Top 10 Signs That You Got the Job After an Interview 🎉

Finding clients as a freelancer can sometimes seem challenging. A robust web presence is key, but it’s up to the individual Independent to sell themselves in the hiring process. Knowing a job hangs in the balance makes interviewing one of the most stressful parts of freelancing.

The good news is that there are signs you’ll get the job after interviewing. We can’t make any promises, of course, but here’s what to watch out for

It’s possible to nail a job interview and unfortunately not get hired. Budgets change, hiring committees disagree, and any number of external forces can prevent the perfect interview from having a perfect ending. But whether or not you get the call, here are some signs of a good interview:

Pay attention to the interviewer’s body language. Do they maintain eye contact, lean forward in their seat, or nod and smile at your responses? Shifts in verbal cues, like the interviewer using “when” instead of “if,” can also indicate that they already see you as a good fit for the team.

2. Personal conversation.

If the conversation turns casual, moving away from professional qualifications and previous jobs and into more personal questions, it’s a great sign of genuine interest in hiring you. 

3. Availability. Someone hiring an Independent understands that freelance schedules fluctuate. If they ask for your availability in an interview, it’s a good sign that an offer isn’t far behind.

This is also a good time to consider the amount of work a position requires. If you foresee a problem meeting the expected deadlines and deliverables, the job may not be a good fit.

An interview running over its scheduled time can be a great indicator that you’ll get an offer. Most hiring managers will have a number of interviews scheduled. Taking extra time to talk is a good sign that you’ve made an impression.

One sign of a good interview is when an interviewer mentions another round of interviews or schedules an appointment for you to talk to other decision-makers. If the initial conversation went well, it’s likely the client will bring you back for a follow-up.

6. Discussion of timeline/scope. An interview that moves to deliverables and due dates is an excellent indication that you’ve already nailed at least part of the interview.

The interviewer is already considering you as one of their team members, integrated into their vision and schedule. This presents an opportunity to determine if you can meet the deadlines the client requires.

Taking the time to introduce you to other team members or show you around the company’s headquarters indicates a genuine interest in collaborating with you. If you’re interviewing virtually, the interviewer might invite someone else to the chat to get a colleague’s opinion.

If your interviewer starts discussing the nitty-gritty of pricing, it’s a good sign that they’re seriously considering you for a position. A shift from you selling yourself to the client to the client selling itself to you could indicate that they want to hire you.

Not every candidate can get the job. Never write off an opportunity until you get a definitive answer, but look for these signs to know when it’s time to shift your focus to other opportunities:

When discussing deliverables or scheduling deadlines, it’s easy to understand whether the client’s expectations mesh with your own. 

If an interviewer ends the conversation without moving beyond a script, they may have decided you’re not a good fit. 

If a fair amount of time passes and a potential client is still accepting applications, they’re probably still looking for someone to fill the role. 

A pretty clear indicator that you haven’t got the job is when someone doesn’t respond to your follow-up emails or inquiries. Don’t despair — you wouldn’t want to work with a client that treats you that way anyway.

Going through the interview process means both parties are interested. But that doesn’t mean you should accept every offer that comes your way. Before you say yes, here are a few things to consider:

Research the company. Do a deep dive into the company’s website, reviews, or any news you can find. This ensures you’re accepting a position with a client that aligns with both your needs and ideals.

Benefits. Not every benefit is quantifiable. Intangible benefits like an inclusive and welcoming company culture or comfortable workspace are also important perks to consider.

Consider your needs. Taking a job that doesn’t suit your needs may prevent you from finding one that would be a much better fit. Weigh the pros and cons before accepting a contract you’re not entirely sold on.

A good fit. As an Independent, as long as you hit your deadlines, your schedule is your own. Does the offer fit with your workflow? Is it work you want to do? The interview and follow-up research will show whether or not a client is a good fit for you and vice versa.

So you got an offer that you’ve decided to take. Keep these tips in mind when crafting a job acceptance email or returning a call:

Timely response. Even if you’re not sure you want to take a position, respond as soon as possible. Delaying your response could give a client the impression you’re not as enthusiastic about working with them as they thought.

Be grateful. Always make sure that your gratitude comes through. A client will likely be thankful that you’ve accepted the offer, and they’ll want to see that you’re appreciative and excited to move forward.

Establish a timeline. Ensuring you know the timelines for onboarding and initial deadlines is a good idea. Ask when the company needs your response to the offer and what the timeline would look like should you accept the position.

Recap. Reiterate any discussions of deliverables, deadlines, and payment so that both parties have everything on paper. This ensures that everyone is on the same page before a start date.

If you’re looking for further help in interviewing or job research, Contra has incredible resources for Independents. From articles on finding work on LinkedIn or Twitter to the Contra Slack community, you’ll find a wealth of best practices for finding freelance work. Sign up, or check out our Discover feed to find out how Contra can best help you.