How do you know that an interview is going poorly?

That there is a disconnect between how a candidate feels an interview has gone and the perception of the recruiter or hiring manager happens more often than you would think. I am not talking about an interview where the candidate may not have knocked it out of the park but did okay and felt they still had a chance for the job. I am talking about times when the candidate bombed the interview and did not have any awareness about what happened. Sometimes it might be plain denial. Other times I think it is not being perceptive enough to see the signs.

Did the interview finish earlier than expected?

If you were scheduled for a 30-minute interview (in-person or phone) and after 10, 15 or 20 minutes the interview has concluded, that is a bad sign. If an interviewer is engaged in the interview, they will ask to follow up or additional questions. You might even be allowed to ask questions. If neither of those things has happened, the interviewer has decided that they have all the information to decide that you are not a fit.  As their time is valuable, they will quickly conclude the interview.

Body language

Body language is a big tell. While the interviewer may say the right things, his/her body language may say something else. An engaged interviewer will be looking at you, nodding the head and leaning forward to hear what you have to say. If the interviewer is not interested, you will see them lean back, look at their phone or look around the room instead.

Types of questions asked

You can also tell when an interviewer is disengaged by the types of questions you are asked. If you are wondering why a question is asked that seems insignificant or not related to the work, that is a sign that the interviewer has decided you are not a fit and does not care to hear an in-depth, meaty answer. Think questions about your hobbies or where you went to school.

I am scheduled for back to back interview for an entire afternoon. How do I keep my focus?

Often a potential employer will want to schedule back-to-back interviews so all people who will make the hiring decision have a chance to interview the candidate on the same day, to make a quicker decision. This is generally good for the candidate, as it means only one day to that needs to be scheduled, especially helpful if it involves taking the day off. While it has its positives, it can also be a grueling day for a candidate, especially for those that are introverted and don’t get their energy from interacting with others. The challenge is to be “on” throughout the day. Here are some suggestions to help you get through the day with high energy and focus.

• Take advantage of bathroom breaks. You should have a few minutes between interviews. Use the bathroom to give yourself a few minutes to have some quiet time. Splash some water on your face. Take some deep breaths. Whatever happened in the previous interview (good or bad) you need to let go. Mentally prepare for the next interview.

• Keep hydrated. Make sure you drink water. You will be talking a lot. If you are not offered water, ask to be shown to a drinking fountain.

• The important times in an interview are the first few minutes and the last few minutes. First impressions are important as are the questions you ask at the end. If you need to focus your limited energy, those are the two most important times.

• If you have the opportunity, ask others questions. Perhaps you will be allowed or have time to ask questions of a future peer or someone that is not a decision-maker, like a receptionist. Listening to others and not being put on the spot may help give you a breather.

Do I need to provide a reference from my current employer?

The simple answer is no, you do not. Names you give for your references should be people that can vouch for your work and also won’t harm you professionally. While someone at your present employer can certainly do the former, the latter is what might be problematic. Now if you have someone that knows that you are on a job search at your present job, you certainly can ask them to be a reference, and the potential employer may be very interested in speaking with them. You would need to prepare this person for being asked why you are looking for a new position and discuss how you would like them to answer. There may be information behind your situation that your reference knows, but you would not like to have discussed, like a horrible boss.

By the way, you may be asked in the application process if you would agree to have the future employer contact your present employer. It is perfectly acceptable to say no. The vast majority of candidates applications I have reviewed answer this way, and for good reason. I do not know any employer that would think badly of you should you answer that way. Most employers have no desire to put any candidate’s livelihood at risk. 

Shelley Piedmont is a job search coach. She wants to help job seekers put their best foot forward by providing the tools for a successful job search. If you need career coaching, resume preparation, interview skills assessment or LinkedIn profile assistance, she can help. Schedule a 15-minute no-obligation consultation.