16 sure signs your phone interview went well

Studies on behavioral psychology show that between 70% and 93% of communication is nonverbal, so phone job interviews can be tricky as they leave you guessing the interviewer's reactions to your answers.

You can tell that your job phone interview went well if the interviewer was focused during the call.

The duration of the call also matters – the longer, the better. If they asked you in detail about your experience and told you about the hiring process, then it is almost certain that you got the job.

It's true that you can hear a smile, however, you can't always be certain you have identified all other emotions in the interviewer's tone. So how do you know if a phone interview went well?

There isn't a perfect way to tell if you are moving forward to the next round.

Even if you feel like you've bonded with the recruiter and the conversation ended on a good note, there are many other factors about hiring that are outside your scope.

But the same point is valid when you feel like your performance was bad and you failed the interview.

The interviewer may believe you came across very well and your experience is sufficient for the position. So here I will tell you all about the signs that you should be looking for.

What are the signs of a good phone interview?

The best that could happen during a phone interview which would clearly mean it went well, is to hear the recruiter confirm you will speak again for the next stage.

Ideally, this leaves you no room for doubt and saves you from overthinking.

Your next step should be to prepare really well for your live interview, and here are the best tips that we can give you to increase your chances of getting the job offer.

However, if you don't hear it directly, there are a few other things that could point you in that direction and ease your buzzing mind.

Try to analyze the call, right after it ends, focus on the topics you covered, and watch for the following signs indicating you have a good chance to be hired.

1. Active listening from the interviewer

Ever felt like someone's hanging on to every word you say? That's what active listening feels like.

If the interviewer is fully engaged, responding to your points, and not cutting you off, it's a clear sign they value your input and are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.

2. The interviewer makes personal connections

If the conversation starts feeling like a chat between old friends, where the interviewer relates to your experiences or even shares a bit about themselves, it's a good signal.

It means there's a rapport, and they can see you fitting into the company culture.

3. They asked about your long-term goals

I know this question is a cliché and probably the most uncomfortable one to answer. But there's a catch to it.

When they start probing about where you see yourself in a few years or your aspirations, it's not just small talk.

They're trying to gauge if you're in it for the long haul and how you'd grow with the company. In other words, if you made it to this question, it means you left a good first impression.

4. They mention specific team integration

Comments like "Our team would benefit from your expertise" or "I can see you collaborating with our project lead" are not just thrown around.

They're dropping hints that they're already envisioning you in specific roles or projects.

5. They mention ongoing projects

When they dive into current or upcoming projects, especially detailing where they see you fitting in, it's a big deal.

They're not just filling you in; they're envisioning your contribution.

It's a sign they're considering how your skills and expertise would benefit these specific initiatives, and they're excited about the potential collaboration.

6. You know what the next step is

Be mindful of the phrases the interviewer uses throughout the conversation.

Еspecially at the end of the call. It would be a good sign if they mention what the next step in the recruitment process is.

For example, another call with a relative manager or a competence test, anything that indicates that they would like you to be prepared for proceeding further.

(By the way, you should check our guide on how to use notes during a job interview for the upcoming one that will be live.)

7. The call ends on a good note

Listen to your intuition. If you bonded with the interviewer and the call went smoothly, and you feel well after it ended, it means you did well, and you are likely to hear back from them.

The interviewer may even comment that you did well or that they are pleased with the conversation you had.

8. The interview went longer than expected

It could be due to many reasons – the interviewer had many questions about your experience, spent a lot of time explaining the position in detail, or simply lost track of time as they enjoyed the conversation.

Either way, the long interview means that the recruiter was genuinely interested in speaking with you. I've had interviews that lasted more than 2 hours.

9. They asked you for your availability and other offers

If the interviewer asks you how soon you can start a new job or if you are currently having other offers, it indicates that they may be considering you for the position and they are planning the next steps of the hiring, such as the next available starting date.

At this point, it would be a good idea to think about what to say when they offer you the job.

And if you're not happy with the proposed compensation, take a look at our guide on how to negotiate salary without losing the job offer.

10. All follow-up questions were related to your previous answer

The flow is very important for a good interview. It means that there's a logical, organic continuation of the discussion.

If the interviewer is basing their next question on the answers you gave to the previous question and keeps the conversation natural – that shows that they are interested in what you are saying and would like to know more.

11. You're invited to ask your questions

This is where the tables turn, even if momentarily. When they encourage you to ask questions, it's a sign they want you to be as informed and comfortable as possible.

They value your perspective and want to address any reservations or curiosities you might have.

It's a two-way street, and they're ensuring you have all the information to make an informed decision.

12. They gave you details about the position and the company

The interviewer surely believes you are a good fit if they try to position you in the company by giving you a very detailed overview of the culture and the benefits of working there.

They would try to sell you the position as well by giving you a possible career path.

If you are invited for a live job interview, make sure to arrive at least a bit early to ensure everything goes smoothly.

But if it turns out that they won't be paying you what you expected, then feel free to turn down the job because of the salary proposal.

