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You just wrapped up a job interview for a role you're excited about. You think it went well. But wait, did it?

Now that you've had some time to take a breath and reflect on that conversation, the confusion and self-doubt have kicked in. You're chewing your nails and overanalyzing every answer, offhand remark, and facial expression, searching for clues about whether or not you can expect a second interview.
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You aren't alone-we all do it. The job search is filled with a lot of uncertainty, and there's no surefire way to get inside your interviewer's head. Fortunately, there are a few signs that indicate you knocked your interview out of the park (and conversely, there are some clues you can pick up on if it didn't go so well).

8 Signs You Nailed Your Interview

Before we jump in, a friendly disclaimer: When it comes to the interview process, there's really no such thing as foolproof signs. While the things we're about to discuss are generally positive, they aren't a guarantee. Similarly, if these things didn't happen in your interview, that doesn't mean it was a disaster. There are always exceptions.

Got it? Good. Now, let's talk about some signs that you likely hooked that interviewer and are one step closer to landing that job.

1. Your Interview Ran Longer Than Scheduled

Your interview was scheduled for half an hour, but it was closer to 45 minutes or an hour before your conversation wrapped up. Chances are, your interviewer is interested in you and was highly engaged in the information you were providing.

"As a former recruiter, if I knew it wasn't a fit, I didn't want to waste anyone's time and would generally wrap up right at the scheduled time," says Muse career coach Emily Liou, founder and career happiness coach at CultiVitae. "But when we found a stellar candidate, we would try to spend additional time to flush out what we needed to know to make an informed decision."

2. Your Interviewer's Body Language Cues Were Positive

Nonverbal communication-particularly body language-carries a lot of weight, says Muse career coach Eliot Kaplan, former VP of Talent Acquisition at Hearst Magazines. "Does the recruiter seem engaged with what you're saying? Are they leaning forward when you say something particularly incisive? Smiling? Do their eyes have some spark in them?"

While these types of cues can be more difficult to pick up on in a video interview, there are a few things you can look out for. For example, it's a good thing if your interviewer makes frequent eye contact with their camera and sits upright rather than slumped in their chair.

3. Your Conversation Flowed Naturally

While this is easy to forget when your nerves are running high, interviews really are human-to-human conversations. Kaplan explains that if your interaction flowed more like a natural discussion and less like an interrogation, that's a positive. Polite small talk and some friendly back-and-forth indicate that the interviewer was not only interested in you, but also felt a certain level of comfort.

Just be aware that some companies conduct very structured interviews with set lists of questions asked in a certain order to satisfy diversity and inclusion criteria or abide by other company policies, so don't get discouraged if your interviewer seemed to stick to the script.

4. You Were Asked Follow-Up Questions

Interested interviewers will dig deeper into your answers with related questions. "Are they asking follow-up questions that build well upon what you are saying? Or do they seem like they're just going through their checklist of required questions?" Kaplan says.

Pressing you for additional detail is a good sign, even if it feels a little intimidating in the moment. Keep in mind, though, that if they're simply restating the same question they already asked, it could be a sign that you aren't giving enough information in your initial answer.

5. They Want You to Meet Other Team Members

"When you're asked to meet with other team members who weren't originally scheduled or you're asked to meet with their boss, that's a very strong indicator that they are excited about you," Liou says. Most likely, "they want to advocate that you're the perfect fit and ensure that the approval process gets expedited by having other influencers meet you."

This isn't necessarily a common scenario, especially if your job interviews are taking place virtually, so don't take it as a bad sign if you only meet with your scheduled interviewer. However, if the hiring manager mentions wanting to introduce you to their boss, a department leader, or another decision maker (even if it doesn't happen instantaneously), you can still mark a check in the "positive signs" column.

6. Your Interviewer "Sold" You on the Job and Company

It can be tough to remember that job interviews are supposed to go both ways, but they do. The employer is evaluating if you're a good match for the role and the company, and you're collecting more information to see if this is a place you'd like to work.

With that in mind, if your interviewer is actively selling you on the job-by touting things like growth opportunities, perks, company culture, accolades, and more-that's a sign they want to get you excited about the position. Similarly, take note if they ask about your job search and if you're interviewing with other employers. They could be evaluating how competitive of an offer they need to make.

7. Your Interviewer Gave You a Timeline for Next Steps

Getting to this interview is a big deal, but it's also just one step in the hiring process. If your interviewer went into detail about the hiring timeline and what you could expect to happen next, that means they're interested and want you to be in the loop on what's coming up.

Not only is this a good sign about your candidacy, but it also says a lot about that employer. It's proof that they have a clear and organized interview process and value transparency for their applicants (and likely their employees too).

8. Your Follow-Up Email Got a Quick Response

You know the importance of sending a thank you note after your interview, and you took that advice and wrote a friendly, personalized email. That message received a response almost immediately to thank you for your time and to tell you that they'll be in touch soon.

A quick reply is confirmation that you're top of mind and they want to keep you engaged in the hiring process. Even better than that? There was an email about next steps in your inbox before you even had a chance to press "send" on your own thank you note.

You Aced Your Interview-Now What?

You've tallied some (or maybe even all) of the above signs, and now you're feeling confident that you can expect to move forward in the process. Here are a few things you should do to make the most of that momentum:

Take a minute to celebrate-you've earned it!

Send a thank you note or email if you haven't already. According to one survey, 80% of hiring managers find these messages at least somewhat helpful when reviewing candidates.

Jot down some notes about the important information you received as well as some of the main points you mentioned and stories you told in the interview. If you move forward in the process, it's good to have these details to refer back to.

Avoid thinking you're a shoo-in until you get confirmation that you're moving forward. Confidence is a great thing, but you also don't want to get too far ahead of yourself and set yourself up for disappointment.

