Looking for a new job is never easy. There’s a lot that goes into the process of a job search. The most nerve-racking part of the entire process is the interview. Going in and trying to impress hiring managers as you compete with others for the one position can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know if you nailed the interview or not.
Then those next few days or weeks as you wait for a call back feel like forever. Trying to figure out if the hiring managers or interviewers liked you during the interview is hard to do. Many hiring managers have perfected their poker faces so that they don’t show too much emotion.
The only thing you can do is give the best interview possible and walk out of there with your head held high as you hope for the best. Although you can never be too certain about whether they liked you or not, there are some signs you will get a job offer.
Here are a few signs you are about to receive a job offer or not after an interview:
1) The Company Sells Themselves To You Before You Leave
During an interview, you’re going to be asked about your skills, experience and goals. The interviewer will want to know as much as they can about you to make an informed decision. But when they start telling you about the company, the perks of working there and what to expect in your day-to-day role, it’s a good sign that they are interested in you. They’re letting you in on their company culture to see if you’re actually interested in what would happen if they were to offer you the position.
So take it as a really good sign if this ends up happening!
2) You Get Asked Back Again During The Interview
Usually, if a company is interested in you, they’ll email or call you back after the interview. However, if you get asked back again right there on the spot, they want more people to interview you. This is a clear indication that they are interested in you and want more people to meet you. You’ll most likely get introduced to the big bosses, which means they need their approval on you before they hire you. It’s a really good sign and means you’re a serious contender for the position.
3) You Get Asked Personal Questions
An interview is usually strictly professional and questions are kept professional. Generally, during and interviewers know if they like you in the first five minutes of the interview. So if you get asked personal questions toward the end of the interview, they’re interested in getting to know you more. They want to know who you are as a person to see if you’ll be a good fit with their company culture.
4) They Use “You Will” Instead Of “You Would”
Pay close attention to the language your interviewer uses. If they say the phrase “you would,” it’s explaining your hypothetical involvement with the company. But if they use the phrase “you will,” it’s a presumption that you’ll be doing certain things when you have the role. Listen for this shift in phrases if you want to know if you have a good chance of landing the job.
5) You Get An Office Tour
Not everyone who interviews will get an office tour. Usually, you just go in and sit down and talk but if you get a tour, it means they like you. You’ll also get introduced to others on the team so make sure you make a great first impression if this happens to better your chances.
6) The Right Body Language
Besides the words that are being said, pay close attention to the interviewer’s body language for positive signs a job offer is coming. You can tell a lot about how a person uses their hands or their facial expressions. If you notice that they are nodding, feel relaxed and are smiling, then you know that they feel good about you and are considering you for the position.
7) Conducts References And Background Check
When an interviewer is interested in you, they’ll make sure to do a formal background check on you and check your references. This is the last steps that a company will do before giving you an offer. So if you find out that they did this, you’ll be getting a job offer very soon!
8) They Extend Your Interview Time
Usually, interviews are no more than 15 or 20 minutes. But if you find yourself there longer, you have a great chance of scoring the job. This means they want to get to know you better and staying longer is a good sign!
9) They Start Negotiations
It’s usually bad manners to bring up salary unless they do. So when they start talking about a potential salary and benefits, you are highly likely getting the job! Pay attention, if the company starts a discussion about start dates it's good news.
10) A Good Gut Feeling
Sometimes, it’s your own gut feeling that will let you know if you got the job or not. It’s that crazy feeling in your stomach that makes you think everything went really well! If any of these 10 signs come up in your next interview, there’s a really high chance that you’ll get a new job soon!
And if you’re looking for a new gig, Talentwolf can help! Discover trusted recruiters, get in touch quickly so that they can help you find the perfect job.
If you want to learn more about job hunting strategies, check out these books
- Case Interview Secrets: A Former McKinsey Interviewer Reveals How to Get Multiple Job Offers in Consulting
- Job Interview Guide: A Comprehensive Beginner's guide to answering common interview questions, preparation tips and question answering techniques
- Body Language for Business: How to Read and Use Non-Verbal Communication to Succeed in Business
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