7 obvious signs you failed your remote interview

We all walk into an interview, or these days log in remotely, with confidence that we are the best candidate for the position. The preparation, the perfect outfit, the ideal answer for every possible question – we covered all our bases. 

However, right after an interview, most of us have one of two possible feelings; one, we crushed it, or two, we didn’t do so well. But our feelings are not always true indicators of what really occurred. 

In fact, there are some tell-tale signs that you failed your remote interview that you might want to factor into your feelings before you think you nailed it! 

Here are 7 signs you failed your remote interview

1. The interview was cut short

Regardless of an interview setting, an interview that is cut short is the most obvious sign you didn’t perform well. 

For whatever reason, an interview that appears to abruptly end is usually a clear indicator you’re not the person they’re looking for. While that can be attributed to many reasons (so don’t take it personally), a short interview isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, an interview that is abruptly cut short seemingly out of nowhere isn’t such a good sign. 

Typically, a good interview will last around 20-30 minutes, potentially longer. But if the interviewer says, “Well, that gives us everything we need,” and you felt like you hardly answered any questions… it might be time to apply to a few more jobs! 

2. It was clear the interviewer was doing something else

In-person, if someone else is preoccupied with their phone, email, or something else, it is very obvious. In the digital world, people seem to think others won’t notice when they’re distracted. This isn’t true. 

It can be very obvious when you are interviewing, and the person asking the questions on the other end is clearly doing something else. A long pause between questions, inattentiveness, and other distractors is a clear sign you’re either not interviewing well, or they made their pick already! 

3. They kept looking at their watch

Looking at your watch in a timeshare pitch is one thing, but when someone else does it while simultaneously interviewing you – that isn’t a good sign.

Like number two, the interviewer who continually checks their watch has something else to do or lunch to eat. 

This doesn’t mean you’re 100% out, but if you happen to see them check their watch more than one time, combined with a few more signs listed below, you may not have done so well!

4. Body language wasn’t there 

Did they lean in or lean back? Was their belly button facing you, or was it angled in a different direction?

While somebody’s language may not be as obvious in a virtual world, it still exists. A high percentage of communication is done through tone and body language. Knowing this, if someone’s body language is less than enthusiastic and they happen to be interviewing you…

5. They didn’t seem engaged 

Whether it is a lack of interest or enthusiasm, it can be simple to spot a lack of connection in a remote interview, just like an in-person interview. 

Smiles and warmth can still be felt across a computer screen, but so can someone who doesn’t seem willing to connect with you. For whatever reason, if you feel that there isn’t much engagement from them, you might be picking up on a sign you failed your remote interview. 

6. The follow-up questions seem overly tough

An obvious sign an interview isn’t going well is if you feel as though follow-up questions are asked in an attempt to stump you. While interviews for technical positions tend to have tougher questions, there are instances when an interviewer might be asking “Hard” questions on purpose. 

If you feel that the questions are out of the left-field, the interviewer seems to pause before asking, or they are attempting to have you contradict yourself – you might have failed the interview. They may be building a case at this point as to WHY you’re not a good fit. 

7. They keep looking at papers 

Glancing at your resume or some notes is one thing, but if you find the person interviewing you constantly reading your resume or the notes, it can mean one of two things. 

1. They’re not a people person and like to look down,
2. Or more than likely, they’re not that interested.

Call it counting down the seconds or boredom, but if you notice they keep continually looking at documents throughout the interview, this might be a bad sign for you. That said, keep in mind they might already have a candidate selected. 

As we wrap up below, we will leave you with some parting advice for your next round of interviews!

The verdict 

Being told – indirectly – that you are not the candidate for a new job is a gut punch that doesn’t feel so good. However, if you feel as though you just witnessed some of the obvious signs your remote interview didn’t go well, you have a few options:

1. Learn from the experience. Use this as a way to get better for future interviews.
2. Thank them with a card. Seriously, send a handwritten note thanking the interviewer. It could pay dividends in the future (you never know what can happen). 
3. Apply to more jobs. Use your seemingly bad interview as fuel to apply to more jobs. 
4. Remain positive. Don’t assume; we all have a natural tendency to think we did worse than we really did! You can’t take every interview personally, stay positive and move on!