How to End an Interview on the Right Note

When you interview for a job, your main objective is to convince an employer that you’re exactly the right person for the position—that no other candidate measures up. For the most part, conveying the right impression is something that will happen over the course of the interview, but the way you finish an interview is important too.

Here are five points to keep in mind for your “closing remarks”. These are all appropriate to use in any interview, but how aggressive you are with your closing remarks will vary depending on your judgment of the situation. Sometimes you might get away with saying “How soon can I start?”, but at other times you’ll need to opt for a more gentle approach.

1.) Create a Distinctive Impression

What skills or personality traits do you want the interviewer to remember above everything else? Choose one or two distinguishing features—don’t choose generic attributes such as communication skills or being a hard worker—and use those to reinforce the impression you make on the interviewer

2.) Ask if you can provide more Information

Once you’ve finished up with step one, ask the interviewer if there is anything else they’d like to know about you. Emphasize your desire for the job by asking “Is there any further information I can add to convince you that I’m the person you need for this position?”

3.) Be Clear in Stating your Interest

State your interest and be enthusiastic. It seems obvious, but it’s surprising how many people actually neglect to clearly express their interest in the job. Reinforce your suitability at the same time by summarizing what you can do for the company.

4.) Ask about what happens Next

It’s not considered impolite to ask if the company has scheduled a decision date. Asking this question demonstrates your enthusiasm for the job, but it’s also important to know more about the process so you can follow up on the interview.

5.) Get Contact Information

Find out how you can contact the interviewer to check on the status of your application. As with the previous points, asking this question emphasizes your enthusiasm, but it’s also good to have this information in case you don’t hear back from the interviewer. If you do tell the interviewer you plan to follow up, make sure you actually do it. Saying one thing and then doing another is exactly the sort of impression you don’t want to convey.

Still Stuck?  Try using the "The Job Interview Secret"

Also, please review our Free Interview Tips section.  If you need more help, please consider using a Career Counselor.