Did you just go through a job interview? Well, congratulations! Answering a recruiter’s hard-hitting questions certainly takes courage and confidence. However, the ensuing period of waiting tends to be even more arduous. Your thoughts wander in all kinds of directions while self-doubt and confusion start to settle in. Should I have answered that question in a different way? Was my previous job experience not professional enough? This and many other suspicions come to haunt you in the days following a job interview.
Feeling uncertain and anxious is common for anyone who has given a job interview. But the stress can become relatively bearable if you learn how to read particular signs. These signs can help you mentally prepare for whether you are going to get a positive or negative final response. Here are 6 signs that indicate success and 4 that show you must set sights on another position.
Six signs you aced your interview
- The interview lasted longer than scheduled
Sometimes an interview goes so smoothly that before you know it the clock has ticked past your designated time. And yet you remain deep in conversation with the interviewer. A highly engaging interview shows the hiring manager sees potential in you. That is why they take more time to know more about you instead of quickly moving on
- Positive body language
Nonverbal communication is equally important to notice as what is said in words. Did the recruiter give you their full attention while you were answering questions? Were any positive signs evident like smiling or an agreeing nod of the head?
These cues can be rather difficult to pick through if you are doing a video interview. There are still other signals which can help you in that case. For instance, if the interviewer is maintaining eye contact with you and sitting attentively to listen when you speak.
- They spoke as if you are already hired
An interviewer conversing with you as if it’s already your first day on the job is definitely encouraging. Statements like “you will be working at…” and “your responsibilities will be…” reveal they perceive you in that role. That can only happen if they see you as a suitable enough candidate.
- Wanting you to meet other members
Being asked to meet the rest of the team or the employer during the interview is a great indicator. It shows they are eager to take you onboard and find you promising. It often indicates that they want to speed up the process to the next stage. But it is a very rare occurrence for this to happen during an interview. So do not take it negatively if your experience is different.
- You are being “sold” on the company and role
It is often easy for applicants to forget that job interviews go both ways. If the employer is evaluating you, then you are also deciding if the workplace is suitable for you. Keeping that in mind you can analyze if the interviewer is eager to display what they have to offer. Such as talking about growth opportunities, accolades, benefits of the company culture, and more. It clearly indicates they want you to consider the position above other offers.
- Quick response to follow-up
On the candidate’s part, following up after the interview is essential. Sending a brief, friendly email to thank them for their time is a great reminder to leave. In return, if you receive a quick response, it is likely that you have caught the hiring manager’s eye. They mean to keep you engaged until the final step of the hiring process.
Four signs that the interview was not ideal
- The interviewer was inattentive
Although it is first on our list it can be the least incriminating of evidence to determine a failed interview. If your interviewer feels disconnected and keeps glancing at a computer screen or at their watch it is not a positive sign. But it might also be sometimes purely a personal issue that is making them behave this way. So, do not rely too heavily on this point.
- No mention of future steps
At the end of the interview if there is no talk of the next step it can be a red flag. Mostly the interviewer would share a few details about when they will be contacting you later. So, this can be indicative of how things will not be moving forward from there.
- You weren’t asked for questions or received vague responses to them
A good interview usually ends with the interviewer confirming if you want to ask them anything as well. They encourage you to know more about the company or your role if they are positive about hiring. But if this is not addressed then they might be considering other candidates. Same goes for when, even if they do take questions, answer them in a curt or disinterested way.
- Finishing earlier than supposed to
This is the opposite of the first sign we mentioned of a great interview. Cutting down the designated time slot is not an encouraging scenario. But sometimes it can also be because they already consider you a perfect candidate. So, make sure there are other red flags present before jumping to conclusions.
What would happen next?
Not succeeding at an interview is not the end of the world. Instead of doubting yourself and your skills, take it as a valuable experience and move forward. The opportunity that is meant for you will always found you.
An important tool that can raise your chances of landing an interview for the best roles is your resume. A well-written CV brilliantly markets your attributes to employers and recruiters and persuades them to take the process further.
For such a document contact professional cv writer UK. Our service is a leading name in this field pleasing hundreds of clients with excellently crafted resumes. We take pride in helping our clients impress prospective employers and landing their dream roles.