4 Signs Your Interview Didn't Go So Well

Now let's talk about the flipside: You have this sinking feeling that maybe your interview didn't go as well as you hoped. If you noticed some of the following signs, they could mean that you need to continue your search and prepare to nail future interviews with other employers.

Keep in mind that nothing is a guarantee, and the only way you'll know for sure is when you get either a polite rejection email or hear that the company wants to invite you to do a second interview, an interview assignment, or another next step.

1. Your Interviewer Wasn't Paying Attention

If your interviewer appears to be somewhere else mentally or you notice them looking at another screen during your video interview, Kaplan says, they might be disinterested or disengaged from your conversation.

Of course, it's entirely possible that they were taking a quick look at your resume or their list of interview questions. So don't place too much weight into a brief distraction or break in eye contact. That's way different from a lack of commitment to your entire conversation.

2. You Didn't Talk About Next Steps

When you got to the end of the questions, your interviewer didn't provide any information about what happens next, when they'll be making a hiring decision, or what you can expect once that conversation comes to an end.

While it's entirely probable that they simply forgot-or that they don't know (which in itself could be a red flag)-it might mean that you won't be moving forward in the process and they didn't feel the need to get into those details.

3. You Didn't Have an Opportunity to Ask Questions

"Unless you're running up against the clock, if an interviewer cuts the interview without asking if they can address any of your questions, they may have already made their decision to continue their search," Liou says. "Generally speaking, interviews are a two-way street and positive interview experiences will allow both parties to learn more about one another."

If you were given the opportunity to ask questions but your interviewer provided really curt or vague answers, that's also not a great sign for your candidacy or for that employer's commitment to respectful and transparent communication.

4. Your Interview Ended Early

If an interview running long is a good sign, then an interview wrapping up well before its scheduled sign is typically a bad sign.

But as with all of these indicators, there can be exceptions. Maybe they've already decided that you're a great fit and didn't feel the need to drag out the interview unnecessarily. For a more accurate grasp on how your interview went, look for this sign combined with some of the other red flags.

You Bombed Your Interview-Now What?

OK, so all signs point to the fact that the interview didn't pan out as well as you hoped. It's a bummer, but it doesn't mean you should write it off as a flop and wash your hands of it. We can be unnecessarily hard on ourselves, and there's still a possibility that your interview went better than your harsh inner critic would have you believe.

Regardless, there are a few more things you should do to make the most of the experience:

Take a minute to feel disappointed-that's totally normal.

Send a thank you note or email. This is always a smart move, regardless of how you think the interview went.

Reflect on your interview and write down some notes for how you can be better prepared and what you want to do differently in any future interviews.

Remember, every single interview-whether it ran off the rails or went off without a hitch-is a chance to learn something. So take away what you can and you'll be ready to make the most of whatever opportunity comes your way next.

Kat is a Midwest-based freelance writer, covering topics related to careers, productivity, and the freelance life. In addition to The Muse, she's a contributor all over the web and dishes out research-backed advice for places like Atlassian, Trello, Toggl, Wrike, The Everygirl, FlexJobs, and more. She's also an Employment Advisor at a local college, and loves helping students prepare to thrive in careers (and lives!) they love. When she manages to escape from behind her computer screen, she's usually babying her two rescue mutts or continuing her search for the perfect taco. Say hi on Twitter @kat_boogaard or check out her website.

More from Kat Boogaard

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8 Signs You Aced That Job Interview (and 4 Signs You Didn't)

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You just wrapped up a job interview for a role you're excited about. You think it went well. But wait, did it? Now that you've had some time to take a breath and reflect on that conversation, the confusion and self-doubt have kicked in.

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CEOs and business leaders: When you have a crucial point to make – and you need to drive it home – don’t ignore the power of repetition as one of the public speaking basics you need to master.

Last weekend, my husband and I left a church service rather uninspired by the minister’s sermon.

“Where was he going with that story?” my irritated husband complained. “He was all over the place! What was the point?”

Indeed.

What was the point?

I tried my best to articulate where I thought the minister was going – just to make my husband feel a little better about the time we’d just spent sitting in church, listening.

But I fell short.

I could not piece together any clear takeaways.

Why was that?

Because the minister failed to repeat himself.

Now that sounds like a bad thing.

After all, if you’ve ever had a teenager to raise (and we’ve raised three of them), you might be inclined not to repeat yourself when you deliver a speech or make a presentation.

That’s likely because that teenager you raised never ceased to remind you the moment you started to repeat yourself.

(I can’t count the number of times over the years when my youngest daughter stopped me – while I was likely on a soapbox – with a tart and saucy plea: “Mom. STOP. Please! You just said that.”)

But that is not the kind of repetition I’m talking about here.

When it comes to public speaking basics, there’s a fundamental need for repetition.

In fact, there is power in repetition.

If you believe in your message and care about your audience, you need to start repeating yourself.

You can’t just say it once.

You have to say it twice.

Three times.

And sometimes even more than that.

Let me explain what I mean.

REPETITION BENEFITS YOU, THE SPEAKER

1 – Repeating a key statement or phrase reminds you to DECIDE upfront why you are speaking in the first place

If you’re trying to master public speaking basics, you first need to decide why you are speaking – to this audience, at this time.

That may sound too basic.

But believe me, it’s not.

Whether you are a leader talking to an internal audience of employees – or to an external audience of customers, suppliers or peers – you need to make this decision upfront.

That’s because this decision will drive the one main message you must have to frame your entire talk.

Your one main message is the starting point for crafting a key statement or phrase that you will repeat – in one form or another – at the right moments throughout your presentation.

The minister we heard last weekend did not decide on one main message.

And he did not craft a repeatable key statement or phrase.

And that is why he was – as my husband said – “all over the place.”

2 – Repeating a key statement or phrase motivates you to SIMPLIFY your language

Whenever I’m drafting a client’s speech, one of my public speaking basics is to carefully craft the one main message and put it in a box – front and center – on page 1 of the outline.

