7 Signs You Have Failed Your Job Interview
Learninghow to read the signs can help you attempt to save the interview from bombing even further. This article talks about the seven sure signs you failed the job interview and some helpful tips on how you can attempt to turn the scenario around.
1.Interview VS Interrogation
A job interview should feel like a conversation and there should be an exchange of questions and answers between you and the interviewer. A one-sided conversation bordering on interrogation is definitely not a good sign.
Build a relationship with the interviewer by finding a common topic to talk about. Listen to what the interviewer is telling you and try to formulate a topic that you can casually converse about. If you feel like you’re being interrogated, keep your cool and avoid rising to the bait. Remain calm and pleasant and resolve to do your best when answering even the most biting questions.
2.No Mentioned or Talked Aboutfrom Your Skills
Rochelle Kaplan, Executive Recruiter at CyberCoders says that “If an employer neglects to talk about the skills necessary for the position and only talks about the company casually, it means he or she's not that interested.“ If the Hiring Manager or the HR Rep spends most of his/her time talking about the company in general and does not make an effort to ask about the skills you will be bringing with you to the position, it could be because they are not interested in inviting you to be part of the company.
While this is not a clear-cut sign that you are out of the running, you can attempt to get their attention by asking questions about the job opening. It is important that you research about the position and the company extensively so you’re able to ask intelligent and relevant questions. If you play your cards right, you may be able to get the interviewer to warm up to you slightly increasing your chances of being considered for the job posting.
3.The Interviewer is Easily Distracted
A recruiter or an employer that’s genuinely interested in hiring you would be eager to get to know you more. This requires that they focus their attention on you, turning off mobile phones or closing the door to the interview room. If they’re easily distracted or goes in and out of the interview room quite often, you might want to continue your job application somewhere else.
4.Too short Interview !
A typical interview should last around 30 minutes and a really good interview could even last longer*. The length of the interview shows that the interviewer is seriously interested in getting to know you and is genuinely considering your job application. Time flies by so fast when both you and the interviewer are having a good time so when you’re shown the door less than 15 minutes before being invited in, then you have a problem.
Executive Search Consultant for Pursell Group, Stacy Pursell says that“If theinterviewer keepslooking at their watch throughout the interview it is a good indication they are bored or not too interested in what the candidate is saying."
You don’t have to wait till the end of the interview to help save it, the moment you see or feel that the interviewer is unimpressed, attempt to get the interview back on track by asking questions to show your interest and dedication to the job. Alternatively, you can also try to save the interview by owning up to the fact that the interview did not go as planned and that you’d want to try and explain your answer again.
5.Low Enthusiastic with your Profile from Interviewer
Darrel W. Gurney, career coach and author of“Never Apply for a Job Again!: Break the Rules, Cut the Line, Beat the Rest”states that if you hear imaginary cricket sounds after sharing stories of your amazing accomplishments , that’s a strong indication that the interviewer is just not into you.
All is not lost though. If you’ve just started with the interview, resist the urge to feel bad about the lack of interest. Focus on improving the delivery of your answers moving forward. The interviewer is more likely to notice that the quality of your answers and your tone and delivery is getting better and this can result to a more positive interaction as the interview progresses.
6.The Interviewer Does Not Smile at You
If you don’t get even just a single hint of smile from the interviewer, your chances of getting considered for the job is slim. A hint of smile means that the interviewer is genuinely happy to be talking to you and its absence could indicate that you are just not making enough positive impression on them.
While it can be disheartening to go through an interview with nary a smile of acknowledgement from the interviewer, you shouldn’t let it stop you from smiling at them. This will help you look more pleasant, more interested, and more open-minded about the interview. A smile is rather difficult to ignore so end each of your answers with a big smile.
7.“We’re Still Interviewing People this Week”
When you’re told they’re still interviewing people this week and that"we'll let you know next week (next month, etc.)” or “we’ll call you”it could mean that they are not seriously considering your application. Most employers use these statements to soften the blow and assume that most job seekers already know what it means.
Don’t feel bad if you get the same response from an interviewer or an employer. Think of the session as an opportunity for you to improve your interview skills. Sure, you didn’t get the job but at least you’re leaving the interview room with brand new lessons that will surely be helpful in your future interviews.
Job interviews can end up entirely different from how you pictured it to be. You may think you did great and still not receive a job offer or you may think you screwed up so bad, yet still be invited to the next phase of the hiring process. The important thing is that you keep the faith and never give up. Whether the result of all your efforts are positive or negative, you can take comfort in the knowledge that the lessons you gain from the experience will only make your future interviews easier.
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