It is common for job candidates to feel uncertain about how their job interview went. Interviews can make people nervous and unsure, and body language can be difficult to interpret when meeting someone for the first time. The best way to reduce the risk of an interview going poorly is preparation.
Before entering the interview, ensure you are confident in both your preparation and yourself. After the interview, ask yourself: Could I have done any better? If you answer "yes," your success in landing the job will depend on your credibility and how well the interviewers connect with you.
Trusting your gut feeling about how the interview went is not always reliable, as it is accurate about 50% of the time, in my experience. Aside from your initial reaction, here are seven indicators of a successful interview:
1. **You received a job offer:** The ultimate sign of a successful interview is receiving a job offer or opportunity afterward, although this is rare. Don't worry if you didn't receive an offer immediately; sometimes emotions can cloud judgment during interviews.
2. **Positive body language:** A subtle sign of a successful interview is positive body language from the interviewers, such as smiling, laughing, making jokes, and showing engagement and curiosity. However, body language shouldn't be solely relied upon, as people can be skilled at acting.
3. **Having a good rapport with the interviewer:** Establishing a good rapport with the interviewer is a positive sign. Light-hearted questions can help ease the mood, and good impressions with everyone you interact with during the process, from the security guard to the receptionist, can be beneficial.
4. **The interview ran over time:** An interview exceeding the expected duration typically indicates strong engagement and curiosity from the employer. While it’s generally controlled by the employer, overextending could mean they want to know more about you.
5. **You asked the interviewers good questions:** Strong candidates come prepared with insightful questions. Two crucial questions to ask are: "If I were lucky enough to be offered this position, what advice would you give me on starting?" and "How would I be measured in this job?" Prepare your own answers and examples to demonstrate your worth.
6. **Being asked for your notice period:** When interviewers inquire about your notice period or availability for another interview, it usually means they are considering hiring you. However, good interviewers often already have this information.
7. **Your interviewers made a good impression on you:** An interview is a two-way process, providing an opportunity to determine if the workplace suits you. If you feel a strong alignment, there is a higher chance that the feeling is mutual. Ask questions to determine the cultural fit of the workplace.
Remember not to get too emotionally invested in the interview outcome. An interview can be successful without leading to a job offer, as decisions may be based on subjective preferences among equally qualified candidates—everything happens for a reason.