Video interviews are new formats of interviewing. Some recruiters may require you to do an in-person interview at a later stage, but in the interest of time, the buck stops at how you perform in your video interview.
Zoom interviews have become popular more recently. Research indicates that almost eight out of 10 recruiters prefer Zoom interviews, as they find such discussions more practical for both the interviewer and the interviewee.
Zoom interviews allow your personality to shine in front of your interviewer. The narrations on your face go beyond outlining career highlights to showcase your soft skills and more desirable traits without appearing forced.
As more jobs get filled through Zoom interviews, candidates still need to figure out whether they did well during the interview or not.
The signs can be subtle, but if you know what you are looking for, you’ll know. If you’re wondering whether you did well in your Zoom interview or not, read on.
Signs a Zoom Interview Went Well
1. When an interviewer leads you to believe that there is the next step
Image Source: Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels
Getting to know the following stages of an interview is one of the best signs for any interview. When a recruiter hints that there is a ‘future,’ it is an excellent sign that they are interested in working with you.
There could be some ambiguity in the next step conversations, especially when the recruiter tells you that HR will contact you for the next step.
The phrase can be interpreted as positive or negative. If an interviewer talks with a shrug while avoiding eye contact, it can be a sign that you didn’t make it.
Interviewers mentioning the next steps might not be a sure sign, especially if there were several of them, but it is a crucial one to look out for. Recruiters hardly go further in clarifying what these next steps are if they weren’t seriously considering your candidacy.
The next steps are only sometimes specific and straightforward. While communicating the next steps, your recruiter may brief you on the rest of the hiring process or your next point of contact. But the best clarity happens when a recruiter uses specific dates for your next steps.
Recruiters are less committed to specific information, so when they tell you they will reach out to you in seven days, for instance, chances are high that you’ll get the job. Don’t be discouraged when an interviewer is not specific with dates.
It is not a terrible sign as it might mean they already flagged you as a better option in case their preferred candidate doesn’t accept the offer. So stay positive and hope that that phone rings.
You can follow with a polite reminder in case you are still waiting to hear from your recruiter in one or two weeks.
Also Read: Thank You Email Examples After Zoom Interview
2. When the Zoom interview takes longer than expected
Image Source: Anna Shvets via Pexels
More extended interviews are another excellent sign that you did well. If the interview panel is interested in you, it will allocate more time for you. If you are a good fit, the interviewer wants to make sure that they make the right decision in recommending you for the role.
In reality, you find yourselves enjoying the conversation and hardly realize how time flies by. At the end of it all, your conversations may shift from the formal interview Q and A to general discussions.
No hiring manager wants to waste time on one candidate. It’s a common practice for recruiters to cut interviews short if they can tell you are not a good fit. Therefore, when you see your Zoom interview taking longer, it might signify that things are going well.
According to Forbes, a typical interview should take about 40 minutes. After that, a hiring manager should take between 24 hours to two weeks to notify you of the way forward.
So, when an interviewer takes more time to ask a few more questions, it’s a sign that the conversation is headed somewhere good.
Check Out: Hacks To Look Good On Zoom Interview
3. When an interviewer is engaged and curious about you on a personal level
Image Source: fauxels via Pexels
Generally, interviews are about business and nothing more. A subtle shift in your conversation can reveal much about what your recruiter is thinking concerning your candidature.
If an interviewer is more interested in what you are saying as much as you are, chances are they are satisfied with you.
When a recruiter is curious about your personal information, they already have the necessary information. Now they want to know if you can fit into their culture.
However, ensure that you don’t overindulge in personal conversations. Only disclose relevant information and keep the rest.
When a recruiter wants to know more about you on a personal level, it is the best chance to be open and honest about your mental health. Relevant information should guide your employer on the best work conditions and help to give you based on your needs.
Also Read: Interview Mistakes To Avoid
4. You made a genuine connection with the interviewer
Image Source: Los Muertos Crew
If your conversation flowed nicely with back-and-forth conversations across various themes and topics at the end of the interview, it could be a good sign that your Zoom interview went well.
A genuine connection during an interview can also be a natural highlight of your interpersonal and communication skills. A good rapport is an excellent sign that the interview panel liked interacting with you and a good sign that the interview was successful.
Remember, an interview is not always about you getting the job. It also means finding the right team to work with. Suppose your conversation was uncomfortable at the interview stage. What makes you think all will be well when you finally join the team?
Also Read: Signs Your Interview Went Bad
5. When they ask you about the company culture
Image Source: RODNAE Productions via Pexels
Another sign to look out for is when you are asked about the company culture. Your interviewer may out rightly ask you how you feel about the open position or the company. The question might come before or after the traditional “do you have any questions for us?” question.
