You’re sitting in the interview looking for any sign that it is going well. The interviewer seems impressed with your educational credentials and professional experience. You wonder, “How do I know for sure?”

You do not have to spend time reading about body language or over-analyzing every question you are asked. Here are some signs you made a positive impression and tips to capitalize on the encouraging feedback.

1. You Meet More People than You Expected – If you go to the interview expecting to meet one person and you talk to several co-workers and decision-makers, that is a great sign. Many recruiters want feedback from other team members before advancing a candidate to the next round.

Tip:  When you set up the interview, ask the person who calls you how many people you will meet with that day.  Bring at least two extra résumés with you.

2. Your Interview is Long – I noticed, when I was a recruiter, that if an interview “went long,” (i.e. over its allotted time) that was a good sign for the candidate’s prospects.

Tip:  If the recruiter who calls you says to expect a 1-hour interview, plan on being there for 1 ½ to 2 hours.

3. Your Interview is Hard – Answering many questions about your career history and achievements makes you feel unsure of yourself during an interview. However, recent research shows that difficult interviews are correlated with high job satisfaction (https://www.glassdoor.com/research/studies/interview-difficulty/). When a hospital or clinic presses you in an interview, it demonstrates a desire for someone who really fits into the organization.

Tip:  Remain positive during challenging situations.

4. They Downplay Your Negatives – “Purple squirrel” is a term recruiters use to describe candidates who meet every qualification for a job no matter how obscure. With real people, it does not always work out that way. From my personal experience, if the interviewer downplays your limited experience in a particular area, that is a great sign.

Tip:  Never bring up a negative. Wait for the interviewer to do it. Something that you regard as a negative might not be that important to hiring managers.

5. They Sell You on Working There – Job search advice books tell candidates to “sell themselves” during the interview. Sometimes interviewers start talking about the benefits, great atmosphere, and professional development opportunities. In short, they are “selling you” on working there.

Tip:  Keep it up. You’re doing great.

6. They Ask about Your Job Search – Interested interviewers often ask questions such as, “What is your timeframe?” or “What other clinics (or hospitals) have you interviewed?” to gauge where you are in your job search. The good news is that employers ask these questions when they care that they might lose you as a candidate.

Tip:  Remember to conclude the interview by clearly expressing your interest in the job.

Be Confident

While the job market where you live might be strong, that certainly does not mean that every open position is for you. The aforementioned signs tell you if a prospective employer feels that you are a fit for the opening. Just remember, turn down an offer that you believe is a bad fit for you. Your impressions are important, too!