Why are interviews important?

Interviews, even phone and video interviews, convey attributes that a resume and
cover letter cannot. For example, an interview helps demonstrate a candidate's
personality and how he presents himself. They also work to the candidate's benefit
by conveying information on workplace culture and how people in an organization
treat one another. During an interview, candidates learn many things about a
business and job that they could not from networking or an advertisement.

Many applicants go through at least two rounds of interviews per company or

organization. The purpose of the first interview is typically for the business to weed
out unsuitable candidates. The second interview often involves a candidate's
potential supervisors and co-workers, and is more geared toward finding the right
person for a job rather than screening out people who do not fit.

A candidate should bring copies of his resume, cover letter and other application
materials to an interview. He can practice by brainstorming questions and
developing answers. Finding out information on the company before the interview is
also critical.
What is the purpose of an interview?
The ultimate goal of an interview is to discern whether or not a given candidate is
an ideal match for the company and the job. The interview is a more involved
assessment of a candidate's qualities and experiences than an application or simple
resume evaluation. By interviewing applicants, the company improves the chances
of making a good hire and minimizes turnover risks.
Definition of interview

noun
1. The definition of an interview is a conversation in which someone is questioned about
their background, lifestyle or experience.
1. An example of interview is what a celebrity does when he goes on The Tonight
show.
2. An example of interview is what a job seeker attends when he meets with a
perspective new boss to tell the boss about himself.
verb

1. To interview is defined as to question someone to try to learn more about their

background, life or experience.
1. An example of interview is when you are hiring someone for a job and you ask
them about their professional background.
2. An example of interview is when you work as a journalist and you meet with a
new movie star to find out all about her life.
6 Types of Interviews and How to Nail Them

There are many types of interview styles, and you should be aware of each before putting
yourself out there. Before ending the conversation with the interview scheduler (whether by
phone or email), try to gather information about the interview itself. You should ask with whom
you will be interviewing and if youll be meeting with them separately or as a group. Also ask if
you will be expected to take tests or prepare a presentation. Knowing whats to come will allow
you to mentally prepare.
Interviewing methods differ greatly depending on the industry to which youre applying, the
company and even the position within the company. The interviewers may focus on one style or
engage you in a combination of several interview types. The best thing you can do to prepare is
to understand each kind and its intention from the interviewer's perspective.
Standard
The most common interview questions are:

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Why are you here today?

The interviewer may also ask you to tell him or her about yourself. Come up with well-thoughtout, specific and truthful answers to each of these classic questions before interview day. That
way, you will have a concise response ready to go.
Behavioral
Behavioral interviews focus on the past so employers can attempt to predict future behavior. For
example, they may say:

Describe a time when you didnt get along with a colleague.

Tell me about your biggest professional failure.

Choose one example, and briefly describe the situation, how you handled it and what you learned
from it. People often confuse behavioral and situational interviews, which are described next.
Questions may seem similar, because an employer is assessing your behavior in a particular
situation.
Situational
Typically, situational questions concentrate on future performance rather than past performance,
which is the focus of behavioral interviews. The interviewer will give you a problem and ask
how you would deal with it. For example:

Your boss is on a whirlwind business trip. He assigned you a report to write for a client
while he is gone, and he expects a first draft in two days. You thought everything was
clear, but when you look back through your meeting notes and emails, there are
outstanding questions that will make it difficult to complete the report. What do you do?

Employers want to know how you would likely solve a problem, and in some cases, they want to
measure your expertise. Always be honest and specific. Address the problem, and describe your
solution and the action you would take. If its a question that probes at your expertise in an area,
include something applicable in your answer to show you know your stuff.
Case
Case interviews are used mainly in the consulting industry and focus on how you would solve
specific business issues. These can include quantitative questions that show the interviewer how
you think. For example:

An online bank is growing well, but it's not reaching profitability targets. What could be
wrong?

How many gallons of ketchup do New York City McDonalds restaurants use each
month?

