December 20, 2021
6 Interview Questions That Mean the Company Wants to Make You an Offer
by Amy Stuntz
How can you tell if your interview was successful? Until you have been given specific feedback afterwards, it can be hard to judge how it went. While you’ll never know with 100% certainty which way a company is leaning, there are certain questions asked during an interview that indicate good news. Chances are if one of these six questions is asked, an offer will be coming soon!
Are you interviewing with any other companies?
Asking about search activity and what opportunities are in your pipeline means the hiring manager wants to stay on track, and preferably ahead of the pack in the race to hire you.
What is your compensation expectation?
If asked during a first interview/HR screening call, this question is meaningless. However, in subsequent interviews, especially with hiring managers, this question becomes an excellent buying sign. The company wants to know exactly what it will take to get you and lay the groundwork for negotiations.
Would you like to meet some of the people on the team?
Panel interviews are common, but when the hiring manager introduces you to future colleagues and peers, it’s a sign they want you to envision who you could work with. A great meeting with the team accomplishes three things:
- Strengthens the likelihood that you’ll accept an offer
- Provides a meaningful segue way into the onboarding process
- Creates a seamless transition for your first day on the job
When could you start?
This is another way of saying, “The job is yours when you’re ready!” Now, it’s also a way for them to plan for your arrival. If you want to give a 2- or 3-week resignation, have upcoming time off, or need to handle some personal matters before starting, this question also takes into consideration what you need for a smooth career change.
How do you think your company will react when you resign?
This is a good sign that the interviewer is thinking ahead to the next stage. Other companies in your pipeline aren’t necessarily their only competition. Your current employer might not be willing to let you go so easily. Asking about your resignation could be their way of gauging whether they will be competing against a counteroffer from your employer.
Can you provide a list of professional references?
A hiring manager typically won’t call up an old boss or client if they aren’t seriously considering you for their role. Remember, references are different from employment verification. The latter just happens in the same way a drug screen or MVR report takes place. References are useful when a hiring manager wants to confirm their positive vibes about your professionalism, career aspirations, and potential success in this role, and this can be verified by people who know you best.