Not all interviews go as smoothly as we would like, or sometimes, as well as we think they may have gone. There are so many factors that play a role in how successful an interview is.
Things like preparedness and interview question responses can be easy to assess, but then other things are a bit more subtle.
Following the interview, we all sit back and critique how the interview went:
What could I have done differently? Where were my strengths? Did I get the job?
Here are 5 questions to ask yourself after your interview to determine if your interview was, in fact, a success, or if there were some things you could have done differently:
1. Did I Feel Chemistry With my Interviewer(s)?
If you noticed the interviewer did not bond with you on any level, it is usually not a good sign. One of the things an interviewer looks for when interviewing is if you will fit into the company culture. If the two of you weren’t clicking, it could mean they didn’t see you as a good fit for the company.
Granted, everyone has different personalities and there is a chance your interviewer is a bit more reserved, so it is important to assess interview chemistry as part of the bigger picture. If your interviewer was a bit on the serious side but took the time to ask engaging questions about your professional experiences and attempted to learn more about you personally, I would put that in the “success” category.
2. How Long Was the Interview?
On average most interviews are usually around 30 minutes; this can vary depending on the position you are interviewing for, but half an hour typically is enough time to go through job history and gauge a person’s soft skills.
Even if you have little to no work history, your interviewer will still spend time assessing if you would be a good fit for their team. If your interview falls short of the 30-minute mark or ends abruptly, you may want to look back on what you said in your responses to see why your interview came in under time.
3. Did I Speak With Everyone I Was Supposed To?
Part of the interview scheduling process includes telling an applicant who they are meeting with. There are times when you are scheduled to interview with multiple people (HR, Hiring Manager, Team Supervisor, etc.) as part of the process. On occasion, something immediate will come up that one of your interviewers needs to attend to, or one of your interviewers was double booked, but this is very rare. If you meet with fewer people than you were told you would meet with, it usually means your interview was cut short.
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4. Did They Discuss the Company or the Job in More Detail?
Typically, during an interview, interviewers will discuss information about their company, culture, and expectations for the role. This is done because their job is to sell you on the position as much as you are trying to sell them on you as a candidate. If your interview wrapped up before you could learn more about the company, it is usually a sign they do not see you as being the right fit for their environment.
5. Did They Ask the Same Question More Than Once?
All interviews are different. Some interviewers are straight-to-the-point and stick to the facts, while others are more personable. However, there is a difference between an interviewer who is a straight-shooter and one that is short.
For example, if your interviewer asks you several times to detail your previous experience as a Customer Service Rep, or simply tells you you’re not qualified for the role, that is a red flag that you have not effectively sold yourself as a viable candidate. If you can course-correct, make sure you are supplying adequate information in your interview responses, going forward.
Bringing It All Together
No two interviews are the same, which is why it is so important to prepare yourself in a way that allows you to adapt to any situation. Learning how to master the skill of interviewing takes practice and a bit of trial and error. However, the more you reflect on your previous interviews and think about what went well, what areas you can improve on, and apply those lessons in the future, the better your overall interviewing technique will be.
These are just a few examples of questions to ask to help get you started, so on your next interview, you’ll be sure to blow your interviewer out of the water.