That one main message – usually two or three sentences – nails the point and provides context for the talk to keep me (and ultimately the client) on track.

With one main message as a starting point, I can then simplify – boil the essence down even further – and select the precise words that bear repeating.

Something short and catchy – easy to remember.

Here are some examples of key statements and phrases from several award-winning client speeches – simple, repeatable language – based on the one main message anchoring each speech:

“Never stop jumping”

“Sharing, trusting and helping”

“Keep your eyes on the prize”

“Work better together”

“Think different”

“Master the fundamentals”

3 – Repeating a key statement or phrase compels you to DISCARD extraneous points that distract or detract

Once you land on the key statement or phrase to be repeated, it serves as a beacon – a way forward to help you decide what points to leave in – and what points to take out.

Consider the “never stop jumping” phrase above – a metaphor for being bold and taking risks – based on a ski-jumping story told in that speech.

“Never stop jumping” became my guiding light. It helped me quickly sort through all the potential stories and points I could have made so I could easily choose the essential points that had to be made.

As a result, the speech stayed laser-focused: If employees wanted to move the company forward, they had to be bold. They had to take risks. They had to agree to “never stop jumping.”

A side note: You have some flexibility here.

The speech mentioned above had a few variations on the “never stop jumping” theme. All of them included the word “jump”:

“One jump at a time”

“New jumps”

“Go ahead and jump”

“Take a risk and make a jump”

REPETITION BENEFITS YOUR AUDIENCE

1 – Repeating a key statement or phrase tells the audience “this must be IMPORTANT!”

Think about it: The more you hear a key statement or phrase repeated in a speech, the more your brain tells you that this statement or phrase must be something important.

And so you start to pay more attention.

Repetition helps your audience quickly sort and rank what’s most relevant while they are listening. It has the power to elevate an idea above everything else the audience is hearing. That’s why repetition is one of the public speaking basics you need to understand and apply.

Take a look at these five excerpts from a 30-minute speech.

They purposely repeat a simple phrase – “master the fundamentals” – to convince employees in the audience that they must take this step to move the organization forward.

I believe this: That your ability to master the fundamentals will free you to innovate – and contribute to our collective success.

# # #

And – as the Wrights discovered! – mastering the fundamentals of anything unique and different is hard work.

# # #

Your ability to master these fundamentals will sustain the future of this organization.

# # #

… that’s your job: to create the future by continuing to innovate. But you can’t do that unless you master the fundamentals of our philosophy, our business model and our five key principles.

# # #

Mastering the fundamentals makes all the difference.

If the Wright Brothers had not mastered the fundamentals of control, the airplane would have never been a safe or practical means of transportation – across the country … around the world … and into space.

And if the first and second generations … had not mastered the fundamentals of our unique and different philosophy, business model and key principles – we would have never been able to create and sustain an organization where opportunity exists for everyone.

2 – Repeating a key statement or phrase tells the audience “this must be TRUE!”

Consider this fact, which often plays out in political discourse:

The more you hear a key statement or phrase repeated in a presentation, the more you begin to believe that surely this statement or phrase is true.

And so you are persuaded.

You begin to believe.

Repetition has the power to convince people that what you are saying is true.

It can help you win people over – and change the way they think or behave.

Take a look at these excerpts from another client’s speech.

The speaker five times repeated a simple key phrase – “think different” – to convince the audience that they can reduce high employee turnover in call centers by changing the way they hire.

I bet every person in this room recognizes these words from Apple’s 1997 advertising campaign, “Think different.”

A TV commercial helped Steve Jobs launch one of the greatest turnarounds in business history. This commercial began by saluting a long line of revolutionaries – the “crazy ones” like Albert Einstein. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And Amelia Earhart. People who changed the world.

# # #

Think different. I believe that’s exactly what our industry needs to do – think different – about a universal challenge we all face, whether we’re a call center, contact center, order processing center or service center …

What is this so-called universal challenge we face?

You know it because you’ve complained about it. You’ve suffered through it. And you’re still frustrated by it.

It’s called high turnover. And it’s everywhere!

# # #

“ … we see it over and over again, every single day: The more screening you do, the more likely you are to hire right – and reduce turnover. And reducing turnover improves the customer experience.

So think different!

More training and more technology won’t solve your turnover problem.

But the right hiring will.

# # #

I believe if we have any hope of moving our service centers forward – from good to great – we must change the way we hire our people.

Some might think it’s crazy. But others will see genius.

What will you see?

But more importantly – what will you do?

Will you think different?

Will you be someone crazy enough to change your world?

3 – Repeating a key statement or phrase tells the audience “this must be SOMETHING TO REMEMBER!”

Whenever I’m coaching leaders on the public speaking basics required to deliver a great speech, I remind them that their audience only gets one shot to hear what they have to say.

If you have an important point to make – but you don’t make it well – there’s no going back.

Instead, there’s a good chance your audience will get hopelessly and endlessly lost and confused because they cannot rewind or reread what you just said.

That is exactly what happened when my husband and I heard that minister last weekend.

Because we were hopelessly and endlessly lost, we could not remember what he said.

His message did not stick because it was not repeated.

It was not reinforced.

It was not ingrained in our memory.

So what he said was impossible to recall.

That is why repetition is such a useful tool – not only to achieve understanding but also the ability to remember.

Had we been able to recall what the minister said, we would have been able to think more about it – and perhaps more importantly – act on it later.

REPEAT AFTER ME

Many famous speeches in history make good use of repetition.

Think of:

Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech in 1851

President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address on “freedom” and “peace” in 1961

Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963

President Barack Obama’s “Yes We Can” speech in 2008

Oprah Winfrey’s “Their Time is Up” speech in 2018

If you want to master public speaking basics, imitating what great speakers do makes sense.

So in spite of what your teenager may be telling you, go ahead and repeat yourself.

Please.

Say it again.

