Signs that the Hiring Manager loves you

You're in the hot seat, answering every question thrown your way — but you don't know whether the hiring manager likes you. 

"It's not uncommon to believe you bombed the interview from hell, only to be baffled days later when you get a job offer," says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job."

"Most interviewers are skilled at holding out judgment until they're relatively sure you're a good hire. It's not personal, just part of the territory. It combines chess and poker; you don't know their next maneuver, and reading them is hard."

To better understand how you're doing in a job interview, it's crucial to read the subtle signs the hiring manager likes you, even if it doesn't feel like it. Here are a few to keep an eye out for. This knowledge will give you a sense of control in an otherwise uncertain situation.

A distant demeanor but a long interview

Hiring managers may intentionally avoid letting on that they're impressed as a negotiating tool. This can sometimes be a distant demeanor, but it's important to remember that this is not necessarily a sign of disinterest. They may try maintaining a professional distance to avoid showing their hand too early.

"It's not like visiting a car showroom," Taylor says. "You wouldn't immediately tell the salesperson, 'Wow, I want this car!' Both you and the interviewer want some negotiating power. In the case of a hiring manager, being overzealous about you creates the risk that you'll want a higher salary."

However, if this is happening, but your interview is an hour or longer, that's your clue that they're playing it cool. "Most hiring managers won't waste precious time if they're not seriously interested." 

They ask a long series of tough questions.

"Your hiring manager is not trying to create a torture chamber, although it might feel like one," she says. "If the questions seem endless, as rigorous as they might be, your prospective boss is trying to gather as much information on you in the time allotted."

They pay little attention to your answers.

Taylor explains that this can be perceived as a lack of interest — except they may be so excited about your prospects that they aren't paying close attention to what you say. 

They display inconsistent behavior.

A hiring manager interested in you might act differently toward you throughout the interview.

"One moment, they may be smiling and encouraging, but in another, they may throw you off with a zinger question when you least expect it," says Taylor. "It's all part of the cat-and-mouse game, so you might as well try to enjoy the ride."

They ask a lot of hypothetical questions.

These can be excruciating to answer, but if you see a shift from more general questions to hypothetical ones, they may have decided it's time to delve beyond skill sets and more deeply into your work style.

They emphasize speaking with your references.

This can be confusing if used as a constant caveat, e.g., "Well, I'd have to see what your references would say about that!" But in reality, if references are being addressed, you've passed a significant hurdle. The fact that they are considering your references means they are seriously considering you for the role and want to ensure you are a good fit for the team.

They ask oddball questions with a detectable smile

Taylor explains that if you get one or more of these, but your interviewer balances your panic with a sly smile, they're probably rooting for you. "You may notice another body language that contradicts the intensity of the question, such as leaning forward or watching your reaction intently."

They keep you waiting.

If the hiring manager has to deal with something urgent or takes an important call during your interview and asks you to wait, this is a good sign. They might cut the interview off immediately if they weren't interested in you. But if they like you, they'll want to continue the conversation after they finish dealing with the crisis.

Article by Eric Palmer

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