No matter how well you prepare for an interview, it’s hard not to second-guess yourself after the fact. Did the interviewer really mean it when she said, “We’ll be in touch,” or is that the job searching equivalent of “I’ll call you”? Did you come off as confident, as you hoped, or did your self-assurance morph into arrogance sometime after your third practice interview?
While it’s impossible to judge your own behavior objectively, or to read your interviewer’s mind, there are a few signs that things didn’t go as expected. Here are a few (anecdotal) signs that you didn’t land the gig.
1. The interview is too short.
You don’t need to be there for hours, but if you’re out the door in ten minutes, you probably won’t make it to the next round.
2. The interviewer looks bored.
“If the interviewer keeps looking at their watch throughout the interview it is a good indication they are bored or not too interested in what the candidate is saying,” says Stacy Pursell, executive search consultant at The Pursell Group, in an interview with US News.
3. He doesn’t smile or make eye contact.
It could be you be you, or it could be them. Either way, you’re probably not establishing a connection. (The good news is that it’s also a sign that you’re making a lucky escape. Who wants to work with someone who either has a dour personality or likes to play mind games with potential hires — or both?)
4. She keeps asking the same question more than once.
If it happens one time, your interviewer might just be looking for clarification. If it happens repeatedly, she might think you’re not qualified for the job.
5. People at the company are just plain weird.
There’s something to be said for working at a place where people seem genuine and have a sense of humor, but if you feel like the joke’s already on you, and it’s just the interview stage, this probably isn’t the place for you. And if that’s the case, it’s likely that both of you are feeling the gap.
Tell Us What You Think
We want to hear from you! What are some other signs you didn’t get the job? Leave a comment or join the discussion on Twitter, using the hashtag #MakeItHappen.
(Photo Credit: xianrendujia/Flickr)
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