Typically, company culture questions seek to prove whether you are a perfect fit for the organization and whether your skills and traits align with the company’s values.
It is also an ideal chance to learn about the company and determine whether that is the job you want.
As you wrap up, your interviewer may also ask you what you think about the entire process, which is a good sign that you might get the job. It’s imperative to note that company culture questions are not a ploy.
The recruiter genuinely wants to know how you think about them to help them address concerns and answer questions. It is also a way to sell the company to you and help you feel comfortable accepting the offer and finally joining the team.
6. When the conversation shifts from “if” to “when”
Image Source: Ivan Samkov via Pexels
Interviewers might tell you that your interview went well without realizing it themselves. What they think about you can manifest through their choice of words, so pay attention to how they word their statements and questions.
When a recruiter suddenly shifts from asking you “what if?” to “when?” It is a good sign that you’ll get the job.
Generally, interviewers use conditional language to stay neutral and avoid revealing their hand. The unintentional language shift is subtle but a great sign that you are headed for the next stage.
Also Read: Most Asked Interview Questions & Answers
7. When they discuss perks and benefits
Image Source: Julia M Cameron via Pexels
Interviewers take you through the interview process to determine whether or not you can fill the position sufficiently. Rarely do they delve deeper into information you are interested in knowing, like perks and benefits.
In addition to shifting the conversation from formal to casual, your recruiter might bring up the conversation on compensation, benefits, and all the perks the company has to offer.
The discussion here shifts from interviewing to selling you on the company, which clearly indicates that they are interested in you.
Discussing benefits also increases the length of the Zoom interview and is a critical conversation shift in an interview room. Typically, compensation and perks are discussed later, so if an interviewer is not interested in you, they would not ask you about salary expectations.
8. When they ask you about your availability and timeline
Image Source: Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels
Your potential work schedule or availability are discussions that should come later in the recruitment process.
In most cases, you only get such questions once you are one step to signing your offer letter. Companies may not talk about schedules and the onboarding process until the paperwork starts.
While most interviewers don’t deal with such aspects as timeline and availability, they might mention it if they feel that you are the right candidate for the job. Besides general availability details, your recruiter may be more interested in your transition timeline.
So, when your recruiter suddenly shifts to ask you when you can start working and how long it will take to transition to a new company, consider it a positive sign that you will get the job. It gets even better when they present you with a timeline and ask you if you can meet it.
Asking you when you can start working is a clear indicator that they are interested in you. If you are still determining whether the availability question means an offer is on the way, ask for clarity.
Ask whether they are giving you a formal offer and whether your proposed availability is acceptable.
9. Body language
Image Source: Yan Krukov via Pexels
Another sign to look for when determining whether your Zoom interview was a success or not is your recruiter’s body language. Zoom interviews are great as they allow you to capture unique aspects about your recruiter without reading an essay about them.
Therefore, paying attention to your recruiter’s body language is essential as it can provide valuable insights into what they are thinking. Even an interview playing cool can easily manifest in their physical movements.
Most interviewers are given script questions for every candidate, so don’t be worried when you see them look bored or rigid. It is only meant to give every candidate the same experience. But when you see subtle hints of enthusiasm, it’s a good sign that you might get the job.
You may notice recruiters leaning in when they speak to you, making eye contact, or even nodding to the things you say. It goes both ways, as your recruiter can also tell when things are going well when they mirror your movements.
Look out for hints like smiling as they respond to your questions, enthusiastic and keen nodding, or attentiveness. Positive body language indicates that the recruiter is interested in the conversation, is eager to know you, and cannot wait to work with you.
Also Read: How To Answer Walk Me Through Your Resume?
10. When the interviewer says that they are impressed with you
Image Source: Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels
Some interviewers don’t beat around the bush. They are forthright and straightforward. Hence, they tell things as they are. If you are lucky to find one, they’ll let you know without blinking how they are impressed with you, which is a clear sign that you got the job.
Obviously, they may not guarantee you have it at this point, but since interviewers don’t say this to every candidate, such statements serve no lie.
Some interviewers may explicitly tell you that you got the skills they have been looking for, so pat yourself on the back as you turn off the Zoom camera.
Your interviewer might also reveal that they still have other candidates to interview, but they might only do it as a formality. But as long as they are impressed with your demeanor, enthusiasm, and qualifications, they will offer you the position.
You can take advantage of this stage to ask your interviewer about the ideal candidate they are looking for. Such questions make you more likable as they indicate that you are more inclined to what the company desires.
11. When a recruiter asks you whether you have other interviews
Image Source: Ketut Subiyanto via Pexels
When an interviewer’s power suddenly shifts to you and what you’ve been up to is a good sign that they may be considering having you on board. They understand that, as a job seeker, there might be other interviews lined up for you, and the best way to know is to ask.
