16 Signs Your Job Interview Went Well - Skills To Get Ahead In Your Career

An interview is one of the most important parts of the hiring process. While it’s not always easy to determine how well a job interview went, there are a few signs that can show the hiring manager’s interest. In this article, we’ll discuss several clues that might mean your job interview was a success, and ways to tell if it didn’t.

Here are several signs that may indicate your job interview went well:

The interview goes longer than expected

The interviewer introduces you to other team members

You get a detailed tour of the workspace

The interviewer provides you with several details about the company

The interviewer talks about your future

The interview feels natural and easy, like a conversation

You’re asked if you’re still considering other job opportunities

They discuss specific job responsibilities and tasks

The interview speaks as if you’re already hired

You feel like you’re being sold on the role

You’re asked about hiring logistics

The interviewer offers clear next steps

The recruiter explains when you can expect to hear back

The interviewer shares their contact information or business card

They tell you it’s going well

The interviewer replies to your thank you email after the interview

While there are many factors that can affect the length of an interview, the more time that a hiring manager spends with you, the more likely they are interested in hiring you. If your interview feels like it’s going over time because the interviewer seems to enjoy speaking with you about the job, it may be a sign that the interview is going well.

Of course, where you are in the hiring process can also affect the length of the interview. Some companies may schedule an initial phone screening before scheduling a second meeting with the hiring manager or decision-maker. First interviews are usually the shortest, and later interviews are typically longer.

.css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}

It’s usually a good indication that your interview went well if the interviewer introduces you to other members of the team. They may want to see how you interact with certain team members and whether you’re a strong addition to the company’s culture.

Some hiring processes require the candidates to interview with multiple team members. Introductions to executive employees or people who you’d work directly with could indicate that you’re being seriously considered for the job.

Like being introduced to other team members, getting a tour of the workspace can be a sign that your job interview is going well. The interviewer is taking the time to show you around and get a feel for how you fit into the role and space. If you seem comfortable and at ease in your potential work environment, it’s a positive indication that your job interview is going smoothly.

Job interviews are meant to determine whether the company is a good fit for the candidate, as well as whether a candidate is a good fit for the company. When an interviewer shares extensive details about the company, they’re taking the time to make sure you’ll be successful in the long-run. Spending that extra time could be a sign that they’re seriously interested in adding you to their team.

If an interviewer asks you about your future career goals or plans or speaks about your future at the company, it’s a good sign they’re interested in investing in you as a future employee. They might ask you questions like, “Where do you see yourself in three years? Five years?” or “How does this position fit into your long-term plans?” If your goals line up with those of the company, it may show the employer you’re a good fit for the role.

An interview that flows naturally highlights your communication and interpersonal skills. Having an easy rapport with the interviewer is a sign that they like interacting with you—an excellent sign that the interview is a success. Gauging the nonverbal communication of the interviewer and how they react to your interview answers can also help you determine their engagement level. An interview that naturally flows from business talk to casual conversation can help convince the hiring manager that you’re a good culture add, too. People hire people they like to work with, so if they can easily carry on a conversation with you, they might also like to work with you.

By asking whether you’re still looking at other options, the employer is likely indicating that they see you as a desirable candidate. After learning about competing job offers, they might also offer explanations as to why their job or company may be a better fit for you. If they’re interested enough to ask who else you’re considering, it’s a good sign that your job interview was a success.

When interviewers take time to talk about a job’s responsibilities and tasks in detail, they’re showing that they want you to be a good fit for the role. When a hiring manager is vague or undescriptive about what skills, abilities and work the position requires, they’re demonstrating that they don’t think you’re a serious candidate. On the other hand, when an interviewer really goes into the details of what your work would look like, it’s a positive indication that they’re interested in hiring you.

An interviewer might show that they’re seriously interested in hiring you by speaking to you as if you’re already hired. When you hear them using words like when rather than if, they’re indicating that they can already see you as part of the team.

When the interviewer seems to be selling you on how good the job opportunity is, it’s a strong sign that the interview is going well. Interviewers know that if they’re seriously interested in hiring you, other companies will feel the same. It’s a sign of success when a job interview starts to feel like the interviewer is campaigning to bring you on the team.

