Have you ever left a job interview with that nagging question, “Did I just completely mess that up?” Well, you’re not alone. Trying to figure out if an interview went poorly or not can feel like a guessing game of over-analyzing every word that was said. Despite our best efforts and preparation, things don’t always go as planned in an interview. In this post, we’ll go over 10 bad interview signs that could mean you didn’t get the job. From awkward silences to uninterested interviewers, we’ve all been there!
Job searching can be an emotional rollercoaster. The high of acing an interview is quickly followed by the low of not hearing back for days or even weeks. This limbo is tough on candidates who are anxiously awaiting news on whether they got the job.
Unfortunately, most companies take their sweet time before reaching out to applicants However, if you pay close attention, there are signs you didn’t get the job that can help manage your expectations
At my career advice blog, I aim to pull back the curtain on the hiring process. I want to empower job seekers with insider knowledge that helps them navigate the ups and downs of the job hunt. This article will outline the biggest red flags that suggest you aren’t getting an offer, so you can redirect your energy toward more promising opportunities.
1. The Hiring Manager Cuts the Interview Short
One of the most obvious signs you bombed the interview is if the hiring manager ends it abruptly. For example, if your meeting was scheduled for an hour but wraps up after 30 minutes, that’s not great news.
In most cases, hiring managers stick to the allotted time slot, especially for promising candidates. The fact that they cut it short likely means they decided you weren’t a fit and saw no reason to continue.
However there are some exceptions. If you’re interviewing with multiple people back-to-back they may need to end a bit early to stay on schedule. Or if you thoroughly answered their questions in less time than expected, they may have covered everything they needed. So don’t panic if the interview is slightly shorter than planned. But a 30+ minute difference is usually a red flag.
2. You Don’t Hear Back Within the Stated Timeframe
Many hiring managers will give candidates an expected timeline for decisions, such as: “We plan to make a decision within one week of your interview.” If a week goes by after your meeting with radio silence from the company, chances are you’re out of the running.
Of course, delays happen. But most hiring managers will let their top choice candidates know if they need more time. The fact that the deadline passed without an update indicates you aren’t first pick.
However, don’t lose all hope. Keep pursuing other opportunities, but hang tight if this is your dream job. There’s still a chance they may circle back with an offer down the road if their first choice falls through.
3. Your Follow-Up Goes Unanswered
Sending a thank you email after an interview is interview etiquette 101. If you don’t receive a response, that’s often a bad sign.
Hiring managers tend to reply to their top candidates as a way to show continued interest, This keeps you warm in case they want to make an offer soon Radio silence after a follow-up likely means you’re out of luck
That said, emails can get buried or go to spam. I’d recommend a second follow-up if you don’t hear back after the first. If that also goes unanswered, it’s time to move on. You gave it your best shot and clearly aren’t their first choice.
4. The Job Gets Reposted
If you see the job listing pop up again shortly after your interview, chances are the company didn’t find their perfect candidate in the initial applicant pool. That likely includes you.
Of course, there are exceptions. Some companies constantly have openings for certain high-turnover roles. Others hire multiple people at once and stagger the interviews over time.
But generally, a reposting indicates your interview didn’t go as well as hoped and they are now looking at new applicants. Time to direct your energy toward other opportunities that may be a better fit.
5. They Don’t Ask for Your References
Toward the end of a successful interview, the hiring manager will often ask for references. Checking references is the final step before presenting an official offer.
If they skip this step entirely, it shows they aren’t seriously considering you. You can also read between the lines if they say something like: “We’ll let you know if we need references.” This is just a polite way of saying you’re not a top contender.
However, don’t offer up references unprompted either. That comes across as presumptuous. Simply provide them if the hiring manager requests them. If not, that silence speaks volumes.
6. You Don’t Get Any Follow-Up Questions
Engaged hiring managers will ask thoughtful follow-up questions about items on your resume or experience you describe. This shows genuine interest in learning more about your background.
On the other hand, if the interviewer strictly sticks to a scripted list of questions without asking for additional details, chances are your answers didn’t excite them. You likely won’t move forward if they don’t dig deeper.
There are some exceptions here for highly structured interviews that legally can’t veer off script. But in general, a lack of follow-up questions suggests a lack of interest in hiring you.
7. They Don’t Sell You on the Role or Company
Savvy hiring managers will try to sell you on the role and company throughout the interview, highlighting all the best parts about working there. After all, they want to get their top choice excited about receiving an offer.
So if they skip the sales pitch entirely, that’s probably because you aren’t in contention. They don’t see the need to get you jazzed up about an offer that isn’t coming your way.
8. They Focus on You Being Overqualified
Sometimes hiring managers get hung up on candidates being overqualified. They may think you’ll get bored and leave quickly or demand higher pay than budgeted.
