Interview is often a tight affair. Job candidates compete with each other, and every little detail can make a difference at the end of the hiring process. Will they hire you, or someone else? You should already know that your success story starts when you take a pen in your hand (or turn on your computer screen), and start crafting your job application. And this story ends no earlier than in a moment of signing a new job contract with the company.

Closing an interview–that means, a moment when they have already asked you everything they wanted, and it is time to say something–perhaps goodbye, perhaps something more, is one of the many moments between the start and the end of your journey towards a coveted job contract.… Let me show you a few things you can do to get the best out of the moment.

 

Ask some questions before you leave the room

If they do not directly propose questions, you should take the initiative at the end of the interview.

You can inquire about the next steps of the recruitment process (if there will be another interview), about the working environment in the company, about their newest products or goals, the vision they have, your working duties, shift patterns, etc.

Every good question shows your motivation, and interest for their company. You can learn more about good and bad questions to ask an employer in an interview.

One businessman is handing a business card to another one. They are dressed in high quality clothes, but we can not see their faces.

Do not ask them for a business card – give them your own card

Job interview is not a business meeting. It is simply an interview. Asking an interviewer for their business card is appropriate only in management interviews, executive-level interviews, and consulting jobs interviews.

However, to give them your own business card (if you have one), is a good strategy to actually get their card. Many people will hand you their card as soon as they get yours–it is a habit, and a business etiquette, something we do almost automatically. And even if they do not give you their card, at least they have your business card, a little reminder of your skills, and of everything that has happened in an interview with yo–one you hopefully aced, and have now a decent chance of being the one who signs a new employment agreement with the company.

 

Do not talk about money -wait for their turn

Some job seekers will talk about money at the end of the interview. They will either ask about the salary offer, or they will start negotiating (if the initial offer has been already made by an employer, or advertised on the job description, and they aren’t satisfied with the advertised figure). I would not suggest you to follow this strategy though.

If the employer wants to hire you, they will start talking about your salary–sooner, or later. In this interview, or in the next one, or on the phone. Salary is in integral part of every job contract. There is no way they can avoid the topic, so you should leave the initiative to them.

Once you start talking about money, however (or close your interview with salary negotiation), it is a clear sign for the interviewers that you care about money more than you care about anything else related to the job offer. Needless to say, you do not want to make such an impression on the hiring managers from the company.

 

Show positive emotions

Doesn’t matter if your interview went well, or terribly. You should stay positive at the end. Firm handshake and a genuine smile on your face symbolizes the right emotions, the right attitude to work, to people, and to your life. Corporations are full of negative people who are bored of life and tired with their jobs. The last thing hiring managers want is to get another such guy onboard.

Show positive emotions, smile, show some confidence, leave a room on a high note. When life’s not at stake, nothing is. Perhaps they will hire someone else this time, but at least you had a good meeting with another human being, you brought positive energy to the company, you were nice to the people you met. And, of course, you learned something, and improved your interviewing skills. There’s no reason not to smile, is there?

 

Do not forget to say thank you

Only a few job applicants thank the interviewers for their time. You should avoid making the same mistake. Leading job interviews is not easy, and it can be very tiring. Imagine a twelve hour long interview session, when one applicant follows another–I’ve been through such sessions, and one can feel completely drained at the end.

You should appreciate the work of the hiring managers, the interviewers. Perhaps they didn’t do the best job on a given day. Perhaps you’d been to better interviews before, talked to people who had more skills in interviewing applicants. Nevertheless, you should appreciate their efforts-at least if you want to close the interview in style.

Thank them for their time, and spare a little compliment at the end of the meeting (small honest compliment will never harm your chances to succeed in the interviews).

 

Interview follow-up

Once you close the door of the office, your work is done. Or is it not? Actually, you should get in touch with your interviewers one more time, sending them a thank you note, or a short follow-up letter. Alternatively, if the interview went well, and if you have their phone number, you can call them 24 hours after the interviews. Learn more about each follow-up option in our interview follow up section

Ready to close your interview in style? I hope so! Now it is time to learn how you can actually ace your interview:

  • 15 most common interview questions – What are your weaknesses? Why should we hire you? You may get these questions in any job interview, and you should get an answer ready upfront (or at least an idea of a good answer). Our sample answers will help you get ready.
  • How to overcome interview nerves – 4 strategies that will help you calm down, and show your very best when it matters the most. Do not let your nerves to kill your chances in the interview. Show them your very best, and walk away with a new job contract.
Matthew Chulaw
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