Remind your audience what’s important.

What’s true.

And what they need to remember.

After all, what you have to say bears repeating.

Do you need to create a speech or presentation that resonates?

Work with Teresa Zumwald, an award-winning speechwriter and speech coach.

Contact us today!

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Public speaking basics: Why you need to repeat yourself when you speak | Zumwald and Company

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CEOs and business leaders: When you have a crucial point to make - and you need to drive it home - don't ignore the power of repetition as one of the public speaking basics you need to master. Last weekend, my husband and I left a church service rather uninspired by the minister's sermon.

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We're all storytellers whether by profession, telling someone what happened over the weekend, or sharing your brand or business. When you tell your story well, you get people's attention. They will remember and re-tell it. That's what you want!

Here are 5 nonverbal cues you need to know that can make your story memorable:

1. Good Eye Contact. Your eyes show emotion, your interest and passion for what you do. Make eye contact for about 5-6 seconds, look away and then look back. If you're telling your story to a group, don't dart your eyes everywhere. This may seem to others that you're not sure of yourself. Instead, look to the right a few seconds and then look to the left.

2. Gestures. You want to be yourself using gestures. Make sure they line up with what you want to emphasize in your story. Gestures need to be purposeful. Be careful not to fidget with your hair or wring your hands. This can be distracting and your story message may be missed completely.

3. Stage Presence Posture & Poise. You want to look self-assured and confident. Whether you're sitting or standing, take up space. For instance, if you're standing, ladies stand with feet 4"- 6" apart. Men, your stance is 8" or more. If you're sitting, put your arm on the back of the chair and sit with an open body posture. Keep your composure during the story.

4. Facial Expressions. Your face is a great nonverbal to get your story across. Facial expressions are also tied into your emotions. Using appropriate ones can help give power to your story.

5. Tone of Voice. Your voice is powerful. How you use your pitch, volume, voice tone, inflection, and rate of speed you talk makes a big difference in how your story is received. You want to have a soft and friendly voice tone with a lower pitch level. It sounds more pleasing to listen to. Use inflection appropriately - the up and down in your voice - avoid being monotone. When you're excited, speak faster. When you're explaining something, slow down a little bit.

Hope these tips have been helpful to you. Telling your story is important. Telling it well can make it memorable.

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Make Your Story Memorable...5 Nonverbal Cues You Need To Know

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We're all storytellers whether by profession, telling someone what happened over the weekend, or sharing your brand or business. When you tell your story well, you get people's attention.

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Capture and Keep Their Attention. They can’t remember you if they’re not listening.

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Most people don't realize when they're job interviewing that the interviewer's memory has a strong influence in whether the job candidate ultimately gets hired. Why? Because hiring decisions simply don't happen in real time. Furthermore, in today's corporate world, interviewers are untrained (it's not their "day job"), overworked, and distracted, and they've most likely interviewed several candidates for the same position. You need to not only set yourself apart, but also make them remember you in a positive light.
Say it so they get it. Say it so they remember it. Say it so they want it.
That phrase is simple. Remembering those eighteen words, which ought to be easy enough because most of them are the same, at a minimum provides you with a successful formula for the interview. Using the five following principles to execute that formula will make you memorable.

Keep It Short and Simple. Superfluous information hinders their ability to remember.

Capture and Keep Their Attention. They can't remember you if they're not listening.

Talk in Their Lingo. Speak in a language they understand.

Make Them Believe You. Use details to make yourself believable.

Get Them to Care. Highlight the benefit to the individual in addition to the company.

This is the first in a five part series that covers each of these principles. If you simply can't wait for the remaining pieces, you can review the material in much more detail in the Storytelling Chapter of Interview Intervention: Communication That Gets You Hired. I provide a complimentary eBook to anyone who signs up for the email distribution list on the front page of the milewalk website!

Keep It Short and Simple. Antoine de Saint Exupéry once said, "Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." Candidates would be wise to take note. There is a big difference between providing a clean, thorough answer and babbling on forever.

Your goal should be to highlight the most necessary information your interviewer seeks without including superfluous remarks. The presence of unnecessary information has two harmful effects. First, you are asking the interviewer to wade through your response to find the information she needs. Second, even if you made nothing but brilliant points, you are asking her to retain much more information than she needs. It not only exhausts her, but you also run the risk of her considering you obnoxiously verbose. It simply makes it harder for her to remember you as someone who "knew his stuff" versus someone who was "obnoxiously long-winded."

I am not suggesting being overly brief to the point she isn't getting a complete picture of you. I am recommending you do it in pieces so she can more easily digest the information and request when she wants more.

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5 Ways to Make People Remember Your Job Interview

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Most people don't realize when they're job interviewing that the interviewer's memory has a strong influence in whether the job candidate ultimately gets hired. Why? Because hiring decisions simply don't happen in real time. Furthermore, in today's corporate world, interviewers are untrained (it's not their "day job"), overworked, and distracted, and they've most likely interviewed several candidates for the same position.

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It's not hard to flub an interview.

The nerves that come with sitting across from a hiring manager and opening yourself up for judgment sometimes cause you say the wrong thing at the wrong time.

That's understandable. But what phrases really tick off interviewers?

Business Insider spoke with several people in leadership positions across a variety of industries about the things they don't want to hear from an interviewee.

Here's what you don't want to say to your interviewer:

1. 'I left my previous job because the environment was toxic/my boss was too demanding.'

"Don't complain about your current position or employer," says Vip Sandhir, the CEO and founder of the employee-engagement platform HighGround. "I want to hire positive people, and it's an immediate red flag if someone is too critical during an interview."

Complaining about past gigs or bosses is by far one of the worst things you can do in an interview. Several of our experts listed this as their No. 1 pet peeve.