Youll want to talk aloud as you consider your answer, because the interviewer is looking for
insight into your thought process and an interactive conversation rather than an exact answer.
Explain your suppositions and issues that may have a substantial effect on your estimate. As you
talk through it, you will come to an estimate. This is a skill you are wise to practice in advance if
you will be interviewing with a company that uses this technique. Google case interview
questions, and youll come up with good samples and resources.
Presentation
Some interviewers will challenge you with a business issue and ask you to present solutions to
one or more employees. You may be given 15 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes or less to
present.
The key here is to put pen to paper immediately to get thinking fast. In the first five minutes or
less, outline the problem and as many solutions that come to mind in words. Drawing diagrams
or pictures may help, too. Next, circle the solutions you think are the best or the ones for which

you have the most ideas on how to implement. After that, brainstorm what resources you need to
apply to each solution in under five minutes. Use the remaining time to prepare. If you were
asked to use a whiteboard or computer for the presentation, transfer your ideas to the board or
screen. Dont worry about being fancy, because you dont have time for that. The logic and
contents of your thought process are most important.
Panel
Perhaps youll be interviewed by five people at once. Each person may have a list of questions to
ask you perhaps in varying interview styles. Or maybe each interviewer came up with his or
her own questions in advance based on your background. Use the techniques above under
behavioral, situational and case interviews. In all types of interviews, eye contact, smiling when
you can and leaning forward to show youre engaged in the conversation are all fundamental to
scoring likeability points. Chemistry is something all interviewers are looking for. If they dont
like you, its unlikely youll be hired no matter how smart or experienced you are.
There are many other types of interview situations. One or more interviewers may use all the
different types of questions. You may be in a speed interviewing session where you meet with a
new interviewer every five minutes. You may be given writing or behavioral assessments. In
every case, while youre trying to sell yourself to the employer, you want to always be yourself.
The last thing you want is to give a false impression or erroneous information and end up in a job
thats not a good fit for you or the company.
20 Things an Interviewer Looks For During a Job Interview
Are you wondering what an interviewer looks for during an interview, or what you
should do to get him to like you? Is there some secret to figuring out if the
interview is going well or something else you can do to insure that it does?
So I thought it might help you to know what kinds of things I specifically look for,
and what I want to hear when I interview job candidates:

Do you actually answer the questions I ask?

Preparing for an interview ahead of time is really important. By all means, spend time looking at
what kinds of questions might be asked and how to handle them. And practice, practice,
practice.
But when it comes to the interview itself, listen carefully in the moment and answer the actual
questions asked. Ive had people come to interviews so overly prepared with canned answers that
they try to use their memorized answers even if its not exactly what was asked.
So listen to the whole question and respond naturally. If you jump ahead to practice your answer
in your head while the interviewer is still talking, thats a big turnoff. Trust yourself and find
your own words. Be conversational. It will help you connect with the interviewer, which is
what you want to do.

Whats your body language telling me?

Are you slouching? Relaxed is good, slouching is bad. Sit up straight, looking professional and
yet as natural as possible. Also, be aware of any fidgets or extraneous body movements (tapping
your finger or foot, clicking a pen) that can distract the interviewer from your words.
And dont forget to add a warm smile as you speak, again in a natural way. Grinning wildly
throughout is only good if youre applying for a job as a smiley face.

