Are you wondering what an interviewer looks for during an interview, or what you should do to get him to like you? Is there some secret to figuring out if the interview is going well or something else you can do to insure that it does?

While you’re in the interview hot seat watching for clues from your interviewer, he or she is busy watching you – looking for their own clues. Interviewers look for things they want to hear in your answers, or ways you handle yourself during the interview, or simply some sign that shows them what you might be like if you worked for them.

So I thought it might help you to know what kinds of things I specifically look for, and what I want to hear when I interview job candidates:

1. Do you actually answer the questions I ask?

Preparing for an interview ahead of time is really important. By all means, spend time looking at what kinds of questions might be asked and how to handle them. And practice, practice, practice.

But when it comes to the interview itself, listen carefully in the moment and answer the actual questions asked. I’ve had people come to interviews so overly prepared with canned answers that they try to use their memorized answers even if it’s not exactly what was asked.

So listen to the whole question and respond naturally. If you jump ahead to practice your answer in your head while the interviewer is still talking, that’s a big turnoff. Trust yourself and find your own words. Be conversational. It will help you connect with the interviewer, which is what you want to do.

2. What’s your body language telling me?

Are you slouching? Relaxed is good, slouching is bad. Sit up straight, looking professional and yet as natural as possible. Also, be aware of any fidgets or extraneous body movements (tapping your finger or foot, clicking a pen) that can distract the interviewer from your words.

And don’t forget to add a warm smile as you speak, again in a natural way. Grinning wildly throughout is only good if you’re applying for a job as a smiley face.