How to Tell If a Phone Interview Went Well: 7 Signs

Acing a job interview is always a great feeling. You know right away that you are being considered for the position. This is especially true with an in-person interview: you can always tell how it went. But what if you had a phone interview? How do you know if a phone interview went well and you’re moving on to the next round?

If you’re feeling unsure after a phone interview, don’t worry. It’s absolutely normal. After all, you couldn’t read the interviewer’s general body language. You may even start to feel anxious or overthink things. However, it’s best to take a step back and analyze the situation. 

If you’re still having doubts, here are 7 signs that your phone interview went well. 

7 Signs Your Phone Interview Went Well

Chances are that you started wondering how you performed immediately after you put down the phone. You’re not alone! It is not always easy reading the interviewer’s tone and facial expressions over the phone. 

Usually, the phone interview is the initial interview you’ll go through, so you’ll want to start off strong.

The good news is that there are some clear signs that will let you know if you aced your phone interview. 

Here are 7 indications that you killed it during your phone interview:

1. You Were Able To Answer All Of The Interviewer’s Questions Clearly And Concisely 

In phone interviews, sometimes an interviewer asks difficult or complicated questions just to see how well you’ll navigate them.

It is vital that you answer them without any trouble. This is a good sign and shows the interviewer that you have done your research and are knowledgeable about the company and the position you are applying for. This will definitely leave a good impression during the interview process!

Always take time to answer the interview questions clearly and concisely. This will give you an edge over the other candidates and make you stand out. It will also show the interviewer that you are competent and know exactly what you are talking about. 

Ultimately, the hiring manager will remember you when he is compiling a shortlist of potential candidates.

2. You Stayed Calm And Confident Throughout The Interview

Staying calm and confident during your phone interview shows that you are comfortable and capable of handling whatever comes your way. 

Anxiety and nervousness are common during an interview, especially with phone interviews. So, if you were able to control them, you probably nailed the interview.

Most employers look for candidates who are calm and in control. This is why it’s important that you’re able to show these qualities during your phone interview and the rest of the interview process. 

If you feel like you were cool, calm, and collected, the chances that the phone interview went well are high!

3. You Communicated Effectively And Clearly

Effective communication is key to any good phone interview. It’s a glaring good sign in a candidate You must communicate clearly and concisely with the interviewer. This way, you’ll both be able to understand each other.

According to a recent survey, 81% of employers value communication skills over any other skill, and it’s not hard to see why. The workplace is dynamic, and it’s critical that you’re able to voice your opinions. Additionally, customer relationships are also based on effective communication.

Keep in mind that the interviewer can’t see you, so you must speak clearly and at a moderate pace. This is the best way to give them a visual image of who you are. It also lets them know that you are capable of handling difficult conversations over the phone. 

Most importantly, effective communication also shows that you are organized and that you know how to get your points across.

4. You Asked Thoughtful Questions About The Company  

As is with all interviews, it’s very important that you adequately prepare for your phone interview. One of the things you should do is come up with thoughtful questions about the company and the role you are applying for. 

This shows that you are genuinely interested in the position. It also proves that you have done your research and that you are knowledgeable about the industry. In fact, studies by different institutions have suggested that this is one of the most important stages of any interview process. 

Another good sign the interviewer will look for is if you ask deeper follow-up questions when he or she responds to your initial question.

So if the interviewer asks if you have any questions, go for it! However, some won’t give you the chance to ask questions (they will even tell you this in advance) during this initial phone screen. If this happens, don’t worry, you can always shine in other areas.

5. You Were Able To Showcase Your Skills And Strengths

Interviews are all about showcasing your skills, strengths, and expertise. And is there a better way to do this than by sharing stories that illustrate your point? We think not! Stories are a great way of showing the interviewer who you are. They also prove that you have the relevant experience for the job that you’re interviewing for. 

If you were able to share stories highlighting your skills and strengths, you likely nailed that interview. The best part about stories is that they tend to ease the tension surrounding the discussion while also impressing the interviewer.

Remember that a story must be brief, concise, and to the point. Do not go into too much detail, as this will only confuse the interviewer. Stick to the key points and make sure that it’s relevant to the question you are being asked.

Whenever the interviewer asks you a question, think of ways to tie your skills and strengths into the answer

6. The Interviewer Laughed At Your Jokes

Do you have a good sense of humor? Well, this is definitely a good thing. Laughter is the best way to ease tension, and it also shows that you are comfortable in the company of others. If the interviewer laughed at your jokes, then this is a good indication that they enjoyed your company and the phone interview went well.

Hiring managers care a lot about whether a candidate will fit into their company culture. Having some humor could show them that you are someone they would enjoy being around.

Jokes are also a great way to break the ice. According to various surveys, a good rapport with the interviewer is one of the keys to a successful interview. And, it’s important that you’re able to foster a connection with the hiring manager over the phone, So if you were able to make the interviewer laugh, you have already taken a big step towards acing the interview.

Just make sure that your jokes are appropriate and that they don’t offend the interviewer in any way. Also, avoid using offensive language and stick to clean humor.

7. Your Tone Was Positive And Enthusiastic

One of the pillars of a successful phone interview is maintaining a positive attitude. This shows that you’re an upbeat and enthusiastic person. Remember that the interviewer can’t see you, so they will rely on your tone of voice to gauge your mood. 

A positive tone is a good sign because it shows that you’re interested in the position and are motivated enough to get the job. On the other hand, if your tone was negative or disinterested, it also reflected poorly on you and may even cost you the job.

You Might Just Get the Job!

A phone interview can be nerve-wracking, especially if this is your first one.

You may also have a difficult time figuring out whether you performed well. There are, however, 7 key signs that you can look out for, as highlighted above. Hopefully, this article will help you determine if your phone interview went well. 

Good luck with your job search and I hope your great phone interview helps you make it onto the next round! I see a job offer coming your way.

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