Here's a clever little tip – if your phone interview went well and you will be going to a live one, consider wearing glasses to increase your chances of getting hired.

And don't wear jeans in case it will be taking place in a corporate environment.

13. They talk about perks and benefits

It's not just a rundown of what the company offers. When interviewers start discussing the perks, benefits, or even the unique training opportunities, they're doing more than just informing you.

They're showcasing the company's commitment to employee well-being and growth.

It's their way of subtly enticing you, making sure you see the value in joining their team beyond just the role itself.

14. They ask about your expectations

It's more than a routine question. When they probe about what you're looking for in a role, the work culture, or even the team dynamics, they're trying to ensure a mutual fit.

They want to make sure that the company can not only meet but exceed your aspirations. It's about ensuring that both you and the company would benefit from the partnership.

15. They ask about your work preferences

It's not just about getting to know you better. When they inquire about how you like to work, your preferred environments, or even your ideal team dynamics, they're gauging how you'd mesh with the company culture.

They want to ensure that the day-to-day operations align with your comfort and productivity levels, ensuring a seamless integration into the team.

16. The interviewer provides their direct contact information

Handing out direct contact details isn't standard.

If they're giving you a direct line or personal email, it's an open door, signaling they want to keep the conversation going.

4 signs your phone interview didn't go well

So how to know if you failed a phone interview for sure?

It's relatively easy to tell that the interview wasn't even close to perfection, especially if it made you feel uneasy while it lasted.

When the interviewer is genuinely not interested in your application, they will show that by trying to keep the conversation dry and short.

They might tell you that they will call you eventually, but they probably won't.

Let's say you start well, but it so happens that some of your answers put the interviewer off. You would notice a withdrawal or a change of attitude during the call.

That's very noticeable in new recruiters, as they tend to hold back their emotions with practice, but there are other signs to watch for that indicate an unfortunate interview.

And, sadly, those mean that you have little chance of landing the job. Here are some examples of bad phone interview signs:

1. Lots of awkward silence during the call

You might be tempted to believe that the interviewer is taking notes during them. However, it's more likely that they would tell you if they do.

The awkward silence and the erms and umms are mostly time buyers for the interviewer, who's trying to politely shorten the interview or simply find a bypass to the answer they did not like.

2. Feeling rushed

If the interview is scheduled for a specific interval of time, let's say 30 minutes and you end up being pushed into a 15-minute call, which was rather vague – you are not imagining it, it does mean that it was bad.

It could be as if this was rather a courtesy call – as the interviewer had already chosen the perfect applicant or because your initial answers were enough to show you are not the ideal candidate.

3. They ask you the same killer questions

Killer questions are normally asked to sift candidates – the answers to those questions are very specific for the company.

If it happens that you don't answer as per the interviewer's expectations or even stutter, they would either wrap the call up politely or circle around to those questions again.

The questions are mostly related to what you consider your strengths and weaknesses, your goals, and your salary expectations.

4. They didn't tell you about the role at all

The interview should work both ways and you, as an applicant, should be given details about the company and the position.

This would help you position yourself and embrace the culture of the organization.

If the interviewer skips that part entirely, it's a sign that they don't see you as a fit.

Here are some tips on asking for feedback in case your interview over the phone didn't go well.

And here you can find out how many jobs you should apply for on a weekly basis to ensure a good response rate from employers

Is a 10-minute phone interview good or bad?

So your phone interview only lasted 10 minutes?

It is certainly too short to be good unless you are advised in advance that it's a phone screening.

Normally a phone interview lasts around 30 minutes, and a shorter call means the recruiter made a quick negative judgment of your application.

The screening's goal is to simply compare your answers to the resume you've provided.

It's rare for companies to have phone screening. Usually, it's applied for entry-level positions in fast-step service-providing businesses with a large pool of applicants.

The difference between the phone interview and the screening is that the interview is more “in-depth” and its goal is to position the applicant in the company, while the main goal in the screening process is the invitation to move to the next step of the recruitment process.

If you are put off by the recruiter during the phone call, here are some tips on how to decline the job offer politely.

My experience as an interviewer

Over the years, I've had the privilege of interviewing hundreds of candidates, each bringing their unique flair to the table.

One memorable candidate, Sarah, left an unforgettable mark. From the outset, her preparation was evident.

She seamlessly tied her experiences to our company's needs and asked insightful questions, showing genuine interest.

It was clear the interview went well because of her authenticity and engagement.

On the flip side, I recall interviewing Jake. He had an impressive resume, but during the interview, he often seemed disengaged, giving generic answers and not asking any questions.

It was evident the interview didn't go as well due to a lack of preparation and genuine interest.

From these experiences and many more, here's my advice to you - always tie your answers back to the company's needs, showing how you can be a valuable asset.

Engage in the conversation, ask questions, and most importantly, be genuine. Interviews are as much about fit and personality as they are about skills.

Every interaction, every question, is an opportunity to showcase not just what you know, but who you are.

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