Photo by Yoav Hornung on Unsplash
Are there signs that you will get the job after an interview? Yes, there sure are!
After interviews, many job seekers anxiously wait to hear about the next steps—all while hitting refresh in their email inbox, hoping to get the word. This waiting game is one of the worst parts of the job search or recruitment process. This is when you replay every interview question, consider every potential mistake you made, and second-guess almost every moment of your interview process.
It's not fun.
Without a crystal ball, are there good signs to look for that can predict whether or not you will receive a job offer? Are there small signifiers that might give a heads-up on your chances of being hired? There sure are!
While no interview process is the same, there are a few positive signs candidates can look to. In this article, we'll detail a few promising signs that a job offer is about to land in your inbox. While nothing is an exact science—especially ina job interview process where anything could happen—keep a lookout for these signs in an interview.
We have a good feeling about this!
Table of Contents
- The Interviewer Seems Excited
- Language Cues: The Hiring Manager Speaks About You Actively in The Role
- They Ask About Salary Expectations
- They Discuss Follow-Up Processes
- They Introduce You to Team Members
- They Contact Your References
- Follow-Up Communication
- They Ask When You Can Start
- They Discuss the Perks and Benefits of the Role
- They Give You "The Wink"
Here are the top signs that you can probably expect to get a "you got the job" call at any moment...So exciting!
1. The Interviewer Seems Excited
There's nothing quite like an interview where a candidate and the hiring manager have great chemistry. It seems like a good fit, there are many follow-up questions on both sides, and there seem to be tons of verbal cues that you're one of the top candidates for the role.
If your interviewer is the decision-maker, this promising sign is, well, really promising. If the interviewer is one of the many decision-makers, having great chemistry is still a really positive signifier that you might land the job!
2. Language Cues: The Hiring Manager Speaks About You Actively in The Role
Listen to the interviewer or recruiter's language when speaking to you during the interview.
Are they using words like "when" instead of "if" as they describe your role? Does it seem like they are actively imagining you in the role as they speak about the job description, work culture, and the timeline for hiring?
This use of language can be a really positive sign that you are going to get the role. Pay attention to how the interviewer explains the role and if it seems like they are already planning your first week in the office!
3. They Ask About Salary Expectations
While salary negotiation should be a part of every interview process, that's not always the case. If an interviewer or hiring manager speaks to you in-depth about salary, benefits, and compensation, this can be a great sign that the job offer might be just around the corner!
If they positively respond to your stated desired salary, you might be in an even better position.
Pro Tip: Make sure to do all of your salary research beforehand, and don't jump on a salary offer that doesn't meet your expectations. Job candidates can almost always negotiate some aspect of their salary or benefits. In fact, most hiring managers expect a candidate to negotiate.
4. They Discuss Follow-Up Processes
At the end of the interview, the hiring manager details what happens next. Listen to the language they use when they discuss conducting further rounds of interviews, reaching out to references, and when a job offer is expected.
- Does it seem like they're talking about calling your references, specifically?
- Do they share how many other candidates are going through the interview process for this role?
- Do they share that they are very close to making a hire, pending a few small details?
Pay attention to how follow-up processes are explained and how they speak about your personal involvement in them. This can be a huge indication that your job offer is all but guaranteed at this point!
5. They Introduce You to Team Members
If your interview is followed by an invitation to meet other members of your prospective team, this can be a great sign that you will get the job.
As an interviewee, consider this a part of the interview, too. Make a good impression when meeting these potential colleagues. Make eye contact, ask questions, and be friendly.
Pro Tip: It goes without saying that we should be kind to everyone. However, this is especially important in an interview. Make sure you are equally polite and friendly with everyone you encounter—from security guards to the CEO. Some companies check in with everyone to ensure that a candidate...isn't a rude monster.
6. They Contact Your References
If you're close to your references, they might let you know that a hiring manager has given them a call about you. They might be able to shed additional light on any questions they answered and other conversational points. Your reference might even have a good gut feeling about whether you should be expecting a call very soon!
If you don't have a direct line to your reference, it's still a good sign when an interviewer shares that they will reach out. Make sure that your references are ready to share how amazing you are.
7. There is Follow-Up Communication
If the interviewer hands you their personal business card or another source of contact information and invites you to reach out to them personally, this can be a great sign that there's a high chance that you'll be hired.
Pro Tip: It almost goes without saying that every job candidate should send a thank you email after an interview. If your interviewer gives you a personal contact and invites you to ask any other questions, do it!
Another really good sign that you might be hired is when they connect with you on LinkedIn. If you receive a LinkedIn request from the interviewer and/or any team members you met through the hiring process, this can be a great sign that you're about to land that job! (Eeee!)
8. They Ask When You Can Start
"So, when can you start?"
When an interviewer asks about your schedule and when you can start, this is a great sign that you might be hired. Before exclaiming, "I can start today!" think about a few things. If you're currently employed, and you want to resign without burning bridges, you should offer the requisite two weeks' notice.
Pro Tip: If you are leaving a current job, it's professional to give at least two weeks' notice. Even if your prospective employer wants you to start ASAP, they should understand that it's professionally responsible to at least offer two weeks' notice in your resignation.
9. They Discuss the Perks and Benefits of the Role
While we know the interview is a two-way street, sometimes interviewers still try to act like you are the only one in the hot seat. While a great interviewer should always look to facilitate two-way interest, we have our second-to-last great sign that you will get the job.
When an interviewer seems really keen to impress a job candidate, this can be a great sign that they want to bring them aboard. Interviewers might discuss the benefits of the role, the savory compensation package, and the advantages of working at the organization.
If it seems like the interviewer is really trying to woo you, the candidate, this is a really positive sign that you might be landing the job.
10. They Give You "The Wink"
Many times, "the wink" is not going to be a literal wink. This can be any clue or gut feeling you get from either the hiring manager, interviewer, or the interview itself.
Good luck!
