Landing a job can be a stressful and challenging experience. As a candidate, you pour hours into perfecting your resume, preparing for interviews, and trying to impress hiring managers. A key part of this process is identifying whether the hiring manager sees you as a good fit for the role and company. Knowing if the hiring manager likes you can help you evaluate your chances and brush up on areas where you may need improvement. So how do you know if a hiring manager likes you and sees you as a promising candidate? Here are some tips.
They maintain good eye contact
One of the most telling signs a hiring manager is engaged and interested in you is strong eye contact. If they’re maintaining steady eye contact, nodding along, and looking focused on the conversation, that’s a good indicator they like what they’re hearing. Avoiding eye contact or seeming distracted may signal the opposite. Sustained eye contact in a conversation builds rapport and connection. It shows the hiring manager is focused on you.
They ask a lot of questions
Many questions from the hiring manager is a positive indicator. It means they’re curious to learn more about you. They want to understand your background, skills, experience, and approach so they can determine if you’re a match. Engaged, interested interviewers will ask follow-up questions and dive deeper instead of just breezing through surface-level questions. If the questions get more specific, that also indicates sincere interest in what you bring to the table.
They go over the scheduled interview time
Most interviews are allotted a set amount of time on the hiring manager’s calendar. Pay attention to that time window. If the hiring manager goes over the scheduled end time and keeps the conversation going, that’s a good sign. It shows they lost track of time because they were engaged in the discussion with you. They likely want to keep probing to learn more rather than cutting the meeting short per the schedule. This is a signal you held their interest.
They highlight areas of alignment
Hiring managers will point out if your background and skills align closely with the company’s needs. They may say things like, “Your design experience would enable you to lead projects right away here,” or “Your background in customer retention matches our focus on reducing churn.” Comments about how you’re a great culture add or how seamlessly you’d integrate onto the team also indicate they see you as a fit. It shows areas of alignment between you and the role.
They introduce you to colleagues
If the hiring manager introduces you to team members or other senior leadership, it’s a good sign. They likely want their colleagues to meet you. That indicates they can envision you becoming part of the team. If they saw major gaps or you weren’t a potential fit, they probably wouldn’t waste colleagues’ time with an introduction. Introductions signal confidence in your candidacy.
They emphasize next steps
Toward the end of the interview, a hiring manager may start mapping out next steps like a second interview or a decision timeline. Phrases like, “We’ll have you back to present to the team next Monday” or “We’re looking to make a decision by early next week” indicate interest. The hiring manager likely sees you progressing through the hiring pipeline if they’re framing up next steps. That shows optimism about your candidacy versus leaving next steps vague.
They express enthusiasm
Does the hiring manager seem genuinely excited about the role and your background? Enthusiasm is contagious. If the hiring manager seems energetic about the position and happy with your conversation, that enthusiasm can rub off. It shows they were satisfied with the interview and see potential. Lack of energy or seeming apathetic may signal the opposite. Try to gauge if the hiring manager seems upbeat about the work and your candidacy based on their energy.
They sell you on the role and company
The interview shouldn’t feel one-sided. A hiring manager who sees you as a good fit will sell you on the company and role. They’ll share exciting projects you could undertake, growth opportunities, or reasons the work is meaningful. Their goal is getting you excited and persuading you to want the job. That’s a sign they view you as a promising candidate worth courting. Be wary if the conversation feels imbalanced versus a two-way pitch.
They express wanting to work with you
Sometimes hiring managers come right out and express enthusiasm about potentially working with you. Comments like, “I’d love to have you on our team,” or “I’m very interested in moving forward with your application,” make it clear they like you. Statements about looking forward to collaborating signal they see you as a colleague already versus just a candidate. These direct expressions of interest are good signs a hiring manager has taken to you.
They respond quickly after interviews
Following up promptly after an interview may reveal how the hiring manager feels about your candidacy. If you receive friendly, timely follow-ups thanking you for meeting and outlining next steps, that shows care and investment. Quick responses indicate they’re excited to advance you through the process. Delayed or cold follow-ups may mean the opposite. Prompt engagement demonstrates the hiring manager sees you as a priority.
They show flexibility
Hiring managers interested in you may show flexibility where possible, like scheduling interviews around your availability or accommodating any needs. If they seem rigid and unwilling to compromise, they may not envision you joining. Flexibility shows they want to make the process smooth and keep you interested versus being indifferent. Within reason, hiring managers who see potential in you will make efforts to accommodate.
They refer you for other roles
Some hiring managers may believe you’re a great candidate even if the specific role you applied for isn’t the right fit. In those cases, they may refer you to teams with related openings or ones better aligned with your background. Getting forwarded to other relevant opportunities is a good sign. It shows the hiring manager likes your skills and wants to keep you in the mix for the organization. Declining to keep you in mind for other roles may signal you weren’t memorable.
They give constructive feedback
Quality hiring managers won’t just reject you and move on. If they see promise but have concerns in certain areas, they’ll share constructive suggestions for improvement. Feedback shows they took the time to assess your skills and considered how to strengthen your candidacy versus dismissing it outright. Constructive criticism couched in positive terms indicates they like you but want to share advice to help you grow.
They express wanting to stay in touch
Some potential employers may not have a specific fit right now but want to stay in touch for the future. Comments like “Keep me posted on your job search,” “Let’s connect on LinkedIn,” or “Feel free to check back on any new openings here” are good signs. Even if the timing isn’t right at the moment, they see potential in you. Building an ongoing connection shows the hiring manager believes in you and wants to bring you aboard when the circumstances align better.
Conclusion
Picking up on a hiring manager’s cues during interviews requires reading between the lines. Through body language, questions, flexibility, prompt follow-up, feedback, and enthusiasm, hiring managers signal whether they view you as a promising candidate. Keep these signs in mind as you evaluate how interviews are going and a hiring manager’s interest level. With practice, you can learn to interpret when a hiring manager sees you as a strong fit versus feeling lukewarm. Paying attention to these indicators can help you focus your job search efforts where you have the best chances. The more you understand the subtler aspects of interview dynamics, the better you can persuade hiring managers you’re an ideal choice.
Signs a Hiring Manager Likes You | What It Indicates |
---|---|
Strong eye contact | Engaged, focused on you |
Lots of questions | Interested to learn more |
Goes over scheduled time | Doesn’t want to cut conversation short |
Highlights alignment | Sees you as a good match |
Introduces you to colleagues | Can envision you on the team |
Frames up next steps | Optimistic about moving forward |
Expresses enthusiasm | Happy with the conversation |
Sells you on the role | Wants to persuade you to join |
Says they want to work with you | Directly expresses interest |
Follows up quickly | You’re a priority candidate |
Shows flexibility | Wants to accommodate you |
Refers you for other roles | Sees potential in you |
Gives constructive feedback | Wants to help you improve |
Offers to stay in touch | Sees future potential |
Landing a new job involves impressing hiring managers and showcasing your fit during interviews. While it can be tough to know exactly what the hiring manager is thinking, paying attention to cues like engagement, enthusiasm, feedback, and responsiveness can reveal a lot about whether they see you as a promising candidate. Use these signs to evaluate how hiring managers respond to you and focus your search where you seem to resonate best. With practice reading and reacting to hiring managers’ signals, you can boost your chances of persuading them you’re the right choice.