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How to Tell If a Job Interview Went Well

August 3, 2007 By 810 Comments

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:

Filed Under: *Job interviews, *Job search, After the job interview, Career change, Job interview tips

Comments

  1. Wilson says:
    January 26, 2012 at 9:38 pm

    I had a drug test after 2 interviews at cabela’s there is a new store opening. I had a interview with the senior manager and another manager. Then they brought me to a back room and had me do a drug test, after the drug test I had another interview with the customer service manager. She said I will be being a greeter, camping, or cashier associate if I get the job. She asked for my references, then she walked with me to the elevator had a conversation for about 10 minutes. She asked for my references and told me they would call in two weeks. Do I have a good chance at getting the job? How long does the hiring process take?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Susan says:
      January 26, 2012 at 11:41 pm

      Hi Wilson -

      It’s hard to tell if you have a good chance, but it sounds promising. Make sure the people you gave as references know that they may be called, and ask them to let you know when it happens (if it happens). That will give you an idea of how well things are progressing.

      When a new store is being opened, there are usually many, many jobs to be filled and a lot of people to interview. It could take a couple of months, maybe longer. So, I wouldn’t stop looking for a new job because this could take a while.

      There will probably be a second round of interviews in a week or two (or three), and maybe a third round after that – it depends on how well you do and how much competition you have. But, it sounds like you’re off to a very good start.

      Good luck!
      Susan

      Reply
  2. catherine says:
    January 27, 2012 at 11:09 am

    It was always my understanding that employers would not pay for the expense of a drug test if they weren’t serious about hiring you.

    Reply
  3. james c says:
    January 27, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    I had a interview at a IT firm Tuesday they had a very posttive attitude. They had me do a technical interview with the head of IT. After answering the first question 50% right he said I am in the top 2 of the 20 candidates. I then answered the next 2 100% correct. The head of IT and myself got intonsome personal conversation and then said I remind him of a carbon copy of himself. I waited 2 days and called them back asking a status update. The head of the office then asked me to come in for a interview day. To work 4 hours to gauge my technical ability. I went in the following day and spent my 4 hours their. At the end of the four hours they pulled me into the office and had a very positive flow to the conversation they then said I should be expecting a call by Wednesday. Before I walked out the IT GUY SAID ill see you around. Do you think this is positive?

    Reply
    • Susan says:
      January 28, 2012 at 1:38 pm

      Yes, James, it does sound positive. But don’t take the outcome for granted. Send thank you emails before Wednesday.

      If they want you to spend more time there for free, I’d be a bit suspicious. They can hire you as a contractor to test your capabilities out more thoroughly if they want to. But, more than 4 hours of free work is taking adavantage, in my opinion.

      Good luck!
      Susan

      Reply
  4. Brian says:
    January 28, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    Hey -

    Ok…so here is the situation, I had applied for a different position, but they hired someone else, but called me a week later and said that they would like to interview me for a different (and better) position. I interviewed with HR and passed, then later I interviewed with the director of the company and must have passed and then they brought me back again to interview with the CFO and partner of the firm. I had asked how many phases there would be in the hiring process and he told me that the next time I would hear from them, it would be with an offer.

    I got home much later that night and had an e-mail from the HR rep I had first interviewed with, and she said that the firm had decided to move forward with me in the process and that they needed to to do a background check. So my question is basically…is this a good sign? Am I in…I have nothing in my background that would keep me from the position and they specifically said they would NOT be doing a credit check.

    Just looking for some thoughts…

    Thanks!

    Brian

    Reply
    • Susan says:
      January 28, 2012 at 8:04 pm

      Hey Brian,

      This sounds very positive. I wouldn’t buy any champagne yet (too superstitious), but I might start checking out the prices. :-)

      At this point, I can think of only one thing to possibly be wary of -

      Just in case the “background check” includes an Internet search on your name, why don’t you Google and Bing yourself to see what’s there on the first 10 or 15 pages of search results. If a law breaker or other tacky/inappropriate person with the same name pops up in those results, that could possibly raise some questions about you. IF such a person exists, it would be good to be prepared for the questions, possibly even to address the issue directly by contacting HR first if you find anything that you think might concern them. Track down more information about that other person – a photo which is clearly not you would be ideal.

      Hope that all goes well!

      Good luck!
      Susan

      Reply
  5. Wilson says:
    January 30, 2012 at 4:46 pm

    Hey Ronnie Ann I got the Cabela’s job! Thank you for the tips.

    Reply
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