You can tell whether you're winning or losing a job interview by merely paying attention to the tone of the employer.
If the first step out of the interview room stirs the fear in you about whether you'll make it or not, then you are missing the trick of the game.
After the interview is over, a series of questions erupt in one's mind about whether or not you'll make it to the next round.
For the next few days, you will be anxious till the verdict is out.
However the question is: Do you have to really wait or is there you can find out for yourself.
Indeed, there is a way out.
All you have to do is keep your sixth sense active and identify the signal that says 'yes, you are doing it well'.
Body Language
Just like how the interviewer can sense your confidence by sensing your body language, you too can sense if you have been successful at making a positive impression.
Frowns, grimaces, or pursed lips of the interviewer during your interview are negative signs, whereas vigorous nodding, some note taking and friendly eye contact signal towards winning streak.
Interview Duration
The duration of your interview is another good way to find the probability of your selection.
If you are interviewed for more than the scheduled time, then that is another positive signal.
If the interviewer had to cut short the interview due to an emergency situation and he has apologized and suggested to continue to it later, that too is a favourable situation.
Interview Questions' Pattern
As suggested by Richard Bolles in his book What Color is your Parachute, if the interviewer's questions move from the past towards the future, then the situation is in your favour.
But in case it sticks to the past for a longer time, then that's not favourable, he says.
According to the book, the interview questions should go through five predictable stages, which are -- The Distant Past (What made you choose this industry as a career), The Immediate Past (How did you handle a particular situation in the recent project you had handled), The Present (are you inclined towards working on specific project/skill set?), The Immediate Future (it could relate to scheduling next round of interviews), and The Distant Future (where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?)
Future Discussions
If the employer is discussing situations like 'when you'll be here…', 'if you're hired...' it is another positive sign suggesting you have chances of being selected.
Also, if you are given a broad picture of how it is to work at the company and what the company expects from you, that too is encouraging.
Other signs that directs towards your selection:
- Interviewer taking your name during the interview
- The conversation moves towards personal bonding with more personal questions and
- You are introduced to more decision makers
Stay positive and look for all the above tell tale signs in your next job interview.
All the best.
Lead image used for representational purposes only.
Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters
