Interviews are a nerve-wracking experience for any candidate. But usually after a few minutes you warm into it, and things go a lot more smoothly. By the time they finish, you’re relaxed and feeling confident.
Now’s the time to take a pause.
In my opinion, how you end an interview is just as important, if not more so, than how you’ve performed during it. Those last few minutes can be the difference in you getting the job or not – but if you’re clever you can also leave with some idea of how you performed. After all, you want them to remember you for all the right reasons, and have you in the back of their mind when they interview other candidates.
So here are my top tips to end an interview.
Address Issues Head-on
Even if the interview has gone brilliantly, remember none of us are perfect. As much as you might want to, it’s unlikely that you tick every single box on their wish list. So even if you think you’ve smashed it, I’d still ask something like:
‘Do you have any concerns about my ability to do this job?’
Or;
‘Are there any reasons you can think of that I wouldn’t be right for this role?’
It might sound a bit abrupt or even presumptuous to end an interview on what could be a negative note, but I promise this could be a deal breaker for you. This is more common for sales-related positions, but I believe it’s beneficial to do it no matter what role or industry you’re in. In fact, I encourage all of my candidates to do it! Why?
- It gives you one final chance to overcome any reservations they might have about you. If they do and you feel they’re incorrect, fight your corner and explain why.
- It gives you an opportunity to clarify any points your interviewer might have misunderstood.
- It shows you’re fighting for the job and want it more than other candidates.
- You can showcase any last skills or examples of your work that hasn’t been previously mentioned.
- It gives you a really good idea about how well you’ve done in the interview.
Reconfirm Your Interest in the Position
Don’t forget, interviewers have feelings too! If you really have sailed through the interview and said all the right things, the interviewer is going to want to know how committed you are and if you’re serious about taking it further. They have a lot of ground to cover and don’t want to waste their time. So reassure them that you’re definitely interested in the job.
As the interview is ending, reiterate your interest in a sincere way, making it obvious that you really want this job. Don’t go into a long speech, keep it simple with something like:
‘I really enjoyed meeting you today, I think this would be a great opportunity for me.’
Or;
‘After meeting with you today and finding out a bit more about the position, I’m very keen to move on to the next stage.’
Ask About the Next Steps
You’ve aced the interview – but what’s next? Every employer is different after all, and you want to know what to expect. Is there a second interview stage? Do they want you to meet the team? Is there a presentation to do?
It’s also useful to understand the timescale of the process as you may have other interviews or offers bubbling away, and you need to know when you’ll be able to make a final decision. And most importantly, it’s really handy to relay the information to your recruiter as they’ll know when and how hard to chase the client for feedback. Consider asking your interviewer:
‘What are the next steps in the recruitment process?’
‘When do you hope to give feedback to candidates?’
Thank Everyone for Their Time
I don’t want to teach you how to suck eggs, but it’s really easy to forget the basics when you’re caught up in a stressful situation. So make sure you smile, make eye contact, shake their hand, and thank the interviewer/s for their time in seeing you.
Still worried about your upcoming interview? Give me a call and I’ll be happy to talk through it with you.
Asking for the Job
Of course, if you’ve built a good rapport during the interview, there is a hidden option you can choose. If you feel like things have gone really well, you know the job is for you, and you’re feeling rather brave, there’s nothing wrong with just ASKING FOR THE JOB! I know, it’s controversial. But you’d be surprised how many of my clients WISH that candidates just asked for the job. At the very least, they will appreciate your confidence, and you’ll definitely stick in their mind!