Charlotte Grainger 
Some bad interview signs mean you didn't land the job.
You've already done the hard parts. You've applied for the role, landed an interview, prepped for it and shown up on time. What's more, you think it went well. So, now the waiting game begins.
It could take a long time. In truth, the interview process can take between 26 and 31 days here in the UK, according to research from Glassdoor. Plus, the reality of the matter is that you can't land every role that you get an interview for. Sometimes a rejection will catch us off guard, but others, the signs are right there in the interview room. With that in mind, here are some tell-tale signs of a bad job interview that could mean you may not have landed the job.
1. The interviewer seemed uninterested in you
Was your interviewer simply going through the motions? Or did they seem genuinely interested in you as a candidate? Sometimes, we get the sense that the person we are talking to simply couldn't care less what we have to say.
It may feel like they may have been staring at the clock as you talk, looking down at their paperwork or just glazing over completely. Whatever it was, it could be telling of whether or not you got the job. Sadly, if you felt as though the interviewer or hiring manager was less than concerned about what you had to say, that's one of the biggest signs the interview went bad and you did not get the job.
2. The interview was suddenly cut short
Let's say you were originally given a 30-minute interview slot, but after waiting an eternity, you got just 10-15 minutes with the interviewer. You're not imagining it – this is one of the major signs of a bad interview session. That short and sweet chat was likely not long enough for the interviewer or hiring manager to cover all they needed to. So, why did they decide to show you the door?
Well, there are a couple of things that could have happened here. It could mean they may have already interviewed their ideal candidate before they met with you. In that case, the interviewer is simply seeing you as a courtesy. Alternatively, it could be that you put your foot in it within the first few minutes. That means the interviewer already knows you're not right for the job and doesn't want to waste their time.
3. There was absolutely zero chemistry
Interviews are a lot like first dates: If you feel no chemistry, it's a bad sign that things are going nowhere fast. You may get the sense that the interview process is not going well. Don't ignore that feeling. While you might not be able to put your finger on the reason for it, you should trust your instincts. A massive 70 percent of communication is nonverbal, according to research by the University of Pennsylvania. That means that we can pick up on body language and sense unsaid things from the people around us. What you're likely picking up on here are the unconscious signals that the interviewer does not want to hire you for the role.
4. That killer question stumped you
During the interview, there was that one killer question that caught you off guard. You may have done tons and tons of research, but you somehow missed this one crucial aspect. If the interviewer or hiring manager asked you something for which you had no good answer, that is a major problem. You could have aced every other question, but if this one was important, it may have lost you the job offer.
Ultimately, as far as signs of a bad job interview go, this one is pretty close to the top of the list. The fact that you couldn't answer a question may be a deal breaker as it shows the interviewer that you haven't done your research or that you're not right for the role. Either way, you're unlikely to land the job.
5. The interviewer didn't tell you about the role
After the interview questions were over, did the interviewer or hiring manager take a few minutes to brief you on what the role would entail? If the answer is no, there could be a very good reason for that. If they had already decided that you were not right for the position, they may not have bothered with this final step. After all, why bother explaining the details of a role to you when they have no intention of offering it to you? It might sound harsh, but it's the truth.
6. You failed to ask any questions
A job interview is not only your chance to prove that you're the right candidate for the role. Oh no, it's also an opportunity to show that you have an abundance of enthusiasm and interest in the job and company too. If you fail to ask any questions about the company or the duties of the position, it tells interviewers and hiring managers how little you care about landing the job.
It should really go without saying that whenever you go to an interview, you should make sure to prepare a few questions for the interviewer. They don't have to be too in-depth, but they should show that you've thought about the role and whether or not you have the ability to do it. Simple.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, you won't land every single role you get an interview for. If only it were that easy! However, if job seekers don't manage to get this particular job, don't be disheartened. There's a wide array of reasons that you may not have been the right fit for this role. The key is to keep applying for roles you believe you can do.
Will your CV land you the interview? Submit it here for a free critique to find out!