A reader asked “How do I know if my job interview went well?” Great question. But is there really a way to tell a good interview from a bad one? Although you often have some feeling about how you did, truth is you don’t really know how you did on the interview — or the impression you left — until you hear back from the employer.
Maybe (fingers crossed) you’ll get a good-news call soon for a second interview. Perhaps even an offer. But maybe just a prolonged silence as they figure out next steps.
While silence might not always be bad news, it is very very annoying. And leaves you asking yourself all kinds of questions. And rethinking everything you said and did during the interview.
Another annoying part of interviews
Even if the job interview went well, you still might not get the call-back or the actual job. Final decisions are all about fit — and of course depend on the other candidates. Sometimes there’s more than one good candidate. And so, even if they loved you, you still might not get the job.
I’ve interviewed plenty of people that I liked a lot. Sometimes I even bent over backwards during the interview to help them relax enough to show us their true potential. But, in the end, I also knew enough about the particular job and personality of the place to know when they — even some wonderful candidates — just weren’t the right fit for us.
Clues for job interview going well
Here are some things that might at least give you some sense of how well you did on your interview. Although admittedly harder, even on a video interview, you can tell a lot by reading the cues:
- Were 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 sync.)
- Were they smiling and nodding as you spoke – even if it was barely perceptible?
- Was the interview 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.)
- Were they including phrases 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. When it’s about real interest, there might be follow-up questions or comments. Plus prolonged eye contact.
- 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?
- How about the human connection? Did the interaction feel real and get more comfortable as the interview went on? And did you actually feel the 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.
“In the moment” interview tips
Now here’s the most important thing … if you are consciously noticing each and every one of their reactions during the interview (to the point of making mental notes), 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 in the connection they feel — or don’t feel.
Be aware enough to make adjustments along the way. But for the most part, just do your best to relax and be yourself. Focus on the interviewer’s questions and how open and honest YOU can be. Afterward, check your instincts for how you think it went. You’ll probably have a pretty good idea.
But since you can never know what they’re really looking for or exactly what type of person they have in mind (you’d be amazed at how different employers can be in what they think makes a good match), your best bet is to be real and remember to show them how you fit THEIR needs.
And then breathe a deep sigh of relief after you leave the interview room. Congratulate yourself on doing the best you could. And just get on with your life — continuing to look for a job until you actually get one. You’ve done all you can on this one. (Once you’ve sent the polite thank-you note(s), of course. And maybe an occasional follow-up.)
Interview went well & rejected
Yes, I know that doesn’t feel great — even for the interviewer if they like you. I’ve interviewed many people that I hated having to say no to. And that’s why if you feel it went well, stay in touch — starting with a good thank you note. (You never know where that might lead.)
But I want you to 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!
Rest assured … if it’s a good fit, they’ll call you. And if not, you might have lucked out. Hopefully the next one will be THE ONE. Or the next. Sometimes it takes a while for the right job to find us. And so our most important job during this time is staying determined, continuing to look beyond just job boards, and keeping spirits up as best you can.
But just know, even if it takes time and even if you need to make a few shifts in strategy along the way (while continuing to network), eventually you’ll get yourself there. Hard as it is to believe during the oh-so-frustrating job search process, it will happen for you. Remember, it only takes one “YES!”
[Post updated in 2020]
About the author…
Ronnie Ann, founder of Work To the Wise and Work Coach Cafe, bases her real-world advice on her many years as an organizational consultant where she helped interview and hire people, added to a certificate from NYU in Career Planning & Development, as well as her many adventures as a serial job seeker.
More posts to help
12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview
Stuck in the Waiting Game After 2nd Interview
I Messed Up My Job Interview – What Can I Do?
How Often Should I Call an Employer After My Interview?
So What Really Happens After a Job Interview?
10 Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job Offer
Please Help Me Ace My Phone Interview!
15 Things I Look for When I Interview People
18 Practical Tips to Help You Ace Your Job Interview
Job Interview Nerves? Tips for Before, During & After
10 Things I Look for When I Screen Resumes and Cover Letters
Why Do I Always Pick the Wrong Job?
