15 Signs You Will Get the Job After Your Interview (And 5 Signs You Won’t)

We’ve all been there. The interview went well (at least you think it did), and now you’re obsessively checking your email, jumping every time your phone buzzes, and analyzing every word the interviewer said.

The post-interview waiting game is enough to drive anyone crazy. While there’s never a 100% guarantee until you receive an official offer, there are genuine signals that can indicate whether you’re likely to get the job or not.

In this guide, we’ll walk through 15 positive signs that suggest you’re on the right track, 5 warning signs that might indicate otherwise, and what to do while you wait. Understanding the psychology behind hiring decisions can also help you interpret these signs accurately, as we explain in our guide to the psychology of job interviews.

15 Positive Signs You Will Get the Job

1. The Interview Ran Longer Than Scheduled

When an interviewer extends your meeting well beyond the scheduled time, it’s often a promising indicator. Hiring managers typically have packed schedules and won’t invest extra time with candidates they’ve already mentally eliminated.

Why it’s a good sign: The interviewer found your conversation engaging and valuable enough to push back their other commitments. Pay attention to their energy level during the extended time. Did they seem enthusiastic and present, or were they checking their watch and seeming anxious to wrap up?

2. The Conversation Shifted from Interview to Casual Chat

One of the most promising signs is when formal interview questions give way to a more relaxed conversation. Watch for language shifts: If they move from hypothetical “how would you handle” questions to phrases like “when you start” or discussions about the team you’d be working with, that’s a strong indicator they’re mentally placing you in the role already.

3. You Met Multiple Team Members (Not Originally Planned)

If the interviewer introduces you to team members who weren’t on your original interview schedule, that’s a significant positive sign. Companies are protective of their employees’ time and typically only introduce serious candidates to the wider team. For more on making the most of these interactions, check out our article about the coffee chat strategy.

4. Detailed Discussion of Salary and Benefits

Most companies don’t waste time discussing compensation details with candidates they aren’t seriously considering. If your interviewer initiates an in-depth conversation about salary expectations, benefits packages, or perks, they’re likely evaluating whether they can meet your needs financially.

There’s a crucial difference between standard screening questions early in the process and detailed discussions about specific numbers, benefits packages, and negotiation room. The latter suggests you’ve made it to a short list.

Interview Guys Tip: When benefit discussions arise, respond with interested but measured enthusiasm. Say something like, “That sounds like a comprehensive package. I’m particularly interested in the professional development opportunities you mentioned.”

5. They Responded to Your Thank You Note Quickly and Warmly

A quick, warm, and detailed response to your thank-you note is a very positive sign. Look for personalized references to your conversation, expressions of enthusiasm about your fit, and specific next steps information.

For more on crafting effective thank you notes, check out our guide on the follow-up email hack sheet.

6. They Asked About Your Timeline and Availability

Questions like “How much notice would you need to give your current employer?” or “Are you interviewing with other companies right now?” suggest they’re mentally preparing for the next steps in bringing you onboard. They’re gauging how quickly they need to move if they want to hire you.

7. The Hiring Manager Sold You on the Company

One of the clearest signs of interest is when the interviewer shifts from evaluating you to selling you on the company. Watch for emphasis on growth opportunities, detailed explanations of benefits, and stories about why they personally enjoy working there.

Interview Guys Tip: When you notice this shift, ask thoughtful questions about the team and company culture. Try questions like, “What’s your favorite thing about the company culture?” or “How does the team celebrate wins?”

8. You Were Asked Very Specific Questions About the Role

When interviewers ask highly specific, detailed questions about how you would handle particular scenarios in the role, they’re often visualizing you in the position. This investment in customized questions indicates serious consideration.

These tailored questions demonstrate that the interviewer has taken time to think about your specific fit within their team. For example, questions like “How would you approach reorganizing our CRM system in your first month?” show they’re mentally placing you in the role.

Interview Guys Tip: Pay attention to how detailed the scenarios are. The more specific the hypothetical situations, the more likely they’ve thought about you performing the actual job tasks rather than just screening your general qualifications.

9. They Discussed Long-term Projects or Goals

Listen for phrases like “The person in this role would eventually move on to…” or “By next year, we’re planning to…” These forward-looking statements suggest they’re considering how you might grow with the organization.

When hiring managers discuss the future trajectory of the position, it’s a strong indicator they see potential in your candidacy. They wouldn’t waste time explaining long-term initiatives if they’ve already decided you’re not a good fit.

Companies typically reserve discussions about strategic plans and future developments for candidates they’re seriously considering bringing onto the team. If they share confidential information about upcoming projects, that’s an even stronger positive signal.

