7 Signs You Aced Your Job Interview

By Lorena Roberts on July 6, 2018

Job interviews are always stressful. Regardless of whether you’re confident in yourself or you’re walking into an interview you know you aren’t prepared for, your nerves are probably going to be a little on edge. If you’re anything like me, you walk into an interview just hoping they like you. Whether or not they’re impressed with my qualifications is typically on the back-burner. I don’t worry as much about that. I get especially nervous when five or six people are interviewing me. I feel like I’m sitting in the “hot seat” and questions are coming at me from every direction. And then I find myself elaborating on my answer because I want to make sure I fully explain myself.

But the real panic hits me after the interview. Did I do okay? Did they like me? Are they going to call me? Was I good enough? Was I impressive? Did I have a good-looking resume? I wonder if my outfit was okay.

I have a feeling that I’m not the only one in this boat, so instead of all of us suffering through post-job interview anxiety, here are 7 signs that you absolutely aced it:

via pixabay.com

1. They discuss “next steps”

You can pretty much assume you nailed your job interview if someone starts discussing “next steps.” Typically this includes paperwork, maybe a drug test, or possibly setting up a follow-up interview. If you sat through an interview in the hot seat and the interviewers are being a bit vague about what you should expect to come next, this doesn’t mean you’ve failed the job interview, it simply means they have more candidates to explore.

You can pretty much bank on it being a good sign if any kind of additional steps are discussed.

2. Your interview lasted longer than scheduled

A one-hour interview over coffee turned into two and a half? That’s a good sign. It means they liked having a conversation with you and they enjoyed the things you had to say. You intrigued them with your experience and outlook on the job. You came across as interesting, qualified, and intellectually stimulating.

If your job interview lasts longer than scheduled, you can take that as a pretty good sign.

3. They ask for your references

If the interviewers ask for your references, you can bank on this being a good sign. Usually, the interview team doesn’t ask for references unless they’re ready to move forward with your application in the hiring process. Sometimes references are called beforehand, but most likely they’re called after your initial interview.

Sometimes it’s smart to set up a communication plan with your references. If they’re willing to shoot you a quick text when they’ve been called, this can settle your nerves after a tough job interview. You know you’ve done well when the team is calling your references.

via pixabay.com

4. If they introduce you to more people than just the interview team

Sometimes during job interviews, the team will introduce you to other people around the office. This is usually initiated by an invitation to tour the facility. Assuming that the workplace isn’t under strict security, you might have the chance to meet some of your potential coworkers. If you’re given a tour and introduced to other people besides just the interview team, it’s likely that you’re being seriously considered for the job.

5. They used the phrase “when we see you again”

Whether it’s a follow-up interview (see #6) or a scheduled meeting to fill out new-hire paperwork, if the interview team uses the phrase “when we see you again” or “looking forward to seeing you again,” then you know you’ve nailed the interview (well, the first round at least!).

Referring to a future meeting time means they’re interested in having more conversation with you. Whether or not they’re ready for you to sign on the dotted line yet doesn’t matter. If you’ve made it through the initial interview and they’re dropping hints about seeing you again, you can rest assured that you’ve made a pretty killer impression.

6. They schedule a follow-up interview

As you get closer to establishing your career (and not just interviewing for hourly jobs that will barely pay the rent), follow-up interviews will become more and more routine. One interview might not give your potential employer all the information they need about you before they make a final decision.

If you’ve been contacted about scheduling a follow-up interview, or if they actually schedule this follow-up during your initial interview, your nerves should instantly be calmed. They wouldn’t be willing to meet with you again if you weren’t in the pool of “seriously considering” candidates.

7. The introduction included praising your resume/skillset/application

If the beginning of your job interview begins with how excited they are to meet you, how much they enjoyed reviewing your materials, and how excited they are to get started, you’re off on the right foot. Rest assured that you’re already killing the job interview if they’re blown away by your experience.

Interviewing for a new job can be one of the most intimidating life experiences – especially as you begin to establish your career. Sitting in the hot seat for an hour (or more!) can be nerve-wracking and cause you to sweat through multiple layers of clothing. It’s intimidating to walk into a room full of people who want to judge your qualifications against a job description. Following a job interview, it can be nerve-wracking to wait for a callback. So instead of sitting on your hands to keep from checking your email every ten minutes, examine your job interview experience against these seven signs you completely aced the interview altogether.

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