⇒ EXTRA: Want To Career Coach Yourself? How To Get You Started
Hi Susan,
I have a question regarding the interview process. It seems l get the interviews very quickly at tech firms and do very well in phone interviews. I am called into onsite interviews as well. The problem occurs with face to face interviews in getting the roles.
I am usually the finalist candidate. The responses are usually the other candidate had more experience but there is usually only one other candidate or no candiddates. Also, the resume and phone interviews clearly show I had something to offer.
Given the background of the hiring manager, it could be lack of connection (not so much skills) that make the hiring manager not to want to hire.
These are all Director (exec.) level jobs.
I am also thinking this may be race issue. I am non-white.
The reason I say this is that I ace all rounds. Also, there is no specific reason that the HR dept. can state to why I didn’t get the role.
I am getting frustrated. I think the hirng managers can be bias.
Thank you.
Hi Quora,
Great that you are getting interviews so quickly! Not good that they aren’t turning into job offers, but that is very common, and you only need one “Yes!”
Many things could be causing the lack of job offers including competition, bad hiring processes, bad timing, bad luck, etc.
For Director level jobs, external recruiters are often called in to help, and they love filling those jobs because the commission is very high. So, they will invest time in coaching and placing good quality candidates. See if you can develop a good working relationship with a couple of executive recruiters. They will know about open jobs that are not posted. They will also have insight into the hiring processes of those employers and give you both coaching and feedback after interviews and rejections.
If I were you, in addition to working with recruiters, I would spend time networking, and consider joining a site like ExecuNet.com. They actually meet in person. Also, leverage the people you encounter in your current work and in previous jobs (both inside and outside of your employer’s organization). Get to know them better. Maybe ask for advice and contacts.
Research potential employers — places where you would like to work. Then, see if you know anyone who currently works there, or has worked there. And, reach out.
Don’t get angry because a chip-on-the-shoulder attitude will come across and will make people leery of you. Have confidence that this will work out, and you will find a great new job soon. It will happen!
Good luck with your job search!
Susan
Hi Susan,
Thank you for the wonderful advice!! I knew I was asking the right person.
I will take the exec. recruiter route and also remember to maintain the positive attitude. Thanks for the encouragement! I needed that..
This is so helpful!!!
Cheers!
Thank you, Quora! You’ll do very well, I’m sure! Let us know when you accept your new job.
Good luck with your job search!
Susan
Hi Susan
You are right. That field is competitive. Totally true.
They declined the job & claimed another candidate had the skills but that was within 8 hours overnight.. There is no other candidate. The intent was to obtain info.
I sent their HR a note indicating that this was dishonest & candidates are not free consulting advice. This was the first time that I experienced such dishonesty in a fake interview in such a senior role.
Thanks for the encouragement . This was so disappointing in humanity & how pitiful people can be in the professional world regardless of high education. So sad but good it did not work out..
Thank you
Hi Susan
I interviewed with a company with a VP & got an interview right away but in the interview the hiring manager was taking notes on how I was going to resolve issues. I felt like I was just brought in so help her understand how to strategize the role. As it was feelers on the role . She was like “did you take a look on how you were going to address this?” like I was already in the role.
I hope she is not a dishonest person who is just wants secrets. I asked for a follow up. The other thing is she kept stating I told them to schedule the other interviews since you have to work with them but they weren’t. Scheduled… And it could be because of short notice but that was left open ended on next steps…
I’ll find out but that would be messed up if this was just a fake interview to obtain feelers on how to structure role.
Does this sound like red flags? I will follow up but seems weird..
Thank you
Hi Quora,
Yes, it does feel a bit weird, but other things could be going on…
* You could have been one of the earliest people interviewed for a job that is new, so they are refining the job definition as they go through the interview process (sloppy, but not uncommon).
* OR, she could just have been a poor interviewer.
I would follow up, but I would be a bit cautious in any follow-on discussions. Sometimes employers do use the job interview process as a way to collect free advice from people who are expert in the “job” they pretend to be filling — that is rare, but not unheard of, unfortunately, especially if budgets are tight.
Keep looking, without waiting for this to turn into a job offer. if you are in a highly technical field, keep your shields up, particularly when interviewing with an organization that competes with your current or former employer. Don’t share anything that would compromise a non-disclosure or non-compete agreement you may have signed.
Good luck with your job search!
Susan