Short answer: You get the job.
I found the question “how do I know if my job interview went well” in a search phrase on my stats. So how can you tell a good interview from a bad one? Although you usually have some feeling about how you did, truth is you really don’t know how you did or even if the interview went well until you get the good-news call. Or the not-so-good-news silence and then rejection letter – if you’re lucky enough to get that.
Even if it went well, you still might not get the call-back or the job. The final decision is all about fit and of course depends on the other candidates. Sometimes there are a few really good candidates and, even if they loved you, you might not get the job. I’ve interviewed people I really liked, but knew enough about the particular job and personality of the place to know they just weren’t right for it.
I know that doesn’t feel great, but I hope it lets you know that a rejection doesn’t always reflect on you or how you interviewed. It’s like dating. There are great people out there who just aren’t right for you. In some cases, it may even be a blessing!
But then again, usually if the interview goes well you will get that call back. So how can you really tell how you did?
Here are some cues that might at least give you some sense of how the job interview went:
- Are they leaning in toward you with enthusiasm?
- Did they show a good deal of open body language? (In contrast to them being kind of closed down, with arms close to the body and not relaxed.)
- Did you notice that the position of their hands or body in some way matched yours? (This sometimes happens and shows a feeling of being in synch.)
- Were they smiling and nodding as you spoke – even if it was barely perceptible?
- Did the interview go longer than 20 minutes?
- Did they follow up on things you said or just stick to a script? (Some places require the script, so this only helps for places that don’t.)
- Did you ever hear them say things like “when you are working here” or “you’ll see for yourself”?
- Did they ask you about how soon you could start? If so, how was it phrased? If it was just a standard interview question, it would have been quickly delivered. If it’s about real interest, there might be follow-up questions or comments.
- If they asked you whether you had any last questions, did they say it with a smile leaning in toward you with real interest or at least showing open body language?
- Did they tell you you’ll hear from them soon?
- Did you feel a real connection?
The more “yes” answers, the better it went. But it’s not a for-sure negative if the answers were mostly “no”. Different places have different interview styles. And as I already said, there’s also no absolute guarantee even if every answer is a “yes” and you left feeling great.
Be aware but stay in the moment!
Now here’s the most important thing…if you are consciously noticing each and every one of these things during the interview, then for goodness sake…stop yourself! You aren’t in the moment if you’re thinking about how it’s going. And it will show. It’s good to be aware enough to try to make adjustments as you go along, but for the most part, just do your best to relax and be yourself. Focus completely on the interviewer’s questions and how open and honest YOU can be. Afterward, check your own instincts for how you think it went. You’ll probably have a good idea.
But since you can never know what they want or what type of person they want (you’d be amazed at how different employers can be in what they think makes a good match), your best bet is to just breathe a deep sigh of relief after you leave the interview, congratulate yourself on doing the best you could, and then just get on with enjoying your life. You’ve done all you can. (Once you’ve sent the polite thank-you notes, of course.)
If it’s a good fit, they’ll call you. If not, you lucked out. Hopefully the next one will be the one. Or the next. It will happen!
A few more “waiting after the interview” articles to help:
- 12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview
- I Got the Post-Interview Temporary OCD Blues
- After the Job Interview: Why Haven’t They Called Me Yet?
- Stuck in the Waiting Game After 2nd Interview
- 5 Ways Interviewers Make Job Seekers REALLY Angry
- How Often Should I Call an Employer After My Interview?
- Will My Low Credit Score Ruin My Chances for a Job Offer?
- 5 Ways Interviewers Make Job Seekers REALLY Angry
- Can Weekly Follow-up Calls and Emails Help Get You the Job?
- 3 Questions You Don’t Know the Answer to AFTER a Job Interview
I Had an interview as a Department Supervisor at a major hardware store.
I thing i did pretty good, but did get a lil caught up or blank on one question.I know im qualified, I have 2 years of supervisor experience and a business degree, but I am freshly 21 and I dont know if that is a bit young.
The thing that concerns me is that it seemed to go too fast. He reviewd my resume and availability and asked his 5 or 6 position questions and said hed call all the interviewee’s at the end of the week.
Any advice?