By the way if youre nervous, dont assume thats a negative. We expect job candidates to
be nervous. Just practice a lot beforehand, be yourself during the interview, and remember to
meet the interviewers eyes with that warm smile. Most likely youll begin to relax at least
enough to do your best, which is all we ask.
What kind of eye contact are you making with me?
This is so important, yet for many job candidates difficult. Look me in the eyes when you speak
also when I ask you a question. If your eyes are darting around the room, you may look bored
or uneasy in your own answers.
Again, as with the smile, you dont want to overdo it and create a staring contest. But easy eye
contact during the conversational exchanges can help create that connection.
Are you showing me your real self?
Whether youre using canned answers or spontaneous answers, are you telling me what you
think I want you to say or the real story based on who you are and the experiences youve had so
far? You want to come to the interview 100% familiar with how you match the job.
Use your answers answers based in truth to paint the picture of a great match as best as
possible. You do this using your career story the unifying story you hopefully created to
write your resume and cover letter.
Ive had job candidates giving me only the part they think I want to see, and they come off phony
or one-dimensional. And they just dont connect well with me or the other interviewers. If I think
theres enough there, I try other ways to get them to open up to us, but many interviewers wont
go that far.
Do you understand the job youre interviewing for?
This may seem so obvious, but Ive interviewed people who didnt seem to know what the job
entailed, even though they applied for it. Of course, you cant know everything about it.
Asking what the job is like on a daily basis is a valid question for you to ask at the end of the
interview. But at the very least review the job description and look up anything you arent
completely familiar with.

Did you take time to learn about us?

In addition to researching the job, you need to research the company. What is the business all
about? What are the specialties of the division / department youre interviewing with?
Use the internet to find out all you can even possibly names of people who work there. Then
put together a picture of who they are, as best you can, again looking for ways that you and the
company match.
One question interviewers like to ask is What do you know about us? Your research will
help you prepare for that, too, helping you shape your answers and even how you dress for the
interview.
Do you have the skills to do the job?
Hopefully you checked out the job description ahead of time, and can show evidence during the
interview that you really have the skills. Some companies have special interviews and/ or tests to
make sure, so be prepared.
And if theres anything theyre looking for that you havent used in a while or only know a little,
by all means brush up on them before the interview!
Do you have the personality to do the job?
This is an important part of an interviewers job. If the job calls for lots of people contact and
public interactions, we dont want someone who seems especially shy.
But conversely, if the job takes place in a cubicle with almost no outside interaction, an extrovert
might be bored.
Would you fit in with our company and culture?
There isnt too much you can do about this. Its just something interviewers look for and think
about during an interview. Even if you give the best interview ever, they may know something
about the job or company that you dont and they may be saving you both a bad experience.
Again, just be yourself. It pays off in the long run.
Are you adaptable / flexible?
Employers often use behavioral questions, where interviewers ask you how you handled things
in the past, to assess your ability to respond to new situations with ease and success.
If you prepare your jobs experience stories well things youve managed to improve or solve or
help get done youll present a picture of someone who does rise to the occasion without
bringing their own rigidity into the picture.

Are you resourceful?

Once again, your job experience stories (sometimes even life experience stories where
appropriate) will help them see that you can manage to get things done without everything being
handed to you on a silver platter.
Are you high maintenance?
Some job candidates come in with complaints on their faces about having to wait too long or not
being able to bring their parents (yes really). Or theyve called / emailed with lots of questions
ahead of time. Not good.
And during the interview, the way you tell a story can show if you expect way too much from
others (without pitching in yourself) and see things mostly from your own point of view. High
maintenance is a big red flag.
Are you a problem solver?
We love these. Of course, you want to wait until youve gathered all the facts and are really sure
there is a problem to solve. Ive seen people come into interviews ready to fix the company
sure that their ideas would win them the job.
Stories about how you solved problems in the workplace are very good. But trying to improve
the company while youre still in the interview process not good.
[NOTE: If by slim chance they do ask you how youd improve the company, base your answer
on facts youve gathered during your research and not conclusions youve jumped to. Focus on
steps youd take to gather what you need to know. And show respect for current management /
staff and what you cant possibly know.
Are you someone who respects management?
As mentioned above, a company wants to know that youre someone who will work well with
managers and respect the companys mission and culture. If your answers include stories about
how you were smarter than management and saved the day, this wont come across well.
Even if management was terrible, always tell your stories in a way that makes you look
resourceful and capable, while not putting others down. Also do your research ahead of time
to make sure you really are in synch with this company. No sense getting an unwelcome surprise
after you start.
Are you a self-starter?
While companies want you to work well with management, they also want to know you wont
just twiddle your thumbs and wait to be told everything.
I always look for clues that the person can operate independently, while still respecting the
management structure and coworkers. Not that you can always figure this out in an interview.

