I Asked 8 Recruiters for Signs You’ll Get the Job Offer

We’ve all sat in our car after a job interview wondering if we did well.

And with the average corporate job attracting 250 resumes -> 4-6 people called in for an interview -> and 1 job offer, it can be hard to feel confident.

So, I interviewed 8 recruiters and CEOs about signs they give candidates when an interview has gone well.

While these aren’t guarantees, they’re strong indicators that you’ve made a positive impression and might be getting the offer.

8 signs you’ll get the job (According to recruiters)

1. The conversation flows

“The candidates who tend to get hired are the ones who get the interview off-track, in a good way. They’ll get the whole group into a side conversation, ask intriguing follow-up questions, and take their answers in unique, memorable directions.”

– Dan Gallagher, Registered Dietitian at Aegle Nutrition

Max Shak, Founder & CEO of Nerdigital, adds that it’s a positive sign when the conversation becomes more collaborative instead of sticking strictly to the interview script.

So if you find yourself going off on tangents about your secret brownie recipe and the interviewer is eating it up? That’s a good sign.

Stat: 33% of bosses know within the first 90 seconds of an interview whether they will hire someone. So being a good conversationalist can help impress quickly.

2. They talk money (Without you bringing it up)

“If the interviewer brings up things like salary range and benefits without you asking, it’s a good sign. It’s especially promising if the interviewer sounds like they’re trying to ‘sell’ you on the benefits of the job or workplace.”

– Rob Boyle, Marketing Operations Director at Airswift

If the interview feels more like they’re trying to sell and recruit you than you trying to sell yourself to them, you’re probably getting an offer.

3. You’re planning your future together (And it’s only the first date)

If they start talking about your first day, your 401k, or where your desk will be, it’s as if you’ve received a custom invitation to join the team

“Any time that the interviewer starts looking toward the future and discussing future interview rounds, orientation, etc., that is a positive sign that they’re at least considering you for the role.”

– Rob Boyle, Marketing Operations Director at Airswift

4. The interview feels long

Brett Bennett, Director of Operations, PUCROR Pest Solutions who hires pest control employees, says that long interviews are good interviews:

“Interviews that go on longer tend to be ones with more favorable outcomes. A longer interview is indicative of an interested employer.”

Boyle agrees: “Any time I end up taking up the full interview time scheduled, it’s because I see something promising in that candidate.”

5. You get the grand tour

If they start parading you around the office like a show pony, introducing you to everyone from the CEO to the office plant, you’ve made a good impression.

“If the interviewer makes a point of introducing you to other people in the office, especially if they need to actively go outside the interview space to do so, then that is a very good sign you’re in a strong position to get the role.”

– Rob Boyle, Marketing Operations Director at Airswift

6. They express clear interest

Sometimes, they’ll just tell you outright that they like you.

Matt Balducci, Co-Owner & CEO of HomeHero Roofing, told me one of the top signs is having an interviewer tell you flat out they believe you’d be a great fit for the role.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to contain your clear excitement or enthusiasm about the candidate when talking to them.”

– Larry Snider, VP of Operations of Casago

7. They give you a specific follow-up time (And it’s not “In 6-8 weeks”)

If they’re eager to talk to you again soon, that’s a good sign. If they’re vague about it, well… maybe update that LinkedIn profile.

“I tend to tell promising candidates that I’ll get back to them by tomorrow or the day after, or within the week, while with a candidate I’m less interested in, I might not mention a time period or give a more vague window.”

– Ryan Farley, CEO of LawnStarter

8. They start saying “We” instead of “You”

It’s a good sign when you start hearing phrases like ‘we’ or ‘when you start’.

When they slip into “we” language, it’s like they’re already picturing you in the company photo. Next thing you know, you’ll be sharing a 401k.

So there are 8 signs you can look out for in your next interview that mean you may get a job offer.

Best of luck my job-seeking friends.

Josh

Thanks to Brett Bennet, Ryan Farley, Larry Snider, Rob Boyle, Max Shak, and Danny Gallagher for their help with this article.