Signs your interview went well

How do you know if your interview was successful? Walking out of an interview can be quite a relief after all the thorough interview preparation, nervous build-up and even practising in the mirror! However, the toughest part is often when you start to wonder how the meeting actually went. Reflecting on how you answered every single question can be just as stressful as preparing, so it’s worth having a checklist at hand to help you review your interview performance.

7 signs a job interview went well 

While you cannot say for certain whether you got the job, here are some good signs that your interview was successful.

1. Your interview lasted longer than expected

How long were you in the interview with the hiring manager? Your recruiter may have already given you an indication of how long the interview would last. Exceeding that time is usually considered a good omen. Remember that the hiring manager’s time is valuable, especially when they are in the process of recruiting. So, the fact that they’ve dedicating their time to learning more about you shows that they are clearly interested in hiring you.

2. You had an engaged conversation

Did you feel like you were having a conversation with the interviewer, rather than simply giving rehearsed answers? If so, it’s a good sign. Successfully building a rapport in your job interviews with hiring managers demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and makes it easier for them to envision how you would fit in with the rest of the team members.

So, if you find yourself sitting in an interview and it feels more like a conversation, it could be a sign that the interview is going well and you are a good fit for the role.

3. The interviewer referred to you personally

How did the hiring manager refer to you in the interview? You can take it as a good sign if the hiring manager refers to you as “you” rather than “the successful candidate” when discussing the role and the rest of the hiring process. For example, saying “the successful candidate would be expected to…” implies some distance, whereas talking about when “you” are in the role is much warmer and engaged. You can take this as a sign that the interviewer is already imagining you at the company.

4. Your interviewer’s body language was positive 

What did the hiring manager’s body language tell you throughout the interview? Candidates always consider their own body language and how to present themselves, but have you ever noticed your interviewer’s body language? It can give away a lot about the feel of the meeting. If your interviewer leans forwards, smiles, nods in agreement or uncrosses their arms and maintains good eye contact, for example, it suggests they are comfortable with you and actively listening to what you are saying. It’s a sure sign the interview went well. 

5. Your interviewer introduced you to others

Did your interviewer make you feel part of the team? If your potential employer has a good feeling about you, they will often introduce you to other team members and people in the business. It is a good sign that your job interview went well if you were introduced to other employees towards the end of the interview, introduced to a director or c-suite executive, or asked to meet with the decision-maker for any further rounds.

Consider that the hiring manager will have taken these actions consciously. They will know that giving you an introduction to additional members of their team demonstrates that they have confidence in you.

6. Your interviewer explained next steps in the hiring process

Do you know the next steps in the recruitment process? Closing questions are just as beneficial to the hiring manager as they are to you. You can take it as a positive sign if the interviewer asked you about your notice period and possible start dates, commute time or if you have any other interviews lined up.
 
Also consider that as the interview conversation comes to a close, you may be informed of what the next stage will be, such as a second interview or when you can expect to hear back. This instantly shows that you are in with a chance. The hiring manager is clearly interested in hiring you and does not want you to lose interest at this stage of the interviewing process.

7. Your recruiter provides positive feedback 

Does your recruiter appear excited and positive after the interview? When speaking to your recruiter afterwards, good feedback implies that the interviewer was impressed with you.

How do you know if you got the job after an interview

While you should never abandon your job search until you receive a formal offer of employment, the above signs an interview is going well should fill you with some confidence, reassuring you that you performed well in the interview and are a strong contender. 

Remember, your recruiter is only a call away, so if you’d like more detailed feedback on what went well and what you can improve for any future job search, or general advice on job interviews, just ask. 

For more interview advice download your copy of the Hays Interview Guide below.