5 Signs That You Aced a Job Interview

How can you ever really know that a job interview went well?

Often it can be easy to know if an interview went wrong, as awkward conversation and mismatched expectations are relatively obvious. However, when nothing goes wrong, figuring out if you aced an interview can be somewhat difficult. The staffing experts at PSI understand that this can be tricky, so we have assembled a few tips to help you feel more confident after your next interview!

Here are 5 surefire signs that will let you know if you aced a job interview.

1. The Interview Ran Long

One of the easiest ways to tell if you had a successful job interview is to check the clock. If you had a longer interview than normal, that is a great indication that your interview was successful.

“A typical job interview lasts around 45 minutes. This is the golden number for many job applicants. If your interview is less than this, it could be a bad indicator. If it lasted longer, you most likely made a great impression.

-Resume Target (What You Can Tell From Interview Length)

Most job seekers and recruiters agree that 45 minutes is the sweet spot for most first interviews. Thirty minutes is also okay, but this will depend on the type of job in question. If your interview goes longer than 45 minutes, you most likely made a great impression with the hiring manager. If your interview was less than 15 minutes, the employer most likely spotted an issue and decided to end the process earlier than intended.

As a rule of thumb, the more time an interviewer gives you, the better your chances of making a good impression. From there, you will have better chances of getting the job.

2. The Interviewer Spoke Highly of You

Another easy thing to look out for is if the interviewer spoke highly of you throughout the conversation. Confirmation of your skills is something that can be easy to recognize if you are looking back at an interview. Here is a list of things that an interviewer may say that could indicate positivity.

Positive Interviewer Phrases

• “Those skills are exactly what we are looking for in a candidate.”

• “Thank you for asking that question, it is clear you have researched our core values.”

• “That project is extremely interesting, we have actually done something similar in the past.”

In general, the more positive that a conversation goes with your interviewer, the better your chances are of getting called back for a second interview. If an interviewer is hyper critical of your skills, and questions your work experiences, expect that you may not be called back.

3. The Interviewer Sold You the Job

One of the best indicators that you aced a job interview is if the traditional interview script is flipped. If a hiring manager is really impressed with a candidate, they will often try to convince the candidate that their company is worthwhile. The traditional view of the candidate trying to sell to the interviewer is often flipped in this section of an interview. If you felt as though an interviewer was trying to convince you to work at the company, this is a great indicator that you did well. This can be a bit difficult to explain, so here are some talking points to look out for.

Interviewer Job Selling Points

• “Our company has great benefits such as…”

• “We offer wellness facilities and personal trainers at a local gym to all employees.”

• “You can take classes at a local university for free if you work here.”

• “Our company culture would match great with what you are looking for…”

The more that an interviewer is trying to persuade you to work at a company, the better your chances are of being hired. Look for these selling points in your interview to get a better gauge on the conversation.

4. You Answered Hard Questions

At first glance, hard questions can seem like they are an indicator of an unsuccessful interview. However, they can actually be the exact opposite if you answer them correctly. If an interviewer is asking difficult questions, this means that they are very interested in you as a candidate. Here are some tricky questions that can indicate an interviewer is engaged in speaking with you.

Difficult Interview Questions

1. “You have less experience than other candidates. What would make you a better fit than someone with more experience?”

   • If an interviewer is tackling a discussion about your work experience, it is a good indicator that they want to learn more about you. Sometimes, this can seem like a negative topic, but if you answer correctly it can greatly increase your chances of impressing the hiring manager. Be honest and explain exactly why your experience is of higher quality than other candidates.

2. “What specifically about our company inspires you?”

   • If you are asked specific questions about the company, this is a great sign. Make sure to research the company beforehand so you can accurately answer any questions. Did you know that 47% of applicants are denied due to the fact that they don’t research a company enough?

3. “Are you considering any other positions right now?”

   • If you are asked more about your job search, this is a good sign that the employer may be worried about losing you to another company. Answer this difficult question honestly, and let them know if you are looking at any other positions.

These hard questions are just a few that could be an indicator that a hiring manager is interested in you. The important thing to remember is that hard questions are not always a bad thing, they can be a good indicator that an employer is genuinely interested in you.

5. You Discussed Detailed Specifics

The last sign that you aced a job interview is when the conversation turns to specific details. If you really impress a hiring manager, they might discuss something like salary requirements or day to day expectations of the position. When discussing salary, they may want to gauge exactly what you are looking for to make sure that they are within your expectation range. Always research salary ranges on a site like Glassdoor, so that you are fully prepared to discuss the topic.

A hiring manager may also discuss the detailed next steps after your first interview. If they exchange contact information with you and set up an appointment for your next interview, these are also great signs that they are really interested.

If you are introduced to other team members and get a tour of the office, you can be sure that it would be extremely surprising if you were not offered the position.

We hope that these 5 signs can help you understand exactly what makes an interview successful. During your next interview, refer back to these 5 signs and see if you can remember any highlights.

It’s also important to say that even if all of these 5 signs occur, sometimes you still may not hear back from an employer. If it has been over 2 weeks with no communication, there is a chance that another candidate has been chosen. Remember that this will happen and that it is okay! Carry on with other interviews!

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