Signs You Will Get the Job After an Interview

After an interview, hiring managers may take their time to decide whether you have been selected for the job. It’s easy to review your answers and stress whether you said the right thing or could have said something better, but doing so won’t give you any clarity. However, some clear signs can indicate whether you will get the job after the interview if you know what to look for. 

Explore signs during and after the interview process that indicate you had a successful job interview and may be receiving a job offer.

How to tell if an interview went well

You can generally get a feel for how things are going during an interview and look for signs that indicate the interviewer is leaning toward recommending you for the job. Get clues about your performance by analyzing body language, the interviewer's reactions, and how they respond to you. 

Consider these common signs you may get the job after an interview:

Read more: How to Get a Job: 10 Effective Tips to Land Your Next Role

1. Interviewer body language

You can learn a lot from someone’s body language. People’s nonverbal cues play a critical role in communication. On a basic level, we know that if someone is smiling at you, it is positive, and if the interviewer is frowning, they are likely unimpressed or disagree with what you’re saying. 

If your interviewer sits upright and faces you, leans in, smiles, nods, and makes eye contact, you can take these as positive signs. Similarly, an interviewer who seems distracted, fidgets, and points their body away from you may need to be more engaged and interested in the conversation. However, it’s important to remember that body language isn’t the only sign that indicates a successful job interview.

Read more: Zoom Interview Tips: A Guide For Your Online Interview

2. Length of interview

If your interview runs longer than scheduled, it’s usually a sign that the interviewer wanted to learn more about you and probed you for more information. Unless something out of the ordinary occurred, it can also indicate that you had plenty to say and could answer questions thoroughly, which can be a positive. 

3. Interviewer attentiveness

Interviewer attentiveness is another positive sign during the interview. You receive the interviewer’s full attention if they ask you extra questions, prompt you to elaborate on answers, and engage with you.

If the conversation flows naturally and you build rapport with the interviewer, it shows that you have some chemistry and that the interviewer likes you as a person. It can also be a sign that your skills and experience impress them. Likely, an interviewer will also consider whether you will fit with their team and if you have the necessary qualifications to do the job. 

4. Complimenting your skills and experience

As your interviewer shows interest in you and what you have to say, you may find that they compliment your skills and experience or tell you they are looking to hire someone with your skills. If this happens, you know your skills and expertise impress them, which is an interview's ultimate aim. 

5. Reviewing next steps

If the interviewer starts explaining what you can expect moving forward, it can be a good sign at the end of an interview. An interview that didn’t go well is unlikely to include a rundown of the next steps, such as a second interview, notice periods, references, and transition steps.

6. Introductions to other employees

Being introduced to other staff members or being offered a tour may be standard, but an employer will unlikely extend this offer to everyone due to time constraints. Meeting employees can be a way of determining whether you are a good fit for the organization. Generally, this step means your answers and job interview skills have impressed, and now they want to see if you fit into their company culture. 

Signs you may get the job after the interview              

If you’re still unsure whether the job is yours following your interview, you can watch for additional signs in the days after the interview period. If you’re still in touch, that’s generally a good sign that things are not over yet. 

1. Responding quickly to your thank-you email

Sending a post-interview thank-you email is good practice. It helps keep you in mind and shows professionalism, but you’re not guaranteed a reply. If an employer responds quickly to your email, you can take it as an indication that you are on their mind and they want to keep you engaged and interested. They likely don’t want to lose you. 

2. Asking about notice periods

Rest assured, being asked about notice periods and availability is unlikely to happen if you are not at least being considered for the job. A recruiter taking the time to call or email you to find out this information is extremely positive. 

3. Scheduling a second interview

At this point, you should no longer wonder if you made a good impression. A second interview usually means the company has identified you among the top contenders for the job. You likely have between a 25 and 50 percent chance of being offered the job [1]. 

4. Checking your references

Contacting your references is time-consuming, so recruiters only do this for candidates who have successfully completed a job interview and who they are seriously considering. Employers may ask you for your references during the interview, but they will only contact them if you are a top candidate with a real chance of being offered the job. 

How to prepare for a successful interview

Performing well in the interview by researching the company and practicing the potential questions interviewers will ask can boost your chances of landing the job. The more prepared you are, the better equipped you are to be confident and clear and demonstrate what you can do. 

Consider these vital job interview skills to prepare:

• Research the company and the role: Look at the company website to learn about its work culture and mission and the positions it offers. Check to see if the company has had any recent publicity or has won any awards that you can reference. Visit social media pages, blogs, product pages, and any other sources available to become familiar with the company's voice, values, mission, and priorities. 

• Examine the job description: Know the role and use the job description to anticipate any questions the interviewer might ask you and practice your answers. Prepare evidence from your past experience or education showing you can demonstrate everything the company seeks.

• Consider common interview questions: Research common interview questions in your field and prepare an answer for each.

• Prepare your own questions: Have some questions ready to ask the interviewer. You’ll usually find time at the end for this, so it’s good to come prepared with questions to showcase your professionalism and determine whether you feel the role and company are a good fit for you.

• Practice: Practice answering questions and giving examples to demonstrate your experience and highlight how your skills can benefit the company. Consider asking a friend or someone you can rely on to conduct a mock interview. 

Next steps after an interview

The wait after an interview can be anything from a few hours to a few weeks. If you haven’t heard anything within about two weeks, sending a thank-you note and a follow-up email is good practice. If the company gave you a date by which they would make an offer, send your follow-up on that date, reiterating your interest in the role and company. If you were not their first choice, this can help leave the door open in case the first-choice candidate declines. 

Getting started with Coursera

You’ll discover many signs that indicate whether you had a successful job interview and whether you are likely to receive an offer. Feeling confident as you go into the meeting can make a difference, so preparation is essential in ensuring you give your best performance during the interview. 

Continue preparing for your next interview with outstanding resources available online. Advanced Interviewing Techniques by the University of Maryland on Coursera can help you prepare for the questions you'll encounter in an interview and how to respond to them. You can also help develop more confidence with options like Finding Your Professional Voice: Confidence & Impact, offered by the University of London. Upon completing either program, gain a shareable Professional Certificate to include in your resume, CV, or LinkedIn profile.