5 Communication Green Flags You Want to See During the Interview

You’ve heard plenty about the red flags you should be on the alert for during a job search. But there’s less focus on the “green flags” — signs that the hiring process is going well and the organization is a place where you really might like (even love) to work.

So, what are some green flags to pay attention to? Let’s take a look.

1. The hiring manager is responsive.

You email the hiring manager, and they’re quick to respond — enthusiastically, at that. They’re communicative in general, answering your questions and staying involved. This is the kind of hiring manager you want to work with, and it’s a sign that they will be equally responsive if you end up working with them.

If you send a follow-up thank-you note after the interview and they respond with a positive message of their own, that’s also great news. While it’s not a guarantee that you’ll get the job, it’s definitely a positive sign.

2. They use your name.

If the hiring manager or recruiter uses your name frequently in an interview or conversation, it suggests that they’re trying to establish a connection with you and already have positive associations with you as a candidate. This is the kind of warm relationship you should seek out in a prospective employer — someone who truly seems to want to get to know you as both a professional and a person.

3. There’s plenty of positive body language.

This one goes for an in-person meeting or a video-conferencing one. There are numerous ways body language can communicate a solid connection — and give you an indication that your interview is going well and you’re developing a solid rapport with the hiring manager. This goes for both Zoom and in person. Some examples include:

• Lots of eye contact
• Smiling
• Nodding in agreement
• Gesturing emphatically
• Leaning in
• A straight posture with relaxed shoulders

4. The interview feels more like a friendly chat.

An interview that feels like an interview is intimidating. But if it just seems to flow, more like a friendly back and forth than a formal meeting, then it means you’re developing a real connection with the hiring manager. There’s plenty of laughter. There are follow-up questions. There are topics that go beyond the boundaries of just the role itself. The tone is light and friendly.

This not only suggests that the interview is going well, but it also indicates that you’ll probably get along with the manager, who very well may be your boss, if you land and accept the job.

5. You just have that feeling.

Sometimes, you just KNOW. Your gut is telling you this is the right role and employer for you. The job will leverage your skill sets, and you get the sense that your employer will respect you. The benefits and salary seem ideal. All around, it feels like a good fit.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should do your due diligence — research the employer, negotiate the offer if you get it and engage in the process. But your intuition is a powerful thing — so pay attention to it.

This article reflects the views of the author and not necessarily those of Fairygodboss.

Laura Berlinsky-Schine is a freelance writer and editor based in Brooklyn with her demigod/lab mix Hercules. She specializes in education, technology and career development. She also writes satire and humor, which has appeared in Slackjaw, Points in Case, Little Old Lady Comedy, Jane Austen’s Wastebasket, and Funny-ish. View her work and get in touch at: www.lauraberlinskyschine.com.

What's your no. 1 green flag you want to see in an interview? Share your answer in the comments to help other Fairygodboss members!