How to End a Job Interview on a Positive Note
Simply Hired Staff
Many applicants may think that simply landing the interview or callback is an accomplishment in itself. Professionals and those skilled in searching for the biggest career roles know, however, that getting in the door is only the first step on the road to career bliss. Once you’ve scored an interview it’s up to the candidate to nail every aspect, start to finish. Want to know how to leave your prospective employer wanting to see more? Read on for some of our handy tips on sealing the deal and ending your job interview on a positive note.
Show Off What You Know About the Company
One of the most impressive traits candidates can bring to the interview table is preparedness and research abilities. The easiest way to show these skills off is by researching the company and position you are interviewing for. We’re not talking an in-depth college essay paper type of deal, here. Spend a few minutes reviewing the company’s website for relevant information about culture, goals, and history. This, followed up with a quick google search for any relevant recent news, should be more than enough to place you on solid footing.
These skills can be integrated into your home run interview wrap up in several ways. First, when the interviewer inevitably asks what about the job or company interests you, feel free to work in details gleaned from your research. While being overly complimentary of a company you know little about can come off as disingenuous, having some insight into awards for employee satisfaction or the company’s overall motto, goal or workplace mentality is certainly a plus. You can also use the “do you have any questions” phase to bring up points you’ve seen during your search and ask for additional clarification or explanation.
Ask a Good Question
Speaking of those questions, presenting quality queries is a great way to put the cherry on the proverbial interview sundae. Find ways to work your personal knowledge or experience in past positions into your questions to demonstrate a thorough understanding of your field. Ask questions about common problems and how this particular company addresses them to show that you think about bigger picture issues. Both of these qualities will set you out from the crowd of other job applicants and are the perfect ending to an already stellar interview.
Don’t be Afraid to Hype Your Skillset
While it may seem a bit counterintuitive or boastful, working your applicable existing skills into the interview is a great way to close on a high note. If the interviewer asks if you’d like any other information or have anything additional to add, feel free to broach that you’ve enjoyed speaking with them and that you believe your X abilities would be challenged in the role. You can double down on interview awesomeness by reiterating this point in your follow-up, thank you email or interaction later on.
Taking this approach shows valuable confidence in your capabilities. Talking yourself up, in moderation, can also help draw attention to the qualities that best help you fit the needs of the role which is especially useful when you’re being compared with numerous other candidates for the job. Apply this approach in moderation and watch the job offers roll in.
Close with Good Etiquette
The final piece of finishing advice we have to proffer up hearkens back to the sage advice of your mother: mind your manners. Be sure to shake hands with your interviewer and thank them for taking the time to meet with you. Wait until you leave the building to remove your jacket or kick off those heels and treat everyone you may meet on the elevator down or way out with courtesy; you never know who could be a potential coworker.
In addition to the verbal confirmation of thanks, be sure to send the follow-up thank you notes following the interview. While these types of missives used to be via snail mail, email thank you’s are more than acceptable in today’s modern office environment. Be sure to send a brief thank you to each person you met with on interview day. Bonus points for referencing some question or discussion point that came up during your meeting. In this way, your follow-up email will pull double duty; showing professionalism and attention to detail. Emails should be sent within the first 24 hours following the interview for maximum impact and to avoid gaining you a reputation of a procrastinator.
Following our above tips will be the icing on the cake of a stellar interview. Preparation, execution and follow through are the essential elements of any successful endeavor. Accomplish these on your interview and you’ll find yourself nailing that dream job in no time.
Article Updated From the Original on September 21, 2017
