Signs of a successful interview

Everyone who goes for an interview wants to get hired. And here are the typical signs of a successful interview, or that the employer has chosen you .

 

It's easy to get confused when thinking about what went wrong in a job interview. Human communication is complicated enough. Add some interview anxiety to the mix and it's easy to misinterpret the situation. Was the hiring manager frowning because she didn't like your answer or because she wasn't feeling well? You haven't heard from the hiring manager in over 24 hours — is that a bad sign?

It can be difficult to predict the outcome of an interview with 100 percent accuracy. However, there are some common trends among successful job interviews . Read on to see if you can spot one or more signs that your interview went well .

 

The interview lasted a long time.

Recruiters and hiring managers don't like to waste time. If they feel you're not a good fit for the position, they may cut the interview short.

Remember that sometimes there is more than one possible explanation for a situation. If your interview ended earlier than expected, perhaps a pressing issue required the hiring manager's immediate attention. Work emergencies can still happen, whether it's a glitch in the payroll system, an urgent update to a board presentation, or a botched system transition. An interview that lasted longer than expected can be a sign that things went well, but if that doesn't happen to you, it doesn't mean you're automatically out of the running.

The recruiter seems to enjoy talking to you.

Pay attention to the hiring manager's body language and general demeanor. If they seem relaxed, engaged in the flow of the conversation, and focused on you, you have some good signs that the interview is going well.

Try not to dwell too much on the downside of the experience. If the hiring manager seems distracted, they may have already made up their mind and are just checking a box. Stay professional and do your best to stay focused on the conversation.

 

You get some difficult or unexpected questions.

If a hiring manager asks you some technically difficult or crazy interview questions, remember that they're not trying to trick you. The goal is often to gauge how you approach an unexpected situation. Your answer to a difficult question can give the interviewer insight into your creativity and ability to handle pressure—something your resume, no matter how polished, can't effectively do.

If you don't like odd questions, you're not alone. Handling an unexpected question calmly can be difficult. Remember that the interviewer probably doesn't care whether you answered the question correctly or not. The interviewer is looking for your insight into logic and problem solving.

Here are some strategies for answering reasonable or odd questions in a job interview:

Raising your hand is the worst thing you can do. Remember, you will be awarded points for effort and creativity.

Being silent for 45 seconds and then blurting out "75 million!" probably isn't your best strategy either.

Make sure you understand the question (this also gives you time to think). Then, state the problem at the beginning and talk about it throughout. It's okay to make assumptions, even if they're incorrect. Be clear about your assumptions and focus on demonstrating your thinking and communication skills — not on getting the answer absolutely right.

You have toured the office or met other professionals who work there

A routine office tour by an internal recruiter is less meaningful than an impromptu tour by a hiring manager walking you back to the reception area. If the interviewer or recruiter takes the time to show you around the office and introduce you to a few members of the team, chances are they already consider you a part of the team. Take this opportunity to make a good impression and get a feel for the company culture and your future coworkers.

The interviewer tried to sell you on the company and the position.

When the hiring manager goes into detail about the company's great benefits, salary, perks, and culture, they're trying to "sell" the position to you. This is a great reminder that while the hiring manager is interviewing you, you're also interviewing them.