no questions regarding when you can start, when you are available, how soon can you start, your salary requirements, or some variation of these questions. The manager was friendly yet vague when you asked about the next steps.
Could this mean you won’t get the job?
Signs The Job Isn’t Yours
Unfortunately, sometimes an interview can seem positive but the hiring company decides to pass on you. Here are subtle signs the role likely won’t be yours:
1. Radio Silence After the Interview
- Most hiring managers let you know next steps after an interview, even if it’s a basic “we’ll be in touch.” If the hiring manager feels you’re a good match, they will get things moving to hire you, knowing that great candidates will likely be getting attention from their competitors.
- If a week goes by after the interview with no contact, it’s often not a good sign. They may have decided you’re not the right fit or found another strong candidate and don’t need to keep interviewing.
- Don’t let radio silence discourage you – just focus your energy on other opportunities. Reevaluate if your qualifications really matched well with both the stated requirements and the hiring manager’s preferred requirements.
2. Generic Positive Feedback
- Oftentimes in an interview that went poorly, the hiring manager will remain upbeat and deliver only generic praise about your background.
- If all you hear is “You have a great resume” or “I can see you have a lot of experience,” these platitudes suggest a lack of genuine interest or connection.
- Specific, thoughtful feedback on your credentials and interview performance is a much better indicator of a potential job offer.
3. No Future-Oriented Questions
- As mentioned earlier, if the interviewer doesn’t ask forward-looking questions about your availability, salary needs, or start date, they may have already dismissed you as a candidate.
- Lack of questions around logistics or next steps demonstrates a lack of serious consideration for moving you forward.
- It’s not a definite rejection, but it’s wise to temper your expectations and keep exploring other opportunities just in case.
The takeaway? While no hiring process cues guarantee a job offer or rejection, subtle signals can indicate your standing as a candidate.
Also Check: How to Ask Why You Didn’t Get the Job
Frequently Asked Questions
What if they said, “we’ll let you know either way”?
Even if the hiring manager says you’ll be updated no matter what, don’t take that as a guarantee if you don’t hear back. Assume you’re out of the running unless they contact you.
Should I ask for feedback if I’m rejected?
It’s fine to politely ask for any constructive feedback after a rejection, as this can help you improve for future interviews. But don’t harass the employer for an explanation – sometimes there’s no clear reason.
What if the interviewer was really tough or intimidating?
Don’t assume a very formal or intense interviewer means you bombed the interview – some people just have that style. Pay more attention to content and specifics over interviewer behavior.
Can I save the opportunity if I think I spotted red flags?
If you pick up on subtle signs they’re not interested, the best move is usually to be patient and pursue other options vs. aggressively pursuing feedback. The ball is in their court.
What if they never actually reject me?
Don’t stay stuck waiting forever on a company that goes radio silent after an interview. Take the hint so you can focus your energy where it counts. On to the next!
FAQs
Some common signs you won't be receiving a job offer from a company are: The interview was cut short. You don't hear back after a job interview. The interviewer repeatedly cut your responses short.
How to know if an interview didn't go well? ›
5 Suspicious Signs Your Job Interview Went Poorly
- Every question the interviewer asks seems rehearsed. ...
- The job interview lasts less than the scheduled time. ...
- The company is talking to lots of candidates. ...
- The next step is unclear. ...
- Putting heavy emphasis on other skill areas.
What are some signs that you didn't get the job? ›
16 common signs you did not get the job
- The interview ends suddenly. ...
- The interview is short. ...
- They never contacted your references. ...
- You don't hear back after the job interview. ...
- You don't meet the requirements of the position. ...
- The interviewer doesn't express any interest in you. ...
- You fumble on a critical interview question.
How do you know if you failed the interview? ›
One of the biggest signs your interview went bad is if the interviewer expresses their concerns. Perhaps you don't have a certain skill that they're looking for. Maybe your experience level doesn't match up to this role.
When should I assume I didn't get the job? ›
If a job listing is still active after interviewing, it may be a sign that they're not going to give you an offer. However, you may be under consideration, but the employer is still accepting applications and interviewing for other options.
