How to tell if the interview went good or bad?

[Michaeltripcoded]

I keep getting asked "How did your interview go?" and I don't really know how to answer the question. What can I expect from an interview that went well? or one that went poorly? I was told I would receive an email from human resources with the answer to whether they would employ me or not, and I feel like anytime they say they will call or email, they don't. However, I was told about overtime hours, time off, benefits, etc. and I felt as though he wouldn't go into depth about those things if there was little chance he would hire me. I am also scheduled to get the CPR certification that they prefer on Saturday, but I feel like I look unprepared not having it already. However, they also called me before I even knew my license went through the state. They seem desperate to employ people.

So, what makes an interview good or bad? Will you get hired on the spot? How do you answer questions like "name a time you had to compromise with an employee in the workplace?"

 

[ThadeusJ]

Lots of similar questions on this forum as well all over the interweb. Basically, be honest and don't worry about it too much. In the past few years all levels of business in North America has demonstrated extremely poor behaviour on behalf of the employer. I have personally had several high level interviews which I thought went well and never even heard a response. Nothing.

Since you are entering a field where you will be up close and personal with your customers, get used to getting everything out in the open during the interview process as in, "When do you expect to finish your search and when can I expect to hear from you regarding your decision?" or "Are there any additional questions you have that we're discussed earlier?". Regarding your specific questions, do a Google search as there are many answers that you can use for that question, but the one you choose will make you look more prepared than wingin' it.

 

[akflightmedic]

Almost every job I ever had where I was offered on the spot position, it very rarely ended well. There is a reason that they are wanting you so fast and most often it is due to organizational issues within which are going to pain you later. As a job seeker, I want the potential employer to perform their due diligence on me as much as I am going to screen them.

I like the fact that I interview so well that you may not need to check my references or allow a cooling off period, however do not let that falsely boost one's ego. Just be cautious when job seeking on those too good to be true moments.

Now from an employer's perspective, I have often done the entire benefits discussion during or at the end of an interview for various reasons even when I already knew I would not hire someone such as:

1. It is a script and you try to do the same for every candidate to avoid any accusations
2. It makes it easier to wrap up the meeting
3. I want that person to go market on my behalf (they will tell other potential, better candidates and broaden my pool)
4. If I sense hesitation on your part but I really want you on the team, I will do the benefits spiel as well

As you can see, there are so many reasons both good and bad why you may have gotten all that info in the interview. Short of them contacting you and offering the job, sometimes it is just too difficult to know how well you did.

As a courtesy, I always let candidates know that I have not chosen them. I may not always be able to tell them why and you may never get that from your potential employers, but I do follow up and tell them the position has been filled.