The interview is crucial in any employee or job search. It is the result of your resume having already impressed the hiring manager. It gives companies and applicants the opportunity to assess whether or not this is a viable opportunity.
While there is no concrete way to estimate the effectiveness of your interview, there are some key performance indicators that may signal the interviewer’s interest in developing a professional relationship with you. With so much left to be lost in translation, it’s critical to decipher the code and recognize the overall positive signs present in any interview. It is also critical to recognize warning signs and know what to do if you find yourself in a difficult situation.
The anxiety of interpreting the interviewer’s body language, the common interview questions, the company culture, the role that you will play, and much more are all part of the job interview process. Not surprisingly, the waiting period is also nervous. A successful interview is defined by the interviewers’ collective opinions, dynamic conversation, confidence, gestures, and evidence that you’ll be a future value-added candidate for the company.
Despite the fact that there is no definitive method to ascertain whether or not your interview process was successful, there are several factors that significantly increase the likelihood of success. If you’re looking for ways to improve your job search, predict whether or not your interview was a success, identify key performance indicators that validate you in the hiring manager’s eyes, or pursue proactive measures following the interview, this is the perfect guide for you.
It is critical to understand the bad and good signs to look for during an interview so that you do not get lost in translation. It will serve as a guidepost for you to determine whether or not your interview went well. However, you won’t always be able to clearly identify and tell exactly whether or not your interview was overall successful. It isn’t always obvious. The signals are usually subtle. The interviewer is careful not to raise your expectations in any way.
What are the signs that an interview went well?
1. Your interviewer’s nonverbal messages were positive.
Every conversation that has occurred can be deduced holistically from the body language of the person across from you. This will tell you if the conversation is being translated poorly or if it is thriving. According to studies, body language accounts for an astounding 90% of the meaning in conversations.
Your body language and verbal cues are most likely being read by the interviewer. Leaning in, agreeably nodding, and remaining engaged are signs that the interviewer is impressed with your performance. Eye contact, focus, and compliments are examples of subtle body language cues (about you or your skills and experiences). If the recruiter mentions that you have the potential to serve as a value-added entity, this is an example of verbal affirmation.
2. Did the interview go on for much longer than expected?
If you’ve been talking to your hiring manager for an hour or more, it’s probably a good sign that they’re serious about hiring you.
Employers will not waste time engaging in meaningless conversation with someone who is not a potential employee. Any interviewer who keeps the conversation going for a long time is interested in your potential. It demonstrates dedication.
3. Did you discuss the company culture and your role in it?
When a hiring manager is convinced that you are the right person for the job, the tone of the interview shifts from skills assessment to discussing the workplace’s competitive advantages and the potential role that you will play.
The comments to take the job, whether subtle or not, are clear indications that you are a strong contender for the position. Some examples include emphasising company culture, perks, benefits, daily tasks or activities, and much more.
4. Did the interviewer introduce you to any team members?
If your interviewer made an effort to introduce you to any team members, it’s a sign that you wowed them. If applicants are not seriously considered, a hiring manager will not take the time to introduce them.
As a result, any type of introduction is a significant step forward. According to Jill Panal, an HR consultant, a hiring manager will only introduce you to members of his or her team if they believe you are of high calibre and want other decision-makers to weigh in.
5. Did the interviewer and you talk about the future?
If an interviewer starts talking about the future with you, it means you did exceptionally well in your interview. Discussions about next steps, potential start dates, outlining specific responsibilities, and so on are examples of this. If you had a similar experience, it could be an indication that something good is on the way. It also reveals a great deal about the recruiter. It demonstrates that the recruiter is well-organized, clear, and values transparency with their applicants (and their employees alike).
If a hiring manager asks you about onboarding techniques, it’s a good sign that the interview went well. Recommendations, reference checks, background checks, documents, and reviewing company policies are all examples of onboarding processes. Pay attention to the selective language of choice that the supervisor uses with you; it could reveal a lot about whether or not you are going to be hired (or not). If an interviewer believes you are a valuable member of their team, he or she will begin to address you as a team member.
Whether or not they make you a job offer right away, cues like “once you start” or “when” rather than “if you do” make all the difference. This emphasises that the prospective employer envisions a professional relationship with you in the future.
Finally, if an employer talks about a potential future with you, it is safe to assume that they are preparing you to be a member of their team.
6. Did it seem more like a conversation than an interview?
If the conversation flowed naturally and smoothly, you are almost certain to have received a job offer. A hiring manager is drawn to candidates who engage and maintain their composure in stressful situations such as interviews. It also shows that you’ll be right at home in the company culture. It’s critical to feel like you’ve established rapport by the end of the interview. If your conversation turns into this, you will be truly memorable.
7. Did you tell the interviewer about your current job search?
A hiring manager will only inquire about your previous job offers, opportunities, positions, and experiences in order to determine how urgent and competitive the offer must be before you are swept off the market.
8. Were you able to stay on topic?
The sole purpose of interviews is to determine your ability to answer difficult questions on the spot in order to determine comprehension, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills. If you can stay relevant to the topics being discussed while providing thorough and expansive answers, it demonstrates that you are the type of person who does their homework. This is always a positive sign.
