What Job Interviewers Say, And What They Really Mean | FlexJobs (2024)

Job interviews can be tough to navigate, especially when trying to decode what the interviewer is truly saying. Sometimes, it can feel like they’re speaking another language entirely.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a built-in translator or even a thought bubble that pops up over their head? You would know immediately if you were in the running to move on to the next level or not. While you’ll never know precisely what a recruiter is thinking, we can help you decode some of the more common statements that an interviewer makes.

What the Interviewer Is Really Saying

When you’re in the middle of a lengthy job search and have a promising interview, deciphering whether you need to continue searching (the answer is yes) while you’re waiting for a response can be excruciating. It might be helpful to take a step back and recall that the manager you’re talking with likely has to complete the entire interview process to comply with company standards.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a hint at what an interviewer might be thinking. Consider some of the following common interviewer phrases.

“You’re a well-qualified candidate.”

Hearing this is like music to a job seeker’s ears. But before you ask to see your new office, think about it: if you weren’t qualified, would you be sitting in the middle of a job interview? Probably not. Most hiring managers say these generic things at the onset of an interview to break the ice. You can respond by saying, “Thank you,” and let the interviewer guide you to the next interview stage.

Realistically, they probably have other well-qualified candidates they’re interviewing, so you want to refrain from thinking that you automatically have the job due to your qualifications.

“We’re still working out some of the details of the job.”

What a tricky, murky statement this is! While it’s not necessarily a goodbye, it can be. For a leading job candidate, it’s often a heads up that some of the responsibilities are still being ironed out, or that your potential boss is waiting to get clearance on funding a specific salary offer.

It might also mean they’re not sure if the position will even be available or not, and they need some time to figure it out. That’s why you should accept the statement without questioning what those “details” might be.

It’s always best to err on the side of caution and assume that the person making the statement is not trying to be clever. If you press for more information, you may look unprofessional and desperate. So, take the idea at face value and continue your search. Remember, you can always check in before accepting a different position.

“We’ll be in touch with you soon.”

Job seeking can be made all the more difficult because many employers seem to take their sweet time getting back to candidates. The vagueness of the word “soon” only makes things worse, as it’s impossible to know how long you’ll have to wait for a response.

The best way to deal with this situation is to keep yourself busy and continue applying for other jobs. This way, you won’t be wasting time waiting for a response that may never come. It’s also important to have realistic expectations. Even if the hiring manager says you’ll hear back in a week, it’s always best to assume it will take longer. Allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised.

“Feel free to email me with any follow-up questions.”

At the end of most job interviews, the interviewer will say, “Feel free to email me if you have any more questions.” It’s easy to brush off this statement as a mere formality, but in reality, it provides an opportunity to make a lasting impression on your potential employer.

Sending a thank-you email after your interview shows that you’re polite and grateful for the opportunity to interview for the position. It also gives you one last chance to highlight your qualifications and reiterate your interest in the job. Of course, you don’t want to overdo it—one follow-up email is plenty.

So, if you don’t hear back from your interviewer after a week or so, send them a brief message thanking them for their time and expressing your continued interest in the position. Just be sure to keep it short, sweet, and professional.

“We have a few more candidates to interview.”

You’ve just had a great job interview, and you feel confident that you’ll receive a job offer soon. However, the interviewer ends the meeting by telling you they will be “in touch.” This statement can dash a hopeful job candidate’s dream of working for a company to pieces.

This phrase could imply that you’re not the candidate for the job, but that’s not necessarily the case. Many interviewers say this, and it can be just to let you know that the hiring process (and a decision to be made) might take longer than you expect. After all, you might be one of the very first job seekers to be interviewed out of a list of 20 potential employees.

So, don’t be disappointed if you hear this phrase; it’s just one of those things hiring managers say. In the meantime, remember to follow up with your interviewer professionally and courteously.

“I really enjoyed talking with you.”

It can be easy to get your hopes up when a hiring manager says they enjoyed talking with you, but it’s important to remember that this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the top candidate for the job. While they may have enjoyed speaking with you and found you to be personable, there may be another candidate that more closely matches the needed skill set.

Instead of getting discouraged, use this as motivation to continue putting your best foot forward throughout the remainder of the hiring process. If you don’t land the position, that connection is an excellent opportunity to follow up, ask for feedback, and make a networking connection with the hiring manager on LinkedIn. You can mention something specific about your meeting and ask them to keep you in mind if any other openings at the company come up that they feel you’d be a better fit for.

Navigating Interview Communication

Navigating the nuances of job search communication can be frustrating. It’s hard not to get your hopes up and be disappointed when you aren’t selected to move forward. Just remember that hiring managers must do their due diligence for the position while maintaining professional and equitable processes for all candidates.

If you had an excellent interview, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on how you prepared so that you can use those tools again for your following interviews. If you get a callback, treat that as a delightful turn of events, rather than an expectation.