One of the most important stages of the interview is the
closing. A person who cannot close his or her interview may
perform well but might never get the offer. Below are some
suggestions to help you close your next interview.
Always take something away from the interview.
It can be in the form of a commitment from the hiring manager to
call you by a specified date or an agreement for you to follow-up
after a specified amount of time. This gives you the freedom
to contact the hiring manager without fear of being a nuisance.
Begin closing from the beginning of the
interview.
Avoid the hard sell at the very end. Explain your skills and
qualifications and how hiring you will benefit the business at the
beginning of the interview and reiterate throughout.
Show gratitude and enthusiasm.
Let the hiring manager know what you like about the position and
the organization and how well you will fit in. Be polite and
appreciative.
Summarize three benefits that you bring to the
position.
This tactic is based on the premise that summarizing your
attributes in groups of three acts as a coherent set and reinforces
key points for a more compelling message.
Examples:
You should hire me for this position because…
- “I will bring you leadership, loyalty and revenue.“
- “I am a hard worker, team player, and highly-qualified
individual.”
- “I am proficient in Excel, PowerPoint and Word.”
- “I have a master’s degree, 15 years of sales experience and a
keen knowledge of the construction industry.”
- “I will close more sales, generate more revenue and satisfy
more customers than any of my counterparts.”
Ask for the job.
As you are leaving the interview, look the hiring manager in the
eye and if appropriate, ask for the job. If not appropriate,
don’t force it. End with a firm handshake and a smile, as if
to say “It’s a deal.”