How do you tell if you passed an interview? ›
11 signs your interview went well
- You were in the interview for longer than expected. ...
- The interview felt conversational. ...
- You are told what you would be doing in this role. ...
- The interviewer seemed engaged. ...
- You feel sold on the company and the role. ...
- Your questions are answered in full.
What are the signs of a good interview? ›
17 signs of a good interview
- It's more than 30 minutes in length. ...
- The interviewer asks to see you again. ...
- You receive a response to your follow-up with one business day. ...
- The conversation flows well. ...
- The interviewer exhibits positive nonverbal cues. ...
- You start talking about personal interests with the interviewer.
How do you know if you'll get hired? ›
Here are several signs that indicate you may get the job after the interview:
- You notice positive body language. ...
- You hear "when" and not "if" ...
- The conversation turns casual. ...
- They introduce you to other team members. ...
- They indicate they like what they hear. ...
- They discuss perks. ...
- They ask about salary expectations.
Can an interview goes well but no offer? ›
Yes, they may very well have liked you as a person and the interview went well, but other more prepared candidates probably convinced them they were better able to fulfil the specific job in question. As a recruiter, I hear comments like this all the time from my clients.
How do I know if I bombed an interview? ›
13 signs an interview went badly
- A much shorter interview time. ...
- No introduction to other employees. ...
- Lack of details regarding the role. ...
- Focus on the negative aspects of the position. ...
- Disengaged body language. ...
- Lack of connection with the interviewer. ...
- No discussion of a future with the organisation. ...
- Expression of concerns.
If you receive a phone call from the hiring manager rather than an email, it could mean that you're one of their top candidates. Although nothing is guaranteed, you could be just a few days away from receiving a job offer if you get a phone call from the recruiter after your initial interview.
How do you know if a hiring manager wants you after an interview? ›
Subtle cues that could indicate a job offer include the interviewer's body language, such as nodding frequently or smiling often, the use of inclusive language like "when you join us," and a detailed discussion about the next steps in the hiring process.
How to tell if an interview went badly? ›
Signs interview went badly
- The interview took less time than expected. ...
- The interviewer was uninterested or distracted. ...
- You faltered on a critical question. ...
- There were fewer panellists than expected. ...
- The interviewer shared too little information about the position. ...
- The interviewer did little to sell the company.
Do interviewers call to reject first? ›
At initial rounds recruiting might be doing more of the calls (both rejections and acceptances), at final rounds it is more typical for the interviewer to call, but it really does depend on many factors so don't read too much into it.
What makes an unsuccessful interview? ›
Lack of clarity in your interview answers: If you are unsure exactly what the interviewer is asking or is trying to elicit from you, ask them about the context and if they can rephrase the question. 3. Providing weak answers: If you absolutely do not know the answer to a technical question, say so.
How do you know if you got rejected from a job? ›
5 Subtle Signs the Answer Is "No, You're Not Getting This Job"
- A Super Responsive Recruiter Suddenly Becomes Hard to Reach. ...
- You're Told She's in a Meeting, Every Time. ...
- You Get the “I Think We Have a Bad Connection” Treatment. ...
- He Contradicts Himself on Social Media. ...
- She Consistently Has Something Urgent to Attend To.
How do I know if I will get the job after interview? ›
14 signs that you got the job after an interview
- You notice positive body language. ...
- You hear "when" and not "if" ...
- The conversation turns casual. ...
- They introduce you to other team members. ...
- They indicate they like what they hear. ...
- There are verbal indicators. ...
- They discuss perks. ...
- They ask about salary expectations.
How common is it to not hear back after an interview? ›
As frustrating as it might be, not getting a response after an interview happens quite often. How long does it take to hear back after an interview? If you haven't heard back after two weeks, it's perfectly acceptable to follow up after the interview, unless they have stated otherwise.
How long until you hear back from a job after interview? ›
For starters, how long should you expect to wait to hear back on your status after a job interview? While you'll sometimes know whether you have progressed to the next step during the interview itself, you should typically expect to hear back one to two weeks after each interview.