10. They Asked for References

Checking references requires time and coordination, so companies typically only do this for candidates they’re seriously considering. Many wait until they’ve narrowed down their candidate pool to request references.

This step involves outreach to busy professionals and scheduling additional conversations, representing a significant investment of resources. Companies don’t make this effort for candidates who aren’t strong contenders.

Reference checking also often happens later in the hiring process, after initial screening and primary interviews. If they’re asking for references during or immediately after your interview, they’re expediting the process to move your candidacy forward quickly.

11. The Interviewer Took Detailed Notes

If the interviewer is actively taking notes when you discuss your specific accomplishments and skills, they’re likely documenting information they’ll want to reference later when comparing candidates or sharing with the hiring team.

Extensive note-taking indicates engagement with your responses and an intention to remember key points. Watch for moments when they write more intensively – these might be answers that particularly impressed them or addressed critical job requirements.

The most telling sign is when they write down specific examples or achievements you mention, especially with numbers or outcomes. This suggests they want to accurately represent your qualifications when advocating for your candidacy to other decision-makers.

Interview Guys Tip: When you notice the interviewer taking detailed notes about a particular response, consider circling back to that topic later in the conversation. This reinforces points they’ve already shown interest in and helps cement your strongest qualifications.

12. They Asked “When” Not “If” Questions

Pay attention to whether they frame future scenarios in terms of “when” rather than “if.” Questions like “When you join the team, who would you want to meet first?” suggest they’re already mentally placing you in the role.

This subtle shift in language reveals their subconscious attitude toward your candidacy. Questions like “When would you be available to start?” rather than “If we were to offer you the position…” indicate positive predisposition.

Listen carefully for these linguistic tells throughout the interview. The more frequently they use “when” phrasing, the more likely they’re envisioning you as part of their team. Other forward-looking phrases to watch for include “You’ll be working with…” or “Your responsibilities would include…”

13. You Were Asked About Your Job Search Status

When they express concern about your availability or timeline by asking about other interviews or offers, it usually means they see you as a strong contender and want to ensure they don’t miss the opportunity to hire you.

Questions about your job search timeline indicate they’re worried about losing you to competitors. This is especially true if they ask about specific timeframes or when you need to make a decision about other opportunities.

If they probe into whether you’re interviewing elsewhere or have pending offers, they’re likely trying to gauge how quickly they need to move their hiring process along to secure you. Some might even hint at expediting their decision timeline if they sense you have other options.

14. You Connected With the Interviewer on a Personal Level

If you and the interviewer discovered shared interests, backgrounds, or values and spent time discussing them, this personal rapport can significantly influence hiring decisions, especially when they’re deciding between similarly qualified candidates.

Research consistently shows that cultural fit and personal connection play major roles in hiring decisions. When interviewers can imagine having a pleasant working relationship with you, they’re more likely to advocate for your candidacy.

Watch for moments when the conversation naturally flows beyond strictly professional topics. If the interviewer shares personal anecdotes or the discussion feels conversational rather than formal, you’ve likely made a positive impression that extends beyond your technical qualifications.

Interview Guys Tip: While you shouldn’t force personal connections, being authentically engaged and finding natural commonalities can significantly boost your chances. Remember that people hire people they can envision working with day-to-day.

15. They Gave You a Direct Contact for Follow-Up

Companies tend to provide direct contact information (especially personal email or phone) only to candidates they want to keep engaged in the process. This accessibility signals they see you as a viable candidate worth continued engagement.

Being given a direct line of communication bypasses standard HR protocols and demonstrates special interest in maintaining contact with you. This is particularly significant if they volunteer this information without you requesting it.

Pay attention to whether they encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns. Phrases like “Feel free to email me directly if anything comes up” indicate they want to keep communication channels open and are invested in your candidacy.

The most promising sign is when they provide multiple contact methods (both email and phone) or emphasize their availability (“I check my email constantly, so don’t hesitate to reach out”). This level of accessibility rarely extends to candidates who haven’t made a strong impression.

How Long Should You Expect to Wait? Try Our Time To Offer Calculator

One of the most frustrating aspects of the post-interview period is not knowing how long the waiting game might last. On average, the hiring process takes 23.8 days in the United States, but this varies dramatically by industry—from as few as 12.5 days for restaurants to over 40 days for government positions.

To help you set realistic expectations, we’ve developed the Time To Offer Calculator. This tool factors in your industry, company size, position level, and other variables to give you a personalized estimate of how long you might wait for a decision.

Interview Guys Tip: Use this waiting period to your advantage. If the calculator suggests you might be waiting a while, continue your job search rather than putting all your eggs in one basket. with larger organizations typically having longer, more structured hiring processes.