Asking you whether other companies are interviewing you helps them determine if you are a competitive candidate. Ensure you understand how to answer such interview questions to provide an effective and honest answer.
Interviewing with other companies can convince recruiters that you have the right skills, and they will be more willing to hire you. While responding to whether you are interviewing with other companies, explain your interest in the company and why they would be your primary choice.
Don’t reveal information about these companies; just provide general information. Shift the conversation to highlight what you are looking for in your next role. Your expectations can guide your interviewer to give more details on the job and quicken the hiring process.
If you are not interviewing with any company, explain your past interviews with another company and insist on why the company at hand is your best choice. Through honesty, you can build a relationship with your interviewer, which can lead to success in the hiring process.
12. Your references are contacted
Image Source: Karolina Grabowska via Pexels
Contacting references is an integral part of the hiring process. But it is not always a guarantee that recruiters will do it unless they are interested in you. Remember contacting referees is tedious, especially if the list is long and competition high.
A reference check indicates that your recruiter is nearly ready to extend an offer to you and all they want is a final confirmation that you are the right person to work with. In some cases, the interviewer may mention to you that they will be checking your references soon.
Please provide good contacts and inform them ahead of time that a hiring manager from XYZ Company intends to contact them about you.
Some recruiters don’t even ask for references unless they plan to contact them. Have your contacts ready, as this question might pop up at the end of your interview.
Also Read: What Motivates You In Life? Interview Question Answered
13. When you get direct contact information
Image Source: Tima Miroshnichenko via Pexels
Another sign that you may be hired is getting direct contact information. Interviewers meet hundreds of potential candidates, and it’s outside their practice to dole out contact information like candy.
If it happens to you, there is a good chance that they have seen something special in you. It also shows that they want to engage you further.
Even if you don’t make it for the position you applied for, they might be having something for you within the company. Direct contact information is a big deal.
It means a hiring manager gives you a line to reach them without going through gatekeepers. It could also tell that they want you to reach out to ensure that the rest of the hiring process goes on smoothly.
14. When you get a prompt reply to your thank you email
Image Source: Taryn Elliott via Pexels
It’s a good practice to send a thank you email within 24 hours after your zoom interviews. A thank you email demonstrates that you are interested in the job and keeps you on top of your recruiter’s mind as they start considering who to work with.
Since they receive many follow-up emails, realistically, they only have a little time to respond to every email, especially if less compelling candidates send the emails. So, when they take time to graciously, quickly, and personally respond to yours, it may signal interest.
Remember recruiters are also not obliged to respond to follow-up emails, so receiving a response from them should alleviate your concern. They probably do not want to lose you to another company, so they go out of their way to keep communication lines open.
15. They give you in-depth and detailed answers
Image Source: Edmond Dantès via pexels
If a recruiter is less interested in you, you’ll notice that their responses are brief and sparse in detail. But if they think you are the right candidate, they may feel compelled to offer in-depth and detailed information.
Therefore, if the interviewer takes more time to answer all your questions with the details you need, chances are high that you are at the top of their list.
16. Calling you by your name and inviting you to connect on LinkedIn
Image Source: MART PRODUCTION via Pexels
When a recruiter is not interested in you, you probably won’t hear them refer to you by your name. It is an even better sign when the interviewer extends an invitation on LinkedIn. Generally, it’s interviewees who send most LinkedIn requests.
If it happens the other way around, it must indicate a deeper level of interest. A LinkedIn invitation could signify that they want to stay in touch with you or convince you how good their company is. Above all, a LinkedIn invitation indicates that they wish to offer you the job.
17. Saying “Best of luck for the rest of the interview process” at the end of your Zoom interview
Image Source: Sora Shimazaki via Pexels
If there are more rounds of interviews, a “good luck for the rest of your interview” statement is an excellent sign that you succeeded in your current stage. Other recruiters might say, “Let me know how it goes with the rest of your interviews,” which is an equally good sign.
When an interview exhibits excitement and enthusiasm about your future, the interviewer probably wants you to work there.
Sometimes they may ask you to talk to someone else who works closely with them, and this can only happen if they like you. Otherwise, they wouldn’t waste time on you.
Your recruiter also wants to ensure that it’s not only them who like you but the entire team. And as long as you don’t do anything dramatic while engaging with the team, you will likely look favorable. Chatting with the team is not meant to qualify you but rather eliminate any red flags.
Also Read: What To Wear & Avoid When Going For An Interview?
Final Thoughts
There are many signs that you got that job after a Zoom interview.
Catching these signs is entirely up to you. Some are more subtle than others, but recognizing them can save you a lot of unnecessary stress as you wait for that call.
Enjoyed the post?
