Top 13 Signs you will get the job after an interview- from an ex Hiring Manager and Recruiter

Congratulations on your recent interview. It must have gone well enough if you’re looking for signs you will get the job after interview. When you go to an interview, it’s important to pay attention to everything big and small. Including from the time you enter the interview to the time you leave. By watching closely, you can begin to pick up obvious and subtle signs that you are the top candidate.

How do I know the top signs? I’ve been a hiring manager, recruiter, and have sat on countless interview panels. I’ve attended over 100 interviews and have consistently picked up on signs you will get the job after the interview. I have also coached hundreds of clients on how to identify signs you are the top candidate. Although you may walk away feeling like you picked up on all of the signs listed in this article, no job offer is guaranteed. Try not to get your hopes up and focus on finding additional opportunities.

I always encourage job seekers to avoid putting all their eggs in one basket. This means, the goal of your job search should be to have multiple offers. Why? Because even if you believe you saw all the signs of being a top candidate, there is still a chance that you may not get the role. Sometimes it’s due to reasons out of your control. Keep in mind, you should always try to line up multiple interviews and opportunities. This way you have more choices and control when it comes to selecting a job offer.

Signs you are the top candidate

• The hiring panel got personal.
  • If you noticed the hiring panel making small talk with you and sharing personal stories, they are trying to build a connection with you to see if you would fit in with them or the team.
    
    
• The hiring panel went off script.
  • Most hiring panels stick to questions that have been pre-written. If you notice that they ask follow-up questions, this shows that they are interested in learning more about you.
    
    
• The interviewer’s showed you around the office.
  • Hiring teams often treat interviews like a rotating door. If they take the time to show you around, it is because they want you to feel welcome and have an idea of what your surroundings will look like once you’re hired. Pro Tip: If they show you around, pay attention to the atmosphere and see if other employees engage with you. You can tell a lot about the company culture when walking around.
    
    
• The hiring manager gave you specifics of the project.
  • Hiring managers don’t usually get into details when it comes to current projects and initiatives. If they do, this is a good indication that they view you as a top candidate.
    
    
• The hiring manager tried to “sell” you on why you should work for the company.
  • This is the position you want to be in. If they are trying to convince you that you should want to work for them, this means they want you to! This is one of the most important signs you will get a job after an interview.
    
    
• The interviewer asked about your start date.
  • When hiring managers view you as a top candidate, they like to have an idea of when you’ll be able to start so that they can begin planning.
    
    
• You were asked for a list of references.
  • This is always a good sign! Employers who are serious about hiring you, want to speak with your references.
    
    
• They kept imagining you in the role.
  • Throughout the interview, if the hiring panel says “you” when referring to the role, this means they can envision you in the role.
    
    
• They asked additional questions about your skillset.
  • If they want to learn more about you and your experience (outside of the pre-planned questions) this is always a good sign.
    
    
• They gave you a lot of details on the next steps in the process.
  • If the interviewers were thorough with an explanation of next steps, this means they want you to keep them on your radar and have a good idea of when to expect to hear from them.
    
    
• The hiring panel smiled and winked at each other a lot.
  • Pay attention to body language. When a group of people like you, they often look to each other for validation to make sure they’re on the same page.
    
    
• The hiring panel smiled and joked with you.
  • Interviews are typically serious. If the cracked a smile and were able to joke with you, it shows their level of comfort with you. This is a good sign!
    
    
• Members on the hiring panel tried to find commonalities and similarities.
  • Relationship building is a big indicator and one of the biggest signs that you will get the job after the interview.
    

What should you do after the interview?

Let’s say you saw all the signs you will get the job after an interview. Congrats! Before busting out the champagne when you get home to celebrate your interview, I want you to take a moment to check-in with yourself. If you feel like they showed some or all of the signs of you being a top candidate in the interview, you shouldn’t be surprised. Remember you are the prize. You are incredible, talented, smart, and in-demand. Of course, they noticed! Now since that’s out of the way, take a step back and think about how the interview made you feel. As much as they are interviewing you, you should have been interviewing them as well.

Take time to think about your experience during the interview and ask yourself some of the following questions.

• Was the hiring panel kind and respectful to me during the interview?
• Was I able to walk around and get a sense of the company’s culture and atmosphere?
• Were they able to confidently and truthfully answer the questions I asked?
• Do they seem like people I would enjoy working for and with?
• Did I notice any red flags during my time in the interview?
• Do I really want this job?

Your thoughts and feelings matter. I know (from firsthand experience) how exhausting the job search can be and how easy it is to just take the first offer that comes your way. Your goal should be to accept the RIGHT offer. When you ignore red flags and say “yes” to every employer that wants you, you’ll most likely end up in the same situation that you’re currently in. Take time to self-reflect, ask questions, and answer honestly, for your sake and the employer’s.

How do you know if you are getting a job offer?

As mentioned earlier, you can pick up on the signs listed above to pick up on whether or not you’re a top candidate. On top of the signs I mentioned, you’ll notice that everything will start to move fast. If the hiring panel didn’t ask for references during the interview, you may hear from them with a follow-up email or phone call asking for professional references.

As soon as you receive this request, you can be sure that you’re a top candidate for the role. Also, someone from the hiring panel may reach out and ask for your salary requirements, which is another good indicator that you will get the job after the interview.

When it comes to your references, make sure to keep in touch and ask them if they will let you know if and when they receive a reference call. If you’re close with your references, they may even give you an indication of whether or not they believe you will get the job as well. I’ve done reference calls where the hiring manager told me that they were looking forward to hiring the candidate, but just needed to confirm references.

How long after a job interview should you hear back?

This depends on the company and the industry. Some companies move fast while others have to jump through multiple hoops to extend a job offer. Most small companies can wrap up the interview and selection process within 1 to 3 weeks depending on the type of role. I’ve had clients who have gone to interviews on a Monday and received an offer by the end of the week. I’ve also had clients go through multiple rounds of interviews and receive an offer 30 days later.

If you’re looking to land an executive role or work in the government sector, that hiring process can take longer. Either way, never put all your eggs in one basket. Continue applying to and interviewing for other roles so that you have options to choose from whenever you do receive the offer.

Pro tip: you can learn a lot about a company’s efficiency and the way they take care of their people through watching the interview process. Companies that have a positive culture and great reviews from current employees often excel in communication during the hiring process.

What are the signs you didn’t get the job after an interview?

Unfortunately, there may be times where you have to read between the lines when it comes to whether or not you’re going to receive a job offer. Below are a few signs you didn’t get the job.

• There has been zero communication since your interview.
• You saw that the position was re-posted.
• When you sent a follow-up email, no one responded.
• The job has been removed from the website.

It’s important to remember not to take the job search personal. Remember, there are often hundreds (if not thousands) of candidates applying to open roles. The fact that you made it to the interview stage is a huge accomplishment. Although the job search can be tough, try to remind yourself that you will receive the right job offer at the right time. Not getting a role is often for our own protection and redirection.

I hope you are now comfortable with identifying the top signs you will get a job after an interview. As you continue you job searching and interviewing, do not forget how incredible you truly are. If you need some reminders, check out my article that includes over 50 affirmations to boost your confidence throughout this process. If you find yourself in need of a resume writer and career coach, I’d love to work with you! You can start working with me by filling out this form (click here).

Wishing you all the best. Cheers to your success!