3 Things Interviewers Always Say and What They Mean

Job seekers have been trying to decipher what people in charge say before, during and after interviews for hundreds of years. You're not the only one trying to read between the lines - or using a high-powered microscope to read between the words and letters.

However, the experience of most hiring managers shows that the conclusions you come to can be way off the mark. To help you spend less time overanalyzing (or worse, misinterpreting), we've translated three of the most common phrases. We also include why they are said and what you should do if you hear them.

1. What interview partners mean when they say, "We're still conducting more interviews, but we'll get back to you very soon."

Those : hbr.org

Translated: "We will actually get back to you very soon."

In the minds of job seekers, this is the worst case scenario. "They're interviewing other candidates because they won't hire me. That's the worst. Right?"

Not so fast. A hiring manager may interview other candidates, but that doesn't mean you're not a good choice. Of course, it happens that an interlocutor says this because he will soon contact you to disappoint you. But that's not the only reason you'll hear this from his mouth.

Don't forget that the interviewers not only have a series of questions to ask you during the conversation, but also a series of things that they can easily say on autopilot. This includes: "We're currently interviewing other applicants, so..." - even if you're about to be hired. Some recruiters even write this phrase at the end of their notes for each person and even say it to candidates they know they want to hire.

What to do if you hear, "We're still conducting more interviews, but we'll get back to you soon."

Those : indeed.com

A simple answer: be patient.

Before you eat your second ice cream to mourn a job you're convinced you won't get, remember that hiring managers sometimes say things like that. Because after doing multiple interviews every day, they are programmed to end a conversation like that and it doesn't mean they have already made a decision about your application.

2. What interviewers mean when they say, "We're really looking forward to meeting you..."

Those : flexjobs.com

The truth? This is usually nothing more than a slip of the tongue.

We know what you're thinking when you hear that. And on the few occasions that hiring managers make this mistake, they want to bite their tongue. And why? Because they know how easily that can be interpreted as "Yes, they'll make me an offer as soon as this thing is over!" can be interpreted.

While it makes sense that you would come to that conclusion when you hear something like that, that's not necessarily the case.

While it's a good indicator that the interview mood is heading in the right direction, unfortunately it's not a subtle, tongue-in-cheek way of saying you're about to be hired.
So what should you do when you hear, "We're really looking forward to seeing you..."?

Be patient and wait for real news. If you have a job, don't run to your boss's office to quit as soon as you hear these words from a hiring manager.

3. What interviewers mean when they say, "Here's my card. Feel free to email me if you have any questions."

Yes, hiring managers are happy to answer any questions you may have after the interview. But in case you haven't noticed, handing you a business card is a not-so-subtle way of saying, "Here's my email address and I expect you to send me a thank you note."

What should you do when you hear, "Here's my card..."?

While it's a good idea to ask questions after the interview if you have them, it's not necessary. A hiring manager can tell when you're sending them a series of questions that you don't want or need answers to, just to make a better impression. So before you worry about whether you should send the person you're talking to something else, be sure to write a thoughtful, personal thank you email.

It's easy to immediately assume the worst-case scenario when a conversation partner says something - well, pretty much anything. Although you should conduct the interview as carefully as possible, there is no need to analyze every single word out of the hiring manager's mouth. You were invited for one reason and one reason only: the company thinks you could be a good employee. And it's only up to you to prove to everyone present that you are right.