"The interviewer doesn't know you very well, and it's hard to decipher if you may indeed be a large part of that drama," says Gianna Scorsone, senior vice president of marketing and sales operations for Mondo, a tech and digital-marketing recruiting firm. "Employers want to hire someone who comes with no baggage. Much like a relationship, when first meeting someone, you try and identify red flags. Avoid this at all cost."

Basically, no one likes a whiner.

"Talking negatively about your current job raises a red flag that you might be difficult to manage or someone that blames management for their own poor performance," says Warren Webster, president and CEO of the fashion and lifestyle brand Coveteur. "I can't help thinking you might be interviewing somewhere else in a couple years saying the same thing about us."

If you have to explain why you left your last job on short notice, put a positive spin on it. Whatever you do, don't gripe. Even if you're justified, it'll just sound like sour grapes.

2. 'It's so f---ing cold outside.'

"Most of us drop the occasional f-bomb, but during a job interview is never the time or the place," says Lucinda Ellery, the founder of the beauty brand Lucinda Ellery Consultancy.

Try to keep things PG with the interviewer - at least until you're definitely out of earshot.

3. 'I've moved around in jobs because I haven't found the right fit/am not challenged enough.'

According to Scorsone, a statement like this will make you sound aimless and lost.

"This will make the interviewer immediately think to themselves: 'Why would this role be any different? They'll probably leave here in six months,'" she says. "Also, this begs the question of what type of relationship you have with your manager. It doesn't sound like open communication where you express the need and want to take on more with solutions at hand. Ultimately, a manager would love someone who can self-sustain and enable growth through being proactive, strong in follow-through of work, and brings ideas and solutions to the table."

4. 'What does your company do?'/'Where is your company headquartered?'

A general rule to abide by during job interviews is if you can answer your question with a Google search, don't ask it.

"You should have done your research before coming through our door," says Ed Mitzen, the founder of the marketing firm Fingerpaint.

Suzanne Silverstein, president of the contemporary clothing line Parker, agrees.

"Never ask basic questions about the company you are interviewing with," she says. "It's important to spend time preparing and then position your questions in a way that will allow you to get deeper answers. If you have done your homework, you will impress and will have a more meaningful interview."

5. 'As a manager, I pretty much work alone.'

"When discussing your current role, if you are in a leadership or managerial position, never take all the credit for accomplishments," Silverstein says. "Emphasize your team and how through their talents your vision is being realized. Most successful leaders know that they are only as good as their team. Acknowledging this in an interview will go a long way."

6. 'My group was just like a startup, but inside a big corporation.'

"I get the point; however, no corporate experience is really like a startup, especially one that is bootstrapped," Webster says. "Saying this proves that you don't really understand the realities of a startup environment."

7. 'What is your vacation policy?'

"This question shows me you are already thinking about taking a break," Mitzen says. "We want workhorses that will make our company stronger, not those thinking about the beach on Day One."

8. 'Sorry, I'm not very punctual.'

It's not a great idea to highlight a flaw like tardiness during your job interview.

"Anyone that doesn't have the discipline to show up on time - or early - isn't someone we will trust with our clients' business," Mitzen says.

9. 'You have some beautiful women/men in your office.'

"This shows a lack of maturity," Mitzen says. "I would be concerned their behavior wouldn't be office-appropriate if we gave them a shot."

10. 'What will my role be?'

In most cases, you should have a good sense of what you're interviewing for going into the interview. But if you're serious about the opportunity, you want to convey you're flexible.

"Questions like this suggest you will limit yourself to purely what is expected of you, when in reality, your role is whatever you make of it," says Kon Leong, CEO and founder of the software company ZL Technologies. "Especially in small companies, the ability to adapt and take on new responsibilities is highly valued."

This goes double if you're just starting out. Entry-level interviewees would do well in most interviews to demonstrate a broad set of skills.

"When interviewing, it's important to have a wide skill-set, as many startups and small companies are moving really fast," says Tigran Sloyan, CEO of the programming startup CodeFights. "Employers are looking for candidates that are agile and can quickly adapt and excel in a growing company."

11. 'Do you have grandkids?'

"My ego took a hit on this one, much like when someone asks if a woman is pregnant when they aren't," Mitzen says. "I may look like I could have grandkids, but not by much. Use better judgment."

12. 'I'm a guru/expert.'

Be careful about making your accomplishments seem overblown.

"I cringe when millennials call themselves experts or gurus at things that take time to master," like SEO or copywriting, says Keren Kang, CEO of the ad agency Native Commerce. "Say you're excited about it and love learning about it."

13. 'I haven't updated my blog for a year.'

"I never want to hear about how people start a bunch of things without giving it much commitment or execution," Kang says. "For example, if you started a blog but only updated it for one week, I don't need to hear about it."

14. 'My only weakness is that I work too hard.'

"It's also a turnoff when candidates answer the question of what are some areas of weakness with an overly positive response," Sandhir says. "I want to see some humility. Not everyone is perfect, so candidates should be self-aware and be able to articulate their natural challenges in a way that doesn't derail the interview."

15. 'I don't have any questions.'

"A candidate that doesn't have any questions is potentially somebody that is either not interested in your organization, their career, or possibly both," Ellery says.

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15 sentences your interviewer doesn't want to hear

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It's not hard to flub an interview. The nerves that come with sitting across from a hiring manager and opening yourself up for judgment sometimes cause you say the wrong thing at the wrong time. That's understandable. But what phrases really tick off interviewers?

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We’ve all been in conversations where we suspected that the other person wasn’t really paying attention. It’s annoying and disrespectful, especially when the topic is particularly important or sensitive.

Still, we’ve all been guilty of mental multitasking at some point. According to the University of Missouri, 45% of communication is listening, and yet the average person remembers only half to a quarter of the information they hear. Whether you’re in a classroom, a business setting, or a relationship, failing to hear 75% what’s said to you is a recipe for disaster. Active listening aims to solve this problem.

What is Active Listening?