Other factors that affect waiting time include:

• Level of the position (executive hires take longer)
• Urgency to fill the role
• Number of decision-makers involved
• Background check requirements
• Reference checking process
• Budget approval timelines

5 Warning Signs You Might Not Get the Job

While positive signs are encouraging, it’s equally important to recognize potential red flags:

1. The Interview Was Unusually Short

If your interview ends significantly earlier than scheduled without explanation, it might indicate the interviewer has already determined you’re not the right fit. Most interviewers have a set of questions they need to cover, and rushing through them suggests they’re just going through the motions.

If you sense an interview ending prematurely, try asking an insightful question that demonstrates your value or addressing any concerns they might have about your candidacy.

2. No Discussion of Next Steps

If your interview concludes without any mention of timeline, future rounds, or when you might hear back, it could be a sign that they don’t see you moving forward. Similarly, vague responses like “we’ll be in touch” without specifics might indicate lack of serious interest.

For strategies on handling this stage of the interview, see our guide on answering the salary expectations question.

3. The Interviewer Seemed Disengaged

An interviewer’s body language and level of engagement can tell you a lot about your prospects. Warning signs include:

• Minimal eye contact
• Checking the time or phone frequently
• Asking surface-level questions without follow-ups
• Interrupting your answers
• Seeming unprepared or unfamiliar with your resume

Engaged interviewers lean in, ask follow-up questions, and demonstrate active listening. If your interviewer seemed distant or distracted throughout, they may have already decided you’re not the right fit.

4. You Got the “We Have Many Other Candidates” Speech

While it’s normal for interviewers to mention that they’re speaking with multiple candidates, pay attention to how and when this is emphasized. If they repeatedly stress the competitive nature of the process or make statements like “we have several very qualified candidates to consider,” they might be subtly preparing you for rejection.

5. Radio Silence After the Interview

Perhaps the most telling negative sign is complete silence after your interview, especially if you’ve sent a thank-you note and a follow-up email. While hiring often takes longer than candidates expect, an extended lack of communication after promised updates is rarely a positive sign.

Interview Guys Tip: Don’t let silence derail your momentum. After sending one or two professionally-worded follow-ups, focus your energy on other opportunities.

What To Do While Waiting for the Decision

The post-interview waiting period doesn’t have to be passive. Here’s how to use this time productively:

1. Send a thoughtful thank-you note within 24 hours. Make it specific to your conversation and reiterate your interest in the role. This keeps you fresh in the interviewer’s mind and demonstrates professionalism.
2. Continue your job search with full effort. Never stop your search until you’ve signed an offer letter. Maintaining multiple opportunities not only gives you options but also reduces the emotional impact if any single opportunity doesn’t pan out.
3. Prepare for the next round. If you’ve noticed positive signs, use this time to prepare for potential next steps. Research additional company information, prepare for more in-depth technical questions, or practice your presentation skills if that might be part of the process.
4. Follow up appropriately. If the timeline they provided has passed, a polite check-in email is perfectly acceptable. Keep it brief, reference your continued interest, and ask for an updated timeline.
5. Reflect on the interview experience. Whether you get this job or not, every interview provides valuable data. What questions were you asked? Which ones did you nail, and which could you have answered better? This reflection improves your performance for future opportunities.

Remember that maintaining a positive mindset is crucial during this period. Focus on what you can control and recognize that hiring processes are complex, with many factors beyond your qualifications influencing the timeline and outcome.

Conclusion: Read the Signs, But Keep Moving Forward

While the signs we’ve discussed can provide valuable insights into your standing as a candidate, none are foolproof. Hiring decisions involve multiple stakeholders and factors that aren’t visible to candidates, including internal politics, budget changes, and evolving business needs.

The most productive approach is to:

1. Note these signs as data points, not guarantees
2. Continue your job search with undiminished energy
3. Follow up professionally but don’t fixate on any single opportunity
4. Use each interview as a learning experience regardless of outcome

Remember that rejection isn’t always about your qualifications. Sometimes it’s simply about fit, timing, or factors entirely outside your control. The right opportunity often emerges when you focus on presenting your authentic professional self rather than trying to decipher every post-interview signal.

Interview Guys Tip: The candidates who succeed fastest in their job search are those who can bounce back quickly from disappointment. Rather than analyzing what went wrong, focus on what you can improve for next time, maintain your momentum, and trust that the right match will eventually emerge. Every interview, regardless of outcome, brings you one step closer to the right opportunity.

Keep these signs in mind, but remember that the only guaranteed strategy is to continue putting yourself out there until you get the official “yes” that lands you the perfect job.

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