Did you nail the interview?

Hi and welcome to the Student Affairs Job Search by the Job Hakr.

I’m your host Dave Eng from the Student Affairs Job Search by the Job Hakr.

On the student affairs job search we dive deeply into the steps needed to move forward in our careers.

Find out more at www.jobhakr.com

On today’s show we’ll talk about how to determine if you nailed the interview.

Many enter the student affairs interview not knowing if it’ll end in their favor.

Though there are certain magical times when they do.

That’s when the interview feels less formal and more casual.

It feels less like an interview and more like a conversation.

In fact it feels like you are having a good time with some future new colleagues.

That’s when you know your interview went well.

So, here are some great signs that you’ve nailed your student affairs interview.

Let’s address body language.

One of the things that demonstrates the search committee is resonating with what your saying is by examining their body language.

Often, at the beginning of interviews, people are a little bit stiff and formal.

Though, as the interview progresses, they begin to loosen up as they learn more about you and how they see you in the role.

Do you see people’s heads nodding when you speak to them?

That’s a great non-verbal cue that what you’re saying resonates with them.

Another good sign is when they begin to mirror your body language.

This is particularly evident if you’re being interviewed in a lounge area where there are couches facing each other.

Did you cross your legs?

Did the interviewer cross their legs too?

That’s a good sign!

Physical reflection is great indicator of alignment and reception.

Now let’s talk about verbal affirmations

Another sign that what you’re saying is resonating with your interviewers is when they say so.

They begin to indicate that they “like what they hear” from you.

This is an excellent sign.

This is also evident if they begin to qualify you into the role.

That happens when they create mental and verbal connections between your experience, background, and interests with the position that they have open.

This means that you’ve done a great job of aligning what your professionals assets are and how they are meaningful for the position they have available.

Great job!

This is further reinforced when your interviewers begin to talk about big picture items, vision statements, strategic goals and other forward looking initiatives that they see you contributing to.

Making these kind of futuristic statements is indicative of their personal mental state where they envision you as a member of the team and how you would add value to their institution.

That often segues into the hiring manager attempting to sell you on the institution.

Especially when they talk about the area, the students, colleagues, amenities, and other benefits of taking on the role.

This is a particularly good sign as it means that the hiring manager is attempting to convince YOU that you’d be a good fit here.

No longer is it about selling yourself into the position.

They already like what they see, now they know that they have to convince YOU in order to hire you.

Now it’s time to get casual.

Ultimately one of the best signs that you are doing really well during the student affairs interview is when the conversation turns casual.

This usually begins when the hiring manger or the search committee pivots away from professional questions and begins asking about things like your hobbies, interests, and other reasons that bring you to the area.

This can easily transition into them talking about you in the future tense.

But not “if” you start; but rather “when” you start.

This type of forward looking future talk is another good sign.

Oftentimes the conversation can turn both casual and forward looking enough for the interview to run over its scheduled time.

If that’s the case, and they seem like they still want to talk to you, then that could be another excellent sign that you’ve nailed this student affairs interview.

Lastly, can you determine if your interviewer is having a good time?
Do they look like they are enjoying their conversation with you?

If so, then that’s another good sign that may indicate that you’re on the road to an offer.

So, here are the takeaways from this episode.

There are many signs that go into determining if this interview is going to turn out in your favor.

Those range from changes in body language; to verbal cues; and finally a transition into casual conversation.

Know that most of the interviews that you go on will not end in an offer.

Though, there will always be that instance where you find the right position, with the right people, at the right location.

That opportunity will turn into your next opportunity.

I hope you found this episode useful.

If you’d like some additional tips on your search then a great place to start is my eBook “Getting Started in your Student Affairs Job Search.”

You can download it for free at www.jobhakr.com/gettingstarted

You can also get a full transcript of this episode including links to references in the description or show notes.

Thanks for joining me!

Again, I’m your host Dave Eng from the Student Affairs Job Search by the Job Hakr.

On the student affairs job search we dive deeply into the steps needed to move forward in our careers.

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Also make sure to visit the Job Hakr online at www.jobhakr.com

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Also, feel free to email me anytime at dave@jobhakr.com

Happy searching!

References

Body Mirroring: How we enhance personal connections. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/book_of_body_language/chap12.html

Jones, P. (n.d.). 7 Signs You Nailed Your Interview Even if It Doesn't Feel Like It. Retrieved from https://www.thejobnetwork.com/7-ways-you-can-tell-you-got-the-job/

Moore, E. (2019, August 26). 9 Signs You Nailed the Interview. Retrieved from https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/9-signs-you-nailed-the-interview/

Reddy, C. (n.d.). 20 Good Signs or Hints you got the Job after an Interview. Retrieved from https://content.wisestep.com/good-signs-hints-got-job-interview/