Rather than giving someone a fraction of your attention, active listening is making a conscious effort to hear, understand, and retain information that’s being relayed to you.

It involves more than listening to the words they say. Instead, you consciously analyze what you hear, and try to pick up on intent, content, and emotion from the speaker. Active listening requires paying attention. If you’re watching TV or scrolling through TikTok on your phone while someone is talking, you’re not actively listening.

The other side of active listening is making sure the other person knows that you’re doing so. We can all tell when we’re speaking with someone who is zoned out. Even if they’re paying attention, cues like eye contact, verbal acknowledgement, and replying with insightful comments matters.

Why Active Listening Matters

Verbal communication is crucial in every aspect of life, but it’s especially important in your career. From your first job interview to routine meetings, it’s important to understand and retain what your colleagues, bosses, and clients are telling you.

Active listening can help you collaborate more effectively, reduce misunderstandings and wasted work, negotiate more effectively, build more successful working relationships, and make a better impression on the people you work with — all important skills to help with career advancement throughout your life.

Learning How to Listen

Active listening takes practice. Here are a few tips on improving your listening skills:

Pay attention! Most people allow themselves to be distracted easily. Put down your phone, mute the TV, and make eye contact with the person talking to you. Make mental notes about the speaker’s broader point, as well as a few specific things they’re saying. Why are they telling you this? What is takeaway? How does the speaker feel about what they’re saying? Don’t think about answering. Focus on what they want you to hear.

Show that you’re listening. The speaker can tell if you’re paying attention. Make eye contact, nod when appropriate, and give small verbal comments like “yes” and “huh.” Don’t interrupt to reiterate something they just said though. This might seem like a good way to show your engagement, it can derail the conversation.

Offer feedback. When the opportunity comes up, you’ll be able to offer insightful feedback on what was said. This might take the form of reflecting on what was said, asking follow-up questions, or offering your own perspective. Active listening can avoid that deer-in-the-headlights feeling that can happen when someone asks, “What do you think?” If you’ve been actively listening, you’ll be ready to respond thoughtfully.

Don’t jump to conclusions! You’re not a mind-reader and neither is the person talking to you. If you find yourself becoming upset about what’s being said, ask for clarification. Say, “It sounds like you mean X, and I just want to clarify. Are you saying Y?” By giving them a chance to rephrase or clarify, you avoid making unfair assumptions.

Active listening takes practice, but it has the potential to vastly improve your ability to hear people, communicate, and remember important details in everyday conversations.

Do you have any listening or communication tips to share? Tell us in the comments!

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What is Active Listening? 4 Tips for Improving Communication Skills

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Active listening can help you collaborate more effectively, reduce misunderstandings and wasted work, negotiate more effectively, and build better working relationships with colleagues.

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 Non-verbal engagement strategies in performance storytelling

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This blog is the third in an occasional series of entries exploring storytelling and performance and is linked to the conceptual model of storytelling that I developed in the second of these blogs, Storytelling Performance Part 2 - A Framework, which can be found by clicking HERE .

Realising that there is a lot to be covered here, I have split this blog into three sections a) Introduction (which can be found by clicking HERE ) b) Verbal engagement strategies (which can be found by clicking HERE ) and c) non-verbal strategies and conclusion. The argument developed over these sections is based on a recent article, 'The Social Art of Language': a semiotic response to engagement strategies in performance storytelling which is published in: Storytelling, Self, Society, Vol. 14, No. 2, Fall 2018.

Non-Verbal Engagement Strategies

This blog is the third in an occasional series of entries exploring storytelling and performance and is linked to the conceptual model of storytelling that I developed in the second of these blogs, Storytelling Performance Part 2 - A Framework, which can be found by clicking HERE .

Realising that there is a lot to be covered here, I have split this blog into three sections a) Introduction (which can be found by clicking HERE ) b) Verbal engagement strategies (which can be found by clicking HERE ) and c) non-verbal strategies and conclusion. The argument developed over these sections is based on a recent article, 'The Social Art of Language': a semiotic response to engagement strategies in performance storytelling which is published in: Storytelling, Self, Society, Vol. 14, No. 2, Fall 2018.

Non-Verbal Engagement Strategies

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Storytelling Performance Part 3c - Non-verbal engagement strategies in performance storytelling

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This blog is the third in an occasional series of entries exploring storytelling and performance and is linked to the conceptual model of storytelling that I developed in the second of these blogs, Storytelling Performance Part 2 - A Framework, which can be found by clicking HERE.

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Storytelling

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What is a Behavioral Interview?

A behavioral interview is a popular interview technique employers use to assess job candidates based on their past behavior. For example, instead of asking hypothetical questions like, "How would you react if you were under a lot of pressure at work?" they would instead ask situational questions like, "Describe a time you were under a lot of pressure at work. How did you react?"

In this quick video, Indeed recruiter Evan explains how you can prepare and answer these questions.

(Keep reading for in-depth tips along with behavioral interview questions and answers.)

Behavioral Interview Tips

Here are some important tips to consider when preparing for your next behavioral interview:

Study the job description.

Review major projects you've worked on.

Revisit previous job performance reviews.

Make a list of your professional accomplishments.

Use the STAR method to structure your response.

Be open and honest in your answer.

Practice your interview responses aloud.

Keep your answers under two minutes.

With these kinds of questions, interviewers are usually trying to learn three things: First, they want to know how you behaved in a real-world situation. Second, they want to understand the measurable value you added to that situation. Finally, they are trying to learn how you define something like "pressure at work"-a concept different people might interpret differently.

