Concluding a Job Interview: Best Practices
The closing will be a smaller part of the interview, but is very important for to the following reasons:
- The greatest density of information is generally exchanged during the final 10% of an interview.
- The conclusion usually consists of a plan of action moving forward. A clear concise summary of this plan is a most useful technique for acheiving good results. As it is also good material to followup after the interview to show engagement.
- Effectively concluding a job interview is critical to enhancing your chances of obtaining an offer. It's critical to leave a job interview with the interviewer feeling confident in your knowledge, abilities, and accomplishments.
There are a few things that you want to be sure that you reinforce during the Closing phase of the interview:
- First and foremost, verbalize your interest in the position, adding two or three things the make you a great fit and ask about next steps in the hiring process.
- Reiterate a memorable positive moment during the interview that will help the interview remember you and that you can mention in your thank you follow up note.
- Verify contact information if you have not been given a business card.
- Express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and leave with a smile and handshake.
Closing Questions
It is typical for the interviewer to ask if there are any other questions that you may have. Below are some good questions to ask during this stage:
- What is the one thing I can do in this role to help your business to be successful?
- Can you describe what you see as strengths/weaknesses related to this position?
- How has the company evolved over the years?
- What are the plans for the company over the next 5 years?
Example of a Strong Closing Statement
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be interviewed for the role. I have thoroughly enjoyed the process, and in particular learning about your company, your plans, and how I can help you to achieve them. I would just like to say that I genuinely believe I can add significant value to your company, and I would live that opportunity to prove my worth. Thank you very much and I look forward to hearing from you.