After having an interview, you may find yourself reflecting on the meeting and wondering how it went. While there is no way to know for sure until you hear back, you can still look for an indication that your interview went well. In this article, we explore some common positive signs that may mean a potential employer is interested in hiring you.

9 signs to look for after a job interview

The following signals may indicate you made a positive impression during your interview:

• Your conversation went longer than expected.
• You met with more people than expected.
• They ask how soon you can start.
• They say you seem like a good fit.
• They ask if you’re considering other job opportunities.
• The interviewer appears excited.
• They start talking about the team
• They end the interview with specific details
• The interviewer says they want to speak with you again

1. Your conversation went longer than expected
An interview that goes over its time limit may be an indication that your interviewer was especially interested in what you had to say. For example, initial video interviews or phone interviews usually only take about 30 minutes to complete. If the interviewer goes beyond the standard screening questions, it could mean they think you’re the right candidate for the job. Be prepared to share details about your work history, skills that relate to the job and experiences that demonstrate how you became an asset to previous positions.

2. You met with more people than expected
When you have an initial phone screening and get a call back to have another interview in person, your potential employer will often give you a brief description of what to expect. They might inform you that you will meet with them and a few other people on their team. If you go in and end up meeting everyone they mentioned, that likely means they were interested in seeing how you would fit in with everyone else. If they end up introducing you to people you didn’t originally discuss, however, it could mean they were especially impressed with your credentials.

3. They ask how soon you can start
It’s often a good sign when your interviewer asks you how fast you could begin the position. This is especially true if it happens at the end of the interview, as they are ending positively and may be considering you as a future employee.
They may phrase this in different ways, such as, “How soon could you leave your current job?” or “What’s the soonest you would be available to start working full-time for us?” Questions like these could mean an employer is considering offering you the position and beginning to think about the next steps.
Be honest with them and tell them how much notice you will need to give your current employer, as you should always leave a job on the best terms possible.

4. They say you seem like a good fit
If you are having a phone interview, it may be a little more challenging to determine how well your conversation is going. You cannot see their facial expressions reacting to your answers, which often give away what someone is thinking. Two things you can rely on, however, are their tone and what they say in response to your answers.
Sometimes a recruiter will mention you sound like a great fit. They may even say they are excited about the qualifications you have. Your interviewer might indicate they are forwarding your resume to their manager, or they’ll say you should speak to the next person in the hiring process.
While they give their notes to the hiring director, it is ultimately up to the director to make the final decision. Talking about the next steps may mean they want to move the hiring process along as quickly as possible.

5. They ask if you’re considering other job opportunities
Sometimes hiring managers ask how your job search is going or if you are talking and interviewing with other companies. This question can often give you a clue about the success of your interview. The hiring manager may be calculating what offer to make you so they don’t lose you to a competitor. They may also be trying to see what kind of competition they’re facing.
What this question means for your chances usually depends on its timing. If your interviewer asks this very early on, it may just be a question on a list of many they have. However, if you hear this question toward the end, your interviewer could be starting to think of you as part of their team and wants to see if they need to act fast to offer you a job.

6. The interviewer appears excited
If your interviewer seems like they’re in a good mood, that could be a positive sign that the interview is going well. This may be especially true if they keep that attitude as the meeting goes on, as they may be thinking you could be an asset to their company. If they laugh or discuss any personal topics like hobbies, they may be trying to get to know you better as a person and picture how you would fit on the team.
When you notice the conversation has shifted from traditional interview questions to a discussion about why you should work at their company, it’s often a good sign. It could mean that they’re trying to get you excited about the position and to join the team. They may start to talk about the company’s benefits such as their retirement plans, vacation policies, gym membership, health insurance and more.

7. They start talking about the team
If the interview has shifted from questions to a more vivid description of the position, it may be a sign of a good job interview. Your interviewer could start talking about people on your team, who you would be working closely with or what everyone does on a typical workday. If they are letting you know about your potential coworkers, they are starting to picture how you would fit in with the company.

8. They end the interview with specific details
Pay close attention to the way the interview ends. If they finish the meeting with a particular time frame, you can expect to hear something from them on that date. Your interview might also conclude your time by giving you more details about the company itself.
When you’re leaving your interview, it’s often a good sign if you hear something like, “We loved meeting with you and would like you to come back to meet the manager.” They might start listing off names and their titles, which often means they are already thinking ahead. The hiring manager may tell you when to expect a phone call and from whom, and they will hopefully give you a business card to follow up with if that timeline passes.
If you don’t hear anything past this date, it’s a good idea to send a follow-up email to reiterate your interest and qualifications for the job. Staying in contact will remind your interviewer that you’re serious about the job, and it can help you stay in their mind as a viable candidate.

9. The interviewer says they want to speak with you again
One of the best ways to know if your job interview went well is if they conclude it by saying they would love for you to come back and meet more people. The interviewer may ask how soon you can return to meet the CEO or other key people in the organization. If they say they want you to come back within the next week, they may want to make a decision soon.