Do you initiate useful change?

As mentioned before, most companies welcome employees who are looking for ways to improve
things better quality products, more efficient processes, saving them money. But they arent
looking for someone just spinning out lots of ideas without focusing on what they were hired to
do.
So when you talk about the improvements youve made, look for work-based examples that, if
possible, relate to the job you want now.
Do you know who you are and what you really want?
Sounds so simple. But if your answers and stories seem to touch on too many disconnected
things, you may be presenting a picture that is too disjointed to leave an impression the employer
feels solid about. We are too complex to fully present ourselves in a single job interview. Dont
even try.
Be real and be natural, of course. But give them the pieces that help create that unified story we
talked about earlier one that matches the job youre applying for.
This means taking the time beforehand to really think about yourself and the job and how the
two come together as a result of your past experiences, skills, abilities and personality. If you
know this well, then your answers will flow more naturally.
Do you know your own resume?
Again, so obvious. Yet folks come into an interview not having looked at their resume in a while.
And Ive had people have to think a bit when I ask them about something right there on the
resume they sent me.
Please give yourself some time to look at it before you arrive at the interview. You should also
review it carefully when preparing stories to help you answer interview questions.
Would I like to work with you on a daily basis?
Of all the things an interviewer looks to answer once we get past can you do the job this
may be the most important one of all. Are you a positive addition to the workplace? Can you
carry your fair share of the load?
Do you play well with others? Will you pitch in when needed without grousing? Will you be
someone I can trust and rely on?
No one answer will tell us this. But when we add up all the pieces, we do our best to find that
person who is a match one whom wed love to have join us.
What is a formal interview?

A candidate for a formal interview should dress appropriately. Even if the

interview is at a casual dining establishment, interviewers expect the
candidate to be neat and clean and to avoid wearing jeans and sneakers. It's
a good idea for an interviewee to bring a resume to a formal interview as
well, even if the employer already has a copy. The candidate should also be
prepared for questions that will be asked during the job interview.
What is an informal interview?

The settings of informal interviews vary. Sometimes, the manager and candidate meet for coffee
or a casual lunch. The candidate may also come to the manager's office for the meeting. Part of
the premise is that the meeting is less stressful and structured than a traditional interview.
In some cases, a hiring manager may offer a job to a candidate after the informal interview. In
other cases, the informal interview may lead to a more structured interview or an agreement to
stay in touch. There may also be no further contact about a position.
The low-key approach and non-committal nature of the informal interview is a benefit to the
company. The job candidate should typically approach the informal meeting in the same way as a
formal interview. Making a positive impression by researching the company and demonstrating
compelling qualities improves the potential for a job offer.

Prepare
How do you write a job application letter?

The applicant should start with his or her address on the top left corner of the page. This part
should include his or her telephone number and email address. After a line break comes the date
of application in the same format. After another line break, the address of the employer should be
written down, starting with the name and the title of the recipient. After this address, salutation
should follow with the name of the recipient if known.
The position should be stated in the first paragraph, and how the applicant came to know about
it, including his or her basic qualifications.
In the second paragraph, the applicant should state why he or she is interested in this position,
and why his or her qualifications match the needs of the employer. He or she should go into
details about the specific qualifications needed for the position.
In the third paragraph, the applicant should show an interest for a job interview and further
discussion concerning the position. The applicant should also thank the employer for his or her
consideration in this part. The last step should be an appropriate closing that also includes the
applicants name and signature.
What are some tips for writing an effective cover letter?