If they can’t seem to move past this notion no matter how much you try to alleviate their concerns, that’s a bad sign. They likely have ruled you out and can’t get over the overqualification issue. Time to look for openings better aligned with your experience level.
9. They Mention Other Candidates
Savvy hiring managers won’t mention other applicants during your interview. That signals you’re in competition with others still being considered.
On the other hand, if they say things like: “We still have a few more promising candidates to interview,” that’s a red flag. Downplaying your chances by mentioning others is a subtle way to indicate you aren’t first choice.
10. You Notice a Shift in Their Body Language
Reading subtle cues like body language and tone can provide clues throughout the interview. For example, did the hiring manager:
- Maintain open body language at first but then cross their arms tightly?
- Break eye contact and start glancing around the room?
- Lean away from you versus leaning in engaged?
- Look at the clock or their watch frequently?
- Appear excited and take notes early on but stop writing midway through?
These changes in posture, eye contact, movement and more can signal they have mentally checked out and lost interest. Subconsciously, their body is closing itself off as they conclude the meeting out of politeness without intending to hire you.
11. You Don’t Mesh Well Personality-Wise
Hiring managers want candidates who are not only qualified on paper, but also a culture add. If your personality, work style and values don’t seem to align, they’ll likely pass you over for someone who’s a better fit.
Think back on your interactions – did conversation flow naturally or feel stilted? Were you able to joke around and bond? Did you click on a human level? Or did you feel awkward and struggle to connect?
Lacking chemistry can doom your chances, even if the interview went smoothly otherwise. Fitting in matters, so if you don’t mesh well personally, chances are an offer isn’t coming.
12. You Have a Gut Feeling You Blew It
Finally, don’t underestimate your own intuition. As the candidate, you likely have a good sense of how the interview went even if the signs aren’t overt.
Did you feel flustered and off your game? Did you blank on questions you should know? Did you get the vibe the interviewer was bored or unimpressed?
While you may not have clear evidence, if you have a sinking feeling in your gut that you blew it, you’re probably right. Don’t second-guess that inner voice – it’s time to refocus your job search elsewhere.
Don’t Lose Momentum While Awaiting a Final Decision
The job search is filled with uncertainty. While you hope for good news, you must be prepared for rejection too.
By watching for these signs you didn’t get the job, you can adjust your expectations and avoid disappointment down the road. Of course, you never know until you get final word one way or the other.
In the meantime, keep up your momentum! Don’t bank on any one opportunity as your only prospect. Apply to new roles, network for openings, and be ready to pivot upon receiving the dreaded “thanks but no thanks” call.
Persistence and resilience are key in the job hunt. While rejection stings, brush it off and keep chasing new possibilities. If you stick with it, that dream offer will find its way to you!
I know first-hand that the job search can feel demoralizing at times. But use the tips in this article to read between the lines and set realistic expectations
Negative comments about your work experience
If the interviewer makes negative comments about your resume or past work experiences, that’s a pretty clear red flag for the interview.
It’s like the classic scene from The Devil Wears Prada when Miranda Priestly is interviewing Andrea:
“Miranda: You have no style or sense of fashion.
Andrea: I think that depends on –
Miranda: No, no- that wasn’t a question.”
In other words, if the interviewer actually points out your lack of relevant experience or makes other negative comments, there’s a good chance you won’t be getting a second interview (although Andrea did end up getting that job!).
You never get to meet the rest of the team
If you go through multiple rounds of interviews but somehow never meet the rest of the team you’d be working with (including your possible manager), that could be a bad sign. Try not to let this discourage you!
Odds are, in the first interview or two, you’re only going to meet with one other person and it’s not until later on that you would meet more of your future colleagues.
SIGNS YOU WON’T GET THE JOB!
Are there signs you didn’t get the job after an interview?
Well, at least not officially. Unofficially, there can be signs you didn’t get the job after an interview. By knowing the signs an interview went badly, you can manage your expectations and move onto new opportunities with greater ease. If you’d like to learn more, here’s what you need to know about signs you didn’t get the job after an interview.
How do you know if you didn’t get a job?
Here’s a list of possible signs you didn’t get the job: 1. The interviewer didn’t express any interest A lack of interest during the interview can mean that the hiring manager isn’t interested in considering you for an open position. You may notice disinterest through closed-off nonverbal communication or behaviors like constantly checking a watch.
How do you know if an interview didn’t go well?
Use a process, such as the CDS system backed by evidence, and focus on getting another interview. Remember the average person interviews 10 times to get 1 offer. Signs your interview didn’t go well and you didn’t get the job: 1. When there is a sense of rush when escorting you out of an interview Feeling cold anyone?
How do you know if a job interview is bad?
There are a lot of signs things aren’t going well during an interview. Micro-expressions, terse replies to your responses, etc. can all be telltale signs. But it’s what is missing at the end of the interview will confirm how you did. 5. They did not ‘sell’ the company to you
