Congratulations! You just tackled the interview questions like the boss you are. But, before you exit, you have one chance to wow the interviewers.
Between curating an elevator pitch, practicing your killer handshake, putting the “hire me” smile, and planning your “I got this” attire, you have a lot to handle when it comes to your interview preparation. Therefore, when the big day dawns and you make it to the end of the interview, it is only natural to be so glad it has ended that you forget to ask some pivotal questions, reiterate your enthusiasm or ask about the next steps.
First impressions are essential, but last impressions are also a big deal when it comes to a job interview. They are your last chance to blow the interviewers' minds. It is your opportunity to ensure they know you are the best candidate for the job.
That said, here are some of the things you need to do when closing a job interview. Play your cards right, and you might just score the job of your dreams!
Before heading out the door, take the time to express your enthusiasm for the job. A high level of engagement is the key to proving to the interviewer that you are into the job.
You might also want to say you are an ideal cultural fit for the firm, which is a pressure point for administrators, especially when you consider that more than eight in ten human resource managers say they might have underestimated a candidate's fit with their firm's work environment. Therefore, be sure to mention that you look forward to being part of the company.
How can you do this? Here is a sample statement:
“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity you have given me to learn more about this job. Hearing about your company's innovative technology and your vision for a better future has enriched my desire to take up an executive role in your firm.”
Apart from confirming your interest, it would be best if you echoed your eligibility – why the position fits your skills and is an excellent match given your assets as an applicant. Ensure to quickly summarize your strengths and mention how your skills and experience directly influence the firm.
Sample statement:
“In closing, it seems to me that this position is the perfect fit. I look forward to using my digital marketing skills, expertise in Google Analytics, Automated Marketing Software and SEO, and ability to clear projects on time.”
If you have attended an interview before, you probably know the customary final question every hiring manager asks:
'Do you have any questions for us?'
To a newbie, this might seem like a simple question, simply asked to close the interview. However, for a well-informed interviewee, this is the final chance to impress the interviewer with great questions like:
'Are there any other forms of the business that I might be asked to get involved in?'
'How do you, as a firm, nurture an excellent team environment?'
'I noticed that Digitek is a local competitor of yours. How do you out-sell them?'
Ensure you ask questions that indicate you have done the research. Show that you have been paying attention to the interviewer and you are interested in the position. If you need more help on choosing which questions to ask an interviewer, we have an excellent list of questions here!
Apart from asking mind-blowing questions, be prepared for the hiring manager's questions too. Most hiring managers ask if you have anything to add at the end of your interview. So, be sure to enter the interview with a mental list of the strengths that would enable you to prosper in the job and share any assets you had not mentioned during the interview.
Sample statement:
“I have mentioned how I might apply my research and marketing skills, but I want to add that I have planned numerous successful marketing events to introduce new products to the market.”
Before exiting, ensure you know what you can expect from that point on in the hiring process. Ask the interviewers about the timeframe for concluding their decision and any other layer of interviewing so you can plan on your follow-up email. This will not only make you seem genuinely interested but also proactive. Plus, no one wants to be stuck around waiting, not knowing whether and when you will hear from the firm again.
Sample statement:
“Thanks again for the opportunity you have given me today. Can you tell me about the next steps in the process? I am glad to send any extra information you might need from me.”
The last moments of an interview are incredibly vital – do not forget that. Hiring managers will expect you to hold it together, be polite (not too sale-sy), and reiterate your interest in the position.
Be sure to leave the interview professionally. Thank the hiring managers for their time and request their contact information (mainly their email address). Requesting this information will ensure you know how to follow up with the firm after your interview.
You might also want to firmly shake hands with anyone, not just the interviewer, who attends the interview before they leave the room.
That being said, do not get discouraged if the hiring manager does not offer or set up a second interview. Typically, a particular process needs to be followed before this happens, like consulting partners or conducting interviews with other candidates. So, ensure your body language and verbal communication is positive until you exit the interview.
Doing all this will work perfectly to round up your interview and leave them with one thought:
You are perfect for the job!
Do you have any questions regarding job interviews? Feel free to comment below!
