Alright, you made it to the end of the interview. You showed up on time looking sharp. You demonstrated perfect manners. You answered all of their questions and they answered yours. Time to sit back and breathe a sigh of relief. Not so fast! The interview is not over yet. There is still time to impress the interviewer and make a good lasting impression. Just as the first impression is important, wrapping up the interview is important too. Take the opportunity to make a good lasting impression on the interviewer so they remember you as a promising candidate for the job.
Here are five tips for wrapping up the interview and making a good final impression:
- Make a Strong Closing Statement
- Ask About the Next Steps
- Show Gratitude
- Saying Goodbye
- Following Up
Let’s take a closer look at how to wrap up the interview.
Make a Strong Closing Statement
You probably covered a lot of information during the interview and there is a good chance that the interviewer did not catch everything you said. It is important to recap or summarize your most important skills and qualifications. Your closing statement gives you one last chance to try to sell yourself as the best person for the job. Also make a point to express your interest in the job. Let the interviewer know that you are excited about the possibility of working for the company and explain why you think you would be a good fit. Be sure to prepare your closing statement before going into the interview so that your statement is clean and polished.
Ask About the Next Steps
The days, and possibly even weeks, following an interview can be very stressful. It is hard to sit back and wait patiently for a call back from the interviewer. As days go by you start to wonder what is taking so long. To help prevent some of this anxiety, ask the interviewer about the timeframe for the hiring process and what your next steps should be. The interviewer should give you an idea about when to expect a call back and whether or not you should contact the company within a certain time. This information is important and will take some of the stress and mystery out of the next week or so as you wait for an answer.
Show Gratitude
Whatever you do, do not leave the interview without letting the interviewer know how thankful you are for the opportunity to interview. The interviewer is taking time out of a busy day to give you a chance at a job. Saying thank you shows that you understand this and that you do not take this opportunity for granted.
Saying Goodbye
When it is finally time to part ways, say goodbye with a firm handshake and solid eye contact. Address the interviewer using “Mr.” or “Ms.” and his or her last name, or the name you were asked to use. Finally, ask the interviewer for a business card so that you have direct contact information for your follow up.
Following Up
The first thing to do when you get home from the interview is send an email to the interviewer. You should have the email address if you have his or her business card. In your email, thank the interviewer again for taking the time to meet with you and for giving you the chance to interview. It is also a good idea to restate your interest in the job and highlight some of your strengths one last time. Keep the email short, simple and professional.
Next, send the interviewer a handwritten thank you card to the office. The thank you note is a more personal way to get in touch and show that you really do care about this job. Again, express your thanks for taking the time to meet with you. Finally, if the interviewer told you to follow up with a phone call or email if you have not heard from the company by a certain date, be sure to do so. Call the interviewer directly. Tell the interviewer who you are and say that you are calling to follow up after your interview. Ask where the company is in the interview process and if there is anything else needed from you to help with the decision.