9. Did you have the hoped-for salary conversation?
Unless a qualified candidate is being considered, most interviewers will not discuss salary expectations. If the hiring manager inquires about your salary expectations, it is an indication that the interview went well. Some interviewers use these questions to screen out candidates who do not fit within their budget. This indicates that the conversation was fruitful and persuaded the hiring manager that he or she required your services.
10. Did you get a tour of the facility?
If an interviewer takes the time to give you a tour, introduce you to several members of the team, and show you the space you could potentially work in, it shows a clear intention of a future job proposal.
11. Did you take a business card or a general information card with you?
If a supervisor hands you their business or personal card, it’s a good indication that the interview went well. This resource will only be made available to qualified individuals with whom they wish to maintain contact. It is critical to use this information responsibly. It’s a good idea to follow up with a phone call (or email) to express your appreciation for taking the time to meet with you. This simple follow-up gesture may be enough to land you the job.
12. Did your references get in touch with you?
A successful interview necessitates and necessitates that your references be contacted. During the waiting period, it is a good idea to remind your references of a potential phone call (or email). Maintain contact with the reference(s) to learn whether or not they were contacted.
13. Did your follow-up email receive a positive response?
Supervisors conduct a large number of interviews with a large number of people on a regular basis. The majority of these applicants will extend the common courtesy of sending a thank-you email following the interview process.
Because of the volume of thank-you emails received, interviewers do not always have the space or time to respond to candidates who did not pique their interest.
14. Were you invited to a second interview?
This is a clear indication that you are progressing in your interview process. However, it is not an unequivocal yes.
It does, however, provide you with a prominent window in which to plan for another intervention. It simply means that you have earned a spot in round two. This is an excellent chance to quickly prepare for the second interview.
What Should You Do Now That You’ve Passed Your Interview?
You’ve tallied some (or possibly all) of the above indicators, and you’re now confident that you can expect to move forward in the process. Here are a few things you can do to take advantage of the opportunities on that momentum:
- Take a moment to rejoice—you’ve earned it!
- If you haven’t already, send a thank you note or email. According to one survey, 80 percent of hiring managers find these messages to be at least somewhat helpful when screening candidates.
- Make a list of the important information you learned, as well as some of the main points you mentioned and stories you told during the interview. It’s useful to have these details on hand as you progress through the process.
- Avoid thinking you’re a sure thing until you’ve received confirmation that you’re moving forward. Confidence is wonderful, but don’t get too far ahead of yourself and set yourself up for disappointment.
What Should You Do If You Failed Your Interview?
It’s natural to be disappointed, especially if you had your heart set on something. While there is a small chance that your interview went much better than you expected, it is important to try to make the best of your situation. It is critical to allow yourself to feel the way you do.
So, if that means allowing yourself to be disappointed for a moment, so be it. However, don’t linger too long. Instead, brush yourself down. Rather than reenacting it over and over, here are some proactive steps you can take:
1st Proactive step: Send a thank-you email
Regardless of how well your interview went, you should send a follow-up email to thank the hiring manager for their consideration and time. Regardless of the outcome of the interview, this will leave a lasting impression.
2nd Proactive step: Consider soliciting feedback
If you have a gut feeling that the interview did not translate well, it is best to seek feedback to figure out what went wrong and allow for constructive criticism.
This will help you in the future by reconstructing each “unsuccessful” interview in order to sharpen the saw, so to speak. Seeing each failure as a learning experience and a redirection will put you on the path to success.
3rd Proactive step: Remind yourself that it is not personal
Remember, it’s not about you. If an interview didn’t go as well as it could have, don’t let the negative energy consume you. Instead, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
It is admirable to conduct a self-evaluation of your interview experiences and consider how you could be better prepared the next time. Make a list of constructive suggestions for how you could improve in the future.
Interview tips for success
1. Complete your homework!
This means you should practice, review common interview questions, and plan ahead of time. Always provide examples of disadvantages that are rooted in your skillset, experiences, and, ultimately, your competitive advantage.
2. Conduct research on the industry and the company.
To demonstrate to the interviewer that you are prepared and intentional about pursuing a career with them in particular, research the industry as well as the company.
3. Comply with their dress code
Before your interview, figure out the company’s dress code and dress accordingly.
4. Be punctual and on time.
It is best to arrive five to ten minutes before your scheduled interview time. This is an excellent time to practice grounding techniques, power stances, or simply mentally prepare to present your best self before the interview.
5. Take it easy
Don’t get too caught up in your thoughts. Instead, keep eye contact with the interviewer throughout the interview. Actively listen, engage, and ride the conversational wave. You can do it.
Some golden hints for dealing with the fallout from your interview
During this long period of waiting, it’s important to maintain a positive attitude, but don’t get too carried away. There are no absolute guarantees.
Even if all of the positive signs occurred during your interview, they may still go in a different direction when screening candidates and making final decisions. Nothing is final until you sign your contract.
The only thing you can do now is continue down the path of job hunting until you sign a contract.
After a few days, send a follow-up email. Proactively decipher your interview performance reviews and possibly create a SWOT analysis to do better the next time.
Check with your references to see if they were contacted. Apply for other positions, attend interviews, and be even better prepared than the last time.
Understand the company, demonstrate how it accentuates your strengths, relax, build rapport, be proactive, and remain confident.