Success in a behavioral interview is all about preparation. There aren't necessarily wrong answers. These questions are aimed at getting to know the real you. The important thing is to be honest and to practice structuring your responses in a way that communicates what you have to offer.
Related: The Most Common Behavioral Interview Questions and Answers
Use the STAR method to structure answers to behavioral questions

You can use the STAR interview method to prepare for behavioral interviews-a technique that helps you structure your response to behavioral interview questions. Using this method, you create a deliberate story arc that your interviewer can easily follow. Here's how it works:

What is the context of your story? In setting the situation, you are telling your listener when or where this event took place. For example, " We were working on a six-month contract for a high-value client when our agency merged with another, larger firm... "

What was your role in this situation? For example, "It was my role to lead the transition for my group while also communicating with our client to keep the project on track."

What did you do? For example, "I set up weekly check-ins with the client to update them on the progress of the merger. This cemented an important level of trust between us. I also had regular one-on-ones with each person on the team, both to assess how they were handling the change and to make sure we would meet our deadlines."

What did your actions lead to? For example, "We ended up completing the project on time, meeting all of their specifications. It was incredibly rewarding to navigate a lot of change and succeed under pressure."
Related: How to Use the STAR Interview Response Technique
How to prepare

Read the job description carefully. Make a list of the top skills or qualifications it calls for. Think of a story that demonstrates your ability in each area. Following the STAR technique, write your stories down, including the situation, task, action and result. Then, practice saying them out loud several times, either by yourself or with a friend. Keep in mind that your answer should only take about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. As you include each of the elements, try to be succinct.

If you're feeling shy or lacking confidence, this practice is all the more important. You should get comfortable with these stories. Remember, you won't be able to anticipate every behavioral question you get, but with a strong set of anecdotes, you'll be able to answer each one with confidence.
Related: Lominger Interview Questions and Answers: The Behavioral Interview
Behavioral interview questions

Here are several examples of questions you might be asked in your next behavioral interview. Take some time to prepare sample answers for each both to practice and plan so you will be prepared for future interviews.

Give me an example of a difficult problem you solved. How did you solve this problem?

Tell me about a mistake that you've made. How did you handle it?

Can you tell me about a challenging situation you overcame at work?

Tell me about a time you learned a new skill. How did you approach it and how to did you apply your new learnings?

Has there been a time when you had to pitch an idea to a manager or senior leader? What was the outcome?

Tell me about a time when you overcame a conflict at work.

Explain a situation in which you would have handled things differently.

Tell me about a time you handled a stressful situation when you were under a lot of pressure.

Can you tell me about a time you set and achieved a certain goal?

What is your proudest professional accomplishment and why?

Behavioral interview sample answer

Using the above techniques, here is an example of how you might answer a behavioral interview question:

Question: Tell me about a time when you overcame a conflict at work.

Answer: "At my last job, my colleague and I disagreed on how to handle a sensitive situation with our client. We made a mistake in their campaign that resulted in poor overall performance. While my colleague wanted to move forward without explaining the mistake, I thought it would be best to let the client know what happened.
After going back and forth, I asked him if we could set some time aside to weigh the costs and benefits of each option. In the end, we needed to see each other's motivations and fears to get a better understanding of the other.
We decided to let the client know what had happened and agreed to provide them with another campaign at no cost. While it did result in a short-term loss for the company, the client appreciated our honesty and booked an annual campaign exceeding their spending with us in the past. My colleague and I were also recognized for our teamwork and ended up counseling other client teams on conflict resolution."

Create an Indeed Resume so you can be contacted by employers about new jobs.

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How To Prepare for a Behavioral Interview

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What is a Behavioral Interview? A behavioral interview is a popular interview technique employers use to assess job candidates based on their past behavior. For example, instead of asking hypothetical questions like, "How would you react if you were under a lot of pressure at work?"

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Situation

What is the context of your story? In setting the situation, you are telling your listener when or where this event took place. For example, “We were working on a six-month contract for a high-value client when our agency merged with another, larger firm…”

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Use the STAR method to structure answers to behavioral questions - Situation, Task, Action and Result.

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It is easy to become (or feel) emotionally raw while being interviewed. The stress of finding a new job (or even worse if you are in unemployment) paired with a sleepless previous night, and the anguish over having to talk about yourself can be overwhelming. It is critical, however, that you (as a Job Seeker) maintain your composure while being interviewed.

Not keeping your emotions "in check" will naturally damage your candidacy for the position. The Hiring Manager will probably revisit your readiness and stability for the position, along with the probability of making her/him feel uncomfortable, which can't be a good thing for you at decision time. There are at least 3 main emotions that are sometimes lost during an interview. Let's examine each one from a point of view of trying to understand why it might occur. By knowing the root cause of why you felt this way, you will be in a better position to prevent or stop it next time.

* Becoming Upset: This is probably the most common emotion shown and it usually comes from feeling defensive based on the questions being asked of you. Unfortunately, some Hiring Managers confuse a job interview with a police interrogation (although I think this happens less than it used to). It can be easy to become upset because you want to sell yourself, but you find yourself constantly in defense mode. You may also be faced with an Interviewer who does not seem to want to be bothered interviewing you. I find that this will happen when a Hiring Manager asks others to get involved in the hiring process without confirming whether they really want to participate. It can also be irritating when the Interviewer does not seem to be listening to you and your answers. Whatever the scenario, you can't show your frustration or flash your temper.

* Starting to Cry: This happens more often than you may think. A question about a job departure or a gap in employment can be just the impetus to start a wave of emotion and then the resulting tears. If this occurs, all is not lost, as most Hiring Managers will understand when you explain that the situation is still very raw to you.

* Being Too "Energetic": A Job Seeker knows that they need to "sell" themselves during the interview. We are told that we must convince the Hiring Manager we are the best person for the position while also displaying to him/her how much we want the job. Unfortunately, it is possible to be too excited or amped up for the interview. This can cause you to talk too much, at too high of a volume, or otherwise just appear to be a bit erratic.

There are several things that you can do in order to better control your emotions in an interview.