It should take no longer than 10 seconds to read an effective cover letter, according to Business
Insider, while The Writing Center at the University of Wisconsin recommends that job seekers
keep the letter under a page. The language should be professional and concise, but should suit the
style of the hiring company's corporate culture. It is essential that the letter is free of grammatical
errors, misspelled words and writing mistakes, so proofreading is a necessity.
An effective cover letter is crafted specifically for the company receiving it. This letter gives the
applicant an opportunity to show his interest in the business, and to emphasis shared visions,
values and goals. Job hunters can open the letter with a personal anecdote relating to the
company or the open position to get the reader's attention. Forbes recommends that an applicant
start the letter by mentioning a mutual contact whenever possible.
Instead of restating or summarizing the qualifications found in the resume, an effective cover
letter should provide real-life experiences and examples that prove the applicant's ability to excel
in the position and within the company.

During
How do you start an interview?

When conducting an interview, it is important to prepare in advance. The employer can create a
structure for the interview to follow or work with colleagues to develop an interview template.
Then, the employer is able to determine what the company needs from the applicant and develop
questions to ask during the interview.

After
How do you thank a company after an interview?

The type of interview dictates how to express thanks. For instance, after a phone interview, a
person should send a thank you e-mail no more than 24 hours later. In the message, the
interviewer should be addressed and specific notes of the conversation should be mentioned. Any
message that contains meaningless material will convey to the interviewer that interest in the
position is not strong.
A face-to-face interview requires a more professional approach. In some instances, it may be
worth researching the interviewers on LinkedIn to connect the conversation with their work
history. Instead of an e-mail, a handwritten note is preferred. This note should contain
information about the tasks associated with the job description and how the applicant believes
that he is the exceptional candidate for the position. When sending a note to multiple
interviewers, it is critical to avoid using the same generic message. This approach shows that
time was dedicated to addressing each interviewer individually. Lastly, any thank you note
should contain a desire to hear about next steps of the recruiting process.
What should you write on an after-interview thank you note?

A thank-you note is a way for the applicant to follow up after a job interview. It reiterates the
applicant's gratitude for the interview, interest in the position and acknowledgement of the
remaining steps in the hiring process. The applicant should send a thank-you note despite having
performed well during the interview because the hiring manager may consider the failure to
follow up as a reason for turning down his application. While a handwritten or printed note is
customary, an email message is acceptable.

How do you follow up after an interview?

The post-interview thank-you note shows gratitude for the opportunity and demonstrates
professionalism. While it is okay to send an email thank-you shortly after the interview, it is
always best to send a handwritten thank-you message to each person involved in the interview
process. Candidates should make mention of something distinct or unique from the interview as
a reminder.
One important thing to find out before leaving a job interview is what the next steps are in the
process. Some hiring managers are good about letting candidates know the process. Others
aren't. Interviewees can show initiative by asking about next steps at the end. If a hiring manager
says she plans to make a decision in a week, it is reasonable to call after a week is over to inquire
about the hiring status. A simple approach is, "Hello. I really enjoyed meeting with you last
week. I just wanted to find out the status of the hiring decision." Depending on the update, it is
okay to continue to check in every few days, but not to the point of being annoying.

Job Interviews: When Will I Finally Hear Back from a Job Interview?

Unfortunately, the answer is when they are ready and not one moment before. The post-interview
process (otherwise known as the job interview waiting game) takes as long as it has to take.
And it rarely follows the rules of jobseeker or for that matter any rational person logic.
Now before you jump all over me about how annoying that answer is, let me tell you a little
about what goes into an employer getting back to you after a job interviewand why you might
not hear back from them any time soon.
First, please know that the length of time it takes an employer to get back to you after an
interview often has nothing to do with whether they are interested in you for the job. Having
interviewed many people as part of my internal recruiting work, and also having heard from
MANY job seekers waiting endlessly (or so it seems to them) just to hear any feedback, I want to
clue you in on what really goes on to help spare you at least some anxiety.
What Really Goes On Behind the Scenes
After a job interview, while you are thinking almost nothing else except why arent they calling
me? why arent they calling me? why arent they calling me?, the company itself is continuing
with business as usual. For some companies, they are hiring because they desperately need an
extra set of hands, so theyre simply busy with other things. AhI hear your thoughts. If they
need extra hands, why arent they rushing to call me? I have two hands that would be very happy
to help them NOW.
I know. You would think that was what they are thinking, too. And, trust me, some folks at the
company are thinking about hiring someone asap. But meanwhile, heres what could be
happening:

They may still be interviewing the first round of applicants. That can happen
quickly over a few days or over a few weeks, even if folks in the
department with the opening feel the urgent need to hire, as they try to
accommodate everyones schedule.

