iMPact Business Group is a staffing agency specializing in Information Technology, Engineering, Finance/Accounting, fully remote and Business Administration/Process positions. To connect with one of our professional recruiters, view our job board for all available positions or submit your resume for consideration here.
It’s difficult to know exactly how a job interview went, and how you compare to other interviewees in the eyes of the interviewer. But there are a few signs to look out for to give you an idea if the interview went your way. Even if you had a great interview and feel like you knocked it out of the park, make sure to follow-up with the employer after the interview. You should follow up within 24 hours of the first interview, and if they’ve told you that they will follow up with you by a certain day and you don’t hear back, it’s appropriate to follow up again.
Listen to our iMPact Job Talk podcast to hear iMPact’s Partner Matt Peal discuss what to look for in an interview to give you a sign that things are going well.
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The interview went longer than planned
Hiring managers are busy, and interviews are often scheduled in between other meetings and commitments. If your interview went 30 minutes or longer, and the interviewer asked a lot of in-depth questions about you, then chances are good that they are interested in you for the position.
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The interviewer told you what you’d be doing in your new role
Did the interviewer talk about what you would be doing in your new role? For example: “in this position, you’d be expected to…” as opposed to referring to what the successful candidate would be doing. That’s a good sign they are already envisioning you in the position.
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The interviewer introduced you to your potential colleagues or other decision-makers
You know the interview is going well if the interviewer decides to bring in to the interview, or walks around and introduces you to other people in the organization that might be either potential co-workers or decision-makers. Be sure to use the opportunity to ask questions to get a better idea of what the corporate culture is like. If the interviewer on the other hand is avoiding giving you a tour of the office, that can be a red flag.
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You were invited to a second interview
This is the best sign that your interview went well. Keep in mind that they’re most likely also inviting other candidates in for a 2nd interview, so it doesn’t mean you have the job secured yet. Go in with confidence, but also prepare for the next interview just like you did with the first.
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You’re asked about other job prospects
If the interviewer is asking you if you’ve had other interviews and how interested you are in the opportunity, it means they have an interest in hiring you. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be asking those kinds of questions. They’re trying to get an idea for how in demand you are and how quickly they need to move you to the next stage in the hiring process.
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Asked for references on the first interview
If you’re asked for references during the first interview, it’s a sure sign they are interested and looking to move forward in the process. Be prepared with references if requested. Make sure you have asked your references for permission and give them a heads up about the potential call.
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The interviewer is selling you on the position and the company
If the interviewer is spending time selling you on the company culture, highlights of working there, special perks offered to employees, and the highlights of the position, that could be a good sign that they are interested in you. If they lead in with this during an initial phone call, or right off the bat during the interview before having a chance to get to know you, this could also be a red flag or just a standard part of their spiel. But if it seems the sales pitch is coming later in the interview, then look at it as a sign of interest.
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The interviewer gave your recruiter good feedback
Sometimes you’ll walk away from an interview not really knowing if it went well or not. One of the benefits of working with a recruiter is that they will provide feedback after the interview, which will then be shared with you. If your recruiter contacts you back with positive feedback then that’s a great sign that the interview went well.
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Company culture
If the interviewer starts talking about the corporate culture, why he or she likes working there, and your fit into the company’s culture, it means they see you as a good fit. You’ll also want to ask about the company culture to make sure it’s going to be a place you’ll enjoy coming to work every day.
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The interviewer invites you to follow up with questions
It’s standard for interviewers to hand out a business card. If not, make sure you have everyone’s contact information before leaving the interview. However, if the interviewer encourages you to contact them with any follow-up questions, or to let them know if you receive another offer, that’s a solid sign the interview went well and they’re interested in talking to you again.
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Salary was brought up
If you’re asked about your current or expected salary, that indicates they’re evaluating if they can afford you. This type of question will likely not come up unless they have an interest in hiring you. A red flag can however be if you’re currently, or recently worked for a competitor and they’re fishing for information about their competitors.
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The interviewer makes the next steps clear
At the end of the interview, if you’re given specific information about the next steps and when they expect to make decisions, this is a sign you’re in consideration for the next stage in the hiring process. If the next steps aren’t mentioned, it’s appropriate to ask when they expect to make a decision by and when you can expect to hear back from them next.
Finding a Job with iMPact
Before we start working with a client, we will research them, have in-depth conversations with their hiring team and visit their facilities to get to know them and what makes a candidate successful in their company culture. To connect with a recruiter and find out about our currently available opportunities in Information Technology, Accounting/Finance, Engineering, and Business Administration/Process, please visit our job board. Or, submit your resume here for consideration to connect with one of our experienced recruiters in either our Grand Rapids, Michigan or Tampa, Florida location.