John,
Follow-up with a thank you note quickly. Make sure your spelling and grammar is perfect, and let your interviewer know that you remain interested in the position.
If you don’t hear back from them within two weeks, follow up directly and inquire about your status. If not hired, ask what would make you a stronger candidate next time.
For a major hardware store, another factor that may go into the process is a knowledge of hardware. If you haven’t worked in that field before, don’t be surprised if they go with someone who has worked in hardware in the past.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Best,
Chandlee
Hi!
I am not sure if anyone has any advice for me… But I recently applied to an internal job position within my company at head office, I am qualified and have everything they are looking for. They called my general manager the morning they got my resume. They said they would be making calls the next week… it is the next week and I know monday is a busy day for them..it is wed. I have not got a call… does this mean I can kiss my chances good-bye? or is it possible they would still not have made calls for interviews? I know I seem impatient, However I am just not sure if it is protocall to call about all aplicants or if they would call out of interest.
Any advice would help.
Fennek,
I think it is fine to call the head office and ask them about your status of the position and the job search. Let me know if I can provide additional assistance on this.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Thank you for your reply,
I think I can mention it to my GM first to see if he knows if calls have been made yet. I just dont know why they would call him and ask about me if they werent interested in interviewing me… or could it be they call all managers when people from within apply…I got excited and my GM thought this would be a good stepping stone for me… which I assume he told them that when they called, but I still have not got a call…
Fennek,
As I’ve said before on Work Coach Cafe, often the hiring process takes quite a long time inside companies. I don’t think that “no follow-up” call necessarily means that they are not interested. I’d recommend following up now but waiting up to another two weeks before you assume that the company is not interested.
Good luck,
Chandlee
I had a phone interviewed with a DM of a retail store and I felt it went well.
Dm then mentioned he would like for me to speak with another store
manager who was visiting the store the followinh week. I agreed and met
With the store manager who is also a regional trainer for that company.
The interview was a hit, i enjoyed the interview very much. Then she said
That the dm would call me next week when he would come down to visit
the store. He did visit the store but he did not call. The strange thing
for me was that he passed by my store a couple of times and stood in front
Looking towards the inside od the store. The dm did this several times
in the two days the dm was there visiting his store. The whole time talking
On the phone. What does it mean? Should I habe called him?
Charlotte,
It is quite likely that the company has policies and a protocol for visiting a store and that he may have been following those protocols, and looking for things that the company has asked him to look for.
I recommend calling them back this week just to express your continued interest in the position and to ask when you might expect follow-up.
Good luck.
All the Best,
Chandlee
I had an interview last week at the hospital for medical equip tech. The HR first photocopied my diploma and took my references and we went to the hiring manager for my interview. We passed by 3 buildings on which the hospital has inter-connection from building to building. The interview went well, actually the manager did not asked that much on my resume, he told me they already reviewed my application and he just telling me about nature of the job, some history of the department and whats their plan. My biggest concern was after the interview he wanted me to go back to HR person, but when I get back to the human resources dept, the HR person already left, and the people from the reception area just told me to wait for the call. I wanted to go back to the hiring manager but Im already forgotten the way back. I dont know how long should I wait before I will make a phone call to the HR for follow up?
Any Advice?
Roger,
I recommend you call the HR department today and follow-up — let them know “I was brought to HR to do paperwork, but you had already gone today” — is there anything I need to do to follow up and complete my application? How can I help?
If they need you to come in to fill out the paperwork, they will tell you — and then you can go in and get it done.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
is it fine to ask to be notified if ever I will not be getting the job? Thanks.
Hi Roger,
Yes, you can certainly ask to be notified what your status is — either way. Not all companies will tell you, and that is too bad. Another way to tell when a job has been pulled is when the listing disappears from a site. Typically that means it has been filled.
But for now, just follow up.
Good luck.
Best,
Chandlee
Thanks for the comments. One more thing, is it an indication you already get the job if your references already called by the company?
Thanks a lot!
Roger,
It’s a very good sign if your references have been called by the company but it doesn’t guarantee that you will get the offer. Good luck and please keep us posted.
All the Best,
Chandlee
Roger: Call up HR and ask when you can be scheduled for your drug testing and final paperwork. Nothing wrong with being assertive.