Someone (or more than one person) critical to the process may be sick or out
of town or simply so booked with meetings that finding time to meet to
evaluate candidates or start scheduling round two gets delayed.

Human Resources (HR) may have strict rules (for legal reasons) about not
calling or getting back to people (including answering your desperate emails)
until decisions for the next step are in place, even if the staff person wants to
give you a heads up. So it may not be their fault for not answering you.

There may be a rush project tying up resources and pushing everything back,
including hiring.

Some companies just arent good at this thing, even sometimes ones with a
formal HR department.

Sometimes there are multi-layered formal HR processes that take time for
sign-offs at each level before moving forward.

Sometimes a position gets delayed or rethought, possibly due to budget

reasons, changes in management, a reorganization, or even a new initiative
that somehow impacts the position you interviewed for.

Your email got eaten by the spam detector or is one of HUNDREDS sitting in
the persons inbox. (In larger companies especially, people can get that many
over a day or two, especially during a job search when everyone is urgently
contacting them.)

For almost no discernible reason, these things often take longer than anyone
on the outside ever imagines.

What Ive Found Doesnt Help

Blaming THEM for the delays and for your misery, as understandable as
your frustration may be. Since you dont know the reasons, and maybe never
will, you really cant know for sure whats behind the silence, if that is whats
happening. And making yourself miserable over what you cant control
doesnt help.

Waiting to hear back from the interview you really want and forgetting to
continue to look for other jobs. As perfect as it is, you might not get this job,
but you might find another one that is a better fit from both sides.

Joining groups that sit and complain about how bad the interview process is.
Its good to find people who understand where you can let it all out feel free
to do so here in comments. But spending too much time going over and over
the same frustrations actually starts to color how you feel about the potential
employer, as well as how you present yourself and how you feel in general.

Trying to make the employer follow your rules. Some people actually keep
bugging them until they finally get some feedback but that doesnt mean
they havent made note of your impatience and perhaps tendency to make
everything about your needs.

Blaming me for saying any of what I just said. I really do know how frustrating
maddening the job interview process is. And how unfair it feels. Ive been
there myself, and Ive read comments from thousands of people who have
gone through it. I wouldnt design it this way if I had my choice. Id keep you
informed every step of the way. But youll only make yourself nuts if you sit
and try to figure out what you dont have all the information for and what you
cant change.

What Ive Found Does Help

Being patient and knowing youve done your best. Letting go of what you
cant control is useful in job search as well as in the job itself. And really
having been a job search lead myself many timeswe dont forget the ones
were interested in. While follow-ups from people we dont think fit rarely
help, a polite notes wont hurt, and may leave a nice impression if a different
job opens up.

Patience doesnt mean you cant try to follow up. But do it briefly, politely,
and not too often waiting 10-14 days from the initial interview (having
already sent a thank-you note, of course) is a safe thing, unless you have
something important to add or its a job thats hiring immediately. But even
so, dont overdo. Its ok to ask if you may follow up again after your first postinterview contact.

If there is something you mentioned in the interview that you want to clarify
or some new accomplishment you want to share or if you come across
something they might find useful, a polite note with the information is a nice
reason to send them a reminder, and in that case it may help. But they will
still take as much time as they need for their process. Rarely does a postinterview communication from a job seeker change their minds but it has
happened. So use your judgement. Just know post-interview contacts can also
add a negative impression. Ouch.

Finding other people individuals or groups who will help support you in
positive action while you are waiting.