* Be Prepared: Being prepared is a key to most things related to an interview. If you anticipate the tough questions (such as being asked about your background) and prepare your answers ahead of time, then you will be less likely to feel emotional when asked. Ask a friend or family member to assist you by role playing the interview and the toughest questions you are likely to be asked. Rehearse your answers to the point where answering becomes second nature to you. A key is to be fully self-aware of any holes in your work history or shortcomings in your experience, so that you can properly address. Know what your goal/mission is entering the interview, and don't allow yourself to waver.

* Get Some Rest: None of us are our usual self when we are tired. As difficult as it may be due to pre-interview nerves, getting a good night's sleep will go a long way to stabilizing your emotions. Plus, you will also be more alert during the interview.

* Don't Assume It Is Intentional: Becoming emotional can be a direct result of assuming someone is trying to personally attack you. If you assume that the Interviewer is only asking legitimate questions with no "hidden agenda", it is unlikely you will become upset with the questioning. Even if you do think it may be intentional, if you conclude that it is "just business" and not personal, then you should be less emotional.

* Determine If Now Is the Best Time: If you are in a situation where you are having trouble controlling your emotions, such as in a period of grief, then consider delaying your job search. I normally strongly advocate avoiding gaps in employment and jumping right into your search, but if you are not emotionally ready, you will probably do more harm than good.

Now you may have the point-of-view that any prospective employer that would get you this emotional is not a company you would want to work for. While this may be true if the situation was intentional, I have taken the position that a Job Seeker should control her/his emotions during the interview and then make the ultimate decision regarding whether to join a company if an interview is extended.

So, do what you can to keep an even keel during your interview, and avoid any extreme emotional display that will hamper your candidacy.

As always, best of luck in your job search.
The following has been prepared for the general information of WNYJobs readers. It is not meant to provide advice with respect to any specific legal or policy matter and should not be acted upon without verification by the reader.
Joe Stein
WNY Human Resources Professional

Feel free to contact Joe Stein regarding questions or comments at:
Joe Stein

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Keep Your Emotions "In Check" During the Interview - WNY Jobs

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It is easy to become (or feel) emotionally raw while being interviewed. The stress of finding a new job (or even worse if you are in unemployment) paired with a sleepless previous night, and the anguish over having to talk about yourself can be overwhelming.

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Yes, I want a job, and no, I have no idea how to deal with these interview questions.

Why I really need the job.

Job interviews are the WORST. We both know why we are here – you need someone to do your work and well damn I got bills to pay. Hello, Student Loan Debt.

As long as I show up to the interview groomed, polished and have the right credentials why are we wasting time with several meetings to see if I am a “right fit” for this position.

Also, I hate when I walk into the interview, and they look surprised at who I am. Like didn't you check my LinkedIn profile. Let's not act like we don't know how to use the internet and snoop on someone. I know I stalk your profile once I find out who will be interviewing me for this position.

My favorite question will always be “Please tell me about your weakness and how have you worked on fixing it.” Why do you want to me say my weakness-goodness, please tell me yours so I can laugh at you for a good minute.

Keep asking me questions and I'll do this.

My mind is thinking why in the world will I tell you my weakness – “my” aka personal. What I always want to say is that I am way too real. Which I believe could be a great strength but hiring managers do not want to hear that. Maybe some do, but they have to be cautious with who they hire, I get it, I would be too. At the same time, don’t we all wish we could show up to an interview and not tip toe around with what you really want to say and be afraid that with one word or tone you are out of the running? Well of course, right?

I’ve interviewed and hired many people in my positions and the way I like to handle interviews is pretty laid back. I want to get to know the person more and basically want to see if we could flow well. I’ve seen your portfolio, your resume, cover letter, your LinkedIn, social media, whatever I could find on the internet, etc so I know you are capable of getting the job done, I don’t doubt that. But the real question is… can you connect with my team and I? I don’t ask what your strengths and weaknesses are. I ask what is it in life that gets you excited. What’s the reason why you want to transition out of your current job. What is it about this position and my company that wants you to commute 1 hour to get here. Why should I trust you more than the other candidates. I know deep down, they need to pay the bills and want to make a transition, but there’s always those gems that really have their eyes light up and want to be more than just an employee, but a changemaker.

Apply apply apply!

Now that I’m on the other end of the stick and looking for new opportunities, I hate this waiting game. You send out your resume, I know I’m well-qualified for the position, but it goes through bots, keyword scans, and goes through this everlasting process when all you want to do is give up and lose faith. Why is it so hard to even get considered? The amount of stress and anxiety that percolates… man, I don’t have time for this! So you turn into an application machine.

Then you get a reply saying they would like to progress you to the next round, an interview, yes! Since when did getting an interview create so much excitement? I’m not even hired but I’m thrilled! I hate this process. A few rounds of interviews go by and unfortunately, it doesn’t come through, so you are back on the exhausting application grind. Your self-esteem can get lowered and self-doubt starts to kick in. Anxiety, depression, and stress of searching and getting turned down keeps rolling. This can last days, weeks, months, and even years while your friends are getting hired so easily left and right.

You're welcome

Though times get hard, what I have learned from these experiences is the moment you start to accept, acknowledge, and let the Universe take control, is when the doors start opening up. I’ve always been the type to make things happen, stay in action, and just “do.” It’s hard to relax, it’s one of my biggest challenges that I am still working on. However, going through this transition in my life, I am slowly starting to release and accept whatever comes to me, because when I do, wonderful unexpected opportunities start floating my way. I’m not saying to give up and be lazy, but to start breathing and being less hard on yourself. The more you start to loosen your grip of control and fear, is when the elements start getting attracted to you once again. Trust me, it's freaky how it happens, but it does.

So no matter how stressful a job interview or applying to jobs may be, this is a process, it’s a transition and it’s okay to feel the emotions you do. Just don’t forget to breathe a little while on the journey.

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True Feelings of a Job Interview - So She Slays

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Yes, I want a job, and no, I have no idea how to deal with these interview questions.