After a job interview, it usually takes 2 days to a week to hear back from the hiring manager. Still, instead of just sitting at home worrying the whole time, you can actively look for signs you will get the job after the interview and prepare for what comes next. Let me show you how!
In this article:
How To Know If You Did Well At An Interview: 10 Signs Of Good Interview
Suppose your interview stretches on longer than expected, and the interviewer eagerly responds to your questions, especially about the company’s culture and what your role would entail. In that case, it’s a promising sign you will get the job after that interview!
It’s even more encouraging if the hiring manager mentions your potential teammates or makes an effort to spark your interest in the company. Keep an eye out for positive body language and facial expressions, too; they often bring good news.
1. The Interview Was Longer Than Scheduled
If the interviewer is impressed with your answers, they might have follow-up discussions that explore your skills and experience further. These extra questions suggest genuine interest in you as a potential candidate.
Another reason the interview exceeded the scheduled time is your excellent communication skills. How you successfully described yourself and led the conversation might have inspired the hiring manager to stay engaged for longer, which shows you are a great fit for the role and its responsibilities.
2. The Interview Described In Detail What You Would Do In The Role
A generic job description rundown doesn’t necessarily suggest the company sees you as a strong candidate.
But when they personalize that explanation and highlight specific aspects that align with your skills (mentioned in your resume or interview answers), that’s a good sign! It shows they have been paying attention and considering you for the role, not just simply reading from a script.
To tell if an interview went well, observe the interviewer’s facial expression and tone, too. Is the job explanation delivered with great enthusiasm? In that case, the interviewer is likely eager to have you join the team — a mutual interest that can serve as a great motivator for both parties.
3. The Interviewer Answered All Your Questions In Full
Of course, a good hiring manager always dutifully answers your questions.
Nevertheless, you will see a major difference between regular interviewers and those who are strongly impressed by your performance. They will anticipate your questions and address them proactively during the role explanation, ensuring you have a complete picture of your expected responsibilities.
Likewise, comprehensive responses to your inquiries about company culture, work-life balance, and growth opportunities are more than just answers. They reflect the interviewer’s deep understanding of your priorities and their genuine interest in you as a future employee, not just someone who seems to be able to fill in!
4. The Interviewer Introduced You To Future Colleagues
Most company cultures value teamwork spirit. Hence, when an interviewer readily introduces you to potential colleagues, chances are they can already envision you working alongside these people! You must have left a positive impression.
Or, at the very least, it indicates the interview process is progressing further, and you are likely to be considered for a second round of interviews or the next step in the hiring process.
Note:
These introductions can still be valuable even if the interview doesn’t lead to an offer. Back in my job-seeking days, that was how I made connections within the company and expanded my professional network for future opportunities.
5. The Interviewer Shows Positive Body Language
Nonverbal cues speak volumes, so positive body language from the interviewer can be a strong indicator of their interest in you as a candidate! To know if an interview went well, look for these common signals:
- Do they lean in, maintain eye contact, and nod along during your responses? That means the interviewer actively listens to and engages in your words. An interesting candidate always sparks people’s curiosity about what they have to offer, after all.
- Similarly, an open posture (with uncrossed arms and relaxed hands) indicates the interviewer is very receptive to your ideas and experiences. You’ll feel more welcome during the exchange, and the flow of conversation will also become much more natural.
- Sometimes, interviewers subconsciously mimic your body language to build rapport, so watch out for those cues. If they start mirroring your posture or gestures slightly (e.g., sitting up straighter, opening their palms, etc.), it could be a sign they feel a strong connection with you.
6. The Interviewer Answered Your Follow-Up Mail Instantly
Quick responses suggest their desire to stay connected with you, and you’re at the forefront of their mind after the interview. Most of the time, you will find clear instructions about the next steps in their message, such as a second interview, requesting references, asking for necessary documents, etc.
7. The Interviewer Actively Persuaded You How Their Company Is The Best Fit For Your Skills
As briefly explained earlier, when the interviewer shows genuine eagerness to tell you about the company culture, their work, and what impacts you can bring to the team, chances are they really believe you’d be a good fit and want you to feel the same.
Have you expressed your hesitation about a specific aspect of the role during the interview?
Suppose the hiring manager actively addresses that concern or brings up numerous positive aspects that can outweigh it. In that case, they have been listening to you and are truly invested in making you feel comfortable with the opportunity.