Keep looking for a job with full determination. Its the smart thing to do, and
the energy expended will help keep you sane. Plus, you really may find an
even better fit.

Volunteer or start a project or take a class or take up yoga or do something

with any free time you have to keep from focusing on whats not happening.
The post-interview process has a life and a time frame of its own.

Well, I hope that helps make the waiting game at least a little less frustrating for you. It really
does take longer than you would ever think.
Good luck getting the job you want!
What are some examples of a job acceptance letter?

A job acceptance letter typically consists of a few paragraphs and uses an

optimistic, professional tone. It recognizes the reasons why the employer has
chosen the applicant. The applicant must ensure that the letter is free of
spelling and grammatical errors. In some cases, the employer may send an

offer letter and employment contract. The applicant only needs to sign and
return these documents instead of writing an acceptance letter.

Closing
Job Interviews: How Do I Know If I Did Well On My Job Interview?

If youre like most of us, the second you leave an interview room youre already trying to figure
out how well you did on your job interview. Its natural to want to know if the interview went
well or not and whether there is any way to tell if the interviewer even liked you!
So you start going over each and every thing that happened what you or the interviewer said or
did looking for important clues to help you tell whether or not you did a good job. Luckily,
there are some positive interview signs that can help answer the burning question Just how did
my interview go?
Body language

What kind of body language was the interviewer showing? Was he or she
leaning toward you and nodding frequently?

Did the interviewer smile warmly or appreciatively when you were answering?

Was there a good amount of active eye contact when either of you was
speaking?

Did the interviewer look at you more often than at his or her notes or watch
or the interview room door?

Interview and question duration

How long was the interview? Was the interview considerably longer than
scheduled or did it feel like it could be? (Just know that sometimes the
schedules are tight and even if they love you, they move on.)

If the interview was short, did the interviewer apologize and suggest they
may want to continue at a later time?

Did the interviewer let you complete your answers rather than cutting you
off? (Remember not to go on and on.)

Did the interviewer follow up on some of your answers with interest, rather
than going straight to the next question?

When you asked your questions at the end, was the interviewer eager to
answer fully rather than mentally walking you out the door? (You have to
trust your gut on some of these.)

Future talk during the interview

Did the interviewer use phrases that talked about you being in the job, such
as when you are here rather than if you are here?

Did the interviewer start to tell you about what its like to work there, as
opposed to what the job is?

Did the interviewer say anything about scheduling a next visit?

Was your availability to start the job discussed? How did they ask it, as if its
a question they ask everyone, or were they leaning in and really listening
and maybe even smiling when you answered?

Other positive job interview cues

Did you feel a sincere connection with the interviewer?

Did the interviewer seem to respond warmly to your answers?

Did the conversation flow well?

Did the interviewer seem to relax and get friendlier as the interview went on?

Did the interviewer seem to make an extra effort to get you to like the
company and job?

Did you get to meet potential team members and / or see where you would
work?

Did the interviewer add an unexpected interview with a potential team

member or manager that same day? (Hint: a very good sign.)

Final thoughts about your interview

If the answer to most of these questions was yes congratulations. You did well. And,
although no guarantees, you have a pretty good chance of being called in for another interview.
But even if you didnt get a lot of positive signs from your interviewer, it doesnt mean you
didnt get the job. In the end, it all depends on the other candidates and what the hiring team
decides to do after reviewing all the interview results.
Meanwhile, PLEASE KEEP LOOKING. Not only does it keep your momentum (and spirits) up,
but you might just find yourself an even better job and get more of those positive interview
signs next time around.
Good luck getting the job. Let us know how you did!

