7 signs you will get the job after an interview
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7 signs you will get the job after an interview
Interviewing for a new role is a stressful and emotional experience. Add in the pressure of wondering if you’re going to get a job offer after a series of grueling interviews and it can be hard to know what clues to look for vs. those to throw out. Consider the following 7 signs (plus 7 pro tips) you will get a job offer after an interview. If you find that you’re seeing at least 50% of these, chances are you nailed the interview and you’ll see a job offer soon.
Check out the list:
1. The interview runs over the original allotted time.
If your interview is running long—and the conversation is positive—this is a key sign that it’s going well and the interviewer needs (and wants) more time with you. When the interviewer has additional follow-up questions and asks if you can stay a little longer, take this as a sign the interview has gone well and you’re a top candidate for the job.
When the interviewer extends the time for the interview to go over your experience, the fit for the role, and in your ideas on how you’ll impact the business, you can count this as a good sign they want you to join the team. The more detailed the conversation gets, the better.
Pro tip: Most interviews are scheduled for 30 - 45 minutes. If your interview was scheduled for a typical amount of time, but then extends into 60 or even 90 minutes, things are going well and you can take it as a sign you will get an offer for the job.
2. The interviewer discusses the perks of the job and reasons to join the team.
Your confidence in a job offer should increase if the interviewer starts trying to sell you on the company and the perks that go with the job. While the interview is a chance for you to prove your experience and qualifications are the right fit for the role, once the interviewer flags you as a top candidate, the conversation can shift—leaning into the benefits of joining the team.
The interviewer might talk about the perks that all employees enjoy, the perks that your potential team enjoys, growth opportunities, company culture, and their favorite extras or reasons they like working at the company. While a typical benefits package might be discussed (or shared by the recruiter), any perks beyond that package are a key indicator that you’re going to get an offer.
Pro tip: When an interviewer switches the conversation from your qualifications to the top reasons to join the company, you can take that as a sign that they have what they need to tag you as the top candidate for the role. By spending critical interview time on how great the company is, you can be sure that you’ve convinced the interviewer that you’re perfect for the job.
3. The interviewer introduces you to other employees.
If the interviewer takes time in your interview to introduce you to other employees (specifically, members of the team that will interact with the role you’re interviewing for), take this as a great sign that the interview is going well. This can also indicate a good opportunity for the interviewer to see how you interact with your potential peers and to get their insights after the interview is complete.
For remote roles, interviewers might bring in other team members during the Zoom or virtual meeting and if they’re in the office, have other employees join them in the conference room where they’re taking the call for the interview. Beyond introductions to other employees, if the interviewer gives you a tour of the building, you can count this as a sign that they are interested in offering you the role.
Pro tip: Consider yourself one step closer to a job offer if the interviewer introduces you to key decision makers. An introduction to a director or c-suite executive is a clue that the interviewer wants to speed up the process and they need a senior leader to approve you as a top candidate.
4. The interview feels easy, conversational, and casual.
While most good interviews follow a standardized process or list of questions—especially at a well-established business—you can count yourself one set closer to an offer if the interviewer steps outside of the typical question and answer format that focuses on your experience and qualifications. Once the conversation turns to a conversational and casual tone, you’ve won the interviewer over with your background and experience.
Conversation that centers around your interests, questions that try to get to know you better personally, and open up space for more of your personality to show are all good signs that the interview is going well and the interviewer is just looking to see if you’re a good fit for the team and the company culture.
Pro tip: Look for clues in the terms and phrases the interviewer uses. They might transition into a more casual or conversational interview by referencing how you will do the job vs. how you would do the job if you were selected.
5. The interviewer discusses next steps and how/when they will follow up with you.
When the interviewer moves the conversation to next steps in the interview process, this is a good signal that you’re in the final stages before a job offer. If the interviewer is interested in you joining the team, they’ll give you some insight into the next round of interviews—potentially asking for available times to set up those meetings quickly.
Another sign that you’re in the running for a job offer is if the interviewer asks how much time you need to close out your work with your current company. Once questions about when you can start surface, you can expect a job offer.
Pro tip: After you send a thank you email or message for the interview, you can count it as a positive sign for a job offer if you get a quick reply. The speed of the interviewer’s response to your message can indicate that they want to keep you interested and they’re working on building an offer to present to you.
6. The interviewer asks about your salary expectations.
Questions from an interviewer about your salary expectations are a key sign that you’re in the top running for a job offer. The interviewer has likely already assessed that you’re a good fit for the role based on your background and experience and that you’re a good culture fit for the team. Questions about salary and start date indicate they’re ready to seal the deal and make sure the number you’re looking for aligns with the budget they have for the role.
While you may have discussed your salary expectations with the recruiter, a question about salary from the interviewer (especially if they are the hiring manager) is an even greater indicator that they want you to take the job.
Pro tip: Another clue that the interviewer wants to hire you for the role is a direct question about your interest in the position. They might ask you if what you’ve heard today is something you’re still interested in and if you’re interviewing or speaking with any other companies about other open roles.
7. The employer contacts your references.
Requesting references as part of the application process isn’t new or groundbreaking, but when your potential employer actually reaches out to those references, you can be sure you’re a step closer to a job offer. This is a clear sign that you’ve done your job in the interview(s), you’ve won over the key decision makers, and now it’s time for the hiring manager to confirm that you’re the right person for the role.
Always provide at least two references and give those people a heads up that they might be contacted. For the best outcome, offer references that you reported to or worked cross-functionally with in previous roles.
Pro tip: Beyond reaching out to your references, another clue to look for is whether or not the hiring manager, recruiter, or other interviewers reach out or look for you on LinkedIn. Keep an eye on your profile views, messages, and connection requests to see how they’re vetting you for a potential job offer.
Need more resources? Check out these links:
How to Use the STAR Method to Ace Your Interviews
10 Questions You Should Ask the Hiring Manager in a Job Interview
18 Expert Tips on Salary Negotiation
How to Negotiate your Salary: The Definitive Guide
10 Tips to Write a Salary Negotiation Email
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