How to Know Your Interview is Not Going Well

Making it through a tough interview is usually cause for celebration, but a calm demeanor and carefully prepared answers may not be enough to win over the hiring manager. A change in the conversation or the hiring manager's body language could be a subtle cue that the meeting is going badly. While it's difficult to stay attentive under pressure, watch out for warning signs that an interview isn't likely to lead to a job offer.

One-Sided Conversation

Interviewers try to gather insight and verify details as much as possible before moving forward with a promising candidate. If the hiring manager only asks shallow interview questions and doesn't want specific examples of how you apply skills and experience, she may see you as a poor fit for the job. Listening attentively and asking follow-up questions are standard behaviors of an interested interviewer, while rushing and interrupting you may be signs the hiring manager has already made up her mind.

Stingy With Information

Smart hiring managers use interviews to connect with sought-after candidates, making them eager to share information about the job or company culture that could sway an applicant's opinion. Be wary of a recruiter who gives vague information and evades your interview questions, especially if he makes little effort to sell you on the job. Even if vagueness comes from inexperience, the interviewer isn't likely to collect enough information for the company to make a hiring decision.

Unpleasant Body Language

While you're focused on keeping your own mannerisms in check, you can easily overlook an interviewer's negative body language. Hiring managers usually exude warmth and enthusiasm when interested, so pay attention to common signs of distraction or uneasiness, such as yawning, crossing the arms, glancing around the room and leaning away.

Focused on Weaknesses

In an effort to lower your expectations, a hiring manager may repeatedly discusses the stiff competition for the job or aspects of the position that don't fit your skill set. Interviewers want to know whether you can quickly adapt in a new role, but they generally don't linger on the topic if you can provide relevant examples of how you handled similar tasks in the past. Prepare yourself for rejection when the interviewer is more curious about your weaknesses than your strengths.

No Mention of Future Follow-Up

Hiring managers don't want to lose top candidates to other companies, and they aim to keep the most qualified professionals up-to-date on the post-interview process. You may be out of the running if the interviewer isn't concerned about your availability and doesn't tell you what to expect going forward. When the interviewer doesn't volunteer this information, take the initiative to ask. At the very least, the hiring manager can clear up your doubts by letting you know whether there's an internal reason she can't give a definite follow-up date.

Every hiring manager has unique mannerisms and interviewing techniques, so don't give in to doubts when you still have a chance to make a great impression. Although you can't land every job, you can learn from good and bad experiences to become a stronger candidate.

Photo courtesy of Levo League at Flickr.com