Interview Waiting Game: How to Deal with the Silence After a Job Interview

One of the hardest things any job seeker has to face is that dreaded silence after a job interview.
No response at all as the waiting game goes on for what seems like forever.
There you are, still waiting weeks after your initial interview. Hoping and gnashing your teeth
and maybe just a little spontaneous wall-climbing. And yet, you havent heard back, not a word,
from those very same folks who seemed so gosh darn friendly during the interview.
The thing is that no one warns you about this. I certainly didnt get told about it in school. And
from the many comments Ive received on this topic, most people are completely blind-sided by
the lack of communication that happens after an interview, even when they thought it went well.
Two things you need to know:
(1) Silence is not always an indicator of anything.
(2) There are things you can do to help you survive the wait!
My own silence after an interview story
I once had a group phone interview with a major university for an IT internal consulting job that
seemed like an ideal fit. And I had the pleasure of waiting well over two months without any
feedback at all. And yet, having been on the other side of the interview table, I knew how long
these things could take, and wasnt really worried.
So I just waited. I felt at that level if they wanted me, theyd be in touch. The interview had gone
very well (or so it seemed to me), and the rest was up to them. Plus, I was busily involved in a
project at a local university, and so time flew by quickly.
Finally, after two months, I realized how much time had passed, and emailed one of the people I
had connected to most in the conference call interview. I heard back almost immediately, with
ample apologies.
Seems I was the top candidate after all, and they just were having some trouble getting all the
things in place so they could fly me there for an all-day interview. A nice surprise.
But I wish to point out that keeping me informed wasnt on anyones radar, at least not until they
felt they had everything worked out. And I dont think less of them for it. Im guessing some of
you are feeling outrage right this minute just reading that, but I didnt take it personally.
This really is how it works sometimes. They want to have things ready for the next step. Of
course, they can also lose good candidates that way, but it is more common than youd think.

How to deal with the post-interview silence

First, if you are going through this, my heart goes out to you. I know I took it casually in my own
experience, but then I already had work I enjoyed and had a paycheck coming in. This was just a
chance for a new challenge that I wanted to pursue.
For many of you, getting a job now is foremost in your minds. So its not quite the same thing.
Still, the attitude I had still applies. After a point, its all in their hands, and you just have to be
patient

First, remind yourself that you did the best you could. Dont spend even a
moment rehashing what you said and worrying about what you did wrong.
Thats wasted energy and only brings you down. You may be surprised how
well you did. Its not the individual words its how you fit what they are
looking for. You did your best.

Keep busy and keep looking. Even if this seems like the perfect job and the
only one you ever want now that youve seen the promised land, there are
other jobs out there. Apply with redoubled determination. Not only is it good
for you sanity-wise to keep your momentum going, you never know what else
you find. And, should you get the second interview, you come into it with
better energy.

As for keeping that momentum going Start a new project. Join an

organization. Find a good job search support group. Temp. Volunteer. Do kind
things for people you know or dont know. Take up a sport. Or take a class
maybe even one that enhances a skill youd need for the new job; you can let
them know this. The worst thing you can do for yourself is just sit there and
stare at the phone. Keeping busy in a productive way will not only help with
your energy and spirits, if youre asked what youve been up to during an
interview youll have something interesting to talk about (while doing your
best to tie it in to the job requirements in some way, of course). Plus you
never know who you might meet.

After the interview and after youve sent a thank-you note, wait 10-14 days,
and if you havent heard anything, its ok to send a polite note inquiring
about your status and whether there is anything else you can send them to
help with their decision. In my experience, this is mostly to help the jobseeker
feel like something is happening, since it doesnt usually influence the
outcome. But it can. And there is nothing lost if you keep it brief and polite
and make sure there are no typos.

Continue to network. Waiting to hear back after a job interview isnt a reason
to stop networking. You may uncover another good job to go after. Or you
may just make some connections for next time. In fact, having a job
possibility helps add to your story. Who knows you may even find someone
at the very firm you are hoping to get an offer from.

Spend some time improving your resume and basic cover letter, although
each should be tailored to the job you are applying for. And work on your
stories all the experiences youve had where youve solved a problem or
created a new process that an employer might want to hear about. Its also
good to help remind yourself of your strengths.

Remember the silence is NOT an indication of anything, especially your

chances of ever finding a job. Job search can take many months or longer.
Even for the most talented of people.

Good luck!