8. The Interviewer Asked About Your Availability
With this question, it seems the interviewer is seriously considering you for the role and is already starting to make plans if you were to be offered the position! From my observation, they wouldn’t ask someone whose candidacy is uncertain about their availability.
Beyond a simple calendar check, the hiring manager also wants to demonstrate a commitment to clear communication and setting expectations. Hence, you will find them briefly explaining the typical onboarding timeline or potential offer timeframe – another hint of your excellent interview performance.
9. The Interviewer Gave You A Start Date
The interviewer mentioning a potential start date is usually a very positive sign. Still, it’s important to understand the context to know if the interview went well.
- Conditional Offer: “If you were offered this position, how soon would you be able to start?”. This could be a strong indication they’re leaning towards offering you the job, but the outcome still depends on the complete interview process, reference checks, or other formalities.
- Planning and Scheduling: Even if not a guaranteed offer, an active discussion about a start date shows they’re actively planning for the role and envisioning you filling it. Your excellent candidacy has piqued their interest!
- Gauge Your Interest: Does the interviewer try their best to gauge your interest, especially after knowing that you have other interviews in progress? If so, congratulations; you have nailed it.
If you still feel unsure about the purpose of this question, I suggest a clarification question. Something like, “That sounds great! Is there a typical onboarding process that would follow the start date?” shows your genuine interest and allows the interviewer to elaborate on the next steps.
10. The Interviewer Looked Impressed With Your Resume
Although nonverbal cues (particularly facial expressions) should be interpreted cautiously, they can still hint at a positive outcome. For instance, the interviewer’s struck expression with a hint of intrigue could signify that they’re pleasantly surprised by your excellent qualifications. You are likely not just meeting but even exceeding their strict requirements!
Such a great reaction to your resume also sets a good tone for the rest of the interview and builds your confidence, further increasing your chances of success.
What Should You Do Next?
There’s a saying, “Strike while the iron’s hot,” which applies perfectly to this situation. Within 24 hours after the interview, you should craft a well-written email expressing gratitude for the interviewer’s time and reiterating your enthusiasm for the position.
Generic templates are out of the question; I recommend you personalize the message by mentioning something specific you discussed or learned about the company. Briefly highlight your skills and experience again, then proofread carefully before sending.
While waiting, stay optimistic yet proactive. Positive signals during the interview are amazing but do not always guarantee an offer, so you should continue your job search until the result arrives.
Also, since some companies might organize several rounds of interviews, your job application journey has not yet concluded after the first success. Keep detailed notes about the interview, the company, and the people you met so you can move forward seamlessly in the interview process or have a future follow-up conversation.
What If You Hear Nothing From Them After One Week?
Remember that patience is key; you should not contact the interviewer every two days! After all, the hiring process can take time, especially with multiple rounds or reference checks.
When more than one week has passed, and there’s still no response, a formal follow-up email is a great idea. Politely inquire about the next steps in the process, and remember to keep it brief and professional.
Bonus Tip
Do you want to stand out even more from the crowd?
If the interview truly leaves a favorable impression on both parties, consider sending a handwritten thank-you note in addition to the email. This personal touch demonstrates a significant effort on your part; plus, given your stellar performance and skill sets, there’s no reason why any company wouldn’t want to have you on board.
How Do You Know If An Interview Did Not Go Well?
- If the interview was significantly shorter than expected, with the interviewer seeming uninterested in your responses, it is unlikely to be a promising sign.
- Limited eye contact, crossed arms, or a generally closed-off body language from the interviewer usually indicates a lack of engagement in your answers.
- Does the interviewer ask very few questions about your skills and experience? Or do they mostly focus on generic questions already answered on your resume? That suggests they might not be impressed or have already (mentally) moved on to other candidates.
- The conversation heavily leans towards negative aspects of the role, like long hours or a high-pressure environment, without highlighting any company perks.
Frankly, you can hardly do anything once the interview is over.
But if you notice these bad signs while the interview is still ongoing, try re-engaging the hiring manager with some common ground or a conversation related to the role/industry. Do not forget to frame your skills positively by explaining how they address a specific (yes, be as specific as possible) challenge that the company is currently facing.
See more interview tips:
Conclusion
My article has listed 10 major signs to help you know if an interview went well, but remember, it’s usually a combination of several signals that indicate a positive outcome. If you only notice one single hint during the interview, for instance, then it doesn’t necessarily guarantee you the job!