Many hiring managers won’t request information about hiring logistics unless they’re considering you for the open position. Questions regarding how much notice you need to give your current employer or the date in which you can start can indicate a serious interest in you. It’s also possible that the hiring manager will ask how quickly you are looking to start or if you are currently in the process of interviewing with other organizations. This gives them information on how quickly they need to offer you the job.

Interviewers aren’t always clear on what next steps you can expect after leaving the interview. However, if the interviewer takes the time to clearly discuss the next steps, they could be interested in scheduling another interview with you. They might be open and direct with you and inform you they already have other interviews scheduled or tell you that you can expect a follow-up interview request.

When an interviewer tells you a specific time frame when you can expect to hear back from them, it’s a good sign that you’re being considered a strong candidate for the position. Having a schedule allows strong candidates to plan for the next steps in hiring, like onboarding into the new role and taking steps to leave the current one.

When an interviewer offers their direct contact information during an interview, like an email address or business card, it’s a positive indication that they want to keep talking to you.

Sometimes gauging how well an interview went is as simple as listening to the hiring manager. Sometimes, it won’t be as clear as stating that the interview went well. Instead, the hiring manager might state that they like what they hear or that your qualifications are exactly what they’re looking for. If you’re not sure how the interview went, you can always ask the hiring manager if they have any concerns about your resume or qualifications for the job.

After you send a .css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}, it’s common for the interviewer not to reply, especially if the interview didn’t go very well. When a busy interviewer sends a personalized reply back to you, it’s an excellent sign that you’re being seriously considered for the job.

Common signs that interviewers may show when an interview didn’t go well include:

They have negative body language

They cut the interview short

They don’t listen carefully to your answers

They lack enthusiasm about your qualifications

They don’t mention the next steps

If the interviewer is displaying negative body language like crossing their arms, looking at the door or leaning away from you, it’s a strong sign the interview isn’t going well. To focus their attention on what you’re saying and exude confidence, lean forward slightly and speak with enthusiasm.

If the interview comes to an abrupt end after only a short period of time, it’s a strong indicator you may not be getting the job, especially if they don’t explain or apologize. While you can’t ask for more time, you should always remain poised and thank the interviewer for their time.

If you notice that the interviewer is asking questions but not listening closely to your responses, try asking their opinion on the topic. If you’re able to get them talking, you may be able to re-engage them in the conversation.

Another clear indicator that the interview hasn’t gone well is that the interviewer isn’t enthusiastic about your skills or accomplishments. If this happens, ask them about how they would define success for that role or within the company.

If the interviewer doesn’t introduce you to other managers or express an interest in moving forward with you as a potential candidate, you can take the initiative yourself. If you think you still have a chance for the role, reiterate your interest in the position and ask what the next step would be.

If you feel your interview went well, there are some steps you can take afterward to increase the likelihood of getting the job. They include:

Write down important things you discussed

Write down one reason you’re excited about the position

Send a thank you note

Follow up

Immediately after your interview, write down two or three important things you discussed with the interviewer. This will help you create a more tailored letter when it’s time to write a thank you note, one that will remind the interviewer of who you are and why you’re great for the role.

Next, write down one reason you’re excited about the position you just interviewed for. For example, it could be that it’s a company you’ve always wanted to work for or because it’s the ideal fit for your background and skills. Identify one reason you’re most excited about the position so you can communicate that enthusiasm in your thank you note.

If one week later you’re still waiting to hear what the next steps are, be proactive by .css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}. Start your follow-up letter by inquiring about the next steps. You can take it a step further by highlighting a recent success, preferably a win that has occurred since your interview. End the letter by reiterating your enthusiasm for the role.

Here are some extra tips to help you have an effective interview:

It is best to wear professional attire to an interview that aligns most closely with the company’s standard dress. If you’re unsure, ask your recruiter about the dress code. Business casual is usually a safe option.

Arrive 10-15 minutes early for your interview. Be sure to take traffic patterns into consideration so you have plenty of travel time. Having space before your interview can help calm your nerves, focus and start your meetings with confidence..

During your interview, try to stay as relaxed as possible. Maintain eye contact throughout the interview and listen carefully to the entire question before answering. Use .css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;} to show you’re engaged by keeping both feet on the floor, chin up, back straight and arms in your chair or placed professionally on the table.